Embracing Servanthood: The Call to Follow Jesus
Summary
In our journey with Christ, we are called to embody the essence of servanthood, to embrace the humility that comes with following Jesus. This is not a path marked by titles or accolades, but by the willingness to serve in the most menial tasks, to be known not by our positions but by our actions as servants of the Most High God. We are reminded that God uses ordinary people, just like Matthew, the tax collector, who was called by Jesus not because of his qualifications but because of his availability to God's grace.
Matthew's story is a testament to the fact that God's grace is greater than our past. Jesus called Matthew, a man despised by society, to follow Him, demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and redemption. Matthew's response was immediate; he got up and followed Jesus, leaving behind his old life for a new purpose. This same invitation extends to us today, to follow Jesus and to serve in whatever capacity we can, whether it's leading a ministry, serving in the community, or simply picking up trash as we walk down the street.
Our actions, no matter how small, have a profound impact on the Kingdom of God. We are encouraged to use what we have for God's glory, just as Matthew did when he hosted a banquet for Jesus, bringing together the outcasts and the religious, teaching us that God's kingdom is inclusive and transformative. We are called to be spiritual contributors, not consumers, to give rather than to receive, and to serve faithfully in whatever role we find ourselves.
The person God uses is the one who realizes their need for Jesus and His grace. It is not about our past or our qualifications but about our willingness to take the next step in obedience to God's call. We are to live with the understanding that we are the Church of today, not just of tomorrow, and that every member, from the youngest to the oldest, has a vital role to play in God's plan.
Let us be inspired by the examples of those who have served faithfully, like Jim McGee, who serves as a greeter, and Jeremiah and Anna Brown, who were called from their ordinary lives into missionary service. Their stories remind us that God uses the willing heart, not the equipped hand, and that our next step is always greater than staying where we are.
Key Takeaways:
- God's grace is a transformative power that calls us from our past into a life of service and obedience. Just as Matthew was called from his tax collector's booth, we too are called to rise from our old lives and follow Jesus, serving in whatever capacity we are able. [36:59]
- The true measure of our faith is not found in the titles we hold but in the service we render to others. Whether it's cleaning toilets or picking up trash, our actions reflect the heart of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. [22:04]
- Our children and youth are not just the Church of tomorrow; they are the Church of today. By involving them in service and ministry now, we affirm their value in God's kingdom and encourage them to live out their faith actively. [33:53]
- The person God uses is one who acknowledges their need for grace and is willing to serve despite their past. Our brokenness is not a barrier to God's use but a canvas for His grace to be displayed. [14:54]
- Our next step in faith is crucial, and it is often as simple as responding to the immediate needs around us. By saying "yes" to God's opportunities, we participate in His work and experience the joy of serving others in love. [31:15]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 9:9-13 (NIV)
> As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Matthew's occupation before Jesus called him, and how did society view people in his profession? [07:03]
2. How did Matthew respond to Jesus' call to follow Him? What does the Greek word "arizo" signify in this context? [04:25]
3. Who were some of the people Jesus dined with at Matthew's house, and what was the reaction of the Pharisees? [05:43]
4. What does Jesus mean when He says, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice"? [05:43]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose someone like Matthew, a tax collector, to be one of His disciples? What message does this send about God's grace? [12:41]
2. How does Matthew's immediate response to Jesus' call illustrate the transformative power of God's grace? [04:25]
3. What does Jesus' willingness to dine with tax collectors and sinners reveal about His mission and priorities? [05:43]
4. How does the story of Matthew challenge our understanding of who is "qualified" to serve in God's kingdom? [06:27]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unqualified or unworthy to serve. How can Matthew's story encourage you to take the next step in obedience to God's call? [14:54]
2. Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." How can you apply this principle in your interactions with people who are often marginalized or overlooked? [05:43]
3. Think about the small, seemingly insignificant actions you can take to serve others. How can you incorporate these actions into your daily routine to reflect the heart of Jesus? [22:04]
4. How can you involve children and youth in acts of service to affirm their value in God's kingdom and encourage them to live out their faith actively? [33:53]
5. Identify one area in your life where you can be a spiritual contributor rather than a consumer. What specific steps can you take this week to serve others in that area? [25:23]
6. Consider the examples of Jim McGee, Jeremiah, and Anna Brown. How can their stories inspire you to serve faithfully in your current role, no matter how ordinary it may seem? [34:27]
7. What is one immediate need around you that you can respond to this week? How can saying "yes" to this opportunity help you participate in God's work and experience the joy of serving others in love? [31:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Grace Calls Us Beyond Our Past
Grace is not hindered by our history; it invites us into a future of service and obedience. Just as Matthew was summoned from his tax booth, we too are beckoned to leave our former ways and follow Jesus. This calling is not about our qualifications but our willingness to step into a life marked by servitude in any capacity we can manage. It is in the mundane and the overlooked acts of service that we often find the most profound opportunities for obedience. By accepting this call, we align ourselves with the transformative power of God's grace, which is capable of rewriting our stories and repurposing our lives for His glory. [36:59]
"But when he heard it, he said, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'" (Matthew 9:12-13 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an aspect of your past that you feel disqualifies you from serving God. How can you offer this to God as a platform for His grace to work through you today?
