Serving with Love: Connecting Through Christ

### Summary

Good morning, everyone! Today, we continued our "Connect" series, focusing on the importance of serving one another within the body of Christ. We began by discussing the physical representation of our connection through the puzzle pieces in the foyer, symbolizing how each of us plays a unique role in God's kingdom. We also touched on the upcoming seven days of prayer and fasting, emphasizing the power of unity in prayer against sickness and disease.

Our main scripture was John 13, where Jesus washes His disciples' feet, demonstrating the essence of servanthood. This act wasn't just about foot washing but about serving each other with humility and love. Jesus chose this moment, right before His betrayal and crucifixion, to teach us the importance of serving one another. We are connected through serving, and this connection is vital for the health and growth of the church.

We explored how serving isn't just about doing tasks but doing them with love, as outlined in Galatians 5:13 and 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient, kind, and selfless, and our service should reflect these qualities. We also discussed how each of us is uniquely gifted to serve. Psalm 139 reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 tells us that our gifts are meant to serve others.

Finally, we talked about the blessings that come from serving. John 13:17 assures us that God will bless us for our obedience in serving others. This isn't about material blessings but the joy and fulfillment that come from living out our God-given purpose.

### Key Takeaways

1. **Connection Through Serving**: We are designed to connect with one another through acts of service. Jesus demonstrated this by washing His disciples' feet, showing that true leadership and connection come from serving others with humility. This act teaches us that no one is above serving, and we should follow His example in our daily lives. [46:33]

2. **Serving with Love**: Our service must be rooted in love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient, kind, and selfless. When we serve with these qualities, we reflect God's love to others. This kind of service not only meets physical needs but also ministers to the heart and soul of the person being served. [55:28]

3. **Gifted to Serve**: Each of us is uniquely gifted by God to serve others. Psalm 139 reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 tells us that our gifts are meant to serve one another. Discovering and using our gifts within the church helps us fulfill our purpose and strengthens the body of Christ. [58:56]

4. **Humility in Receiving Service**: Sometimes, showing a servant's heart means accepting the service of others. Refusing help can be a sign of pride. True humility begins with recognizing our need for others and allowing them to serve us, just as we serve them. This mutual service builds deeper connections within the church. [50:49]

5. **Blessings Through Serving**: Serving others brings blessings, not necessarily in material form but in the joy and fulfillment of living out our purpose. John 13:17 assures us that God will bless us for our obedience in serving others. This blessing often comes in unexpected ways, enriching our lives and deepening our faith. [01:11:33]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[36:41] - Puzzle Pieces and Connection
[38:05] - Book Signing and Ministry Partners
[39:24] - Seven Days of Prayer and Fasting
[40:45] - Theme Verse: Romans 12:5
[42:10] - Scripture Reading: John 13
[45:14] - Foot Washing Service (Joke)
[46:33] - Connected Through Serving
[48:01] - Jesus Washing Feet: Cultural Context
[49:22] - Belonging to Jesus' Family
[50:49] - Humility in Receiving Service
[52:10] - Serving Within the Church
[53:44] - Love and Unselfish Concern
[55:28] - Serving with Love
[58:56] - Gifted to Serve
[01:11:33] - Blessings Through Serving
[01:13:01] - Next Steps: Becoming a Christ Follower
[01:19:33] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

### Bible Reading
1. **John 13:1-17** - Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
2. **Galatians 5:13** - Serve One Another in Love
3. **1 Peter 4:10-11** - Use Your Gifts to Serve Others

### Observation Questions
1. What act of service did Jesus perform for His disciples in John 13, and what was its significance? [42:10]
2. According to Galatians 5:13, how should we serve one another?
3. In 1 Peter 4:10-11, what are we instructed to do with the gifts we have received from God?

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Jesus choose to wash His disciples' feet, and what lesson was He teaching them about leadership and service? [46:33]
2. How does serving with love, as described in Galatians 5:13 and 1 Corinthians 13, differ from serving out of obligation or duty? [55:28]
3. What does it mean to be "gifted to serve," and how can recognizing our unique gifts impact our service within the church? [58:56]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you served someone with love. How did it impact both you and the person you served? How can you incorporate more acts of loving service into your daily life? [55:28]
2. Jesus demonstrated humility by washing His disciples' feet. Are there areas in your life where you struggle with humility? How can you practice humility in your service to others? [46:33]
3. Sometimes, accepting help from others can be difficult. Have you ever refused help due to pride? How can you cultivate a heart that is open to receiving service from others? [50:49]
4. Identify your unique gifts and talents. How can you use them to serve others in your church community? If you are unsure of your gifts, what steps can you take to discover them? [58:56]
5. Serving others brings blessings, not necessarily in material form but in joy and fulfillment. Can you recall a time when you felt blessed through serving? How can you seek out more opportunities to serve and experience these blessings? [01:11:33]
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of unity in prayer and fasting. How can you participate in your church's upcoming seven days of prayer and fasting? What specific prayer focus will you commit to during this time? [39:24]
7. Think about the puzzle pieces in the foyer symbolizing connection. How can you actively work to connect with others in your church through acts of service? What practical steps will you take this week to build these connections? [36:41]

### Day 1: Connection Through Serving
Jesus demonstrated the essence of servanthood by washing His disciples' feet, showing that true leadership and connection come from serving others with humility. This act teaches us that no one is above serving, and we should follow His example in our daily lives. Serving one another is not just about completing tasks but about building relationships and fostering unity within the body of Christ. When we serve with humility, we reflect Jesus' love and create a stronger, more connected community.

