Loving to serve

We live in a culture where people love to be served

whether its the waitress in the restaurant, the hairdresser at the salon, the person giving you a massage, the clerk at the checkout

there are people who help us to do what we want to do all around us.

It’s almost become an expectation in our culture.

But have you ever considered,

That you should be the greatest servant of all?

In the church we use the word minister.

but minister and serve are synonyms.

When we talk about ministering we might as well say serving

Its a critical Key to the Kingdom

and in part 8 of Keys to the Kingdom, we look at the Key of Service, which God has used most often to expand His Kingdom on the earth.

In fact, God’s Kingdom cannot grown apart from service

Pray

In fact the Bible is full of instructions on the fact we should serve one another

thats what we want to focus on today!

Timmy and Sarah Learn to Serve

It was a bright Saturday morning, and Timmy and Sarah were excited. Their church was organizing a community service day, and their family had signed up to help. But Timmy wasn’t so sure about it.

"Do we have to go?" Timmy groaned as he tied his sneakers. "I wanted to play video games today."

Sarah, already putting on her volunteer vest, grinned. "Come on, Timmy! Jesus served others, and we get to follow His example!"

Timmy sighed. "Yeah, but washing cars and handing out food isn’t exactly fun."

Their mom overheard and smiled. "Serving isn’t about what we get—it’s about showing love to others, just like Jesus did."

At the church parking lot, people were already busy. Some were packing food boxes, others were scrubbing cars, and a group was handing out sandwiches to those in need.

Timmy and Sarah were assigned to car washing. At first, Timmy dragged his feet, barely scrubbing the soapy sponge over the cars. But then, he noticed an elderly woman struggling to carry groceries.

Without thinking, he ran over. "Here, let me help!"

The woman smiled. "Oh, thank you, young man! My back isn’t what it used to be."

As Timmy carried her bags to her car, he felt something strange—joy. Real joy.

"That was actually... kinda nice," he whispered to Sarah.

Sarah winked. "Told you! Jesus said it's better to give than to receive."

As the day went on, Timmy found himself having fun—not just because he was working, but because he was making people smile. By the end of the event, he was soaked with water, covered in soap, and grinning from ear to ear.

"Okay, okay, I get it now," Timmy laughed as they packed up. "Serving is actually kinda awesome!"

Sarah nudged him. "And guess what? You were following Jesus' example the whole time."

As they walked home, Timmy felt different. He had come thinking serving was a chore, but now, he understood—it was an act of love.

Matthew 10:42 NASB95

42 “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

Let’s dig a little deeper

and take a look at the 5 keys of service

5 Keys of Service

I. The Heart of a Servant

Jesus as the Ultimate Example

Philippians 2:5–7 NASB95

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

this alone should be enough to transform our thinking

Jesus gave up everything to serve you and I!

He humbled Himself and took on the nature of a servant.

True greatness is found in serving others.

Serving is an Act of Love

Galatians 5:13 NASB95

13 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.

Love expresses itself through action not just an emotion

Serving is not about duty but about devotion.

the second Key of serving is that we have to:

II. Serving with the Right Attitude

Serving with Joy, Not Obligation

Colossians 3:23–24 NASB95

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

Serve wholeheartedly as if serving the Lord, not people.

Our reward comes from God, not man.

Serving with Humility

John 13:12–15 NASB95

12 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? 13 “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 “For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.

Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, modeling servanthood.

No task is too small when done for God's glory.

III. The Blessing of Serving

Serving Strengthens Our Faith

James 2:17 NASB95

17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

Faith without works is dead.

Serving puts our faith into action.

Serving Leads to True Fulfillment

Acts 20:35 NASB95

35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Joy comes from making a difference in others’ lives.

IV. Serving as a Lifestyle

Every Opportunity is a Ministry

Matthew 25:40 NASB95

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.’

Serving the least is serving Christ.

Using Our Gifts to Serve

1 Peter 4:10 NASB95

10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

God has given each of us unique talents for His Kingdom.

Serving Together in Unity

Romans 12:4–5 NASB95

4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

The body of Christ functions best when everyone serves.

V. A Call to Serve

Serving is an expression of love, humility, and obedience to Christ.

Where is God calling you to serve?

Since service it a lifestyle, not just something you do occasionally to fufill an obligation, and make yourself feel good

It’s important to find your fit.

You don’t use a hammer to do the work of a screwdriver

Nor does God call you to do something He has prepared you to do!

Rick Warren created this acronym SHAPE

S.H.A.P.E.

S – Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:6-8

These are special God-given abilities given to believers through the Holy Spirit to serve others and build up the church.

Examples: Teaching, leadership, mercy, prophecy, encouragement

H – Heart (Passions)

The things that excite you or burden your heart reveal what God has wired you to care about.

Example: Some are passionate about youth ministry, others about missions or worship.

A – Abilities

These are natural talents and learned skills that God can use for His purposes.

Example: Musical talent, administrative skills, handyman skills

P – Personality

Your unique personality affects how you interact with people and serve best.

Example: Introverts may enjoy behind-the-scenes work, while extroverts thrive in social ministries.

E – Experiences

Life experiences—both good and bad—shape how God can use you.

Examples: Personal struggles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), education, job experience, ministry involvement.

Key Idea:

God has shaped each person uniquely for His purpose.

Discovering your S.H.A.P.E. helps you serve in ways that align with how God designed you.

SHAPE Discovery worksheet

Challenge: Commit to serving in a new way this week—whether in the church, community, or workplace.

Ephesians 4:11–12 NASB95

11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

We are at a similar place to the early church

Acts 6:1–4 NASB95

1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

close in prayer

End Broadcast

I have to admit I look around here and get overwhelmed at the number of things that I’m doing.

Now I don’t diminish the number of people who already serve at Kingdom Way every week

I appreciate every one of you who is involved in a ministry of this church.

each week we have around 20 positions that are being filled by various people

thank-you

But this is bare bones, and only Sunday positions

I have a strong urge to move beyond just Sunday services

but what’s holdin us back is the people to do the Ministry

remember my Job to train you to do the ministry, not necessarily do the ministry myself

to those who aren’t actively involved

I need people like like you to step up and help the ministries of this Church.

I was looking though the Ministry fair booklet we held in 2019.

20 pages of ministry roles.

Yes we had a lot going on back then

My goal is not to make everyone busier

but rather to release you into your calling

Some notable places we need people to get involved:

Sunday AM

Hosts

Singers

Musicians

Sound

Presentation/Lyrics

Broadcast *Trevor & Karen heading to New Zealand soon

Frontline: Greeters

Sunday School teachers & Workers

Kitchen Coordinator

Snack coordinator

debit machine

thoughout the week

Visitor Followup

Visitation

Rental Liason

Janitorial garbage, vacuuming, dusting

Handyman