The Servant's Heart: Living to Lift Others

Introduction

Key Reference:

Philippians 2:3–4 “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Share a story of a person who dedicated their life to serving others, such as Mother Teresa, highlighting the joy and fulfillment they found in serving.

Key Point 1: Serving with Humility

Lesson:Learn the importance of humility in service.

1. The Example of Christ

Philippians 2:5–8“Have this attitude 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. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Illustration:

Describe Jesus washing the disciples' feet (John 13:3-5) as an act of humble service.

2. Valuing Others Above Self

Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;”

Illustration:

Share a real-life story of someone putting another’s needs before their own, perhaps during a crisis.

3. The Reward of Humility

Reference: James 4:10; Matthew 23:12

Illustration: Tell the story of someone who was recognized or honored after years of humble service behind the scenes.

Key Point 2: Serving with Compassion

Lesson: Understand how compassion motivates and shapes our service.

1. The Compassion of Jesus

Reference:

Matthew 9:35–36 “Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.”

Illustration:

Highlight moments when Jesus showed compassion, like feeding the 5,000 or healing the sick.

2. Serving the Least of These

Matthew 25:34–40““Then 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. ‘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.’ “Then the righteous will 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?’ “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.’”

Share a story of serving vulnerable or marginalized individuals, reflecting Jesus' call to serve “the least of these.”

3. Love in Action

1 John 3:17–18 “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? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

Discuss modern examples of individuals or organizations that embody compassion through their service.

Key Point 3: Serving with Perseverance

Lesson:Highlight the need for persistence in serving others, even when it's challenging.

1. The Call to Persevere**

Galatians 6:9 “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

Narrate the story of someone who continued to serve despite difficulties and saw significant impact over time.

2. Overcoming Challenges in Service

James 1:2–4“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Share anecdotes of individuals who faced obstacles in their service journey but kept going, demonstrating growth and resilience.

3. The Eternal Perspective in Service**

Colossians 3:23–24“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Use an example of a person who served with heaven in mind, focusing on the eternal reward rather than immediate recognition.

Conclusion

- Reiterate the call to develop a servant's heart, embodying humility, compassion, and perseverance.

Galatians 5:13–14 “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””

Conclude with a powerful example of transformative service that brought about change in a community or individual's life, encouraging the audience to live a life of service.