In John 13, Jesus chose a moment right before His betrayal and crucifixion to teach us the importance of serving one another. This act wasn't just about foot washing but about serving each other with humility and love. We are connected through serving, and this connection is vital for the health and growth of the church. By serving others, we fulfill our God-given purpose and strengthen the body of Christ. [46:33]

**Bible Passage:**
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

**Reflection:**
Think of a specific way you can serve someone in your church or community this week. How can you do this with humility and love, following Jesus' example?


### Day 2: Serving with Love
Our service must be rooted in love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient, kind, and selfless. When we serve with these qualities, we reflect God's love to others. This kind of service not only meets physical needs but also ministers to the heart and soul of the person being served. Serving with love transforms ordinary tasks into acts of worship and brings glory to God.

Galatians 5:13 reminds us that we are called to serve one another through love. When we serve with patience, kindness, and selflessness, we embody the love of Christ and make a lasting impact on those we serve. This love-driven service is not about recognition or reward but about genuinely caring for others and meeting their needs. [55:28]

**Bible Passage:**
"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:**
Identify someone in your life who needs to experience God's love through your actions. How can you serve them in a way that reflects the patience, kindness, and selflessness of Christ?


### Day 3: Gifted to Serve
Each of us is uniquely gifted by God to serve others. Psalm 139 reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 tells us that our gifts are meant to serve one another. Discovering and using our gifts within the church helps us fulfill our purpose and strengthens the body of Christ. When we use our God-given talents to serve others, we contribute to the overall health and growth of the church.

Understanding that we are uniquely designed by God to serve others can be empowering. It encourages us to seek out and develop our spiritual gifts, knowing that they are meant to benefit the community. By using our gifts, we not only fulfill our purpose but also inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of service and love within the church. [58:56]

**Bible Passage:**
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:6-8, ESV)

**Reflection:**
Reflect on the unique gifts and talents God has given you. How can you use these gifts to serve others in your church or community this week?


### Day 4: Humility in Receiving Service
Sometimes, showing a servant's heart means accepting the service of others. Refusing help can be a sign of pride. True humility begins with recognizing our need for others and allowing them to serve us, just as we serve them. This mutual service builds deeper connections within the church and fosters a sense of community and interdependence.

Accepting help from others can be challenging, especially if we are used to being the ones who serve. However, allowing others to serve us is an act of humility and acknowledges that we are all part of the body of Christ, each with our own roles and needs. This mutual service strengthens our relationships and helps us grow together in faith. [50:49]

**Bible Passage:**
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

**Reflection:**
Think of a time when you found it difficult to accept help from someone. How can you practice humility by allowing others to serve you, and how might this strengthen your relationships within the church?


### Day 5: Blessings Through Serving
Serving others brings blessings, not necessarily in material form but in the joy and fulfillment of living out our purpose. John 13:17 assures us that God will bless us for our obedience in serving others. This blessing often comes in unexpected ways, enriching our lives and deepening our faith. When we serve with a genuine heart, we experience the joy of making a difference in others' lives and fulfilling God's calling for us.

The blessings that come from serving are often intangible but deeply rewarding. They include a sense of purpose, joy, and fulfillment that comes from knowing we are making a positive impact. Serving others also helps us grow spiritually, as we learn to rely on God's strength and guidance. These blessings enrich our lives and draw us closer to God. [01:11:33]

**Bible Passage:**
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9-10, ESV)

**Reflection:**
Reflect on a recent experience where you served someone. How did this act of service bring joy and fulfillment to your life, and how can you continue to seek opportunities to serve others?

Well, good morning! How are you guys doing today? You doing good? It's good to see each and every one of you in the house today. You guys look beautiful!

For those of you that don't know me, my name is Andrea, and I'm one of the pastors here. I have the privilege and the honor to bring the word of God to you today.

Now, we are in a series called "Connect." This is actually week two, so if you weren't here last week, you didn't miss a whole lot. Well, you missed a lot because the teaching last week was really good, but what I meant by that is we're not so far in this series that you've got to play a lot of catch-up. You can go to thefathershouse.com and get on the archives, and you can get caught up, maybe even this afternoon, with Pastor Terry's teaching last week.

We're going to continue on in this series. You may have noticed, um, well, first of all, if you weren't here last week, the "Connect" series is all about discovering. First of all, Pastor Terry taught us last week that we were designed to connect. God designed us that way. He designed us to connect with Him; He designed us to connect with one another.

When you came in this morning before service, you may have noticed that on one of the walls in the foyer, there are puzzle pieces that are being put together with people's names on them. That's a physical representation of what it looks like when we put, "I'm a puzzle piece," and Dorothy, you're a puzzle piece, and Betsy, you're a puzzle piece, and Jared, you're a puzzle piece. When we put all of those puzzle pieces together, it brings us together to focus on this beautiful story and this beautiful thing that is going on in the kingdom of God.

Now, you won't see an actual picture on that that we're making, but you'll see all of the names connected to one another. So, I want to encourage you that if you haven't done that yet, make sure that you stop out there before you leave today and grab a puzzle piece, connect it to the others, and write your name on that.

Also, you may have noticed when you came in that there was a beautiful woman signing books, Pastor Simone, out there in the foyer. How awesome! I told the team this morning how awesome it is that God is birthing in this house voices. He is putting things inside of people, and that He's bringing—He's birthing those things for God's people, right?

So, it's an amazing book. I actually haven't read it yet, but I know that it's amazing because I've been hearing that it is. So, I cannot wait to get my copy so that I can read it because I haven't read it yet. I encourage you that she's going to be out there after service. You can purchase her book, and she would love to sign that for you.

