Serving Like Jesus: A Call to Selfless Love
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound implications of serving like Jesus, drawing from the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25. This passage provides a blueprint for service, illustrating that when we serve others, we serve Christ Himself. I emphasized that our service should not be motivated by a desire for heaven, but by a desire to know Jesus more intimately and to become increasingly like Him in our daily lives.
I challenged the cultural narrative that promotes self-fulfillment above all else, highlighting that as followers of Christ, we are called to a different standard—one of selflessness and service. I reminded us that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is not measured by our status or achievements but by our willingness to serve others humbly.
I shared personal stories, including how my family opened our home to someone in need, demonstrating hospitality as a tangible expression of service. I also recounted how I cared for an elderly woman in a rehab center, showing that service is not limited to grand gestures but is often found in simple acts of kindness.
I addressed the importance of serving with love, humility, and open eyes, recognizing that service is not an occasional event but a lifestyle. I urged us to serve not for recognition but out of genuine compassion and to be attentive to the needs around us, stepping in even when it's not our job.
Finally, I called us to serve everyone, including those who have wronged us, following Jesus' example of washing the feet of all His disciples, including Judas. I concluded with an invitation to accept Jesus into our hearts, emphasizing that His ultimate act of service was giving His life for our salvation.
Key Takeaways:
- Serving like Jesus requires a heart transformation that prioritizes others' needs above our own desires. It's not about the grandeur of our actions but the love and humility with which we carry them out. True service is often unseen and unapplauded, yet it is in these moments that we most closely resemble our Savior. [01:10:24]
- Hospitality is a powerful form of service that opens our homes and lives to others, creating safe spaces where people can experience the love of Christ. It's not about having a perfect space but a willing heart to share whatever we have, making others feel like family. [01:21:20]
- Serving with love is the essence of Christlike service. It's easy to serve those we love, but the challenge lies in serving those we find difficult. Love should be the fuel that propels us to serve, and if it's lacking, we must seek God to fill us with His love so we can pour it out to others. [01:07:21]
- Humility in service means putting aside our ego and serving without the need for recognition. It's about doing what's right even when no one is watching, and considering others as more significant than ourselves. This humility is not inherent; we must actively seek it through the Holy Spirit's guidance. [01:11:30]
- Serving with open eyes means being attentive to the needs around us and taking action. It's about rejecting the "not my job" mentality and embracing every opportunity to serve as Jesus did. When we serve with open eyes, we become the hands and feet of Jesus in a world desperate for His touch. [01:15:18]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 25:34-40
2. John 13:12-15
3. Mark 10:45
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 25:34-40, what are some specific ways Jesus says we can serve others? How do these acts of service relate to serving Him?
2. In John 13:12-15, what example does Jesus set for His disciples, and what command does He give them after washing their feet?
3. What does Mark 10:45 reveal about Jesus' purpose in coming to earth, and how does this purpose relate to the concept of service?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize serving others as a way of serving Him in Matthew 25:34-40? How does this perspective change the way we view acts of service? [01:16:31]
2. In John 13:12-15, why is it significant that Jesus, their teacher and Lord, washed the disciples' feet? What does this teach us about humility and leadership? [01:03:55]
3. How does Mark 10:45 challenge the cultural narrative of self-fulfillment and self-promotion? What does it mean to give one's life as a ransom for many? [01:00:18]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the idea that serving others is serving Christ. How does this change your motivation for serving? Can you think of a recent act of service where you felt you were serving Jesus? [01:16:31]
2. Jesus washed the feet of all His disciples, including Judas. Is there someone in your life who has wronged you that you find difficult to serve? How can you follow Jesus' example in this situation? [01:28:36]
3. The sermon emphasized that true service is often unseen and unapplauded. How do you feel about serving without recognition? Can you commit to a specific act of service this week that no one else will know about? [01:10:24]
4. Hospitality was highlighted as a powerful form of service. How can you open your home or your life to someone in need this week? What practical steps can you take to make others feel like family? [01:21:20]
5. Serving with love and humility was a key point in the sermon. Think of a person who tests your patience. What is a short prayer you can say before the next time you interact with that person to help you serve them with love and humility? [01:07:21]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of serving with open eyes, recognizing needs around us. Can you identify a need in your community or workplace that you can address this week? How will you take action? [01:15:18]
7. Jesus' ultimate act of service was giving His life for our salvation. How does this ultimate sacrifice inspire you to serve others? What is one way you can embody this sacrificial love in your daily life? [01:35:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Heart Transformation Through Service
True service requires a transformation of the heart, where the needs of others become a priority over personal desires. This transformation is not about the scale of the actions but the love and humility that underpin them. Often, the most genuine acts of service go unnoticed and uncelebrated, yet it is in these quiet moments that one's character is most aligned with the Savior. Service in the Kingdom of God is not about seeking applause but about embodying the love of Christ through every small, selfless act. [01:10:24]
"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:3-4 ESV
Reflection: Consider a recent act of service you performed. Did you seek acknowledgment, or were you content in the knowledge that God saw your actions?
