Embracing a Life of Servanthood and Humility

Devotional

Day 1: Servanthood as a Lifestyle

True servanthood is not about isolated acts of service but about adopting a lifestyle where serving others becomes a natural expression of our faith. This requires a shift from choosing to serve when convenient to choosing to be a servant in all aspects of life. Jesus exemplified this when He washed the feet of His disciples, an act that was unexpected and counter-cultural. It was a demonstration of humility and love, setting a precedent for us to follow. Embracing servanthood as a lifestyle means integrating service into our daily routines and interactions, allowing it to shape our identity and actions. [01:12:45]

> "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate acts of service into your daily routine, making it a natural part of your lifestyle rather than an occasional activity?

Day 2: Purity of Motives

Our service should be driven by pure motives, seeking to please God rather than seeking recognition or rewards. When our motives are pure, our service becomes a genuine reflection of Christ's love and compassion. This purity of heart is essential in ensuring that our actions are aligned with God's will and purpose. It challenges us to examine our intentions and to serve with a heart that seeks to glorify God above all else. By focusing on pleasing God, we can avoid the pitfalls of pride and self-promotion, allowing our service to be a true testament to our faith. [01:17:28]

> "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent act of service. Were your motives aligned with seeking to please God, or were they influenced by a desire for recognition? How can you purify your intentions in future acts of service?

Day 3: Unexpected Opportunities to Serve

Like Jesus, we should be open to serving others in unexpected moments, breaking free from our own agendas and to-do lists. This openness allows us to demonstrate Christ's love in practical ways. Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet was spontaneous and unplanned, yet it left a lasting impact. Being open to unexpected opportunities means being attentive to the needs around us and being willing to act, even when it disrupts our plans. It requires a heart that is sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and a willingness to prioritize others over our own schedules. [01:10:04]

> "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a time when you were presented with an unexpected opportunity to serve. How did you respond? How can you cultivate a readiness to serve in unexpected moments in the future?

Day 4: Empathy and Service

Maintaining a high level of empathy is crucial in our journey of servanthood. As life gets busy, we must strive to keep our empathy alive, allowing it to guide us in serving others selflessly. Empathy enables us to connect with others on a deeper level, understanding their needs and responding with compassion. It is the driving force behind genuine service, prompting us to act out of love rather than obligation. By nurturing empathy, we can ensure that our service is heartfelt and impactful, reflecting the love of Christ to those we serve. [01:15:12]

> "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively cultivate empathy in your daily interactions, ensuring that it guides your actions and decisions in serving others?

Day 5: Reflecting Christ through Service

Our service is a powerful way to reflect Christ to the world. By serving others, we fulfill the command to love our neighbors and demonstrate the transformative power of God's love. Service is not just an action but a reflection of our faith and relationship with Christ. It is an opportunity to be His hands and feet, showing His love and compassion to those around us. As we serve, we become living testimonies of His grace, drawing others to Him through our actions and attitudes. [01:23:22]

> "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Consider how your service to others reflects Christ. What changes can you make to ensure that your actions consistently point others to Him and glorify God?

Sermon Summary

In our gathering today, we reflected on the profound act of servanthood demonstrated by Jesus on the night before His crucifixion. As the disciples gathered in the upper room, a customary act of hospitality was overlooked—washing the feet of guests. In a moment that defied expectations, Jesus, the teacher and leader, took on the role of a servant, washing the feet of His disciples. This act was not just about cleanliness; it was a powerful demonstration of humility and love, setting an example for us to follow.

The essence of servanthood is not found in isolated acts but in a lifestyle of service. It is about choosing to be a servant, not just choosing to serve when convenient. This distinction challenges us to let go of control and embrace a life where service is integral to our identity. Our motives in serving must be pure, seeking to please God rather than seeking recognition or accolades. When our service is genuine, it reflects the love and compassion of Christ, allowing others to see Him in us.

We are reminded that our lives should not be consumed by our own agendas and to-do lists. Instead, we should be open to the unexpected opportunities to serve, just as Jesus did. Our empathy and willingness to serve should not diminish over time but should grow as we strive to embody the love of Christ in our daily lives.

