Service Is Our Action: Following Christ’s Example in Obedience

Devotional

Day 1: Christ’s Service Was Rooted in Obedience to the Father

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?

Day 2: Prioritizing the Father’s Will Above Our Own

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?

Day 3: Bringing Glory to God in All We Do

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?

Day 4: Our Service Flows from Relationship with God

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?

Day 5: Responding to God’s Call with Faith and Community

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?

Sermon Summary

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.

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience to God precedes all service True Christian service begins with obedience to God’s word and will. Jesus Himself modeled this by submitting to the Father, even when it meant suffering. Our acts of service must flow from a surrendered heart, not from our own agenda or desire for recognition. Obedience is the foundation that gives our service eternal value. [07:50]
2. Prioritizing God’s will in daily life Christ’s life teaches us to seek the Father’s will in every area, not just in ministry but in the ordinary routines of life. Faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater things. Even when God’s will is difficult or contrary to our desires, surrendering to it leads to true fulfillment and life. [18:11]
3. Service must aim to glorify God, not self The ultimate goal of all we do should be to bring glory to God. Good works done apart from relationship with Him are empty in eternal terms. When our motivation is to honor God, our service becomes a testimony that points others to Christ, making our lives a living gospel for those around us. [28:00]
4. Our lives are the “Bible” people read People may never open a Bible, but they will observe our actions and attitudes. We are called to reflect Christ so that others might be drawn to Him. This challenges us to examine whether our lives truly represent Jesus, and to seek transformation where we fall short. [33:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:36] - Worship Team Appreciation
[01:15] - Community Outreach and Service
[03:12] - Opening Prayer
[04:29] - Introduction to Service as Action
[05:48] - The Importance of Foundation
[07:06] - Christ as Our Role Model
[07:50] - Obedience: Christ’s Motivation
[09:42] - Living by God’s Word
[13:32] - Obedience Learned Through Suffering
[16:53] - Serving God Before Serving Others
[18:11] - Prioritizing the Father’s Will
[26:42] - Service Flows from Relationship
[28:00] - Glorifying God Through Service
[33:14] - Our Lives as Living Testimonies
[36:39] - Conclusion and Call to Respond
[39:59] - Prayer of Salvation
[42:01] - Altar Call and Ministry Time
[44:58] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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.”

Observation Questions

According to Matthew 4:4, what does Jesus say is more important than bread for living? How does this relate to the idea of obedience? [09:42]
In Hebrews 5:7-9, what did Jesus learn through suffering, and how did that shape his role as the source of salvation? [13:32]
What does John 5:19 reveal about the relationship between Jesus and the Father, especially in terms of how Jesus chose to act? [28:40]
The sermon mentioned that Jesus’ primary reason for coming to earth was obedience to the Father, not just love for people. How does this challenge common assumptions about Jesus’ motivation? [08:28]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that Jesus’ acts of service were rooted in obedience to the Father, even when it was hard or involved suffering. Why is obedience such a crucial foundation for Christian service? [14:52]
Jesus spent thirty years in “ordinary” faithfulness before his public ministry. What does this suggest about how God values daily, unseen acts of obedience compared to public acts of service? [18:46]
The pastor said, “People don’t read the Bible, they read you.” What does this mean for how Christians should think about their daily actions and attitudes? [33:14]
The sermon emphasized that service should aim to glorify God, not ourselves. What are some ways that even good works can become self-centered, and how can we guard against this? [28:00]

Application Questions

The sermon taught that true service starts with obedience to God, not just doing good things. Is there an area in your life where you are serving out of habit or for recognition, rather than out of obedience? What would it look like to realign your motives? [07:50]
Jesus learned obedience through suffering. Can you think of a time when following God’s will was difficult or painful for you? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [14:12]
The pastor challenged us to “find out what your Father is doing and do what your Father is doing.” How can you practically seek God’s will in your daily routines this week—at home, at work, or in your studies? [30:43]
The sermon said, “People may never open a Bible, but they will observe our actions and attitudes.” Is there a specific area of your life where your actions might not reflect Christ well? What is one step you can take to change that this week? [33:14]
Jesus prioritized the Father’s will even when it was contrary to his own desires. Are there any desires or plans you need to surrender to God right now? What is holding you back from doing so? [22:12]
The pastor asked, “If Jesus was exactly like you, would anyone believe in him?” How does this question make you feel? What is one area where you want to grow so that your life points others to Jesus? [33:51]
The sermon reminded us that our service should flow from our relationship with God. What is one way you can deepen your relationship with God this week, so that your service comes from the right foundation? [26:42]

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