Strengthening Faith Through the Power of Serving
Summary
In our lives, we often engage in physical workouts for various reasons, such as losing weight, building muscle, or simply de-stressing. Similarly, our faith requires its own set of exercises to grow and strengthen. Today, we conclude our series on "Five Workouts That Can Bulk Up Your Faith" by focusing on the fifth and final workout: serving. This is a full-body workout for our faith, modeled by Jesus and his early followers, and it is essential for every believer, regardless of where they are on their faith journey.
Jesus taught us that greatness is found in serving others. He demonstrated this through his life, constantly putting others before himself, even washing the feet of his betrayer, Judas. Serving is not about seeking titles or recognition but about humbly meeting the needs of others. This principle is crucial for the church, as it ensures that the movement of Jesus continues to thrive and grow.
Paul expands on this idea by comparing the church to a body, where every part is essential and has a unique role to play. Just as a body suffers when one part is not functioning, the church suffers when its members are not engaged. Each of us has a role to play in building up the body of Christ, and our participation is vital for the growth and health of the church.
Serving is a fast track to making a lasting difference, an inside track to building new friendships, and a growth track for our faith. It challenges us to trust God with our time and resources, knowing that he will honor our efforts and use them for his purposes. Whether you're new to faith or have been on this journey for a while, serving is an opportunity to create for others what was once created for you.
I invite you to consider how you can engage in this workout by serving on a team at our church. Whether it's greeting guests, working with children, or helping with setup, there are numerous ways to get involved. By serving, you not only grow your faith but also contribute to the growth and impact of our church community.
Key Takeaways:
- The Importance of Serving: Jesus taught that true greatness is found in serving others, not in seeking titles or recognition. Serving is about meeting the needs of others and putting them first, just as Jesus did throughout his life. [15:12]
- The Body of Christ: Paul likens the church to a body, where every member has a unique and essential role. Just as a body suffers when one part is not functioning, the church suffers when its members are not engaged. Each of us is crucial to the health and growth of the church. [18:00]
- Making a Lasting Difference: Serving is a fast track to making a lasting impact in the lives of others. By investing our time and efforts, we create environments and experiences that can change lives and leave a lasting impression. [25:54]
- Building Relationships: Serving provides an inside track to building new friendships and relationships. As we work alongside others, we form connections that extend beyond Sunday mornings and enrich our lives. [28:54]
- Growing Our Faith: Serving stretches our faith by challenging us to trust God with our time and resources. It helps us discover our value and purpose within the church and strengthens our confidence in God's provision. [34:07]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [08:23] - The Request of James and John
- [12:01] - Jesus Teaches About Servanthood
- [15:12] - The Example of Jesus
- [18:00] - The Body of Christ
- [22:03] - The Importance of Each Member
- [25:54] - Making a Lasting Difference
- [28:54] - Building Relationships Through Serving
- [31:32] - Stretching Our Faith
- [34:07] - The Challenge of Time
- [38:43] - Creating for Others
- [41:51] - The Five Workouts Recap
- [44:42] - Closing and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Five Workouts That Can Bulk Up Your Faith - Serving"
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 20:20-28
2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
3. Ephesians 4:15-16
---
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 20:20-28, what request does the mother of James and John make to Jesus, and how does Jesus respond to it? [08:23]
2. According to 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, how does Paul describe the church, and what analogy does he use to explain the roles of its members? [18:00]
3. What does Jesus teach about greatness and servanthood in Matthew 20:26-28, and how does this contrast with the world's view of authority? [12:01]
4. How does Paul in Ephesians 4:15-16 describe the growth and unity of the church body, and what role does each member play in this process? [22:03]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes servanthood as the path to greatness in Matthew 20:26-28? How does this teaching challenge common perceptions of leadership and authority? [12:01]
2. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul uses the analogy of the body to describe the church. What might be the implications of this analogy for how we view our roles and responsibilities within the church community? [18:00]
3. How does the concept of serving as a "full-body workout" for faith, as discussed in the sermon, align with the teachings of Jesus and Paul? What does this suggest about the relationship between service and spiritual growth? [15:12]