One more thing before we get into the word. I was talking to Pastor Terry this morning, and we were talking about, you know, kind of just some of the things that have been going on. We have some ministry partners that are struggling, having a hard time. We have, you know, um, as you know, Maggie is, you know, her health is struggling in that area.

Probably a lot of people in your circles, I really feel like the enemy is specifically attacking in the area of health right now. I'm tired of hearing the word cancer. I hate the word cancer. Cancer stole my mom's life too early, not too long ago. However, I know that she is healed and whole now in the presence of her Savior. So, although we didn't see it here on earth, I know that she's experiencing wholeness and healing in the presence of Him for all of eternity.

But what we want to do next week, he's going to talk a little bit more about this, and we're going to start it next week. He's going to challenge us. He's calling us as a church to seven days of prayer and fasting. So, we're going to pray together; we're going to fast together. He's going to challenge us to take one hour—one hour—on the same hour every single day. That is going to be your choice, and he's going to ask and challenge you at that time, excuse me, for you to pray for that one hour.

Now, I know when I just said that, you're like, "Oh Lord, please don't give me 1 a.m. Please don't give me 3 a.m. Please give me, like, I don't know, three o'clock in the afternoon." But I'm telling you this now so that you can begin to pray and begin to seek God and ask Him, "God, what is the hour you want me to?" And whatever He says, be obedient to it. Whatever He says, no matter—He's probably, because this is who He is, going to call you out of your comfort zone, right?

He's going to call you out of your comfort zone because it's not just you. You're not going to be able to call Him out of your comfort zone. It's not about me, and it's not about you. It's about us being watchers on the wall, so to speak, all the way around the clock as a church that we are praying for. We're going to go after sickness. We're going to go after disease. We're going to go after cancer, and we are going to push back darkness for seven days collectively in unity because there's power in unity with this particular body that He is calling the Father's house.

He has spoken to our teaching pastor, our senior pastor, who is the lead, the set man of this house. He's calling us to prayer, and he's calling us to fast, so we're going to do it, right? We're going to do it. We're going to commit right now. We don't even know what it is, but we're going to do it. God, you have our yes. You have our yes, whatever it is. Amen?

So, in this series, Pastor Terry gave us a theme verse, and I would like for all of us to stand in honor of God's Word because we're going to say this verse together. It's Romans 12:5. It's the theme verse, the whole premise of this entire series. Let's say it all together: "In the same way, even though we are many individuals, Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other."

Father God, this is your Word, and your Word holds power. Father, help us to see, illuminate in your Word what you want to teach us today, and then move us to obey what you're telling us. What you're telling us to do with the Word today. Father, I am just a willing, open vessel to be your mouthpiece today. So, God, I ask that you would use me in a way that glorifies you and only you. God, help me to say all of the things that you want me to say, but please shut my mouth for the things that you don't want me to say.

God, give us ears to hear. Give us a heart that is soft and pliable, that the seed of this Word will be planted deep into our hearts, Father, and then that we would take action with what we do. We know what we hear and what we know of the truth of your Word today, Father. It's all these things that we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Why don't you high-five about three people while you sit down this morning? Those of you who are joining us online, if you don't have anyone in the room to high-five, just hold your hand up, and I'll high-five you.

We're going to be in John chapter 13. So, if you brought your Bibles, go ahead and turn to John chapter 13. The book of John is in the New Testament, which is the second half of the book. It's Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. So, you'll find it in the New Testament. If you maybe have your smartphone, if you don't have your smartphone that has a Bible on it, or if you didn't bring your brick-and-mortar Bible today, it'll be up on the screen.

This is John chapter 13, starting at verse 1.

"Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything, and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin.

Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' Jesus replied, 'You don't understand now what I'm doing, but someday you will.' 'No,' Peter protested, 'you will never ever wash my feet.' And Jesus replied to him, 'Unless I wash you, you won't belong to me.'

Simon Peter exclaimed, 'Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet.' Jesus replied, 'A person who is bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.' For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, 'Not all of you are clean.'

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, 'Do you understand what I was doing? You call me teacher and Lord, and you are right, because that's what I am. And since I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master, nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.'

Today, we're going to do things just a little bit differently. Today, we're going to participate in a foot washing service. So ushers, you can go ahead and grab the basins and grab the water. If we don't have enough basins today, because there's just a lot of water, we're going to do a foot washing service. Quite a few people, we could just grab the offering buckets. We'll just double dip today. It'll be fine. It's good.

What, you don't believe me? We're not? No, I'm just kidding. But some of you just panicked. Some of you are like, 'Oh my goodness, why did I not make the decision to get that pedicure yesterday? Why in the world did I choose to wear the stinky shoes today?' And then some of you altogether, you don't even like it when we say, when I said high five three people just a little bit ago, you're like, 'Not doing it.' People's hand, let alone wash someone else's feet.

But in this passage, Jesus really isn't talking specifically to us about washing one another's feet. But what He is talking specifically about is serving. And serving your brothers and sisters in the church is the most important message that He chose to communicate on the night that He was to be betrayed and the day before He died. So we should probably take it seriously. If this is what He chose to teach, then we should take it seriously. If this is what He chose to teach the very night before He was to leave this earth, I think we should pay attention.

Now, there are many ways that we can connect with one another, but I believe that if the connection has anything to do with or is based on God's economy and His ways, it will always point back to this first point. And that point is this: we are connected to one another through serving. We are connected to one another through serving.