Day 2: Service Reflects the Heart of Christ
The true measure of our faith is not in the accolades we receive but in the humble service we provide. Our actions, whether they are as simple as picking up trash or as involved as leading a ministry, are a reflection of Jesus' heart, who came to serve and not to be served. This service is not limited to grand gestures; it is found in the everyday willingness to do what is needed for the benefit of others. By embracing this call to servanthood, we embody the essence of Christ's ministry on earth, impacting the world one act of kindness at a time. [22:04]
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13 ESV)
Reflection: What is a simple act of service you can perform today that you usually overlook, and how can it demonstrate the love of Christ to those around you?
Day 3: The Church of Today Includes All Ages
Our children and youth are integral members of the Church now, not merely its future. By involving them in acts of service and ministry, we affirm their importance in the Kingdom of God and encourage them to actively live out their faith. This inclusion fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, allowing them to grow in their spiritual journey and contribute to the community. Recognizing the value of every member, regardless of age, strengthens the body of Christ and ensures a vibrant, active Church that spans generations. [33:53]
"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively involve a young person in your life in service or ministry this week, and what impact could this have on their faith journey?
Day 4: Brokenness as a Canvas for Grace
Acknowledging our need for grace is the first step to being used by God. Our past mistakes and brokenness are not barriers; they are opportunities for God's grace to shine through us. When we realize our dependence on Jesus, we open ourselves to be vessels of His work, allowing Him to use our lives as testimonies of His redemptive power. This perspective shifts our focus from our inadequacies to the sufficiency of Christ's grace in our lives. [14:54]
"And he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)
Reflection: What weakness or failure can you surrender to God today, trusting that His power will be made perfect in your weakness?
Day 5: Embracing the Next Step in Faith
Our journey of faith is composed of many next steps, often found in responding to the immediate needs around us. By saying "yes" to the opportunities God places before us, we engage in His work and discover the joy of serving others with love. Each step, no matter how small, is significant in the Kingdom of God. Our willingness to move forward, to take action, and to serve where we are called is what propels us into a deeper relationship with Christ and a more profound impact on the world. [31:15]
"And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." (Matthew 10:42 ESV)
Reflection: What is one immediate need you have noticed in your community, and how can you take a step today to address it in Jesus' name?
Quotes
- "The person God uses is the one who realizes they need Jesus and His grace. It is not about our past or our qualifications but about our willingness to take the next step in obedience to God's call." [14:54] (Download | )
- "God's grace is greater than your past. Jesus called Matthew, a man despised by society, to follow Him, demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and redemption." [12:41] (Download | )
- "Our actions, no matter how small, have a profound impact on the Kingdom of God. We are encouraged to use what we have for God's glory, just as Matthew did when he hosted a banquet for Jesus." [21:28] (Download | )
- "We are called to be spiritual contributors, not consumers, to give rather than to receive, and to serve faithfully in whatever role we find ourselves." [26:05] (Download | )
- "Our children and youth are not just the Church of tomorrow; they are the Church of today. By involving them in service and ministry now, we affirm their value in God's kingdom." [33:53] (Download | )
- "Let us be inspired by the examples of those who have served faithfully, like Jim McGee, who serves as a greeter, and Jeremiah and Anna Brown, who were called from their ordinary lives into missionary service." [27:26] (Download | )
- "Our next step in faith is crucial, and it is often as simple as responding to the immediate needs around us. By saying 'yes' to God's opportunities, we participate in His work and experience the joy of serving others in love." [31:15] (Download | )
- "It's not how many titles you have but how many toilets you clean. We've been giving out 'plunger awards' as a reminder that it's not about our titles or prestige, but being willing to serve in the lowliest of tasks." [22:04] (Download | )
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