Your SERVING Matters

Devotional

Day 1: Every Part Matters in the Body of Christ

Each person in the church is like a unique piece of a larger puzzle, and when even one piece is missing or not fulfilling its role, the whole body feels the difference. God has designed His church so that every member, with their unique gifts and presence, contributes to the mission and health of the whole. Your presence, your giving, and especially your serving are not just for your own growth, but for the encouragement and building up of those around you. When you step into your role, no matter how ordinary it may seem, you become part of what Jesus is building—His church and His kingdom. [02:45]

Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV)
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Reflection: What is one way you can use your unique gifts or presence this week to encourage or support someone else in your church community?

Day 2: Serving Begins with Jesus’ Grace and Gifts

Serving in the church is not about having a special title or being a “super volunteer”—it starts with Jesus, who gives each person gifts and roles according to what His church needs. Just as a coach places players in the right positions for the team to thrive, Jesus equips His people with different abilities so that, together, the church can be effective and unified. Whether your gift is teaching, caring, encouraging, or something seemingly small, it is Jesus who provides and empowers you to serve, and every role is vital to the health and mission of the church. [06:37]

Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."

Reflection: What is one gift or ability you have that you haven’t considered as a way to serve others, and how might you offer it to Jesus for His use?

Day 3: Ordinary Acts of Service Reflect Jesus

Ministry is not limited to what happens on Sunday mornings or within church walls; it is found in simple, everyday acts of service that meet real needs and reflect the love of Jesus. Whether it’s greeting someone with a smile, preparing communion, making a phone call to check in, or fixing something behind the scenes, these acts are true ministry. When you serve in these ordinary ways, you help others feel seen and welcomed, and you open doors for them to encounter the grace and love of Christ. [10:39]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: What is one small, practical act of service you can do today—at church, at home, or in your community—that could help someone experience the love of Jesus?

Day 4: Serving Grows Us in Maturity and Unity

As you serve others, God uses those moments to shape your heart, deepen your compassion, and grow you in faith. Serving is not just about giving to others; it is also a way that God matures you, helping you become more like Jesus and grounding you in truth and love. When you step into real, sometimes messy moments with real people, your faith takes root, and you become less tossed by life’s uncertainties, more anchored in Christ, and more connected to the body of believers. [12:27]

Ephesians 4:13-14 (ESV)
"Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."

Reflection: Where have you seen God grow your faith or character through serving others, and how might you step into a new area of service that stretches you?

Day 5: Jesus Multiplies What You Offer

Whatever you bring—your time, your skills, your compassion, your experiences—Jesus takes and multiplies for the good of His church and the expansion of His kingdom. You don’t have to be extraordinary; you just have to be available. Even the smallest offering can make a significant difference, like a missing piece that completes the whole. When you offer what you have, Jesus uses it to build something greater than you could imagine, and through your serving, love deepens, faith strengthens, and the body becomes what it was designed to be. [19:40]

John 6:9-13 (ESV)
"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.' Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, 'Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.' So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten."

Reflection: What is one resource, talent, or experience you can offer to Jesus today, trusting that He will use it to bless others and build His kingdom?

Sermon Summary

God calls each of us to live open-handedly, using what we have so that others may come to know and experience Him. Just as a Lego set is incomplete without every piece, the church is made up of many unique individuals, each with a vital role to play. When even one person is missing or not engaged, the whole body feels the absence. Our presence, our giving, and especially our serving are essential—not just for ourselves, but for the flourishing of the entire community.

Ephesians 4 reminds us that Jesus Himself gives gifts to His people, equipping each of us for works of service. These gifts are not reserved for a select few or for those with special titles; rather, every believer is called and empowered to serve. The roles Paul lists—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—are examples of how God provides for His church, but the principle extends to all forms of service, both seen and unseen. Whether it’s welcoming someone at the door, preparing communion, making a phone call, or fixing something behind the scenes, every act of service matters deeply. These seemingly ordinary tasks are, in fact, ministry, because they reflect the love and grace of Jesus to others.

