Humble Service

October 30th 2022

Series:Organic Disciples

Sermon Title: Humble Service

Topic: How do I extend humble service to a selfish world?

Key Passages: John 13:1-17, Mark 10:45, and Matthew 5:14-16

Sermon Blurb: Jesus left the glory of heaven and came to serve us with His own life. His disciples joyfully serve their Savior, His church, and the world He loves. When we care like Jesus, the world sees a vision of the servant Savior and is willing to hear our stories of who Jesus is and how He loves.

Sermon:

Welcome to week 5 of our series called Organic Disciples!

Here at Family Church, we take a few weeks each year to focus on Missions both locally and all over the world!

And if you missed last weekend, I really encourage you to go back and listen because Kevin Harney and Walt Bennett were with us!

If you don’t know, Pastor Kevin and Sherry Harney started Organic Outreach, which is a program that inspired this sermon series that we are in.

And Walt, serves as the President of Organic Disciples Ministry.

We’re so fortunate to have awesome ministry partners!

PAUSE

Let me explain the concept for this series.

This series is called Organic Disciples.

It’s all about Growing in our love for God AND sharing our faith with others!

In Matthew 28 Jesus is talking to His disciples and giving them a snapshot of how to be an Organic Disciple.

Write this down

Organic Disciples are committed to grow in Jesus and go with Jesus.

Repeat

PAUSE

Growing in your faith in Jesus is what we call Discipleship.

Going and sharing your faith with others, is what we call Evangelism.

So, write this down as well…

Discipleship is about becoming more like Jesus.

Evangelism is about bringing people to Jesus. repeat

And Jesus said an Organic Disciple will naturally do both.

PAUSE

From that foundation, we’ve been looking at 7 indicators of an Organic Disciple of Jesus, let’s put them up on the screens again.

7 Indicators of an Organic Disciple of Jesus

1. Bible Engagement

2. Passionate Prayer

3. Wholehearted Worship

4. Humble Service

5. Joyful Generosity

6. Consistent Community

7. Organic Outreach

These markers of spiritual maturity are measurable, and they are visible in the life of an Organic Disciple.

So far, we’ve looked at three.

Today, we’re going to look at the fourth indicator, Humble Service…

Or to put it in different terms, being a humble servant to other people.

PAUSE

The approach we’ve taken is simple…

First, we’ll look at how Jesus modeled this spiritual marker.

Then, we’ll consider how we can live more like Jesus in that area of our life.

Then we’ll allow this to move us to serve others.

PAUSE

And even before we dive in… I just want to acknowledge how incredible you all are!

I mean, we have such amazing people here that serve faithfully in café, kids, worship, prayer team, building and grounds, greeting, and the list goes on and on…

We have an awesome serving culture here at Family Church!

If you aren’t yet on a Serving Team… please grab a connection card and fill it out… and let us know where you’re interested in learning more or plugging in.

PAUSE

So, let’s talk about how to be a humble servant today.

I want to lead out with this first point of how we can learn from Jesus’ example of humble service, write this down..

A TRUE follower of Jesus will naturally serve other people.

repeat

John 1:14 says,

John 1:14, The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

Now partner that with Mark 10:45, which reads

Mark 10:45, For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

These two passages are talking about Jesus.

Jesus is the Word that became flesh to dwell with us.

And Jesus is the Son of Man who gave His life for us.

So, think about that.

Jesus left the glory and the perfection of heaven and came to earth to be with us and to be likeus.

God became a human… the Creator became like His created!

Not only that, but Jesus also came to serve us and even give up His life on our behalf!

PAUSE

And if we really look at how Jesus lived we see some interesting things…..

Jesus was never selfish or self-seeking.

Jesus didn’t come to us like a typical king or ruler.

He didn’t aspire to overthrow earthly empires or govern through political power on earth.

Jesus came and Jesus SERVED people!

Jesus offered people a way to have their best life, both on earth and eternally!

Jesus was considerate of others.

Jesus didn’t expect to be served,

Or have an easy life…

Jesus came to give up His life so we could have freedom from sin and eternal death.

Jesus demonstrated humble service at the highest level!

PAUSE

The Bible records many episodes while Jesus was on earth… and how Jesus demonstrated humble service all the time.

In the Gospel of John chapter 13, there is a powerful moment where Jesus gets down on His hands and knees to wash His disciple’s feet.

Now, I don’t know how you feel about feet… but feet are gross!

I mean, to me, feet are the most disgusting and ugly part of the human body, period.

Thankfully, we cover those nasty things up most of the year with socks and shoes…but feet are ugly and disgusting

Feet are a humble reminder of how flawed we really are.

I personally don’t think we will have feet in heaven… our new and improved heavenly bodies will be perfect, so no ugly feet

LOL!!!!

But seriously…

Just imagine with me… the Son of God came down from heaven to live with AND be like His creation…ugly feet and all!!!

And then, after living 33 years around sinful people…

After 3 years with a group of ignorant guys…..

After being betrayed by one of His closest friends…

After being publically and shamefully executed…..

PAUSE

Jesus gets down on His knees, becomes like a servant, a slave even, and washes a dozen men’s feet!

If that doesn’t indicate the humble service of Jesus, I don’t know what does!

PAUSE

There was another moment in Jesus’ ministry when He uses an analogy to tell His followers to give Him their heavy burdens in exchange for His light burden.

It says this in Matthew chapter 11…..

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

A yoke was a harness placed around an animal’s neck.

It was used to steer them and give them leverage to pull heavy equipment or cargo.

