Serve One Another
✝️ SERIES: ONE ANOTHER — The Commands That Shape the Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 6 viewsIn Galatians 5, Paul teaches that Christian freedom is never meant to lead us inward but outward. We are set free—not to indulge ourselves—but to love and serve one another. The world measures greatness by how many people serve us, but Jesus measures greatness by how many people we serve. In the upper room, on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus demonstrated the heart of God when He wrapped a towel around His waist and washed the disciples’ feet. His act wasn’t symbolic; it was instructional. He showed that love is not merely a feeling but an action, and that true discipleship is expressed in humility and service, even toward those who may not deserve it. Serving one another transforms the culture of a church. When believers lay aside pride, preferences, and self-centered expectations, the body of Christ becomes a place where needs are met, unity is strengthened, and relationships are healed. A serving church is a powerful witness in a world marked by selfishness. Jesus said, “I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done for you.” This week reminds us that following Jesus means picking up the towel, meeting practical needs, and choosing to love one another through humble, joyful service.
Notes
Transcript
OPENING PRAYER
OPENING PRAYER
Father, today we ask You to shape us by Your Word and by the example of Jesus. We confess that serving others doesn’t always come naturally to us. Teach us the heart of Christ — the One who came not to be served but to serve. Make us a people who joyfully pick up the towel, who willingly love one another through service, and who delight in honoring others above ourselves. Transform our hearts now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
INTRODUCTION — GREATNESS REDEFINED
INTRODUCTION — GREATNESS REDEFINED
The world defines greatness one way:
“How many people serve you?”
Jesus defines greatness another way:
“How many people do you serve?”
Every commercial, every advertisement, every cultural message tells us to chase comfort, convenience, status, and recognition. But Jesus, on the night before His crucifixion, took a towel — the garment of a household servant — and washed the feet of His disciples.
In that moment, He destroyed humanity’s definition of greatness and replaced it with heaven’s definition.
In the Kingdom of God, serving one another is not optional — it is essential.
It is not a ministry for a few; it is the posture of every believer.
Galatians 5:13 commands us plainly:
“Serve one another through love.”
Serving is what love looks like when it takes action.
Today we learn why serving one another is the lifeblood of a healthy church.
POINT 1: WE ARE FREED TO SERVE, NOT TO DOMINATE
POINT 1: WE ARE FREED TO SERVE, NOT TO DOMINATE
(Galatians 5:13–15)
Paul says:
“You were called to be free… but don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh.”
Christian freedom is not freedom from responsibility — it is freedom to love.
Christ sets us free from:
Sin
Selfishness
Pride
The need to be first
The pressure to earn God’s approval
Not so we can live for ourselves, but so we can live for others.
Freedom misused destroys community.
Freedom misused destroys community.
“Bite and devour one another,” Paul warns.
That’s what happens when the flesh rules.
Freedom rightly used builds community.
Freedom rightly used builds community.
“Serve one another through love.”
That’s what happens when the Spirit rules.
Serving is not a lesser calling — it is the highest calling.
In the Kingdom, the way up is down.
The way to greatness is servanthood.
The path to maturity is the towel.
POINT 2: JESUS SHOWED GREATNESS THROUGH SERVING
POINT 2: JESUS SHOWED GREATNESS THROUGH SERVING
(John 13:1–15)
John tells us something stunning:
“He loved them to the end.”
And then Jesus shows how He loved them:
He gets up from the table.
He removes His outer garment.
He ties a towel around His waist.
He kneels down.
He washes their feet.
Feet that were dirty.
Feet that were calloused.
Feet that belonged to men who would fail Him within hours.
Including:
Peter, who would deny Him
Thomas, who would doubt Him
James and John, who competed for position
Matthew, once a tax collector
Judas, who was already betraying Him
Jesus washed all their feet.
Serving isn’t about who deserves it — it’s about who needs it.
Serving isn’t about who deserves it — it’s about who needs it.
Then Jesus asks:
“Do you know what I have done for you?”
And He commands:
“I have given you an example that you should also do just as I have done for you.”
If the King washed feet, serving is never beneath us.
If the King washed feet, serving is never beneath us.
Our Savior didn’t cling to His rights.
He didn’t demand position.
He didn’t seek applause.
He took the lowest place.
And He says to us:
“Do the same.”
POINT 3: SERVING ONE ANOTHER TRANSFORMS THE CHURCH
POINT 3: SERVING ONE ANOTHER TRANSFORMS THE CHURCH
When a church serves one another…
Needs are met
Hearts are softened
Unity is strengthened
Pride is broken
Relationships heal
New believers feel welcome
Hurting people find hope
Watching outsiders see Jesus
Serving changes the culture of the church.
A church full of consumers is weak.
A church full of servants is unstoppable.
Serving grows the server.
Serving grows the server.
When you serve:
Humility grows
Empathy grows
Love grows
Joy grows
Christlikeness grows
You cannot look like Jesus if you do not serve like Jesus.
Illustration: The Towel vs. The Throne
Illustration: The Towel vs. The Throne
Everyone wants the throne.
No one wants the towel.
But Jesus chose the towel — and Scripture says God exalted Him.
God always lifts the person who kneels.
APPLICATION — PICK UP THE TOWEL
APPLICATION — PICK UP THE TOWEL
This week, take one step:
1. Serve someone quietly.
1. Serve someone quietly.
No announcement.
No recognition.
Just love.
2. Look for unnoticed needs.
2. Look for unnoticed needs.
The servants of the church are the eyes of the church.
3. Serve someone who cannot repay you.
3. Serve someone who cannot repay you.
This is the heart of Christ.
4. Serve someone difficult.
4. Serve someone difficult.
Jesus washed Judas’ feet.
5. Serve someone in your own home.
5. Serve someone in your own home.
If we don’t serve there, we won’t serve anywhere.
CONCLUSION — THE CHURCH JESUS ENVISIONS
CONCLUSION — THE CHURCH JESUS ENVISIONS
Imagine a church where…
No one fights for position
No one demands their way
No one waits to be asked
Everyone looks for opportunities to bless
Everyone picks up a towel
That church will shine like a light in the darkness.
That church will experience the joy of Christ.
That church will reflect the heart of its Savior.
And that church…
is the church God is calling us to be.
CLOSING PRAYER
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for kneeling beside unworthy people like us and showing us the way of servanthood. Forgive us for our pride, our hesitations, and our desire to be served. Give us eyes to see needs, hearts willing to meet them, and hands ready to serve joyfully. Make our church a place where love takes the shape of action. Help us serve one another through love — just as You have served us. In Your name we pray, Amen.
