Serving the Least: Living Out Christ’s Mission

Devotional

Day 1: Serving the Least of These Is Serving Christ

When we serve those who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, or in prison, we are not just performing acts of charity—we are serving Jesus Himself. The call to care for the "least of these" is a direct invitation from Christ to see His presence in the most vulnerable and marginalized people around us. Every meal given, every welcome extended, every visit made is an act of love to our Savior, who identifies Himself with those in need. As we open our eyes to the suffering and needs in our community and beyond, we are given the privilege to look into the eyes of Christ and respond with compassion and action. [07:51]

Matthew 25:31-40 (ESV)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Reflection: Who is someone in your life or community today who might be considered “the least of these,” and how can you intentionally serve them as if you were serving Jesus Himself?

Day 2: Prepared for Good Works by the Holy Spirit

God not only saves us through Christ’s sacrifice, but He also prepares us for a life of good works, empowering us by the Holy Spirit to respond to His commands. Sanctification is the ongoing work of the Spirit in our lives, shaping us to listen to God’s voice and act in love toward others. We are not left to our own strength; instead, we are given the help, strength, and tools we need to accomplish the good works God has set before us. Each day is an opportunity to ask the Lord for guidance and courage to step into the mission He has prepared for us, trusting that He will equip us for every act of service. [08:50]

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: What is one good work or act of service you sense God prompting you to do this week, and how can you rely on the Holy Spirit’s strength to carry it out?

Day 3: Missions—Local and Global—Are Central to Our Calling

The call to love and serve our neighbor extends beyond our immediate surroundings to the ends of the earth. Whether through local ministries like food pantries and clothing closets or global partnerships in places like Guatemala, every act of service is a response to Christ’s command to care for others. The church is called to look beyond its own walls, to see the needs of the world, and to partner with others in bringing hope and practical help to those who are suffering. This global vision is not just an option but a central part of our identity as followers of Jesus, who sends us out to be His hands and feet everywhere. [12:08]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Reflection: In what ways can you participate in or support both local and global missions, and what step can you take today to move beyond your comfort zone in serving others?

Day 4: Seeing Christ in the Most Vulnerable

When we encounter those who are suffering or marginalized, we are invited to see not just their needs but the very heart of Jesus within them. The call to serve the “least-est” among us is a call to recognize the image of Christ in every person, especially those who are overlooked or forgotten. This perspective transforms our acts of service from mere duty to sacred encounters, where we meet Jesus in the faces and stories of the vulnerable. Let your heart be moved to compassion, knowing that every act of love is a direct response to Christ Himself. [15:02]

Proverbs 19:17 (ESV)
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Reflection: How can you intentionally look for the image of Christ in someone who is often overlooked or marginalized, and what practical step can you take to honor them this week?

Day 5: Responding with Joy, Not Fear, to Christ’s Mission

The invitation to serve is not meant to be a burden or a source of fear, but a joyful opportunity to participate in the mission of Jesus. Rather than worrying about being “good enough” or fearing failure, we are called to embrace the excitement and privilege of being part of God’s work in the world. As we step out in faith, we can rejoice in the love of Christ, knowing that He delights in our willingness to serve and that He is with us every step of the way. Let your response to Christ’s call be marked by joy, gratitude, and a readiness to say, “I can do that too.” [15:38]

Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What fears or hesitations hold you back from serving others, and how can you choose to respond with joy and trust in God’s presence as you step into His mission?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the call of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-40, where He reveals the heart of God for “the least of these.” This passage is not just a story or a parable, but a direct invitation to see Christ Himself in those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, or imprisoned. The challenge is to move beyond mere knowledge or good intentions and to step into the mission that Christ has prepared for us—both locally and globally.

We are reminded of the staggering needs in places like Guatemala, where half the population is malnourished, 400,000 children are orphaned, and over half live below the poverty line. Our partnership with Children’s Hope Chest and the village of Pueblo Modelo is a tangible way to respond to this call. But the mission does not stop at the border; it begins right here in our own community. Through ministries like Supper, Showers, and Sandwiches, Delivering Disciples, and the Ark food pantry, we are given countless opportunities to serve Christ by serving our neighbors.

The text also draws us into the deeper theological reality of sanctification. We are justified by Christ’s sacrifice—our salvation is secure. But sanctification is the Spirit’s ongoing work in us, shaping us to live out the love and commands of Jesus. The call to serve is not a burden to fear, but a privilege to embrace. It is the Spirit who equips us, who gives us the strength and the tools to do what Christ commands.

The Greek word “alaxastone,” meaning “the least,” is a superlative—pointing us to those at the very bottom, the most vulnerable, the most overlooked. When we serve them, we are not just doing good deeds; we are encountering Christ Himself. This is not a call to anxiety or guilt, but to joyful participation in the mission of God. Each act of love, no matter how small, is received by Jesus as if done to Him.

