Embracing Our Calling: The Joy of Serving Others

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we must recognize that God has no alternative plan; He has chosen to work through us, His people. Despite our imperfections, God's purpose is to manifest His love and grace through our actions and lives. We are His instruments, and there is no one else He desires to use in this way. Our calling is to serve one another, to reach our fullest potential, and to assist others in doing the same. This is not a mere suggestion; it is the very essence of our design, crafted in the image of God, the Imago Dei.

Our service is a reflection of Jesus, and through it, we have the incredible opportunity to point others toward salvation. While we do not save, our actions and service create pathways for others to encounter Jesus and potentially find eternal life. The question we must ask ourselves is whether our service is directing people toward a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Service is not limited to preaching; it can be as simple as lending an ear or offering a helping hand.

We experience the greatest fulfillment by contributing to something greater than ourselves. This fulfillment is not confined to the walls of the church; it extends into every aspect of our lives. We must move beyond the comfort of weekly spiritual recharging and ask ourselves how we are actively serving and living out our God-given potential. Our church community provides support and opportunities for this, such as Life Track, which helps individuals discover their unique gifts and areas of service.

We must be intentional in our service, looking around our sphere of influence to identify those who live purposefully and serve others. By spending time with such individuals, we naturally adopt a lifestyle of service. We must also shift our perspective from a consumer mindset to one of contribution. When we focus on giving rather than receiving, our own needs and concerns often resolve themselves.

Jesus exemplified this principle of service, particularly in His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. His disciples were concerned with physical needs, but Jesus was nourished by doing the will of His Father and serving others. We are called to emulate this model, to contribute rather than consume, and to find our fulfillment in serving.

Key Takeaways:

- God has intentionally chosen us, with all our flaws, to fulfill His purpose on earth. Our service is not just an act of obedience but a realization of our true identity in Christ. When we serve, we align ourselves with God's design and experience the joy that comes from being used by Him to impact the world. [49:33]

- Service is not confined to grand gestures; it is often found in the simple acts of listening and being present for others. Our availability to serve in seemingly small ways can lead to significant spiritual breakthroughs for those we help. The kingdom of God is built on these acts of humble service that reflect the heart of Jesus. [49:33]

- Our fulfillment as believers comes from serving others, which is rooted in our creation in the image of God. When we serve, we not only express gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice but also step into the identity God has crafted for us. This is why service feels so natural and fulfilling—it is part of who we are meant to be. [49:33]

- The culture of consumerism can infiltrate our spiritual lives, but we must resist this mindset. The church is not a service provider but a community called to serve. When we shift our focus from what we can get to what we can give, we find that our own needs are met in the process of serving others. [49:33]

- Serving in the church and community is not just about fulfilling a duty; it is about living out the highest form of human fulfillment. Psychology affirms what Scripture has long taught: we find our greatest joy in helping others reach their potential. This transcendent need surpasses even our own self-actualization. [49:33]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Leviticus 20:26 - "You must be holy because I, the Lord, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own."
2. Matthew 20:28 - "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
3. John 4:34 - "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Leviticus 20:26 tell us about God's expectations for His people?
2. According to Matthew 20:28, what was Jesus' purpose in coming to earth?
3. In John 4:34, what does Jesus describe as His "food"? How does this relate to His mission? [01:14:10]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of service in fulfilling our God-given potential? [01:03:00]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being "set apart" in Leviticus 20:26 relate to our calling to serve others?
2. What does Jesus' statement in Matthew 20:28 reveal about the nature of true leadership and service?
3. How can Jesus' example in John 4:34 of finding nourishment in doing God's will challenge our own perspectives on fulfillment and service? [01:14:10]
4. The sermon mentions that our service can lead others to spiritual breakthroughs. How does this align with the idea of being a reflection of Jesus' love and grace? [01:21:01]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current service activities. Are they pointing others toward a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? How can you improve in this area? [01:21:16]
2. The sermon challenges us to move from a consumer mindset to one of contribution. What specific steps can you take this week to shift your focus from what you can get to what you can give? [01:11:10]
3. Jesus found fulfillment in doing the will of His Father. Identify one area in your life where you can serve others more intentionally. How will you commit to this in the coming week? [01:14:10]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of being available to serve in simple ways, such as listening or lending a hand. Think of a person in your life who might need this kind of support. How can you be there for them this week? [01:21:26]
5. How can you involve yourself in your church's community service opportunities, such as Life Track or Sun Area Work and Witness? What steps will you take to get involved? [01:23:02]
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of serving in children's and youth ministries. If you are not already involved, what is one way you can contribute to these vital areas? [01:27:03]
7. Consider the people in your sphere of influence who live purposefully and serve others. How can you spend more time with them to adopt a lifestyle of service? [01:32:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Chosen Instruments of Divine Purpose
God has intentionally chosen each person, with all their imperfections, to fulfill His divine purpose on earth. This is not a backup plan; it is the primary strategy. As individuals created in the image of God, the Imago Dei, there is a unique role to play in manifesting God's love and grace. Service is the expression of this identity, and through it, one aligns with God's design. It is in serving that the joy of being used by God to impact the world is experienced. This service is not limited to grand gestures but is often found in the simple acts of kindness and presence. It is a realization of one's true identity in Christ and a step into the purpose for which one was created.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: How can you embrace your identity as God's chosen instrument in your daily interactions today?

