E414: Serving Like Jesus: The Quiet Acts That Reveal True Discipleship

Unknown Speaker (0:00): Being called servants until someone treats us like one. We love the language of service. We admire humility. We may post about sacrifice. We speak highly of having a servant's heart.

Unknown Speaker (0:17): We like being seen as helpful, dependable, giving, and selfless. But actual servanthood feels very different when it stops being theoretical. It's one thing to choose to serve. It's another thing to be entirely to be treated like a servant. The moment someone interrupts our schedule, overlooks our effort, fails to thank us, speaks to us sharply, expects something from us, or assumes our help instead of praising it, something inside of us reacts.

Unknown Speaker (0:55): Pride rises to the surface faster than we expect it and in that moment, we often discover that we may have loved the image of servanthood more than the reality of it. Biblical service is not glamorous. Jesus washed feet in a room full of men who would fail him before sunrise. He served Judas even though he knew Judas would betray him. He was mocked, used, misunderstood, rejected, and ultimately crucified.

Unknown Speaker (1:23): Yet, Philippians chapter two says that he made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant. Not the form of a celebrity and not the form of a religious personality but a servant. True service is unusually quiet, unnoticed, inconvenient. It rarely gets applause, and maybe that's why it reveals our hearts so clearly. Sometimes, we serve others while secretly hoping to be admired for it.

Unknown Speaker (1:54): We want recognition for our humility, appreciation for our sacrifice, and acknowledgement for our goodness but humility that constantly needs to be noticed is not humility yet. Jesus said in Matthew chapter six, not to practice righteousness to be seen by men. Well, that warning applies to service as well. If serving becomes a platform for self promotion, we may completely miss the point. Servants don't keep score.

Unknown Speaker (2:27): Servants don't demand applause. Servants don't constantly remind someone or everyone of what they have done. Servants simply serve. That doesn't mean biblical service is weakness. Jesus was not weak.

Unknown Speaker (2:44): It doesn't mean allowing abuse or pretending boundaries don't matter either. But it does mean surrendering the constant need to protect our ego. It's not weakness but meekness. Strength under control and honestly, that may be harder than the work itself. The truth is, most of us still have more pride in us than we think.

Unknown Speaker (3:07): I know I do. We want to be honored while honoring others. We want to be appreciated for our sacrifices. We want the tile or the towel around our waist as long as nobody mistakes us for being less than. Jesus never called us to admire servanthood from a distance.

Unknown Speaker (3:25): He called us to embody it. And real servanthood will always cost something. Maybe the greatest acts of service are not the public ones that everyone sees, but the hidden moments where pride dies quietly and nobody applauds. Maybe that is where people become more like Christ. And when I say maybe, I mean most likely.

Unknown Speaker (3:51): Remember, when we serve, it's because Jesus served, and now, we return that gesture. Not when we're praised for serving but when we keep serving without needing praise at all. To serve not with a title, not for status, not for attention, but with a heart prepared for the treatment of a of a servant giving god the glory and not us. I recently read that from another gospel preacher, Keith Stoneheart, and it caught my attention. It hit something inside my heart.

Unknown Speaker (4:35): Did it hit anything in your heart? Six months now, love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, with all of your strength. We've been talking about this theme for the last six months, and today we're going back to matters of the heart with loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And our focus this morning is on serving one another. I appreciate the songs that were led to get our minds turned to that focus that we're gonna be talking about this morning.

Unknown Speaker (5:15): Now, you may not really be into the themes as much and that's okay. You may not remember some of the other sermons. I would encourage you to go back and listen to some of those other sermons. What I would also encourage all of us to do right now for the next few minutes is to consider this study seriously. To consider our hearts as we think about being servants for god and serving one another.

Unknown Speaker (5:39): There are four thoughts that I want us to guide our direction in this study with the rest of our time as we think about serving one another and how this connects to our theme of loving god with all of our heart. It leads to question number one, how does serving one another relate to loving God? I'm gonna leave that verse up there. Serving one another is one of the primary ways, brothers and sisters, to demonstrate our love to God, to demonstrate our love for God. John the apostle said that we cannot say that we love God but then hate our brothers.

