Serving with Humility: Greatness in God's Kingdom
Summary
In this sermon, I emphasized the importance of service and humility in our Christian walk, drawing from the example of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. I highlighted the significance of seeing a need and stepping up to meet it, regardless of our status or position. I used personal anecdotes and humor to illustrate this point, emphasizing that we are often called to serve in unexpected and mundane ways. I also challenged the congregation to consider where they have seen a need and felt the Spirit prompting them to step in and help.
In the second part of the sermon, I focused on the concept of greatness in the Kingdom of God, referencing Mark 10:43-45. I stressed that greatness in God's Kingdom is about service, not status. I used the example of Pastor Ben, who despite his achievements and recognition, was more concerned about serving effectively. I also emphasized that it's impossible to love Jesus without serving people. I concluded the sermon by encouraging the congregation to serve, even when it's not acknowledged or appreciated, and to step up and meet the needs they see in the church and their communities.
Key Takeaways:
- We are called to serve in humility, following the example of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. (01:03:40)
- Greatness in God's Kingdom is about service, not status. We should strive to serve effectively, not seek recognition or status. (44:39)
- It's impossible to love Jesus without serving people. Our love for Christ should be reflected in our service to others. (46:03)
- We should serve even when it's not acknowledged or appreciated. Our service is unto God, not man. (01:06:46)
- We should be proactive in meeting the needs we see in the church and our communities. (01:08:44)
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John Chapter 13 [38:51
Observation Questions:
1. What is the context of John Chapter 13 and what events are taking place in this chapter?
2. How does the behavior of the disciples in John Chapter 13 reflect our own behaviors and attitudes?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet in John Chapter 13 symbolize?
2. How does the story in John Chapter 13 challenge our understanding of greatness and service?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a recent situation where you saw a need and felt the spirit within you saying, "You can do that"? How did you respond?
2. Reflect on a time when you served others without expecting anything in return. How did that experience impact you?
3. Are there opportunities in your life right now where you can serve others, even in small ways? What steps can you take to seize these opportunities?
4. How can you demonstrate humility and service in your interactions with others this week, following the example of Jesus in John Chapter 13?
5. Can you think of a person or a group of people in your life who could benefit from your service? How can you serve them this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Cherishing God's Word
We often take for granted the abundance of Bibles we have in our homes, forgetting the preciousness of God's word. This week, let's strive to cherish His word, to live with it, and to let it guide our actions and decisions. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to anoint us, to give us receptive hearts, and to help us understand the truth in His word ([38:13]).
Bible passage: Deuteronomy 11:18-19 - "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Reflection: How can you make God's word a more integral part of your daily life?
Day 2: Serving Others Humbly
Jesus set an example for us by serving others humbly. He saw a need and met it without expecting anything in return. This week, let's strive to serve others in the same way, looking for needs we can meet and saying, "This one's mine. I can do that" ([01:03:40]).
Bible passage: Galatians 5:13 - "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can serve someone else this week?
Day 3: Serving Despite Ingratitude
Sometimes, people will take us for granted or fail to appreciate our efforts. But we should serve anyway. This week, let's strive to serve others without expecting thanks or recognition, remembering that we are ultimately serving God ([01:06:46]).
Bible passage: Colossians 3:23-24 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Reflection: How can you continue to serve others even when your efforts go unnoticed or unappreciated?
Day 4: Embracing Humility
Jesus demonstrated humility by washing His disciples' feet. He took off His outer robe, symbolizing the shedding of pretentiousness and pride. This week, let's strive to embrace humility, to shed our pretentious robes, and to serve others as Jesus did ([54:17]).
Bible passage: Philippians 2:3-4 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can demonstrate humility this week?
Day 5: Meeting Needs
Jesus saw a need and met it. He didn't wait for someone else to do it. He said, "This one's mine. I can do that." This week, let's strive to be proactive in meeting the needs of others, to say, "This one's mine. I can do that" ([01:08:44]).
Bible passage: James 2:15-16 - "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"
Reflection: What is one need you see around you that you can meet this week?
Quotes
1. "We live in a world in which people are selfish, self-centered, self-gratifying, and full of self-promotion. But when it comes to the kingdom of God, God has a different standard of what makes people great. In the world, we look at people say, 'Hey, look at my shoes, look at my car, look at my tan, see my post to my vacation.' But in the kingdom of God, it's not all about that. The greatest in the kingdom of God is a man by the name of Jesus." - 41:02
2. "We live in a world today that people want to be great. They want to be the goat. Goat is an acronym for the greatest of all time. But in the Kingdom, the greatest of all time is not someone with a super education, more followers on the internet, or a TV program. It's someone who cherishes the word of God and lives by it." - 38:03
3. "We need people who watch for a need and are willing to say, 'This one's mine, I got it.' Where have you seen a need and the spirit within you said, 'You can do that'? That's a goat, that's the greatest of all time." - 01:02:59
4. "Some people will take you for granted, some people will expect it when you do it and they don't understand how much you're sacrificing. Serve anyway. Some people will never say thank you, they'll never appreciate it. Serve anyway." - 01:06:32
5. "Maybe it's time to stand up, put your phone down, turn TV off, say 'You know what, I can do that.' There are needs around here and you think, 'I can do that, this one's mine.' That's a goat, that's the greatest of all time." - 01:06:32
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