Now, nothing was weird about what was taking place in this passage of scripture. It might, as we read it, seem weird to us because in our culture, when someone comes over to our house, I mean, unless you do, I don't know, probably don't, I could probably bank a lot on you, probably don't have a basin of water at your front door as people come in and you wash their feet.

Anybody? Anybody washing feet as people come in? No, you don't, because that's not our culture. That's not our culture. But when someone does come in and wash their feet, you do serve. You have the house clean, right? You are prepared for them. Maybe when they come in, you're like, 'Hey, would you like something cold to drink?' You know, you might have prepared a meal. So you actually are serving them when they come over.

But as far as a foot washing, that wasn't weird for them in that day. What's awkward or weird is not the event, but what's awkward is who is making the event happen. They're all uncomfortable, and nobody knows what to do. I mean, how do you correct Jesus? Be like, 'Uh, Jesus, dude, you're not supposed to be the one washing the feet today.'

See, because in their culture, who would have washed the feet? The lowest of the lowest servants would have been the one to wash the feet. So, as you can imagine, if that's the culture back in that day, for Jesus to stand up and grab a towel and now He's going to wash your feet, that must have been pretty shocking to them in that setting and must have been very awkward.

So Jesus gets to Peter, and Peter says, 'Uh, no, you're most certainly not washing my feet.' Now, if you're new to the Bible and Christianity, Peter is the idiot who always says what everyone else is thinking. So we should just stop right here and give praise for him because that means that there's room for you and I in the kingdom of God, right? Can we just give praise for Peter right now, right?

But just in case you didn't know, you're not really supposed to tell God no. I mean, you know, but Peter, like a three-year-old, says, 'No, Jesus, you're not going to tell God no. You're not going to wash my feet.' But I love what happens next. Jesus replied, 'Unless I wash you, Peter, you won't belong to me.'

Peter knew wholeheartedly who he wanted to belong to. So he changes his tune and he says, 'Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet.' Peter's like, 'Bathe me, Lord.' Who's making it awkward now? He's going to get bathed in front of his other brothers. Peter, you're making it awkward.

See, we need to realize that if we belong to Jesus, then we belong to His family. And if you and I belong to His family, then we serve His family, and we are served by His family. See, there's two people participating in this example that Jesus is showing the disciples. If there's no one to be washed, then there's no need for someone to wash.

Do you understand what I'm saying? So if I come up to you and I try to or want to serve you, and you say, 'Oh no, I don't need it. I don't need anything,' and that's always your answer, there's no serving happening. See, I really think that when it comes to serving someone, we don't really have too much of an issue.

Now, our motives might not be in the right place all of the time. True. Let's just be honest. Sometimes my motives aren't in the right place. Sometimes my motives are because I serve this person; it's going to serve me. Well, that's a wrong motive, right? But I don't think that we too much have a problem with serving someone.

In that area of serving other people, when we see a need, I think it's innately in us that we want to help meet the need. But sometimes I think what we have a problem with is when someone tries to serve us. See, sometimes we show a servant's heart by accepting the service of others for us.

If we only serve and refuse to be served, be careful; it could be a sign of deeply rooted and well-hidden pride. Man's humility does not begin with the giving of service. It begins with the service of service. It begins with the service of service. It begins with the service of service. To receive it.

Isn't that the basis and the foundation of salvation? That we humble ourselves and we come to that realization that I'm a sinner and I'm in need of saving? I'm in need of someone to save me. So we have to open ourselves up to receive something at that point. And if you've never opened yourself up to receive that, I'm going to give you an opportunity at the end of the service to do that.

See, there's no truer sense of belonging. There's no truer sense of belonging to the family of God until you're willing to be served by the family of God. Now, today I'm not talking about serving our communities or doing charity work out in the communities. You can certainly connect with people in those ways, and I think that those are absolutely phenomenal ways to connect and serve and to do something for others out in the community.

But those are great things, and He wants us to do those things. But what Jesus is talking about in this passage is serving your brothers and sisters in Christ. In this passage, in this particular scene that's unfolding, He's actually not talking about going out into the world and serving the world. He's talking about serving your brother, serving your sister in Christ, serving the fellow believer that you're connected to, right?

See, folks, what I know is we better get it right in here. We better get it right in here with one another, or else we'll never be able to impact the world and fulfill what Jesus said in John 13:35. John 13:35 says this: "By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have love and unselfish concern for one another."

He's talking to the church. He says, "If they will, by this, everyone will know." Who's the everyone he's talking about? He's talking about everyone who's not a follower so that they can see your life so that they'll want to become a follower, right?

Why would I want to become a follower of Jesus if all I see in you is selfishness and pride, and it's all about myself, and I'm just going about doing my own thing? Why do I want to be a part of that? When I'm struggling enough out here on my own, and I'm actually needing and actually innately in me, the way God has designed me is that need for connection with somebody else.

Why would I want to be a part of that? Why would I want to become a follower? So, it's inherently important and vital that we get it right in here, that we practice serving one another in here so that when we go out of these walls, when we leave this campus, that we will be a true reflection of Christ and the example that He gave that night to His disciples.

See, because I'm not greater than you are. You are not greater than I am. So that means just because I stand three feet above you on a platform with a microphone doesn't mean that I don't serve you. That's what He was saying in this passage, that the message is not greater than the messenger. The slave is not greater than the master. The master is not greater than the slave, right?

This brings me to my next point, which is we are to serve one another with love. And Galatians 5:13 lays it out in clear plain English. It says, "Serve each other with love." That's pretty plain to me. Thank you, Lord, for giving us plain scripture that we don't have to dive into the Greek to try and figure out what He was meaning. No, He means serve each other with love.