4. Reflecting on Ephesians 4:15-16, how does the idea of each member contributing to the growth of the church challenge or affirm your understanding of community and personal involvement in church life? [22:03]
---
Application Questions:
1. Jesus taught that true greatness is found in serving others. Can you identify a specific area in your life where you can practice servanthood this week? What steps will you take to prioritize others' needs over your own? [15:12]
2. Paul describes the church as a body with many parts, each with a unique role. What role do you currently play in your church community, and how can you engage more fully in that role to support the growth of the church? [18:00]
3. Serving is described as a fast track to making a lasting difference. Think of a time when someone’s service made a significant impact on your life. How can you replicate that impact for someone else in your community? [25:54]
4. Building relationships is a key benefit of serving. Are there people in your church or community you feel called to connect with more deeply? What practical steps can you take to build those relationships through service? [28:54]
5. The sermon suggests that serving stretches our faith by challenging us to trust God with our time and resources. Is there a specific area where you feel hesitant to serve due to time constraints or resource limitations? How can you trust God to provide as you step out in faith? [34:07]
6. Reflect on the idea of creating for others what was once created for you. What is one way you can contribute to creating a welcoming and nurturing environment for newcomers in your church? [38:43]
7. Consider the concept of being a "five workout individual" as discussed in the sermon. Which of the five workouts (inviting, attending, giving, connecting, serving) do you feel most challenged to engage in, and what is your plan to incorporate it into your faith journey? [41:51]
Devotional
Day 1: True Greatness Through Service
Serving others is the path to true greatness, as demonstrated by Jesus. He taught that greatness is not about seeking titles or recognition but about humbly meeting the needs of others. Jesus exemplified this by consistently putting others before himself, even washing the feet of his betrayer, Judas. This act of service is a powerful reminder that serving is essential for every believer, regardless of where they are on their faith journey. By serving, we follow Jesus' example and contribute to the thriving and growth of the church community. [15:12]
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you serve today without expecting anything in return, and how can you do it in a way that reflects Jesus' humility and love?
Day 2: The Church as a Unified Body
The church is likened to a body, where every member has a unique and essential role. Just as a body suffers when one part is not functioning, the church suffers when its members are not engaged. Each of us is crucial to the health and growth of the church. Paul emphasizes that every believer has a role to play in building up the body of Christ, and our participation is vital for the church's growth and health. By engaging in service, we ensure that the movement of Jesus continues to thrive and grow. [18:00]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: What unique gifts or talents do you have that can contribute to the church community, and how can you start using them this week?
Day 3: Making a Lasting Impact
Serving is a fast track to making a lasting impact in the lives of others. By investing our time and efforts, we create environments and experiences that can change lives and leave a lasting impression. Serving challenges us to trust God with our time and resources, knowing that He will honor our efforts and use them for His purposes. Whether you're new to faith or have been on this journey for a while, serving is an opportunity to create for others what was once created for you. [25:54]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can invest your time or resources this week to make a lasting difference in someone else's life?
Day 4: Building Relationships Through Service
Serving provides an inside track to building new friendships and relationships. As we work alongside others, we form connections that extend beyond Sunday mornings and enrich our lives. These relationships are built on shared experiences and a common purpose, creating a sense of community and belonging. By serving, we not only grow our faith but also contribute to the growth and impact of our church community. [28:54]
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone in your church community you would like to get to know better, and how can you serve alongside them to build a deeper relationship?
Day 5: Stretching and Growing Our Faith
Serving stretches our faith by challenging us to trust God with our time and resources. It helps us discover our value and purpose within the church and strengthens our confidence in God's provision. As we serve, we are reminded of our dependence on God and our need to rely on Him for strength and guidance. This growth in faith is essential for every believer, as it deepens our relationship with God and enhances our ability to serve others effectively. [34:07]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more, and how can serving help you grow in that trust this week?