As we leave, the invitation is clear: step into the mission. Whether by supporting global efforts, joining local ministries, or simply seeing Christ in the face of the vulnerable, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. May we be found among the sheep at His right hand, not because of our own merit, but because we have responded to His love with lives of service.

Key Takeaways

1. See Christ in the Least of These When we serve those who are hungry, thirsty, or marginalized, we are not just performing acts of charity—we are encountering Christ Himself. This perspective transforms service from obligation to sacred encounter, reminding us that every act of love is received by Jesus as if done to Him. [15:02]
2. Sanctification: Living Out Our Justification Our salvation is secure in Christ, but the Spirit calls us to live out that salvation through acts of love and service. Sanctification is not about earning God’s favor, but about responding to His grace by participating in His mission. The Spirit equips us for this work, making it a joyful privilege rather than a fearful duty. [06:12]
3. Mission Begins Both Locally and Globally The call to serve extends from our own neighborhoods to the ends of the earth. Whether through local ministries like food pantries and clothing closets, or global partnerships in places like Guatemala, we are invited to be part of God’s redemptive work everywhere. Our mission is not limited by geography, but by the boundaries of our compassion. [12:08]
4. The Superlative Call: Serving the “Least-est” The Greek superlative “alaxastone” challenges us to seek out and serve those at the very bottom—the “least-est” among us. This is not about measuring worthiness, but about reflecting the radical love of Christ, who identifies Himself with the most vulnerable. In serving them, we touch the very heart of Jesus. [14:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:58] - Introduction to Matthew 25
[01:23] - Guatemala Mission Facts
[02:39] - The Call to Global Missions
[03:27] - Partnering with Other Churches
[04:32] - Context of Matthew 25
[04:59] - Parables of Preparation
[05:48] - Justification and Sanctification
[06:52] - The Sheep and the Goats
[07:14] - The Commands of Christ
[08:21] - Listening and Responding to God
[09:14] - Local Mission Opportunities
[10:17] - Supper, Showers, and Sandwiches
[11:03] - The Ark Food Pantry
[12:08] - Global Missions: LAMP and Hope Chest
[13:26] - The Meaning of “Least” (Alaxastone)
[14:34] - Serving the “Least-est”
[15:38] - Invitation to Join the Mission
[16:16] - How to Get Involved
[17:09] - Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Seeing Christ in the Least of These”

---

### Bible Reading

Matthew 25:31-40 (ESV)

> 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

---

### Observation Questions

According to Jesus in Matthew 25:31-40, what are the specific needs He mentions that His followers are called to meet?
In the sermon, what does the Greek word “alaxastone” mean, and why is it important for understanding this passage? [13:26]
What are some of the local and global mission opportunities mentioned in the sermon that connect to Jesus’ call in Matthew 25? [10:17]
How does the sermon describe the difference between justification and sanctification? [06:12]

---

### Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus identify Himself so closely with “the least of these”? What does this reveal about God’s heart for the vulnerable? [15:02]
The sermon says sanctification is not about earning God’s favor, but about responding to His grace. How does this understanding change the way someone might approach serving others? [06:12]
The word “alaxastone” is a superlative, meaning “the least-est.” What does it look like in practice to seek out and serve those at the very bottom, rather than just those who are easy to help? [14:34]
The sermon mentions that the mission starts both locally and globally. Why is it important not to limit our compassion by geography? [12:08]

---

### Application Questions

The sermon lists real needs in Guatemala—malnutrition, orphaned children, poverty. Locally, there are ministries like Supper, Showers, and Sandwiches, and the Ark food pantry. Which of these needs or ministries stirs your heart the most, and why? Is there a next step you feel called to take? [10:17]
When you hear that serving “the least of these” is actually serving Christ Himself, how does that change your attitude toward people who are often overlooked or marginalized? Can you think of a time when you missed an opportunity to serve Jesus in this way? [15:02]
The sermon says, “The call to serve is not a burden to fear, but a privilege to embrace.” What fears or hesitations do you have about stepping into service? What would help you move past those fears? [15:38]
The idea of sanctification is that the Spirit equips us for good works. Where do you feel unequipped or unprepared to serve? How might you ask God or your church community for help or training? [08:21]
The Greek word “alaxastone” challenges us to serve the “least-est.” Who are the “least-est” in your daily life or community? What is one practical way you could reach out to them this week? [14:34]
The sermon encourages us to see Christ in the face of the vulnerable. Is there someone in your life right now who you find difficult to love or serve? What would it look like to see Jesus in them? [15:02]
The mission is both local and global. Are there ways you can support global missions (like Children’s Hope Chest) even if you can’t travel? What about local ministries—what’s one way you could get involved this month? [12:08]

---

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does serving the least of these signify in faith?

How are local and global missions connected in scripture?

What is the significance of the superlative least in Matthew 25?