Audience: Who Do You Love? (Part 9: Benefits)

I was one of 25 million people that read Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life. It’s the all-time best-selling hard cover edition in American history. Although I read the entire book, I could’ve stopped after the first sentence: “It’s not about you.”

So much of my life – even now – is about me. I tend to focus on the things happening in my life, the things I want, and whatever I need. But as a Christian, my priorities are increasingly becoming J.O.Y. – Jesus, others, and then me.

These priorities are especially true as I seek to live out my unique, God-given calling. As I first follow and obey Jesus Christ, I’m then able to serve others with a joyful spirit. God’s aware of what’s happening in my life, so I know He’ll guide and direct my path. He’s aware of what I want, so I’m confident He’ll provide whatever He thinks is best. Finally, I believe that God will provide for my needs – because I’ve watched Him do so in the past .

Although you should serve everyone God brings your way, focus on your audience. This is the group of people or social issue God embedded within you as the “desire of your heart.” Your ministry purpose on earth is to impact your audience for the cause of Christ. God created you to make a difference in the lives of a group of people or on a social issue.

Why? What benefits are there to focusing on serving your audience? Like the first sentence of  the Purpose Driven Life, “It’s not about you.” If you serve for what you’ll receive, don’t serve! It’s better not to serve than to serve selfishly. Your motive shouldn’t be what you will get, but what you can give. Serve others so they benefit and God receives the glory.

So what are the benefits to your audience because you served? The primary benefit is that you move a group of people or society closer to God. If you serve like Jesus served, your audience will see Christ in you and be forced to make a decision. They either choose to move toward God or away from Him.

Your audience receives 3 benefits from your service. First, you help to meet a need. The homeless live in safe, affordable housing. Children learn about Jesus and hopefully invite Him to be their Savior and Lord. Those going through divorce learn to grieve the loss and redirect their lives. Emerging leaders acquire techniques and strategies to become effective leaders.  There are needs all around you just waiting to be met.

Next, you help to solve a problem. Divided churches work through a process of reconciliation. Those in the military start serving their true commanding officer, Jesus Christ. Businesses become more compassionate and begin to donate more money to charity. Schools become safe havens for latchkey children. Cash-strapped local governments partner with local churches to provide community services to the poor, sick, and elderly. Name a social institution and there’s an opportunity to solve a problem.

Finally, you help make the world a better place. The arts flourish. Vegetable gardens replace abandoned, trash-filled lots. Community residents find greater inner peace, purpose, recreation, and beauty. Unemployed youth develop necessary job skills. Struggling student receive tutoring to improve their math and reading skills. Churches open their doors during the winter months to shelter and feed the homeless. The world is a difficult place. Serving your audience helps to make it a better one.

By the way … you also experience 2 benefits from serving your audience. Your ministry starts impacting more and more people as you serve. Moreover, your sense of fulfillment increases you see the results of your ministry.

Stop being a spectator. Get out of the stands watching things happen. Get into the game and make things happen. After all, your audience is waiting.

© 2011 Designed to Serve®