Greatness in God's Kingdom: Serving Others

 

Summary

Good morning, church family. Today, we explored the profound truth that in the kingdom of God, greatness is defined not by how many serve us, but by how we serve others. Drawing from Ephesians 4, we delved into the essential roles within the church, emphasizing that every believer is called to ministry. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers are given to equip the saints for the work of ministry, building up the body of Christ. This divine calling is not limited to a select few but extends to every member of the church. We are all created for ministry, designed to make a difference in the lives of those around us.

The world often measures greatness by wealth, power, or fame, but Jesus taught that true greatness comes through service. He exemplified this by washing the feet of His disciples, a task reserved for the lowest of servants. This act of humility challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we more interested in being served or in serving others? The call to follow Christ is inseparable from the call to serve. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be full-time Christians, serving both within the church and in the world.

We also discussed the importance of discovering and using our spiritual gifts. God has uniquely equipped each of us with gifts to serve others and glorify Him. These gifts are not for our enjoyment but for His employment. When we use our gifts, we find the sweet spot of serving, maximizing our fulfillment and impact. The church needs every member actively involved in ministry, as this is God's plan for His church and for us individually.

As we continue to grow in our faith, let us seek to serve with humility and passion, knowing that God has called us to make a difference. Let us pray for a servant's heart and the courage to step into the ministries God has prepared for us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Greatness Through Service: True greatness in God's kingdom is measured by our willingness to serve others, not by how many serve us. Jesus exemplified this by washing His disciples' feet, challenging us to prioritize service over being served. [21:50]

2. Every Believer's Call to Ministry: Every Christian is called to ministry, not just pastors or church leaders. We are all created for ministry, designed to make a difference in the lives of those around us. This calling is integral to our identity in Christ. [28:03]

3. Discovering Spiritual Gifts: God has equipped each believer with spiritual gifts to serve others and glorify Him. These gifts are not for our enjoyment but for His employment. Discovering and using our gifts is essential for personal fulfillment and effective ministry. [35:01]

4. The Role of the Church: The church is a community where every member is a minister. The pastor's role is to equip the saints for ministry, while the congregation actively engages in serving one another and the world. This balance is crucial for a healthy church. [41:43]

5. Living a Life of Service: Our lives should be marked by service, reflecting the heart of Christ. It's not about how long we live but how well we live, focusing on the donation of our lives rather than the duration. God seeks servants who are willing to lead others to Him. [57:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Remarks and Announcements
- [03:45] - The Secret of Greatness
- [07:20] - Jesus' Example of Service
- [10:15] - The Call to Ministry
- [14:00] - Ephesians 4:11-13 Reading
- [17:30] - Created for Ministry
- [21:50] - The Role of Apostles and Prophets
- [25:00] - Evangelists and Pastor-Teachers
- [28:03] - Spiritual Gifts and Service
- [32:45] - The Importance of Discipleship
- [35:01] - Equipping the Saints
- [38:30] - The Sweet Spot of Serving
- [41:43] - Church Needs and Opportunities
- [45:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 4:11-13
- John 13:1-17
- Mark 10:45

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Ephesians 4:11-13, what roles are mentioned, and what is their purpose within the church?
2. In John 13, how did Jesus demonstrate the concept of service to His disciples, and what was their initial reaction? [21:50]
3. What does Mark 10:45 reveal about Jesus' mission and how it contrasts with worldly views of greatness?

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of greatness in God's kingdom, as described in Mark 10:45, challenge our personal ambitions and desires for recognition? [21:50]
2. In what ways does the act of Jesus washing His disciples' feet in John 13 serve as a model for Christian leadership and service?
3. How does Ephesians 4:11-13 emphasize the importance of every believer's involvement in ministry, and what implications does this have for church dynamics? [28:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current involvement in church or community service. Are there areas where you feel called to serve but have not yet taken action? What steps can you take to begin serving in those areas? [35:01]
2. Jesus exemplified humility by washing His disciples' feet. Identify a practical way you can serve someone in your life this week, even if it feels beneath you. [21:50]
3. Consider the spiritual gifts you believe God has given you. How can you use these gifts more effectively to serve others and glorify God? [41:43]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of being a full-time Christian. What does this mean to you, and how can you integrate your faith more fully into your daily life? [35:01]
5. How can you encourage others in your church community to discover and use their spiritual gifts? What role can you play in fostering a culture of service within your church? [41:43]
6. Reflect on a time when you prioritized being served over serving others. How did that experience impact your relationships and spiritual growth? What changes can you make to adopt a more servant-hearted approach? [21:50]
7. The sermon highlighted the need for a servant's heart. What specific prayer or practice can you incorporate into your routine to cultivate humility and a willingness to serve? [57:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Greatness Redefined by Service
In the kingdom of God, greatness is not measured by how many people serve us, but by how we serve others. This concept challenges the worldly view that equates greatness with wealth, power, or fame. Jesus exemplified true greatness through service, most notably when He washed the feet of His disciples, a task typically reserved for the lowest of servants. This act of humility invites us to examine our own hearts and priorities. Are we more interested in being served or in serving others? The call to follow Christ is inseparable from the call to serve, and as followers of Jesus, we are called to be full-time Christians, serving both within the church and in the world. [21:50]

Mark 10:43-45 (ESV): "But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Reflection: Who in your life can you serve today in a way that reflects the humility and love of Christ?