Day 2: The Power of Humble Service
Service is not confined to grand gestures; it is often found in the simple acts of listening and being present for others. These small acts of service can lead to significant spiritual breakthroughs for those being helped. The kingdom of God is built on these humble services that reflect the heart of Jesus. By being available to serve in small ways, one can create pathways for others to encounter Jesus and potentially find eternal life. It is in these moments that the true nature of service is revealed, not as a duty but as a reflection of Jesus' love and compassion for humanity.

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: What simple act of service can you offer to someone in need today, and how might this reflect Jesus' love?

Day 3: Fulfillment in Serving Others
Believers find their greatest fulfillment in serving others, a fulfillment that is rooted in being created in the image of God. When serving, one not only expresses gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice but also steps into the identity God has crafted. This is why service feels so natural and fulfilling—it is part of who one is meant to be. This fulfillment extends beyond the walls of the church and into every aspect of life, calling for active service and living out one's God-given potential.

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: In what ways can you serve others in your daily life that align with your God-given potential?

Day 4: Shifting from Consumer to Contributor
The culture of consumerism can infiltrate spiritual lives, but it is essential to resist this mindset. The church is not a service provider but a community called to serve. By shifting focus from what can be received to what can be given, one finds that personal needs are met in the process of serving others. This shift requires intentional action and a change in perspective, moving from a consumer mindset to one of contribution and active participation in the community.

Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Reflection: How can you move from a consumer mindset to a contributor mindset within your church community this week?

Day 5: The Joy of Helping Others Reach Their Potential
Serving in the church and community is about living out the highest form of human fulfillment. Psychology and Scripture both affirm that joy is found in helping others reach their potential. This transcendent need to contribute to something greater than oneself surpasses even the pursuit of self-actualization. It is in the act of service that one finds true joy and purpose, fulfilling the call to assist others in reaching their fullest potential.

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: Who in your life is in need of support to reach their potential, and how can you help them this week?

Quotes

- "God chooses to work through you and through me. If we don't do it, there is no one else. We represent him best when we serve like he served us." [01:20:56] (Download | )

- "Our service gives us an incredible opportunity to reflect and to represent Jesus. Our service ultimately gives us the opportunity to help point people to salvation." [01:20:56] (Download | )

- "We were designed by the Imago Dei of God which means inherently to reach our fullest potential we need to serve and help others reach their fullest potential." [01:22:12] (Download | )

- "The question is what are we going to do with it? How are we going to put it into practice? Because for some we're okay coming to church on Sunday, getting energized and recharged and hoping it lasts until next Sunday." [01:22:12] (Download | )

- "I believe God has equipped our church with all of the talent and all of the resources and all of the help to accomplish the work that he wants to do here in our church." [01:24:42] (Download | )

- "Our children and youth ministries... are vitally important. One of the things I love about our church is we have ministries for the little ones all the way up through the oldest people in the church." [01:27:13] (Download | )

- "We battle within ourselves to protect ourselves and to care for ourselves. But if we really want to live like Jesus, we will learn to serve like Jesus." [59:35] (Download | )

- "The highest need according to Maslow is this need of self-actualization or reaching your fullest potential... the thing that will bring us the most fulfillment is actually when we who have achieved the highest potential help others to reach their highest potential." [01:02:05] (Download | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?