Quotes
"When Jesus was here on this earth and when he was communicating and teaching he was constantly challenging and teaching us that it's not enough to just simply learn more but that we should actually be living more of what we've already learned we should be living that out in our day-to-day lives and so today we're concluding this series that we've been going through to help us learn how to live more of what we've learned we're concluding this series five workouts that can bulk up your faith." [00:89:46]
"Jesus is like the greatest people among you are the ones who serve the most. The greatest people among you are the ones who serve the most. That's what I love about so many people on our team that serve every single week here at Current. And you may not know all the details of how this happens, but every Sunday we got a whole crew of people that show up. We roll in about 6.45 in the morning and we get going on serving." [00:809:74]
"Jesus taught us that his movement, the church, you and me today, his movement was launched by one, but it's designed to involve many people. In fact, this idea was so important to Jesus because if his followers could not latch on to the gospel, they would not be able to do it. And so he taught us that greatness means serving. Greatness means serving. Greatness means serving." [00:944:88]
"Paul's like, listen, God has placed every single part in the body of Christ in the church. And every single one of those parts is important. And I cannot decide to itself, well, you know what? I'm more important than a hand. And so we don't need that hand anymore. Get out of here. A brain can't decide, you know what? I don't really need my feet to function. Get out of here, feet. If that were to happen, the body would be incomplete." [00:1226:76] (24 seconds)
"Every single person is important to help grow our faith, to help us live out lives of Christ-like love, not only to one another, but to our community around us, but only, as Paul says, to the people around us. If each part engages, only if each part serves. And so in light of all of that, what I want to do today is I want to invite you to workout number five, to serve. I want to invite you to do something that you'll like alongside people that you'll love." [00:1349:81] (31 seconds)
"Serving, first of all, is a fast track to making a lasting difference. I mentioned just a moment ago that we have a crew of people, and not all of our roles, by the way, require you to be here, be rolling into the parking lot at a quarter to seven on Sunday mornings, but we have a crew of people that show up. We start rolling in about 6.45. We start unloading carts of gear. All this stuff that you see goes on carts." [00:1439:09]
"One of my favorite things about Sundays is the relationships that are being built as we're plugging in cables and unloading carts and setting up pipe and drape. And we're in here, we're laughing with one another. We're enjoying each other's company. We're catching up on what just happened during the week. We're checking in on one another, making sure that our lives are good. We're building relationships." [00:1632:72] (18 seconds)
"Because leaning in and serving people, even before we feel like we're ready for it, or we're unsure where we're at, it's going to stretch your faith. It's going to teach you that you have to trust that your heavenly father is going to use what you bring to the table, even if you're not sure that what you're bringing is something of value." [00:1905:03] (21 seconds)
"Again, I wanna challenge you as Jesus did his disciples. The greatest people serve in sometimes the smallest roles. We all wanna do big things. We all wanna have the title. We all want the recognition that the greatest people serve. You have no idea how big of a difference you might make if you just take a little step and serve. So when it comes to time, that's an issue for every single one of us." [00:2267:55] (27 seconds)
"This is again, this is why serving, when we serve, it stretches our faith in this way too. It stretches our faith in the area of time because it requires us to trust that God is going to honor the time that we have invested, even when we feel like we don't have any of it to invest." [00:2294:45] (15 seconds)
"If you're building faith, you have an opportunity to create for someone else what someone once created for you. You have an opportunity to create for somebody else what it was that you experienced when you first walked in the doors. If you're a parent today, or you're a grandparent today, you have an opportunity to create for someone what you wish had been created for your kids or for your grandkids, or maybe the thing that was created for your kids or for your grandkids, for somebody that you love." [00:2309:41] (31 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?