True Christian service begins with wholehearted obedience to God’s word and will, just as Jesus’ earthly ministry was founded on His obedience to the Father above all else. Before serving others, believers are called to first serve God by aligning their hearts and actions with His commands, recognizing that obedience is inseparable from genuine faith. Even Jesus, though fully God, lived as a human and learned obedience through suffering, showing us that surrendering to God’s will is often challenging but always essential for spiritual growth and effective service. [16:07]
Hebrews 5:7-9 (ESV)
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are resisting God’s direction or command? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him in obedience today?
Jesus modeled a life that consistently placed the Father’s will above personal desires, even when it meant facing hardship or denying Himself. As followers of Christ, we are called to filter every decision—whether in our work, studies, or relationships—through the lens of God’s will, seeking first what pleases Him rather than what is most comfortable or convenient for ourselves. This means wrestling honestly with our own wants, but ultimately choosing to submit to God’s plan, trusting that His way leads to true life and purpose. [21:25]
Luke 22:41-42 (ESV)
And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
Reflection: What is one decision or plan you are currently considering where you need to pause and ask, “What is the Father’s will for me in this?” How can you practically seek and prioritize His will this week?
The ultimate aim of Jesus’ ministry was to bring glory to the Father, not to Himself, and this should be the heartbeat of every believer’s service and daily life. Whether in public acts of service or in private moments, our motivation must be to honor God, knowing that works done for His sake carry eternal value, while those done for self or mere duty do not. Let every word, action, and relationship be an opportunity to reflect God’s character and point others to His greatness, remembering that people often “read” our lives before they ever read the Bible. [33:14]
John 5:19-20 (ESV)
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.”
Reflection: In what specific area of your life—work, family, friendships—can you intentionally seek to bring glory to God this week, rather than seeking recognition for yourself?
Effective service to others is not about busyness or good deeds alone, but springs from a living, vibrant relationship with God. Jesus’ earthly ministry was empowered by His deep connection with the Father, and likewise, our acts of service gain eternal significance only when they are rooted in love for God and guided by His Spirit. Before we pour out to others, we must first be filled by God, ensuring that our actions are an overflow of His presence in our lives rather than mere human effort. [37:15]
John 15:5 (ESV)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Reflection: How can you intentionally nurture your relationship with God this week so that your service to others flows from His strength and love, not your own resources?
God invites each of us to respond to His prompting, not in isolation, but within the support of a loving church community. When the Holy Spirit highlights areas in our lives that need alignment with God’s will, stepping forward in faith—whether through prayer, confession, or seeking help—opens the door for healing, restoration, and growth. Remember, you are not alone; God provides both His Spirit and the fellowship of believers to walk with you as you pursue a life that pleases Him. [42:01]
James 5:16 (ESV)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Reflection: Is there a step of faith or area of your life where you need to seek prayer or support from your church community? Who can you reach out to this week to walk with you as you pursue God’s will?
Today, we reflected on the foundational principles that shape our service as followers of Christ. As our church continues to grow and reach out to the community, it’s vital to remember that all our actions—whether serving on Sundays or providing for those in need during the week—must be rooted in a deep relationship with God. Our desire is not just to do good works, but to see lives transformed and people drawn to the Lord through our obedience and love.
We revisited the pillars that define our church: worship as our lifestyle, prayer as our lifeline, love as our motivation, and now, service as our action. Service is not just about activity; it’s about the heart and foundation behind what we do. Just as a house needs a strong foundation to stand, our acts of service must be built on the right motives and understanding.
Looking to Christ as our ultimate role model, we see three key principles. First, Jesus served the world in obedience to His Father. His coming to earth was not primarily out of His own initiative, but out of submission to the Father’s will. Even in suffering, Jesus learned obedience, showing us that true service often requires surrender and perseverance, especially when it’s difficult.
Second, Christ prioritized the Father’s will above all else. For thirty years, He was faithful in the ordinary, honoring His earthly parents and their work, before stepping into His public ministry. This teaches us that God’s will is not just for the “big moments” but is found in daily faithfulness, wherever we are—at home, at work, or in our studies. Sometimes, God’s will is hard and goes against our desires, but it is always the path to true life.
Third, Jesus’ first ministry was to bring glory to the Father. Every action, every word, was aimed at honoring God. Our service, then, must not be for recognition or self-fulfillment, but to reflect God’s character and point others to Him. People may never read the Bible, but they read our lives. We are called to be living testimonies, so that others might see Christ in us and be drawn to Him.
As we go out this week, let’s seek to know what our Father is doing and join Him in it. Let our service flow from our relationship with God, prioritizing His will and seeking His glory above all.
Matthew 4:4 (ESV) — > But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
2. Hebrews 5:7-9 (ESV)
> In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
3. John 5:19 (ESV)
> So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Nov 16, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?
Add this chatbot onto your site with the embed code below
<iframe frameborder="0" src="https://pastors.ai/sermonWidget/sermon/service-action-following-christ" width="100%" height="100%" style="height:100vh;"></iframe>Copy