Untitled Sermon (7)

Sermon #12: Growing in Grace – Serving

Date: March 29, 2025

Theme: Service as a Spiritual Discipline

Length: ~30 minutes

Opening (3-4 minutes)

Good morning, church! Wasn’t that a sight? Kids serving—messy, simple, joyful. That’s where we’re headed today in our series, Growing in Grace: Transformation Through the Spiritual Disciplines.

(Display graph slide summarizing past sermons—Bible reading, prayer, worship, fasting, solitude.)

We’ve been walking this journey together, learning how these practices open us to God’s grace. Today, it’s service.

But service is tricky. It’s the training ground for humility—yet the second you think, “Wow, I’m getting humble,” pride sneaks in, and poof—it’s gone.

Dallas Willard nails it: “Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action.”

We don’t serve to earn God’s favor—we serve because we’re already favored. We serve because we are blessed to be in the kingdom of God and serve our King with our lives, because we have been bought with a price and we are not our own, but we belong to God! Yet, not only this, but we serve motivated out of love and relationship with God who loved us and saved us for a relationship with him.

The Spiritual Disciplines and the Means of Grace, are tools in your toolbelt to build a Spiritual Life. You must pick up the tool, and work with his Spirit and watch God construct your life to reflect his holiness.

And we can routinely avail ourselves of these revealed paths of blessings–or neglect them to our detriment.”

Mathis quote: (p. 25-26) “Such practices need not be fancy or highfalutin. They are the stuff of everyday, basic Christianity–unimpressively mundane but spectacularly potent by the Spirit.

This last phrase is particularly poignant for today’s sermon.

For service to God is largely, and mostly, unimpressively mundane but sourced from the Spirt and with humility, it is world changing.

For the Spirit takes our widow’s mite, 5 loaves and two fishes and multiplies them. Makes them fit for the glory of God.

What a thought!

That your service, is not wasted and your labor is not in vain.

What a humble offering…

1 Cor. 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Willard again: “The disciplines are activities we engage in to place ourselves before God so He can transform us.” and… as he does… he transforms our humble service to be great in the kingdom of God.

You want to be great?

You want to accomplish great things?

You will never do great things for the kingdom of God by neglecting the dispclines of the psiritual life and forsaking the means of Grace.

J.C. Ryle, quoted by David Mathis, said, “No one who neglects the means of grace should expect to make much progress in the Christian life… They are appointed channels through which the Holy Spirit conveys fresh supplies of grace.”

In the training of ourselves for godliness, service is the gym. It’s where we build the muscles of godliness and humility.

Yes, Service might look mundane, ordinary—stacking chairs, wiping noses in the nursery—but by the Spirit, it’s spectacularly potent. For both the advancement of the gospel, the worship and glory of God and the building up of the church, and personally through the transfomration of your spiritual life.

Martin Luther: (adapted from Luther’s Words)

"Even the changing of a baby’s diapers, when done in faith, is a holy work in God’s eyes—a service as pleasing to Him as any preacher’s sermon."

Let’s explore that today.

I. Came to Serve – Matthew 20:20-28 (6-7 minutes)

Let’s start with Jesus’ mission. Open to Matthew 20:20-28.

Picture this: James and John’s mom marches up to Jesus—bold as brass—and says, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right and the other at Your left in Your kingdom” (v. 21). She’s thinking thrones, crowns, glory. Jesus looks at her, then at the disciples, and says, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Can you drink the cup I’m going to drink?” (v. 22). They nod—clueless. The other ten get mad—jealous, probably.

Then Jesus drops the bombshell: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (vv. 25-28).

Jesus didn’t come to get—to conquer empires, pile up riches, or flex power. This is some of what is being communicated each year when we explore Palm Sunday. He came to give—His life.

Why do we serve? Is it to gain? To be noticed? To climb some spiritual ladder? I’ve caught myself there—serving to feel good about me.

But Jesus says greatness isn’t a crown—it’s a towel. (more on this to come)

Think of a waiter at a restaurant. Their job isn’t to eat the food—it’s to bring it to you. Jesus is the ultimate servant, laying down His life so we could feast on grace.

1 Corinthians 15:58: “Be steadfast, immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord… your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

II. Form of a Servant – Philippians 2:3-10 (6-7 minutes)

Now turn to Philippians 2:3-10. (ESV)

Paul’s writing to a church tempted by pride—sound familiar? He says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others” (vv. 3-4). Then he points to Jesus: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness” (vv. 6-7).

