All Service is Not the Same
By Ted Mock
November 26, 2025
1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
Last Sunday I heard a very encouraging sermon from a pastor friend of mine on the subject of how our service for the Lord would be judged one day at the Bema Seat of Christ. Many good people serving the Lord, especially those in full time ministry, are discouraged at times when they start comparing themselves to others. They look at the outward measures of success, more notoriety, bigger churches, larger bus routes or Sunday School classes and question if their service counts.
We live in a day where the old trap of Satan described in 2 Corinthians 10:12, “comparing ourselves among ourselves” has rebranded as woke D.E.I. where everyone has equal outcomes.
Well, equal is not always fair and the same doesn’t mean it is right. No matter how you try to force equal outcomes, someone will covet what another has. We must keep our eyes on the Lord, not on anyone else. The key is to remember, we will judged not on what size, but what sort.
A few statements made in the message:
- Service is not the same; it is not the size, but the sort.
- How and why, you serve is important; style does matter.
- The fire of judgment is coming, and it will burn away the façade.
- Draw people to Christ; don’t just draw a crowd.
- Seek rewards, not recognition. God looks at hearts, not hashtags.
One day, our works will be manifested, our service will be measured, and our works will be melted. Only then will the true merit of our days here on earth be seen. May we see His smile and hear His voice say, “Well done.”
Reflection—Churches are filled with people doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.