Unknown Speaker (6:15): In first John four and verse 20, if someone says I love God and hates his brother, he's a liar. For the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love god whom he has not seen. We're focused on loving god with all of our hearts, mind, and soul, and strength and we can't forget about the second great commandment, love your neighbor as you love yourself. As Jesus said in Matthew chapter 23. You see, if we truly love God, it stands to reason the natural outflow of that love will be seen in how we treat one another and serving one another.

Unknown Speaker (6:54): I think about first John chapter three and verse 17. Will you turn over there, please? In first John chapter three and verse number 17, as we think about serving brethren, what we're doing is expressing our love in a very practical way. First John three and verse number 17, notice what the apostle says here, but whoever has the world's goods and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? It doesn't.

Unknown Speaker (7:25): As we serve one another, it all goes back to our love for God and demonstrating our great love for God. In Matthew chapter 25, remember the words of Jesus. In Matthew chapter 25, going back to verse number verse number 34. In Matthew 25, as he talked about those who will inherit the kingdom. In verse 34, the king will say to those on his right, come, you who are blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom, prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Unknown Speaker (7:57): For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.

Unknown Speaker (8:09): Then the righteous will answer answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you something to drink? And when did we see you a stranger and invite you in or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you? Notice what he says in verse number 40. The king will answer and say to them, truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me.

Unknown Speaker (8:43): As we think about serving one another, we're ultimately doing it to the Lord. Serving one another is way more than just being nice to each other, although hopefully we are. Service offered to Christ. It's no wonder then if you turn over to the first century church in Acts chapter two, of the identifying marks of that first century are found in Acts chapter two verses 42 through 47. One of the big ones obviously was abiding steadfastly in the apostles teaching, but also what we see here is that immediately, brethren were serving one another.

Unknown Speaker (9:15): There was a love that they had for God, and it was demonstrated in their love for each other. In verse 44, and all those who had believed were together and had all things in common, and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all as anyone might have need. They were going house to house, spending time with one another, serving each other. And it's no wonder that Jesus before he died, gave his apostles one last teaching on serving one another, on being a servant, of having a servant's heart. If you turn over to John chapter 13.

Unknown Speaker (9:52): At the beginning of John chapter 13 and verse number one, we are reminded of the love that Christ had for his apostles. In John 13 and verse number one, the Bible says, now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that his hour had come that he would depart out of this world to the father, having loved his own, who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon to betray him. Jesus knowing that the father had given all things into his hands and that he had come forth from god and was going back to god, got up from supper and laid aside his garments and taken a towel, he girded himself and he poured water into the basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with a towel with which they were which he was girded. So, he came to Simon Peter.

Unknown Speaker (10:47): He said to him, lord, do you wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, what I do, you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter. Peter said to him, never shall you wash my feet. Jesus answered him, if I do not wash you, you have no part with me. Simon Peter said to him, Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.

Unknown Speaker (11:10): Jesus said to him, he who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not all of you. For he knew the one who was betraying him. For this reason, he said, not all of you are clean. So when he had washed their feet and taken his garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, do you know what I have done to you?

Unknown Speaker (11:35): He's teaching them. You call me teacher and lord and you are right for so I am. If I then, the lord and teacher, washed your feet, if this is what I'm doing, you also ought to wash one another's feet. He's given them an example of being a servant. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.

Unknown Speaker (12:01): Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master nor is the one who was sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed and I love this. It's one thing to know but it's another to do. If you know these things, you're blessed if you do them. He drove this home to his apostles.

Unknown Speaker (12:24): Now, slaves, we are to follow in the footsteps of our master. Jesus came to be served, not to not to be served, but came to serve and to give his life a ransom for many according to Mark 10 and verse number 45. In Philippians chapter two, Paul emphasizes this is the mindset that all of us must take on. The very mindset, the very disposition, the very attitude of Christ. In Philippians chapter two and verse three, he said, do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves.

