Jesus is the Sacrificing Servant

INTRO

Last week, we talked about being a servant. This week’s question is: How far will your serving go?

Everyone here serves for different reasons—sometimes out of love, sometimes out of guilt… sometimes because we want recognition, or even just to feel better about ourselves.

But here’s the real question: What would it take for you to stop serving?

Some people will serve…

as long as it’s not too inconvenient,

as long as it doesn’t cost too much,

as long as it’s the right kind of person.

But is that the heart of a servant? Or is there more? Let’s see how far Jesus’ serving went.

Read Philippians 2:5–11

Icebreaker (5 minutes)

“What’s the biggest small sacrifice you’ve made lately?”

Example answers: skipping a nap, giving up the last slice of pizza, missing a game to help a friend.

Transition: “If small sacrifices can feel big to us, imagine what it looks like to truly serve when it costs something.”

1. The Submissive Mind of Jesus

Serving starts in the mind before it shows up in your actions.

Will’s story Part 1

Came from a wealthy and well-know family

After graduation went on a cruise through Europe, the Middle East, and Asia

After seeing so many people lost, his heart was burden and he decide to give his life to the mission field.

Wrote two words “No Reserves” on the back of his Bible

A. Willing to Serve Jesus had every right and privilege as God… yet He humbled Himself. A submissive mind is willing to put others first (Phil. 2:5). It starts with a decision before the moment comes.

How do we develop this attitude?

Put others before ourselves.

See others as more important.

Serve out of love for God.

Why’s that hard? Because we’re self-centered. Serving isn’t our default—it’s a choice.

B. Willing to Suffer Jesus didn’t just serve—He was willing to suffer for others. Serving like Him means feeling someone else’s pain… maybe even taking it on yourself.

“The test of the submissive mind is not just how much we are willing to take in terms of suffering, but how much we are willing to give in terms of sacrifice.” —Warren Wiersbe

Sometimes we stop serving because it costs too much emotionally, socially, or financially. But Jesus already made up His mind—He was willing to go all the way.

2. The Sacrificial Service of Jesus

Will’s story Part 2

After surrendering his heart to Christ Will went to Yale University, and was a Rock to many students

He had a motto “Say ‘no’ to self and ‘yes’ to Jesus every time” and led a morning prayer and Bible study that grew to 150 students by the end of his first semster, and then to over 1300 students by the time he gratuated

But he had a heart for the lost, and he had a burden to plant a church among the hardest to reach people groups, the muslim Kansu in China

So after graduating, he gave up many lucrative careers and prepared to be a missionary, as well wrote two new words in the back of his Bible “No retreats”

A. Service Costs Something Is it really service if it doesn’t cost you?

We often think, I’ll serve as long as… it doesn’t interfere with my schedule, my sleep, or my plans. Imagine if Jesus had said: I’ll only die for the world if it fits into my calendar.

“Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.” —Dr. John.Henry. Jowett

Discussion Question

What does the phrase 'Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing' imply about the nature of true service?

B. Sacrifice Costs Everything Sacrifice is giving up something you value for something greater. It’s not about you—it’s about the other person.

When love is the motive, you don’t keep score. You don’t say, “Look at what I gave up.”

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13

“For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross…” —Hebrews 12:2

What was the joy? You. Me. The people He came to save. That’s what kept Him going.

Group Activity: The Cost of Serving

Write down a way you could serve someone this week.

Place it under one of the three categories:

Easy to Serve

Costs a Little

Costs a Lot

Why do these feel costly?

What makes it hard to serve when it costs something?

How did Jesus model costly serving?

3. The Shameful Death of Jesus

Will’s story part 3

As Will took his first steps into the mission field, News articles started to write about this wealthy and gift young man that turn down affluence and comfort to be a missionary in China with all of the risks and dangers that comes with it.

On his way to Kansu China, he stop in Cairo Egypt to learn Arabic, the language that the muslims spoke in Kansu

A could weeks later he contracted a spinal meningitis, and died in a hospital room alone.

When the news of Will’s death reach America many people where shock and grieved for him. Two of his classmates came to retreave him and his belongings, and were shock to what they found at the end of his Bible.

Will Wrote “No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets.”

William Whiting Borden may appeared to ended prematurely, but his sacrifice and story is still living to this day.

His story was a rallying cry for thousands of College students who gave their lives to the mission field just because of Borden’s time at Yale.

A. Humiliating Jesus set aside His rights and died the death of a criminal. Isaiah 53 says, “He opened not His mouth.” An innocent man, wrongly accused… and He stayed silent. If it were me, I’d be shouting my innocence. But His silence showed His willing acceptance of God’s will.

B. Horrific Crucifixion wasn’t just painful—it was public humiliation. Jesus willingly endured that… for you.

This wasn’t just “serving until it’s hard.” This was serving until it killed Him.

C. Love and Joy

What motivated Jesus to embrace such shame and suffering? Love. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

But not only love — also joy. “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2).

Love was His motive, and joy was His perspective. The cross looked like defeat, but Jesus saw beyond it to our salvation and God’s glory.

When we sacrificially serve others out of love, we can also experience joy — because we’re sharing in the heart of Jesus.

APPLICATION

Attitude #3: I will serve others rather than myself by sacrificing something valuable to me for someone else.

Every person you meet is a God-opportunity—to love and serve. Every situation you face is a God-opportunity—to love and serve.

Takeaway Statement

👉 “True serving costs us something, but love makes the sacrifice worth it and joy makes it possible.”

Challenge: Do something this week to sacrificially serve that will cost you. Maybe it’s time. Maybe it’s comfort. Maybe it’s your reputation. Do it not because it’s easy—but because that’s the way of Jesus.