Day 2: Universal Call to Ministry
Every believer is called to ministry, not just pastors or church leaders. This divine calling is integral to our identity in Christ and is not limited to a select few. Ephesians 4 highlights the essential roles within the church, emphasizing that apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers are given to equip the saints for the work of ministry, building up the body of Christ. This means that every member of the church is created for ministry, designed to make a difference in the lives of those around them. Embracing this calling involves recognizing that we are all ministers in our own right, tasked with serving others and advancing God's kingdom. [28:03]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: What unique opportunities do you have in your daily life to minister to others, and how can you step into those roles more fully?


Day 3: Discovering and Using Spiritual Gifts
God has uniquely equipped each believer with spiritual gifts to serve others and glorify Him. These gifts are not for our enjoyment but for His employment. Discovering and using our gifts is essential for personal fulfillment and effective ministry. When we use our gifts, we find the sweet spot of serving, maximizing our fulfillment and impact. The church needs every member actively involved in ministry, as this is God's plan for His church and for us individually. By identifying and utilizing our spiritual gifts, we contribute to the health and growth of the church community. [35:01]

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: What spiritual gifts do you believe God has given you, and how can you begin to use them more intentionally in your community?


Day 4: The Church as a Community of Ministers
The church is a community where every member is a minister. The pastor's role is to equip the saints for ministry, while the congregation actively engages in serving one another and the world. This balance is crucial for a healthy church. When each member of the church recognizes their role in ministry, the body of Christ is strengthened and able to fulfill its mission more effectively. The church thrives when its members are empowered to serve, using their unique gifts and talents to meet the needs of others and advance the gospel. [41:43]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the health and growth of your church community through your unique gifts and talents?


Day 5: Living a Life of Service
Our lives should be marked by service, reflecting the heart of Christ. It's not about how long we live but how well we live, focusing on the donation of our lives rather than the duration. God seeks servants who are willing to lead others to Him. Living a life of service means prioritizing the needs of others and seeking opportunities to make a difference in the world. As we grow in our faith, let us seek to serve with humility and passion, knowing that God has called us to make a difference. Let us pray for a servant's heart and the courage to step into the ministries God has prepared for us. [57:11]

Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can serve someone in your community this week, and how can you make service a regular part of your life?

Quotes

"Now, if you went to Wall Street and asked the question, what's the secret of greatness? Wall Street would say money and lots of it. If you went to Washington and said, what's the secret of greatness? They would say political clout. If you went to Hollywood and asked that question, they would say fame. But if you asked the greatest person who ever lived, Jesus Christ, that question, he would give you a very, very different answer. In Matthew 20, Jesus says, but whoever would be great among you must be your servant." [00:20:14] (30 seconds)


"Even Jesus said in Mark 10, verse 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. So the secret to greatness in the kingdom of God is not how many servants you have but what kind of a servant you are. If you go back to John chapter 13, in the life of Jesus, we see it over and over and over again. He's getting ready to have the last supper with his disciples in the upper room. And he comes in wearing a towel and a wash basin." [00:20:58] (33 seconds)


"And unfortunately, too many Christians in churches just stay out of the way. The Gallup poll recently discovered that only 10 % of church members are actively involved in any kind of personal ministry in their church. And 50 % that were surveyed said they have absolutely no desire to serve in the church in any way. And that's sad. That really is. Here at Oak Grove, we believe that every member is a minister. And we believe that every member should be involved in a ministry. In fact, we not only believe that, God does as well." [00:22:55] (32 seconds)


"Now, you may think this is hyperbolic, but there is biblical backup to this statement. There is no reason, there is no excuse for a saint to refuse to serve. And I want to share with you four reasons why you should determine to become the minister that God wants you to be and get involved in the ministry that God has for you at Oak Grove, because one of the basic building blocks of the church is ministry. First thing, a sovereign God expects me to minister to others." [00:24:44] (31 seconds)


"Paul focuses on four gifted persons who are in the church, and he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of the ministry for the building up of the body. Now, apostles and prophets... They are foundational gifts to the church. I know that there are some churches where their pastor, they call him apostle. There are no more apostles today. I'm sorry. We are the apostolos. We are the sent ones. We are sent out." [00:25:15] (28 seconds)


"has purchased and if there's ever a day in my life personally in which i diminish that or i think less of that i promise you i will step down as a pastor i will never preach again because we have to always be humble and we have to always be careful that's what paul says pay careful attention to yourselves he says that first and then to all the flock this caring tendering nurturing title suggests that you're willing to give a pat on the back that you're willing to give a shoulder to cry on or maybe you can give them a kick in the pants if they need it that's what a shepherd's supposed to do." [00:28:41] (36 seconds)


"See, when you hit that sweet spot, the ball doesn't just go farther, it goes straighter because the club doesn't vibrate or twist. The ball launches on a straighter path. Backspin is maximized, which increases distance. Side spin is minimized, which increases accuracy. And when we use our spiritual gifts, it's the same way. You know, when we use them in the church and in our lives, we'll maximize our fulfillment in life, our enjoyment in life, and our impact with life. When you find the sweet spot of serving other people for Jesus Christ, because a sovereign God expects it, saving grace enables it, spiritual God equips it, supernatural gifts empower it for us to all minister to others." [00:49:27] (41 seconds)


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Transcript
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