Day 2: Hospitality as an Extension of Service
Hospitality is a profound expression of service that involves opening one's home and life to others. It is not about the perfection of the environment but the willingness to share whatever one has. This form of service creates a space where individuals can feel valued and experience the love of Christ as if they were family. It's a reminder that sharing life with others is a powerful testament to God's love and grace. [01:21:20]
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." - Hebrews 13:2 ESV
Reflection: How can you practice hospitality this week, even in a small way, to create a space for someone to feel the love and acceptance of Christ?
Day 3: Love as the Foundation of Service
Serving with love is the essence of Christlike service. It is straightforward to serve those dear to us, but the true challenge lies in serving those we find difficult. Love should be the driving force behind service, and if it is lacking, one must seek God's help to be filled with His love to overflow to others. This love is the hallmark of genuine service, distinguishing it from mere duty or obligation. [01:07:21]
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." - 1 Peter 4:8-9 ESV
Reflection: Is there someone you find challenging to love or serve? How can you ask God to help you see them through His eyes and serve them with His love today?
Day 4: Humility in Service
Humility in service is about setting aside one's ego and serving others without the expectation of recognition. It involves doing what is right, even when no one is watching, and considering others more significant than oneself. This humility is not innate; it must be actively pursued through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, reflecting the humble nature of Christ. [01:11:30]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." - Philippians 2:3 ESV
Reflection: What is one way you can serve someone this week without any expectation of thanks or recognition, simply for the joy of following Jesus' example of humility?
Day 5: Serving with Open Eyes
Serving with open eyes involves being attentive to the needs around us and being willing to take action. It means rejecting the "not my job" mentality and embracing every opportunity to serve as Jesus did. When one serves with open eyes, they become the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that is desperate for His touch and love. [01:15:18]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4 ESV
Reflection: What are some needs in your community that you have been overlooking? How can you take a step towards meeting one of those needs this week?
Quotes
1) "We are supposed to be more and more like Jesus... but that is not what the Bible tells us to do. We are supposed to be more and more like Jesus if you go into the internet right now and you will type something like uh how to advance in Life or how to make it to the top you will find an infinite amount of content... because we have an ego problem because we have a me first problem because in everything that we do we want to be the ones that are recognized." [53:33 <-dO1QwYPeQ0>] ()
2) "Jesus says to them... 'the one with the most Authority among you should act as if he is the least important the one who leads should be like one who serves... but I have been with you as the one who serves.' He is telling us just stop that what people value and what people see as the most important thing it is not what is the most important thing." [56:01 <-dO1QwYPeQ0>] ()
3) "We need to be able to put our ego aside our desire to be noticed aside and serve with humility... we have to go to the Holy Spirit and say holy spirit show me the areas in my life where there's Pride so that I can lay it down and give me the willingness and the desire to actually change." [01:11:30 <-dO1QwYPeQ0>] ()
4) "We serve like Jesus when we serve with love with humility and with open eyes... Are you the one that can see the need but doesn't do anything about it? It's time to go back to the mirror and say am I serving with open eyes can I see the need and when I see the need do I do something about it." [01:15:18 <-dO1QwYPeQ0>] ()
5) "We need to serve Jesus showed us with his own life the servant is very very important so if we're going to become more like Jesus we need to serve like he did we need to become servants... Jesus did that for all 12 of them and then in verse 12 of John 13 it says when Jesus finished washing their feet he put on his clothes and went back to the table he asked do you understand what I did for you." [01:00:18 <-dO1QwYPeQ0>] ()
6) "Jesus was giving him a command and he was not a commend to every once in a while have a was a a feet um Washing Service... he's telling them you saw what I did I did what nobody wants to do I took the lowest position of everybody in here to serve you do that for one another do for each other what nobody else wants to do serve one another in the same way that I have served you it was a command to serve." [01:05:20 <-dO1QwYPeQ0>] ()
7) "Jesus had always loved the people in the world who were his now was the time that he showed them his love the most... do you love the people that are around you do you love them well so that you can serve them and that love really begins with us loving God and receiving his love because we cannot go out and try to love people and a love a tank that is empty." [01:06:00 <-dO1QwYPeQ0>] ()
8) "Jesus was not looking for recognition he was not looking to be exalted because he was washing feet he did it out of humility... we need to be able to put our ego aside our desire to be noticed aside and serve with humility so we go back to the mirror and say am I serving with humility will I serve even if nobody ever noticed would I will still serve if nobody ever said thank you." [01:09:48 <-dO1QwYPeQ0>] ()
9) "If Jesus can serve Judas you can serve wh Whoever has wrong you as well because it is not about our feelings it is not about our preferences it is not about who we like or who we don't like we serve everybody because that is what being a disciple looks like." [01:29:17 <-dO1QwYPeQ0>] ()
10) "We have adopted the Olive Garden uh slogan you know like if you're here your family so if you come to our home you you can go to the fridge and grab something to drink if you're cold you can just grab a blanket if you want to put your feet up go for it because we are to show Hospitality to other people can you show Hospitality to other people." [01:21:20 <-dO1QwYPeQ0>] ()
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