What Can I Do for God?
Elisabeth Elliot encourages listeners to serve God with a humble and loving heart, rather than seeking special privileges or recognition.
Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the human tendency to desire special recognition and privileges in serving God, often mistaking it for genuine devotion. She references the story of Israel offering extravagant sacrifices, highlighting that what God truly values is justice, kindness, and humility. These qualities may not bring public acclaim but are highly esteemed by God. Elliot prays for deliverance from the delusion of seeking recognition in service rather than true devotion to God.
Text
Most of us would like to do something special in life, something to distinguish us. We suppose that we desire it for God's sake, but more likely we are discontent with ordinary life and crave special privileges. When Israel asked if they should offer some spectacular sacrifice--thousands of rams, ten thousand "rivers of oil," a firstborn child--the answer was, "He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" (Mi 6:8 RSV).
There is nothing conspicuous about those requirements. It is not a "special" service for which one would be likely to be decorated or even particularly remembered. But it is worth more to God than any sacrifice.
Lord, deliver me from the delusion of imagining that my desire is to serve You, when my real desire is the distinction of serving in some way which others admire.
Sermon Outline
- The Delusion of Special Service
- God's Requirements
- The Value of Ordinary Service
- Not conspicuous, but valuable to God
- More valuable than spectacular sacrifices
- Walking humbly with God
Key Quotes
“He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” — Elisabeth Elliot
“Lord, deliver me from the delusion of imagining that my desire is to serve You, when my real desire is the distinction of serving in some way which others admire.” — Elisabeth Elliot
Application Points
- Serve God with a humble and loving heart, rather than seeking special privileges or recognition.
- Reflect on your motivations for serving God and be honest about whether you are seeking to serve Him or to be admired by others.
- Focus on doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God, rather than seeking to distinguish yourself in service.