Serving is not just about giving to others; it is also a means by which God matures us. As we step into real moments with real people, our faith is stretched and deepened. We become less self-focused and more attuned to what God is doing through us. This is how we grow into the fullness of Christ—by truthing in love, embodying both honesty and compassion in our actions. The church grows stronger and more unified as each person brings their unique gifts to the table.

Ultimately, Jesus is the head of the church, guiding and sustaining us. But He chooses to build His church and expand His kingdom through ordinary people with ordinary gifts. The invitation is not about guilt or pressure, but about stepping into the joy of being part of something bigger than ourselves. Whatever you bring—your time, your compassion, your experience, your skills—Jesus will use and multiply. You may be the missing piece that makes all the difference.

Key Takeaways

1. Every part of the body matters No one is insignificant in God’s design for the church. Each person’s presence, gifts, and service contribute to the health and mission of the whole. When we withhold what we have, the body feels the loss, but when we step in, even in small ways, we help build something greater than ourselves. [02:08]
2. Serving is both ordinary and sacred Acts of service don’t have to be dramatic or public to be meaningful. Simple, everyday tasks—welcoming, preparing, helping—are holy when done in love. These acts open doors for others to encounter Jesus and remind us that ministry happens wherever needs are met in His name. [09:59]
3. Service is a pathway to spiritual maturity As we serve, God uses those experiences to shape us, deepen our faith, and develop Christlike character. Serving draws us out of ourselves, teaching us compassion and dependence on Jesus. It is in the giving of ourselves that we are also formed and strengthened. [12:27]
4. Truth and love must go hand in hand Growth happens when we embody truth in love—living honestly and compassionately with one another. Truth without love can wound, and love without truth can mislead, but together they build up the body and reflect the heart of Christ. [14:56]
5. Jesus multiplies what we offer Whatever we bring—no matter how small or ordinary—Jesus uses to build His church and expand His kingdom. Our availability is more important than our ability, and God delights in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. [19:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Opening Prayer
[01:35] - The Missing Lego Piece
[02:08] - The Church Needs Every Part
[02:45] - Your Serving Matters
[03:32] - Our Identity and Our Role
[04:17] - Jesus Gives and Equips
[05:21] - Spiritual Gifts in Action
[06:37] - The Team Analogy
[07:48] - Equipping for Ministry
[08:39] - Everyday Acts as Ministry
[09:59] - Ministry in Ordinary Moments
[11:32] - Serving Matures Us
[12:27] - Faith Rooted in Service
[14:56] - Truthing in Love
[17:03] - What Are You Doing With Your Gifts?
[19:40] - Jesus Multiplies What We Offer
[20:38] - Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:11-16 (ESV)
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

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### Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 4:11-12, what is the purpose of the different roles (apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers) that Jesus gives to the church?
In the sermon, what analogy was used to describe the importance of every person’s presence and participation in the church? ([01:35])
What are some examples the pastor gave of “ordinary” acts of service that are actually considered ministry? ([09:59])
In Ephesians 4:15, what does Paul say is necessary for the church to grow and mature?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize that every part of the body matters, and what might happen if someone withholds their gifts or presence from the church? ([02:08])
The sermon mentions that serving is both ordinary and sacred. Why do you think simple acts like greeting someone or fixing something behind the scenes are so important in God’s eyes? ([09:59])
How does serving others help us grow in our faith and become more like Jesus, according to both the passage and the sermon? ([12:27])
What does it mean to “speak the truth in love,” and why is it important for the health and unity of the church? ([14:56])