It's exactly what He means there. We need to make sure that we understand that not only are we to serve, but we are to serve with love. We are to serve in such a way that is always, always, hear me, always rooted in love.

And just so we're all on the same page as to what love looks like, as Christ followers, we have to base our findings off of what God says, not how we feel. We have to go back to the originator of love. God just doesn't give love; He is love. So when you want to know it in its full context, go to the thing that is the thing, right?

It's not about how I feel. It's not about how I feel. It's not about how I feel. It's not about how I feel. It's not about how I feel. This is love, but this isn't. No, let's go to the word of God. Let's go to the word of God because God defines love in 1 Corinthians 13. If there's any answer that you need, that you need defining, go to the word. Go to the word. Seek out the word because you will find every single answer you need to know in the word of God.

And us as Christ followers, we better be walking in the truth of the word. We better be walking in the truth of the word. Not how I feel, not how you feel, but in the truth of God's word. Because can I be honest with you? Sometimes the truth of God's word doesn't feel good. It doesn't feel good to my flesh. It feels really good to my spirit and my soul, but it does not feel good to my flesh and what I would like to do, right?

So, 1 Corinthians 13, let's remind ourselves how God defines love. He says, "Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant. It isn't rude. It doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable, and I need to work on that one. It doesn't keep track of wrongs. It isn't happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. Love never stops being patient, and everyone in the room needs to work on that one.

It never stops being patient, and everyone in the room needs to work on that one. It never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. Love never comes to an end. It never comes to an end.

So, the next time you do something for someone else, evaluate yourself. Compare yourself not to someone else, not to someone who honestly is just as jacked up as you are. Don't compare yourself to another person. Don't compare yourself to how they did this or how they do this. No, compare yourself to the Word. The Word is your mirror.

1 Corinthians 13 should be your mirror as to, do I look and act like love? Let it be how you measure yourself of where you are or how you're doing in this particular area. Because remember, it's not enough to just serve. We cannot stop there. We can't just serve. It has to be with love. We have to serve with love.

Now, if you don't understand this next point, you'll never place an importance on or a need to serve. And that point is this: we are gifted to serve. We are gifted to serve. If God took the time when He was creating you to gift you with certain talents and abilities, if He took time in the way He wired and designed you, then it would be great purpose in your serving.

Let me just, for a moment, let me remind you how He created you. It's not going to be on the screen. It's not in your notes. I just want you to listen. I want you to listen to the sound of my voice. I want you to listen to these words as if the Father were speaking directly to your heart to remind you, son, daughter, this is how I've made you.

Psalm 139 says, "You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside and wove them all together in my mother's womb. How thoroughly you know me, Lord. You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place. Carefully, skillfully, you shaped me from nothing to something. You saw who you created me to be before I even became me. Before I'd ever seen the light of day, the number of days you planned for me were already recorded in your book."

If you're ever doubting your purpose, if you're ever doubting your purpose, if you're ever doubting that you were made for a purpose and on purpose, I encourage you to go to Psalm 139 and read that to yourself out loud every day. Read that to yourself. Let your voice hear your own self say those words because it's true. That's exactly what happened. He had so much thought into how He created you.

God does, listen to me, God does nothing by happenstance. He does nothing on accident. You may have been told you were an accident, but can I tell you that that's a lie? You may not have come in the way that maybe should have happened, but you are not a mistake. And I want to break the lie off of some of you today that you have believed that for far too long, that you are a mistake. You are not a mistake. Psalm 139 says you're not a mistake.

See, but here's the problem. In our world, we have artificially chosen what giftedness is and what it is. For instance, we can tend to look at beauty, a famous actor or athlete or a musician, their highly visible successes in the measurement of dollar signs. Even a silly blue check mark somehow tells us how gifted someone is. And that is absolutely absurd to me. A blue check mark, really? That's what I'm looking for? And then I've arrived, a blue check mark.

Okay. See, the world says that those people are so gifted, we should follow them. And let's not do that. Let's not do that. Let's not listen to them. We've chosen collectively as a society, and we've said these people are gifted and cool. And honestly, everyone else isn't.

The problem is those people who are gifted and cool are so minuscule in comparison to the rest of the world's population that the rest of us feel like we're worthless. And every single day we listen to the whispers of Satan who says, "You're no good, and you'll never make a difference. You can never bless anyone. You don't have a blue check mark behind your name."

So you're not a mistake. You're not a mistake. You're not a mistake. You're not a mistake. So then, I mean, we laugh, but this is for real. There are some young people in this room or watching online that this actually is your mentality right now. That if I could only be that influencer on social media like that person, then I'll have significance. Then I'll be worth something.

No. The creator of the universe says you are something. He made something in you for a purpose, on purpose. And that purpose is to glorify Him in everything that you do and to serve Him and His people. I want you to know that every single one of you is gifted by God to serve the people of God.

You don't believe me? Listen to what the Bible says. You don't have to believe me. I'm going to read you what the word says. God has given each of you. What does each of you mean? Just that. Each of you. I'm an each. You're an each. We're all an each. God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well.

Why? Why did He gift us? To serve one another. That's your why. He gave you that gift that He gave you, not for yourself. He gave it to you to serve. The New King James Version says it like this: "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another."

Now, when we hear the word minister, we get tweaked with that word. We think, "Oh, I'm out. She's talking about the preacher. She's talking about the pastor, because I certainly am." Don't minister. No, He created you to minister. He created every single one of us to minister.