Unknown Speaker (13:01): That's how we are to look at each other. Treat each other. Do not merely look out for your own personal interest. Yes, we provide and take care for ourselves but not merely that but also for the interest of others. Have this attitude.

Unknown Speaker (13:15): Have this mindset in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus who although he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a bond servant and being made in the likeness of men. All of that was motivated out of love. And we too are to be servants. And serving is a way that demonstrates our love that we have for God. And there's something else that's amazing when you start thinking about being a servant, being a slave for Christ, and having this attitude or disposition.

Unknown Speaker (13:57): What it does secondly is that serving manifest our love for god to the world. You go back to John chapter 13, Jesus would say a new commandment talking to his apostles, give to you that you also love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. As we seek to serve and love each other, which is going to be demonstrated in our service to one another. It manifests our love for god to the world and that's a thought provoking thing for all of us to really ponder.

Unknown Speaker (14:34): It's how we can show the world who we really are that we belong to Jesus. The love that we have for one another which can be demonstrated in our service to one another. People will see and can see how we treat each other. Think about this. People will be able to see how we forgive one another.

Unknown Speaker (14:51): How we don't gossip about each other. How we think the best about one another. How we talk about each other. How we assist with one another. How we provide for one another and even sacrifice for one another.

Unknown Speaker (15:05): It is something tangible. The serving will show our love for god even to the world and also to ourselves. I think about Acts chapter nine. In Acts chapter nine, a woman that we're familiar with who died and then eventually would be raised back to life. In Acts chapter nine with Dorcas, people saw her love for the people of god.

Unknown Speaker (15:29): In Acts chapter nine and verse number 36, Now, in Joppa, there was a disciple called Tabitha which translated in Greek is called Dorcas. This woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did and it happened at that time that she felt sick and died and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. Peter's gonna come and when he arrives in verse 39, they they brought him into the upper room and all the widows stood beside him weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. They they spoke about her and people could see that. This here is talking about the people of god.

Unknown Speaker (16:08): But no doubt whether it's with Dorcas or others, when Christians, when we serve each other, It is a way for people to see our love for god and our love for each other and the motivation behind it is only to give glory to god. In Matthew chapter five in verse number 16, Jesus reminds us that, yes, the world is going to see something and let's make sure they see the right thing. In verse number 16, he said, let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works which means we need to be engaged in these kind of works and glorify your father who is in heaven. But it's not for us. It is ultimately for God.

Unknown Speaker (16:48): Serve one another is a way that people in the world can see our love for each other and for God. What made the saints in the first century stand out was their generosity, their intense generosity, their intense willingness to go over and beyond for each other. In Acts chapter four, a popular text here at the end of Acts chapter four where we find the unity of god's people in verse 32 where it says that the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them, to the point of laying down even their own goods and selling their own land. This is opposed to selfishness, and no doubt the world would see this. Going back to Acts chapter two, even in Acts chapter two and verse number 47, at the end, they were praising god and they had favor with all the people and the people around them would see there was something different.

Unknown Speaker (17:50): There was something distinct about those who call themselves Christians. Our service to one another demonstrates god's love is real. It demonstrates god's love is active in his people and I just think that's an amazing thought that when we serve each other, we get to put God's love on display for the world to see. It's reason for us to serve. And serving does something else.

Unknown Speaker (18:15): It cert certainly demonstrates our love for God and for one another, and it also is going to build each other up. Serving edifies. It builds up the body of Christ. This is what everyone needs to be a part of. I think about Acts chapter nine and verse number 31, this idea of edification in Acts chapter nine and verse number 31.

Unknown Speaker (18:36): So, the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace being built up and that's that idea of being edified and going on in the fear of the lord and in the comfort of the holy spirit continued to increase. Edification is not just something merely to talk about but it's something to rather live and we all play a role with this idea of building up the body of Christ. In Ephesians chapter four, turn over to Ephesians chapter four beginning in verse number 11, and part of this text here is on the slide, verse eleven and twelve, where Paul is going to say that he gave some or talking about the Lord, he gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers. Why? For the equipping of the saints for the work of service to the building up of the body of Christ.