In fact, here’s a picture of a yoke (yoke picture)

Yokes were typically associated with plowing a field, or transporting goods, but was typified by hard manual labor.

And Jesus uses this analogy to make us an offer.

Listen to this offer…..

Jesus offers to exchange our heavy, burdensome yoke for His easy and light yoke.

PAUSE

The heavy burden here is referring to our sin…

Our inability to make ourselves right and pure…

Our sin is a heavy weight that holds us down and keeps us from thriving.

PAUSE

Think about your sin

…your bad choices

…your attitudes

…your tendency to do wrong,

…to act selfish, to treat others poorly, to show favoritism to some, to be lazy, to lie, to cheat, to tear down others, to be overly controlling, etc…

Our sin is a heavy and burdensome yoke.

So, Jesus, who is the only perfect Person to ever live…

Jesus says….

Hey!!!!

Let me take on all your sin and junk!

Give it to me!

Let me carry it for you!

That is what Jesus did at the cross!

The work is already done! Jesus already plowed the field for you and me.

Jesus lived a sinless life and died for you!

Now Jesus is offering you the benefits of His action…

Jesus is offering you His light yoke.

PAUSE

What a servant!

What an offer!

An offer that seems too good to refuse…

And yet, many refuse it.

Many refuse to believe and receive the free gift of salvation and forgiveness of sins that Jesus offers.

Many chose to live with their heavy burden instead of allowing Jesus to exchange His.

And if that’s you today….

I want to encourage you to lay down your burdens!

Give Jesus your junk!!!

Allow Jesus to free you from the bondage of your sin, and to replace it with His forgiveness and love!!!!!

PAUSE

Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, Jesus offers:

Freedom for those in bondage.

Healing for those who are sick.

Justice for those who are oppressed.

Restoration for things that are broken.

Deliverance for those in hard places.

Jesus offers us eternal salvation and life.

Again, an easy and light yoke that Jesus has custom-made for you and me.

All we must do is give Him ours and take on His yoke.

LONG Reflective PAUSE

Let’s keep digging deeper into this with Jesus as our guide…

Write this down and let’s see it come to life with Jesus.

A TRUE disciple of Jesus will serve more as they mature.

Repeat

Let’s go back to that story where Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.

John 13:12-17, When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.

14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Jesus makes a crystal-clear statement that Organic Disciples are called to serve others.

Jesus served His disciples so they would understand their calling to serve others.

When we humbly serve others, we find great joy!

Serving can bring deep and lasting satisfaction.

We learn what life is meant to be when we serve!

We look like, and reflect, Jesus best when we serve!

PAUSE

And humble service is a lifestyle.

Serving others like Jesus is a commitment to live a life of service.

Don’t think of service as a single job or task.

Service isn’t a one-and-done!

Service isn’t a one-week trip to another country!

Service isn’t a once-a-month commitment to kid’s ministry or café!

Service isn’t feeding people at the shelter!

Service is a commitment to live every minute, every day, every moment with an intentional focus on being Christ to others!

And this doesn’t come naturally.

Serving doesn’t come naturally!

Say that out loud with me…. Serving doesn’t come naturally!

It will take effort, discipline, practice, patience, and a whole lot of grace for yourself and others…but as you live into the Christ-life, you will become more service-oriented.

And there are so MANY opportunities to practice serving others as you notice the real needs around you and begin meeting them!

It could be…

… helping your neighbor

… serving your family

… serving in your church

… assisting the less fortunate

… loving strangers

… praying with someone

… speaking an encouraging word

There are endless opportunities to serve… and when we step into service, we are meeting a need and exemplifying Jesus to others!

PAUSE

So, how does humble service lead us to the world?

How does our discipleship, our growth in this area of Christ-likeness, become evangelistic?

Write this down

When I serve others as Jesus would, people see God!

Repeat

Look at Matthew 5 with me

Matthew 5:14-15, You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The result, the impact, of your humble service is that other’s recognize Jesus!

Living like Jesus brings Him to a world that wonders.

Look at what it says in that passage…

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and GLORIFY YOUR FATHER in heaven.

PAUSE

This verse has always been intriguing to me.

How can someone who is not saved, not a Christian, glorify God?

Look at the verse

…whose Father is being glorified?

…is it their heavenly father or YOUR heavenly father?

It’s YOUR Father, NOT THEIR Father.

They are not yet children of God, because they have not yet accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

BUT YOU ARE a Child of God.

He IS YOUR FATHER whom they glorify because of your service to them on God’s behalf!

When you serve others, you reflect Jesus through your good deeds… and as a result, it causes a response from the not-yet-redeemed, they give your God glory.

God gets the credit when we humbly serve others!

PAUSE

So, in this way, humble service is evangelistic!

Write this down

When I serve others like Jesus, it is a witness to others that God sees and loves them!

Repeat

People notice when we serve.

People notice if we are humble.

People notice when we notice them, and we meet their needs with no expectation of a return.

Humble service can be an introduction of Jesus to others

And can also be an invitation to others into the family of God.

PAUSE

Go back to that verse, we are the “light of the world” ….. think of a lighthouse.

When we serve, we shine like a lighthouse.

We guide people toward shore, toward safety

Through dense fog, raging storms, even in the night.

In the same way, our humble service guides people toward security, refuge, and safety… humbly serving others guides them toward Jesus!

PAUSE

LIFE APPLICATION:Is serving something that happens daily for you, or only on occasion? What is one way you can serve someone this week? Write that down, tell someone, and ask them to follow up next week on how you did.

PRAY

Offering