The Lord gives us gifts and talents to serve one another and contribute to different ministries in the body of Christ. This is a good stewardship of His grace upon us (1 Pet 4:10). Hence, we should take hold of the many opportunities available to use our God given gifts and talents to serve in the church.   
 
Let us examine the reasons why we should serve the Lord and to serve others.

Reasons for Serving the Lord: 

1) Because Jesus Set an Example for Us
Our Lord Jesus has shown us an example of servanthood so that we would follow him. He says that he has not come to earth to be served, but to serve others, and give His life as a ransom for the salvation of the world (Mark 10:45).  Christ has called us to follow his example to serve others with the same attitude.

2) Because Of Our Gratitude Towards God
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)

We were once lost sinners and were objects of God’s wrath. Because of God’s mercy, Christ saved us from our sins by dying on the cross on our behalf. Now, we belong to Christ, and we must live our lives to glorify him with everything that we do.
   
Paul makes known what true and proper worship to God is in Romans 12:1. Under the Old Covenant, the worshipper had to bring an animal to be sacrificed to God as a burnt offering.  Under the New Covenant, instead of offering an animal to the Lord, we offer ourselves as living sacrifices. The implication of this truth is very impactful, it means that the whole of our lives now belongs to Christ, (i.e. our gifts, talents, time and resources) and we need to devote them for service to God and His Kingdom.

3) Because We Want to Glorify God
Through the cross, Jesus Christ has changed and transformed us into a new creation. We want to serve the Lord and glorify him out of our love for him. We also want to glorify the Lord and make Him known to others. We desire to bring pre-believers to know the goodness of the Lord and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.   

Peter tells us that our service to God will bring praise and glory and make him known.  He says that God’s gifts of grace come in many forms. Each of us has received a gift in order to serve others and to do so faithfully.  He adds, “If anyone speaks, they should do it as one speaking God’s words. If anyone serves, they should do it with the strength God provides. Then in all things God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him for ever and ever” (1 Peter 4:10-11).

4) Because We Will Grow in Spiritual Maturity
Service in God’s kingdom is a part of Jesus’ plan for us. Jesus says that he has come to give us abundant life (John 10:10b). This “abundant life” that Jesus gives to us involves a life of faithful service to the Lord and King. A believer who serves wholeheartedly will experience fullness of joy, meaning, and fulfilment. He/She will receive tangible as well as intangible rewards, not just in this life but also when Jesus returns.  When He comes, He will say, “enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:23). 

In ministry, there may be times and seasons when we face challenges which drive us on our knees before the Lord. The Lord will respond by giving us supernatural grace, strength, wisdom, and breakthrough. Just like the men and women mentioned in the Hall of Faith in the Book of Hebrews (Chapter 11), we will also experience the miracles of God. Many leaders and believers can attest that they have grown in spiritual maturity and have deepened their relationship with the Lord because of how they experienced God in the journey of service. 

Each of us is a member of the Body of Christ. We are given gifts and talents to fulfil our roles in the part of the body that we belong.  Hence it is imperative for all of us to grow in spiritual maturity so that the entire body can be built up and edified. Then we will be able to fulfill the call and destiny of God together.

5) Because We Will Be Rewarded by The Lord
Jesus sets an example for us by serving others with kindness and humility.  This selfless service stands out in a world that is self-centred and self-seeking.  When we follow our Lord in our sacrificial service, it becomes an effective tool of evangelism when witnessing for the Lord to a lost and loveless world. The people around us can see Jesus in us when demonstrated through our selfless and sacrificial service. 

Moreover, Jesus says that when we serve others, he considers the kindness as being acted upon himself.  He will reward us for our service rendered in his name.  Jesus says that whoever gives a brother or sister something as insignificant as a cup of cold water, will surely receive his/her reward (Matthew 10:42).