Unknown Speaker (19:29): He would go on in verse 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of god as to mature men to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness, and deceitful scheming. This teaching would be important for the first century saints. They needed to be built up in the truth of god's word so that they would not be tossed to and fro But speaking the truth, verse 15 in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into him who is the head, even Christ from whom the whole body being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies. All of us play a role in this.

Unknown Speaker (20:20): Every joint plays a role according to the proper working of each individual part causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. As we think about serving one another and loving God with all of our hearts, there's a lot at stake. Building up one another in the body of Christ is absolutely critical. And it's a work that every Christian should take seriously. Preachers and teachers, pastors, and deacons all play a role.

Unknown Speaker (20:57): And yet edification requires all hands on deck as well. Serving through teaching is critical for every local congregation so saints can be built up in the truth and as I mentioned earlier, not be tossed to and fro. And serving one another and having this disposition and attitude, whether it's through teaching or in some other way is gonna help God's people to be strengthened and to mature in the faith. We're not just trying to have a busy schedule just for the sake of being busy, but to mature in our faith and to grow up and to have unity to prevail. Paul encouraged the saints in Rome and as he wrote to them, he had to remind them there was no room for boasting whether they were Jew or Gentile, whether they had a particular physical lineage even with respect to their gifts.

Unknown Speaker (21:44): There was no room for boasting but rather they were to give honor to one another. In Romans 12 and verse number 10, he said, you be devoted or be devoted to one another and brotherly love. Outdo one another and showing honor. Give preference to one another and honor. Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the lord, rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation devoted to prayer contributing to the needs of the saints practicing hospitality.

Unknown Speaker (22:15): Bless those who persecute you bless and do not curse Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly and do not be wise in your own estimation. I find this interesting because that's exactly what they needed, to remain unified. And as they thought about each other in the proper way and gave each other honor and preference and sought to look for opportunities to serve whether it's with contributing to the needs of saints or practicing hospitality or weeping with one another.

Unknown Speaker (22:57): That's gonna cut out any kind of division or chaos or boasting or pride. And while he reminded them of this attitude and mindset that they were to have, it does appear like they did have it too. In chapter 15 and verse number 14, he speaks positively of them. In chapter 15 and verse 14, he said, and concerning you, my brethren, I, myself, also, am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness. They were doing things that were good, filled with all knowledge, and able also to admonish one another.

Unknown Speaker (23:32): They were already involved in good things and yet they needed to be reminded of this is the kind of heart. This is the mindset, the disposition that they needed to have to build up one another. A serving church becomes a stronger church when all are involved. Our service is not for the sake of just saying, hey, we got something done or we did something, but we're all striving to make it to heaven. So all of us play a very important role helping one another in whatever form that we will come in with serving.

Unknown Speaker (24:06): That growth can come through teaching, encouragement, acts of kindness to remind Christians they are loved and valued, to strengthen relationships, and even to correct those who are in error. Serve one another. When we love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we'll do exactly that. And there's a last question that we have to ask, and that is what does serving exactly look like? Sometimes people have lots of questions.

Unknown Speaker (24:39): Well, it's gonna come in a variety of shapes and sizes, And that's great because as individuals, some of us may be more effective in one one thing or another. But all of us have an opportunity to serve and to play a role in serving each other. It may come in the form of providing meals and hospitality. We just read about that in Romans chapter 12. It could be caring for the widows as we just saw in acts or saw or can see in acts chapter six.

Unknown Speaker (25:06): Serving one another can come and opening one's home for lodging or having people stay with us or for the saints coming together to worship. It's been great to to have people open up their homes to worship and to sing or to pray or to have devos, whatever the case may be. The early saints often worshiped in their homes and there is sacrifice that's involved in doing things like that. Visiting the sick is something else that we can do to serve one another. Assisting with practical daily needs.

Unknown Speaker (25:33): That's what Dorcas was doing in Acts chapter nine. That's how she was serving. But there's more. Teaching and admonishing one another. That's what Paul's talked about.