….

The God who spoke galaxies into being—holy, infinite—takes on flesh.

Not a king’s robe, but a servant’s towel.

It’s scandalous!

Imagine a CEO scrubbing toilets on Undercover Boss. (Jeff Bezos, driving amazon trucks? Tim Cook, mopping floors at Apples headquarters in Cupertino?)

But Jesus goes further: “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (v. 8).

The nature of the Kingdom of God is the upside down kingdom. It’s the first will be last and the last will be first. It’s the high mountains being made like the low valley’s. It’s the rich being made poor and the poor being made rich. It’s the values of sacrifice and service, being valued above power and achievement.

It’s not easy.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

"When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. …Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate."

Source: The Cost of Discipleship (1937), Chapter 1, "Costly Grace."

But Jesus says, “Follow Me here.”

Matthew 16:24 - And Jesus told his disciples, “if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

III. Love in Service – John 13:1-20 (7-8 minutes)

Now John 13:1-20.

It’s Thursday night, the Last Supper. Jesus knows tomorrow’s the cross. What does He do? “He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet” (vv. 4-5). Dusty, sweaty feet—roads caked with dirt and worse.

Peter’s shocked: “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?” (v. 6). Jesus says, “You don’t realize now what I’m doing, but later you will” (v. 7). Peter protests, “No, You’ll never wash my feet!” Jesus replies, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me” (v. 8). Then, after drying their feet, He says, “Do you understand what I’ve done for you? … I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I’ve set you an example” (vv. 12-15).

This is love in action—God kneeling before some former fishermen, tax collectors, zealot. Just ordinary people, human beings, sinners. Jesus Christ who, as Colossians describes him: He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation, For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things and by him all things hold together. That Jesus, washed their feet.

What’s your foot-washing moment?

Maybe it’s cooking for a sick friend, driving someone to the doctor, or—tougher—serving that family member who drives you nuts. Last week, I helped a neighbor move boxes. I didn’t feel holy—just tired. But that’s the point: it’s not glamorous—it’s grace.

Jesus ends, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (v. 17).

It’s the gym for your soul—each act builds humility.

IV. Saved to Serve (5-6 minutes)

We’re not just asked to serve or just called to serve—we’re saved to serve.

Hebrews 9:14: Christ’s blood purifies “our consciences from dead works to serve the living God.”

This goes for everyone. Those in authority and those under authority. Everyone is called to serve one another.

And we do so from a place of spiritual power and out of the overflow of the Spirit’s work within us.

1 Peter 4:8-11

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and ydominion forever and ever. Amen.

We serve out of the power that God supplies, by his strength. So that no one can boast!

Boasting is a big problem with the disciplines. It’s a big problem with the spiritual life. We are saved by grace not by works, so that no one would boast.

Sanctification and being transformed is the same. We are working out what God is working inside of us. But there is no room, to boast in our accomplishments or our progress, as if our achievements in service to God some how garner us more value in God’s kingdom and before his eyes.

This is the trap…

You must be careful….

Because it’s not always just the act of service that mkes us a servant in God’s kingdom. It’s not always the results that determine the success of our service. It’s the heart in rendering the service.

Richard Foster contrasts two kinds of service—listen to this: Self Righteous service vs. True Service

"Self-righteous service comes through human effort. It expends immense amounts of energy calculating and scheming over how to render the service—when, where, and to whom. It is often grandiose, spectacular, and seeks to make a big impression. Self-righteous service is impressed with the 'big deal.' It is concerned to make impressive gains on ecclesiastical scoreboards. It enjoys serving, especially when the service is titanic—like martyrdom or some historic act that will be remembered forever. True service, on the other hand, comes from a relationship with (God) deep within. We serve out of whispered promptings, divine urgings. True service finds it almost impossible to distinguish the small from the large service. Where a difference is noted, the true servant is often drawn to the small service, not out of false modesty, but because he genuinely sees it as the more important task. He indiscriminately welcomes all opportunities to serve.

Self-righteous service requires external rewards. It needs to know that people see and appreciate the effort. It seeks human applause—with or without the fanfare of trumpets and press coverage. It thrives on recognition and must have its deeds known. True service rests contented in hiddenness. It does not fear the lights and blare of attention, but it does not seek them either. Since it is living out of a new Center of reference, the divine nod of approval is completely sufficient.