But my ministering doesn't look like your ministering. In this passage, Peter's not specifically talking to the pastors or the elders or the church staff, and he's not even talking to the key volunteer leaders in the church. He's talking to the Christ follower in general. He's saying every single one of you, every single one of you in this room, every single one of you watching online, every single one of you, use the gifts entrusted to you by the Lord.

Why? To strengthen and encourage fellow believers. It goes on to give an example in that passage in 1 Peter. It says, "Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God Himself were speaking through you."

The problem with that is some of you have never known that this was a gift from God because all of your life you've heard things like this: "Talk successively in class, won't shut up." See, some of you, I believe, lies over the truth of who God says you are and how He specifically designed you.

I would even like to go so far as to say, I think we need to be careful the way we joke with one another. And when we say things like, "Oh my gosh, she can talk a dog out of a meat truck." I think we need to be careful of that. Because honestly, what we're doing is we're belittling that gift in them. And instead, what we should be doing is coming alongside them and helping them develop the gift. Just a thought.

Some of you have the idea that if that is your gift, then you should be the one holding the microphone speaking to the masses. And that might very well be what God has for you, but it might not be. Just because you have a gift of speaking doesn't mean that if you don't have the opportunity to have a microphone and stand on a platform to speak to a lot of people that, "Well, then it must not be my gift."

No, that's not true. God calls all of us to speak. He calls all of us to different circles. And we have different influences. And we have a different place or an area that we are to be impacting that He has called us to. It just so happens that God called me here and planted me here and gifted me for such a time as this to do this.

But then there's another category of you. Some of you have absolutely no clue who you are and how God designed you, let alone the gifts you have. And actually, the whole time that I've been talking, some of you have been thinking to yourself, "I guess I missed out on this. I don't know. I don't have any." And that's just not true.

Don't go by what you feel. Don't go by what you feel. Go back to what the word says. God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. That's truth. You want to find out and discover who you are? Serve in the church. You want to find out how God has gifted you? Serve in the church.

So how do I do that, Pastor Andrea? Well, so glad you asked. You can start by going to Growth Track. We offer Growth Track every first, second, third, and fourth Sunday of the month. I believe it starts at 10:30, right? 10:30, so kind of in between both services, where we help you to connect with this local body of the church.

And we help you to discover your gifts. We help you to discover the way God designed you, the way God wired you, so that you can be a part of the church. I have discovered all of my gifts by serving the church. When I was younger, I didn't have anyone talking to me about how God gifted me. I didn't have Growth Track.

We are blessed here that we have leadership over us that have taken the time to look at those things, to develop those things, constantly tweaking to make things better. And we have come out and also become the way of God's company. We can become needed. Could we have God's this? You can help us, and we can help make things better so that you and I can find our gifts.

Most of the time, you're not going to really find your gifts just sitting out there in your room by yourself. You might. That's a possibility that the presence of God would descend on your room, and then He would just reveal all things to you. He might. But in my experience, it's when we're connected to other people.

See, when I first came here, I was so broken, and I did not know who I was. But then as I began to be connected to this body, as I began to form relationships, when I came on staff, I still—I was on staff and full-time staff, and I still didn't know what my gifts were. I didn't know where my place was. I didn't know the point. What's the purpose?

But I had something innately inside of me that knew that there was something greater. I couldn't articulate it. I didn't know what it was, and honestly, I was scared to death to even say that out loud because I was scared of what that would mean. But because I placed myself here, and because I have dug my heels in, and I have made connection, and I have stuck it out through the good times, through the bad times, I have people like Pastor Terry and Pastor Tim and some of our other leadership that have told me, that have confirmed and affirmed things inside of me that I didn't even know.

I didn't even know what it was. I didn't even believe for myself. And some of you in this room, that's something that you're lacking. You're lacking that connection for someone to come alongside you and say, "I see this in you." Because I guarantee you, you don't see it in yourself.

And even you could be like me, and people said those things to you, and you still didn't believe it. And it took me a while. I ran. I said, "No, that's not me. That's not me. I could never do that." But because I was connected to people, I stayed connected to people. I didn't run away from people. I stayed connected to people.

They began to constantly affirm those things in my life, those gifts in my life. And they not only affirmed it, but they came alongside me to develop those things within me. Do you have those people in your life? I guarantee you, some of them are sitting in this room. You just haven't connected with them yet.

The last point that I want to make is something that we find at the very last verse of this passage. And the point is this: we are blessed by God through serving. We are blessed by God through serving. John 13:17 says, "Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them."

Now, we don't make the decision to serve purely because God is going to bless us, right? Right? That's not our motivation. But I do want you to know it's inevitable; He will bless you. This is how our God works. This is how His economy works. Will your life be perfect because you serve? No, of course not. That's silly.

But if you do serve Him and His people, I guarantee you that He will bless your life. The problem with that is we tend to equate that with financial blessing or tangible material things a lot of times. He very well may bless you in that way, but it might be in another that you completely never even expected.

How many times have you set out to serve someone else, and you walked away from that experience going, "I'm the one who was blessed. I'm not even really sure I did anything, but I'm the one who was blessed." But that's because that's the way God's economy works. When we step out and we serve one another with love, we will always walk away being blessed by Him.

Notice how that last verse doesn't just say, "Now that you know these things, God will bless you." It's not enough to know the things. You have to do them. It's not enough to know the word. You've got to put it into action. If you don't apply what you learn and know, you'll never grow. You'll never discover and become all that God has designed you to be.

So, I want to give you four next steps. And every single one of us in this room and those of you watching online will be able to take one of these next steps. There is a step in this one through four that you haven't taken, and you need to take it.