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### Application Questions

The pastor said, “Your serving matters, because Jesus uses ordinary people with ordinary gifts to build His church and expand His kingdom.” What is one ordinary gift or skill you have that you haven’t thought of as ministry before? How could you use it to serve others this month? ([02:45])
Think about the analogy of the missing Lego piece. Is there a way you might be “missing” from the body right now—either by not being present, not serving, or holding back your gifts? What is one step you could take to be more engaged? ([01:35])
The sermon described how serving is a pathway to spiritual maturity. Can you share a time when serving someone else changed you or helped you grow in your faith? If not, what is one area where you feel God might want to stretch you through serving? ([12:27])
The phrase “truthing in love” was used to describe how we should interact with each other. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to be more honest, more loving, or both? What would it look like to “truth in love” with that person this week? ([14:56])
The pastor said, “Whatever you bring—your time, your compassion, your experience, your skills—Jesus will use and multiply.” What is one thing you can offer to God this week, even if it feels small or ordinary? ([19:40])
Sometimes we think ministry is only for people with special titles or training. What is one way you can encourage someone else in your group or church to see their everyday actions as ministry? ([07:48])
The sermon ended with the question, “What are you doing with what God has given you?” Take a moment to reflect: What is one blessing, experience, or resource you have that you could use to help your church or community grow healthier? ([17:03])

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Sermon Clips

The church is made up of all of these different pieces, you and I. And as we come together, when a piece is missing or a piece is not doing what it's supposed to be doing, you can feel it. And so, we've seen this at play as the body of Christ that we talked about a few weeks ago. Your presence matters, not just for you, but also for the people around you. Your giving matters, because it's a way for us to inspire and instill the mission and keep the mission going of what God is trying to do in us and through us. And today, as we'll see, your serving matters, because Jesus uses ordinary people with ordinary gifts to build His church and expand His kingdom. [00:02:19] (54 seconds) #YourPresenceMatters

The evangelists are the ones who are really good at bringing Jesus into the conversation and pointing people to Him through the proclamation of the gospel. The pastors, or the shepherds, are the ones who draw people together, who comfort and care for the hurting. The teachers are the ones that ground the church in truth so that it can grow in wisdom. They're the ones who make the Bible come alive so that people can see it clearly in how it applies to their lives. [00:05:38] (34 seconds) #RolesInFaith

Ministry is not just for the professionals. Ministry is not just for the super volunteers, but we have these gifts and we come together so that we can all be equipped. And Paul uses non-church language here to drive home this point. And here's what he says. The Greek word katartismos, which means to equip, is a medical term for resetting a broken bone or realigning something that's out of place so that it can work properly again. Or it's also used in the fishing world to mend broken nets so that it's putting things back together so they can be useful again. And that's what Jesus does for us. He restores us. He strengthens us. And He readies us so that we as the body of Christ can come together and step into this meaningful, kingdom-focused ministry. [00:08:07] (62 seconds) #MinistryIsForAll

Ministry. Not what just happens on Sunday morning or through a church, but ministry. And the word Paul uses, again, is non-churchy, but it's a diakonia, which means simple, everyday, hands-on serving. So in the first century, it was the idea of carrying food, of delivering supplies, of waiting on tables, of helping people who needed help. And that is exactly what Paul is getting at when he says that we are equipping one another for the ministry or the work of the ministry. It's responding. It's serving others where we meet a real need that reflects Jesus. [00:09:10] (50 seconds) #EverydayMinistry

Ministry happens not just here, but also in our communities where we live, learn, work, and play. It's how do we meet a need and reflect Jesus. Because what the vision that Paul is trying to cast for the church is a church where everyone uses what Jesus has given them for the good of the body so that we can be part of what Jesus is building, His church and expanding His kingdom. [00:10:53] (31 seconds) #ServeToGrow

It's knowing that as I am connected, as I am using my gifts, that I am strengthening one another. But I'm also being filled and formed by the love of God. Because it's the seemingly small and ordinary acts that shape us into the likeness of Jesus. Because it becomes less about me and more about what God is trying to do through me. And that's the goal for all of us is to become more like Jesus. And that happens as we mature in the faith. [00:13:40] (40 seconds) #DependentOnChrist

Paul uses this Greek word that we've turned into three words but it's actually one word and it's kind of weird but it's truthing in love. Meaning that it's not just about what you say but it's about how do you embody truth. How do you practically live out truth. How do you maintain truth in the different moments of life and you do that wrapped in love. Right? I think it's probably safe to say that we've all experienced truth without love and in some ways we're crushed by it or maybe we've experienced love without truth and we've been confused by it but it's when you bring truth and love together that you are able to grow. [00:14:56] (49 seconds) #UseYourGifts

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