Unknown Speaker (25:42): That requires relationship and that requires love to go to a brother or sister in Christ at a particular time. Rebuking a brother caught in sin, that's what Paul emphasized in Galatians chapter six, and even restoring someone who has fallen. That's an act of service we all need to be involved in when that happens. Paul spoke about those who are discouraged in first Thessalonians five and verse 14. In a church of this size, no doubt there are individuals who are discouraged, who are downtrodden, who are weak, and that's an opportunity for us to serve in some shape or form toward them.

Unknown Speaker (26:18): Maybe you can't do what you used to be able to do. It doesn't matter. All of us still can play a role. All of us can still pray for one another. All of us have to be involved in this idea of of serving.

Unknown Speaker (26:30): Weeping with those who weep. Rejoice with those who rejoice. That requires time and sacrifice and energy as well. Serving as an elder. Now, yes, there has to be qualifications.

Unknown Speaker (26:41): In a couple of weeks, we're gonna be doing two sermons on the qualifications of elders and the work of elders as well. But those who serve as an elder or aspire, what a great service that is. And serving as a deacon is another opportunity and a unique role. Preaching and teaching are all different ways that we can be involved in serving. Leading songs for the congregation or leading in some shape of or capacity in worship services, writing letters of encouragement, whatever your gift is, as we read about in Romans chapter 12.

Unknown Speaker (27:15): There were different gifts that individuals had, and we can use what God has given us to edify, to build up, to encourage one another. Serving comes in a lot of different shapes and sizes. And but there's also a couple of other things we need to think about as we think about serving one another. Number one, we need to plan to serve. It it should just be a mindset that we have because we are slaves to Christ, and we've been redeemed by his blood, and we're not greater than our master.

Unknown Speaker (27:49): It's gonna require, therefore, a ready heart, a disposition that when that moment comes, we're gonna step into that role, whatever it may be. As we think about serving one another, it also requires that we have space in our schedule to serve. That's gonna require more sacrifice but it's something that we have to have if we never have time to engage in opportunities or good works. We're missing out on serving. And even as we think about serving, We should have money in our budget when opportunities arise.

Unknown Speaker (28:33): Paul said, writing to Philemon, if Onesimus owes you anything, I'm I'm gonna take care of it for him. That certainly would have been a kind gesture. And what Dorcas, however she was building or making all of those garments or serving by helping those preachers in a different country or helping her brother and sister in need individually when you learn about some kind of issue that they may have. Please make no mistake about it, as we think about serving one another, it has to be out of love for God because of his love for us. If it's not rooted in that, then we're we're just missing the whole point.

Unknown Speaker (29:16): And as I think about Luke 17 and verse 10, we should serve with a heart knowing that we're only doing our duty and that we are unworthy slaves, just merely doing our duty, and that will drive out pride as well. And we should serve one another because heaven is on the other side. This isn't about just filling up space and to to make us feel better. We can definitely feel better when we serve, but there's a lot at stake. Eternity.

Unknown Speaker (29:50): And Christians need Christians. We are called to be servants. And that's because we have all been called by the gospel. I believe Galatians chapter five in conclusion and verse number 13 is a great verse for us to summarize what we've been talking about this morning. For you were called to freedom, brethren.

Unknown Speaker (30:16): Only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. And that's what it's all about. Serving one another. That's who we are called to be. As we think about our love for God, it will drive our service, and it will get rid of any ego that we may have that can sometimes hold us back from serving.

Unknown Speaker (30:49): Maybe you are not a child of God. As a Christian, you have a great responsibility when you become a Christian to walk with the Lord, to listen to his commandments, to be obedient, and to live a life as a servant, a slave. It could be very easy to say, oh, yeah. I like being a servant until someone treats us like one. But our savior Jesus was a servant, and he died on that old rugged cross even though people despised and mocked and humiliated him for us.

Unknown Speaker (31:19): And thank God that he was willing to die for us. Are you ready to die to sin? If you are, you can be saved today through faith and baptism. If you are subject to the invitation, let's stand and you come forward as we stand and as we sing.