And that first one I talked about earlier, that first one is become a Christ follower. And I'm going to give you an opportunity to do that in just a moment because this passage in John 13, He's talking to His followers. He's talking to those who have given their life to Him, who have surrendered their life to Him underneath His Lord and His ways.

Now, in that particular passage, He hadn't gone to the cross yet. But fast forward how many years, and that's right where we sit, where He did go to the cross. He did die, and He did raise again to give you and I life. So, if you've never taken that step, that's going to be your first step today.

If you have accepted Christ and you're already a Christ follower, then maybe number two is your next step. And that's attend Growth Track. If you've never attended Growth Track, please get into it. You don't have to sign up. You just have to show up. Just show up and say, "I need to learn who I am. Will you help me discover how God made me?"

And then go through all four weeks, all four weeks so that you can get the full benefit. If you've attended Growth Track, then your next step is you need to commit to a serving team. I didn't say, I didn't say, I didn't say, I didn't say, I didn't say, I didn't say, I didn't say, I didn't say serve on a team. I said commit to a serving team because we can pop in and out and serve, but it's when we truly commit to a group of people in a serving team, you want to grow, get on a serving team.

Have we not grown? Has every single one on this platform, have you grown by being on this serving team? Ushers, have you grown by being on that serving team? You can't see them, but they're nodding their head. You can't see them, but they're nodding their head. The people over that serve our kids, oh, they've definitely grown.

Listen, you know who you drop off. You know exactly how your kid is. They're like, "What's their name?" And you're like, "Osama bin Laden." You'll get that later. Some of you got it right away because you know, "Oh, she's talking about my kid," right?

Commit to a serving team. When you see, as we grow larger, I know that we're a little bit over time, but just stick in here with me. As we grow larger, we're going to have to grow smaller at the same time. And there's two specific ways we can do that: get on a serving team and get in a life group.

Pastor's going to talk about life groups in, I think it's next week or the week after. He's going to talk about connecting in life groups. Those are two ways that you can truly get smaller as we get bigger because you've got to be connected to a core group of people where you can be ministered to.

And if you've already committed to a serving team, if you've done all three of those things, you're working them, you're doing them. Number four is for you, and that is intentionally grow in your gift. Intentionally grow in your gift.

And what I mean by that is every opportunity that you see to be able to use and exercise that gift, do it. No matter how big, no matter how small, do it. Exercise it. If these musicians up here never practiced, they wouldn't be able to do the things that they do.

How many of you all know beginning band? How many of you all were in beginning band or have kids who went through beginning band? Now, the rest of you who are not raising your hands, you don't realize how painful beginning band is. Beginning band is super, you know, not too long ago, I actually apologized to my parents for making them sit through beginning band because it's painful because they may have gifts. Some of them may not, but you know, they may have gifts, but they've got to work on them.

And by the time maybe they get to high school, college, or beyond, they were nowhere near how they used to play for beginning band. It's the same with you. You may—someone may have said something to you about a gift that is inside of you. And you think to yourself, maybe like I did. And I'm like, you know, like I could sing, but to lead, I don't know about that. Lead songs, lead a band, lead you.

But it was in the practice of it. It was in the showing up every time, even when I didn't feel like it, even when I had stuff going on myself, I stepped in and I poured myself out, and I practiced, and I'm still practicing to be able to be used by Him, to serve you, to encourage you, to strengthen you.

So those are your four steps today. I want to encourage you on that connection card for you to write it down. Write it down. Maybe if it's not on the connection card, write it on your notes, write it down, make a commitment right now. This is what I—this is my next step. I'm going to start this next step this week, and I'm going to see it through.

I don't see you writing it down. Write it down. I'm telling you, grab your pen, grab your pencil, and write it down because it's going to take all of us working in our gifts to make this thing work. All of us. And we can't be a bunch of beginning band people.

It's okay if you are; I'm not putting down that. It's okay if you are, but you can't stay in beginning band all of your life. You have to get connected with people, and you've got to work on it. We've got to get better at this thing together. Amen?

Father, I thank you so much for the word that you gave today that it's not like it was some deep theological talk, but God, it's necessary. It's necessary for us to be reminded of who you created us, that you've created us for a purpose and on purpose, that you've created us to serve with love, that you've created us to serve you to ultimately glorify you and to serve one another.

Father, I just pray over every single one of these people under the sound of my voice for those that have not discovered their gifts yet, that God, as they start the journey of discovering who you've created them to be, I thank you, Holy Spirit, that you will meet them right where they're at.

Father, bring people alongside of them, illuminate, reveal things to them that would give them the right direction to go in. God, we're not asking, although we would like to a lot of times know every single step, but we're just asking for you to point us in the right direction.

God, maybe that is Growth Track. Maybe that is a serving team. Direct us and guide us, Holy Spirit, because we want to be used by you. We want to be skillfully used by you. We want to make an impact with our life. We want to make a difference, not for the sake of making an impact and a difference to say, "Look at me," but no, "Look at our God."

And Father, right now, I pray for those people in the room that they've never taken that first step, which is to become a follower of you. I pray, Father God, that right now, I know, Holy Spirit, you've already been working on hearts. You've already been softening hearts, but right now, God, you would illuminate to those people in those hearts just how much you love them, just how much of a great and awesome and wonderful journey that you have set out before them.

All the days numbered in your book, all of the things that you have for them have already been recorded since before the foundations of the earth, but none of those things can be set into motion until they make a connection with you, until the connection with you is restored.

If that's you today, I just want to let you know that yes, your connection and your relationship is broken with the Father because sin entered the world, and we were born into the world. We were born into the world. We were born into the world. That is a fallen world to sin. Our relationship with the Father has been severed.