Self-righteous service is highly concerned about results. It eagerly waits to see if the person served will reciprocate in kind. It becomes bitter when the results fall below expectations—or when the applause is not forthcoming. True service is free of the need to calculate results. It delights only in the service itself. It can serve enemies as freely as friends, because it is not tied to outcomes.

Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve. Sometimes it will serve only the high and mighty if it can gain some advantage thereby. Sometimes it serves the lowly if that will enhance its own image. But it is always calculating. True service is indiscriminate in its ministry. It has heard the command of Jesus to be a servant of all, and it seeks only to obey.

Self-righteous service is affected by moods and whims. It can serve only when there is a 'feeling' to serve—'moved by the Spirit,' as we say. Ill health or inadequate sleep controls its desire to serve. True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need. It knows that the 'feeling' to serve can often be a hindrance to true service. The service disciplines the feelings rather than allowing the feelings to control the service.

Self-righteous service is temporary. It functions only while the specific acts of service are being performed, and once they are over, it goes on to something else. True service is a lifestyle. It acts from ingrained patterns of living. It springs spontaneously to meet human need whenever and wherever it appears. It is a constant, steady flow—not a series of isolated acts."

Which are you chasing? Applause or obedience?

Self-righteous servant? Or a True Servant of God?

Transition: A true servant is simply, “here to serve.”

V. Here to Serve (5-6 minutes)

How about the difference in these two greetings offered by one servant. Which one would you rather?

Two greetings:

“Hi, I’m Jordan—I’m here to serve. How can I help you?

“Hi, I’m Jordan—I’m here to be served. What you can you do for me?

Imagine, walking in to Chik-fil-A and you heard that?

Chick-fil-A says, “My pleasure.” Is that you? “What can I do for the Master?”

A Servant’s Mindset.

1 John 2:16 warns against “the pride of life.”

1 Peter 5:5-6: “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

John 3:30 He must increase but I must decrease.

Phil. 2:5 - Have this mind among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus….

This is a mindset for every follower of Jesus Christ and every servant of Jesus Christ.

It is to be part of the natural rhythm of your life.

You offer your time, talents, giftings as an offering to God. Which is your reasonable service and spiritual worship!

What gift have you been given?

How can you serve the Lord with gladness by working out your gifting??

What’s your gift?

Like the boy with five loaves and two fish, your small act becomes huge in Jesus’ hands.

Donald Whitney says it best:

"Serving is as much a spiritual discipline as prayer, Bible intake, worship, or any other. The ministry of serving may be as public as preaching or teaching, but more often it will be as sequestered as nursery duty. It may be as visible as singing a solo, but usually it will go as unnoticed as operating the sound equipment to amplify that solo. Serving may be as appreciated as a powerful testimony in a worship service, but typically it’s as thankless as washing dishes after a church social. Most service, even that which seems the most glamorous or appealing, we perceive as we would the tip of an iceberg. Only the eye of God sees the larger, hidden part of it.

Beyond the church walls, serving can manifest itself as babysitting for neighbors, taking meals to families in flux, running errands for the homebound, providing transportation for the one whose car breaks down, helping with lawn or home maintenance, feeding pets and watering plants for vacationers, and—hardest of all—displaying a servant’s heart in the home. Serving typically looks as unspectacular as the practical needs it seeks to meet.

The people of God do not serve Him in order to be forgiven, but because we are forgiven. When believers serve only because they feel guilty if they don’t, it’s as though they serve with a ball and chain dragging from their hearts. There is no love in that kind of service, only labor. No one feels joy in it, only obligation and drudgery. Christians should not act like grudging prisoners sentenced to serve in God’s kingdom because of guilt. We can serve willingly because Christ’s death freed us from guilt. And when we do, we grow in godliness—conformed more and more to the image of the One who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

Chick-fil-A says, “My pleasure.” Is that you? “What can I do for the Master?”

Conclusion (2-3 minutes)

Spurgeon: “The child of God works not for life, but from life; he does not work to be saved, he works because he is saved.”

Service is your soul’s gym—each rep builds faith, and increases humility which results in godliness.

Where you is God calling you to serve? Who is God calling you to serve?

The chief means to beat back our pride is to humbly serve on a regular basis.