As we go forth, let us remember that our service is a reflection of our faith. It is a way to glorify God and demonstrate His love to the world. May we be inspired by Jesus' example to serve others selflessly, valuing them above ourselves, and in doing so, fulfill the greatest commandments to love God and love our neighbors.

Key Takeaways

1. do lists. This openness allows us to demonstrate Christ's love in practical ways. [01:10:04]
4. Empathy and Service: Maintaining a high level of empathy is crucial in our journey of servanthood. As life gets busy, we must strive to keep our empathy alive, allowing it to guide us in serving others selflessly.

5. Reflecting Christ through Service: Our service is a powerful way to reflect Christ to the world. By serving others, we fulfill the command to love our neighbors and demonstrate the transformative power of God's love.

** [70:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:49] - Opening Remarks
[12:22] - The Church is Alive
[29:32] - Strength for Today
[64:51] - The Upper Room Scenario
[66:58] - Jesus' Act of Servanthood
[70:04] - Demonstration of Love
[72:45] - Servanthood as a Lifestyle
[75:12] - Empathy in Service
[77:28] - Pure Motives in Service
[80:29] - Service Hours and Recognition
[83:22] - Reflecting Christ through Service
[85:20] - Mother Teresa's Wisdom
[87:03] - Invitation to Respond
[95:04] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Sermon Clips

1. "I have told several people, people that think biblically, think strategically, and like to write about things in the church. And so... So many people want to write about the decline of the church. People want to write about the death of the church, and that the church isn't alive. And I want to tell them, come to Newport, Tennessee, and I want to let them to see that the church is alive and well. And I've just... I have just been so overwhelmed and so grateful, as you have picked up the slack this week and been so helpful." [12:22] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We gather to worship today. We come before His presence. We know that He is our God, and we are His people. As we worship, I invite you, stand with me. Father, we come now before You, and we come to worship and give praise to our God, our Lord, and our Savior. We come to honor You. Father, we come into Your house. We worship now. We call You our Savior because we are Your people. Father, speak to us. Inspire us today. Motivate us. Remind us that You are our God. We come into Your presence, for I pray in Your name." [29:32] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When Jesus went and grabbed the towel, the teacher, the ranking member of this group of people, the one who was so busy that he was speaking and preaching, and teaching and healing all of these people, the one whose calendar was so full, his agenda was so demanding, the one who was out there leading the way, he grabbed the towel. He grabbed the basin of water. He grabbed the water. And one by one, he took it off his hands. He knelt down, and washed the feet of his disciples. Each one." [01:06:58] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "There is a difference between choosing to serve and choosing to be a servant. Let me say that again. There is a difference between choosing to be, to serve and choosing to be a servant. When you choose to serve, you maintain control of what you do. I'll go here, I'll lock in an hour if it's in my calendar, I can make that happen. When you choose to be a servant, you give up all rights, all control. You become a servant. You are willing to let that be part of your lifestyle." [01:15:12] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When our motives are pure, our service, our service is pleasing to God. When our motives are pure, what we do pleases God. In Philippians, Philippians chapter 2, verse 3, do nothing out of selfish ambition or in vain conceit, but rather keep your motives pure while you serve God. Our lives will never reflect Jesus. Never reflect Jesus if we keep making everything about ourselves." [01:17:28] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "When we strive to Jesus, when we strive to serve, we let our light shine so that others may see Him in us and glorify our Father who is in heaven. When you serve, you don't mark off a checklist. When you serve, you don't look for somebody else to say something to you. It is you serve because God has demonstrated His love for us. God has demonstrated His compassion for us and told us to go and do likewise. To go out and to be His hands and His feet." [01:20:29] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "It's based on that we will love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind. That's the first commandment. And the second commandment is that we will love our neighbor as ourself. That we are willing to value others even more than we value ourself. That is what we are called to do as Christians. Jesus says, the greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalteth themselves will be humbled. And those who humble themselves will be exalted." [01:23:22] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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