God, in His infinite love, loved each and every one of us so much that He sent His Son to die for you and to die for me so that we could have life abundantly here on life on earth and that we would have eternal life with Him, that we would be restored in connection in relationship back to the Father.

But Jesus, it couldn't have happened unless Jesus came to earth and He put on this human suit, limited Himself, walked the earth in a sinless life so that the payment for sin could be finally paid. So if that's you today, if you have never given your life to Christ, will your life be perfect after you make this decision? No, but I will guarantee you that He will flood in peace. Love will flood in. Comfort will flood in. Wisdom will begin to flood in.

That relationship and connection that you have been longing for, that you haven't been able to find in anything and anyone else will be satisfied in that moment. So if that's you today, I just want to ask you to boldly raise your hand, just boldly raise your hand and make eye contact with me. I'm not going to embarrass you. I'm not going to ask you to tell us what's going on. I just want to give you an opportunity to make that decision, to follow after Christ, to say, "I am in need of a Savior. I need you to save me from my life of chaos."

If that's you, just raise your hand right now. If that's you watching online, just raise your hand. And in the chat, just put, "I need to make that decision," and our chat hosts would love to pray with you.

Let's all—thank you, I see that hand. Let's all pray this prayer together because no one should have to pray it alone. Let's say this together:

"Say, Jesus, I recognize I'm a sinner. I'm in need of a Savior. I believe in my heart, and I declare with my mouth that the true Savior is you, Jesus Christ. I believe that you died and you rose again on the third day to give me abundant life on earth and life in eternity with the Father. Now help me, Lord, as I do the best that I know how to walk out this journey. Give me direction in my next steps so that I can follow and serve you with all my heart."

All these things we pray in Jesus's mighty name. Amen. Amen.

Let's celebrate! If you made that decision today, you'll see on the outside walls on either side, there's a thing up there that says "First Step." We want to come alongside you now. We don't want you to just make a decision and then, "Oh, well, go and figure it out for yourself." That's not what the journey is all about.

We're about discipleship, and we're about putting tools in your hands. If you don't have the Bible, we want to put a Bible in your hand because a vital part of you taking the next steps is knowing God's word, knowing who He is and who you are in Him. So make sure that you do that.

Make sure that before you leave today, you stop by the connection wall and you put up your puzzle piece if you haven't done that already. And then also remember, Pastor Simone is out there. She is signing books, and she would love for you to grab one and to sign a book for you.

Was this okay today? Did you get something out of it? Right. We're going to go serve one another in love, right?

All right. Well, let's stand to our feet. Let's sing ourselves out, and we'll see you next week at 9 or 11.

1. "We are connected to one another through serving. Now, nothing was weird about what was taking place in this passage of scripture. It might, as we read it, might seem weird to us because in our culture, when someone comes over to our house, I mean, unless you do, I don't know, probably don't. I could probably, you know, bank a lot on you, probably don't, have a basin of water at your front door as people come in and you wash their feet." [46:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




2. "See, we need to realize that if we belong to Jesus, then we belong to his family. And if you and I belong to his family, then we serve his family and we are served by his family. See, there's two people participating in this example that Jesus is showing the disciples. If there's no one to be washed, then there's no need for someone to wash." [49:22] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




3. "Sometimes we show a servant's heart by accepting the service of others for us. If we only serve and refuse to be served, be careful, it could be a sign of deeply rooted and well-hidden pride. Man's humility does not begin with the giving of service. It begins with the service of service. To receive it. Isn't that the basis and the foundation of salvation?" [50:49] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




4. "We need to make sure that we understand that not only are we to serve, but we are to serve with love. We are to serve in such a way that is always, always, hear me, always rooted in love. And just so we're all on the same page as to what love looks like, as Christ followers, we have to base our findings off of what God says, not how we feel." [55:28] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




5. "If God took the time when he was creating you to gift you with certain talents and abilities, if he took time in the way he wired and designed you, then it would be great purpose in your serving. Let me just, for a moment, let me remind you how he created you. It's not going to be on the screen. It's not in your notes. I just want you to listen." [58:56] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




6. "You may have been told you were an accident, but can I tell you that that's a lie? You may not have come in the way that maybe should have happened, but you are not a mistake. And I want to break the lie off of some of you today that you have believed that for far too long, that you are a mistake. You are not a mistake. Psalm 139 says you're not a mistake." [01:00:29] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




7. "I want you to know that every single one of you is gifted by God to serve the people of God. You don't believe me? Listen to what the Bible says. You don't have to believe me. I'm going to read you what the word says. God has given each of you. What does each of you mean? Just that. Each of you. I'm an each. You're an each. We're all an each." [01:02:05] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




8. "You want to find out and discover who you are? Service church. You want to find out how God has gifted you? Service church. So how do I do that, Pastor Andrea? Well, so glad you asked. You can start by going to Growth Track. We offer Growth Track every first, second, third, and fourth Sunday of the month. I believe it starts at 1030, right?" [01:06:44] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




9. "I have discovered all of my gifts by serving the church. When I was younger, I didn't have anyone talking to me about how God gifted me. I didn't have Growth Track. We are blessed here that we have leadership over us that have taken the time to look at those things, to develop those things, constantly tweaking to make things better." [01:08:22] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




10. "We are blessed by God through serving. John 13, 17 says, now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. Now, we don't make the decision to serve purely because God is going to bless us, right? Right? That's not our motivation. But I do want you to know is inevitable, he will bless you. This is how our God works." [01:11:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)