Becoming Christlike Disciples: Becoming Servants

Takeaway: True greatness is best seen in humble service to others.

Main Text: Matthew 10:24–25; John 13:3–5; 12–17

Introduction

When we were children, many of us dreamed about becoming successful, important, or influential.

But very few children ever say, “When I grow up, I want to be a servant.”

Because our culture celebrates position, recognition, titles, and status. The world says greatness is found in being admired and served by others.

But the Kingdom of God works differently.

Jesus completely turned the world’s idea of greatness upside down.

While the world chases recognition, Jesus modeled humility and service.

Instead of demanding a throne, Jesus picked up a towel. Instead of coming to be served, He came to serve.

👉 The King of Kings chose the towel instead of the throne.

And if we are going to become like Jesus, we must learn that true greatness is found in humbly serving God and others.

1. The Goal of a Disciple Is Christlikeness

Matthew 10:24–25 ESV

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

A. Discipleship Is Imitation

Jesus did not simply call people to admire Him. He called them to follow Him.

Discipleship is imitation.

We are not greater than the Master. Jesus gave us an example to follow because the goal of the Christian life is to become like Him and leave the world behind us.

The ambition of a disciple is not prominence or recognition—it is Christlikeness.

Jesus taught that following Him would often bring rejection and persecution. A life centered on making a name for ourselves stands in contrast to the example of Jesus.

Many today try to profit from the name of Jesus, while believers in other parts of the world are willing to suffer and die for the Gospel.

Our calling is to follow Jesus more faithfully, because Christlikeness is the visible evidence of a close relationship with Him.

B. Jesus Modeled Servant Leadership

Jesus did not just teach servant leadership—He lived it.

His ministry was built around serving others.

A lighthouse does not shine its light on itself. It stands in the storm so others can safely find their way. Jesus lived the same way.

He healed, taught, fed, comforted, and cared for people. Jesus continually moved toward broken and hurting people with compassion.

Even as His popularity increased, His humility remained. The crowds grew larger, but Jesus never acted above people.

Jesus showed us that true greatness is found not in being served, but in serving others with humility and love.

The world says:

Climb higher

Gain influence

Make a name for yourself

Jesus says:

Serve

Humble yourself

Become like Me

Takeaway

Following Jesus means adopting the heart of a servant.

2. True Greatness Is Revealed Through Humble Service (John 13:3-5)

John 13:3–5 ESV

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

A. The Basin and the Cross

Crowds shouted “Hosanna!” The disciples expected power, victory, freedom, and a kingdom established through strength.

But Jesus responded with a towel and basin—not with power and force, but with humility and service.

And this moment pointed to something even greater that was still to come.

The One kneeling with a towel would soon stretch out His hands on a cross.

Jesus did not simply come to wash dust from feet. He came to cleanse hearts from sin.

The basin pointed forward to the blood of Christ that would wash and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Before Jesus ever calls us to serve like Him, He first served us through His sacrifice, mercy, and grace.

What looked like a simple act of humility was ultimately revealing the heart of the Gospel: the Servant King laying down His life so sinners could be made clean.

B. The Needs Around Us

Jesus noticed what needed to be done.

When I first came to Alva, I started looking for needs in the community that nobody else was meeting. And the more I looked, the more I noticed them.

It’s amazing—when you begin looking for opportunities to serve, you start seeing needs everywhere.

Service often begins with awareness. If we seek places to serve, God will show them to us.

The measure of greatness in God’s Kingdom is servanthood, not popularity.

→ Servants look for needs. → Service begins with awareness. → When you see a need, that may become your assignment.

Key Statement

👉 When you see a need, that may become your assignment.

C. Knowing Is Not Enough

John 13:15–17 ESV

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Jesus said, “You will be blessed if you do them.”

Christianity is not merely learning truth. It is living truth.

Jesus teaches us that simply knowing the Bible is not enough. We must live out what God calls us to do.

When someone says, “God hasn’t called me to anything,” it may reveal a heart that has become more focused on comfort than God’s will.

God may not call everyone to the same ministry as we all have different gifts, but He calls every believer to serve, love, and live out their faith with boldness—not comfort.

Illustration: Popularity or Servanthood?

A servant does not walk into a room asking, “Will this get me noticed?” or “What do I get out of this?”

A servant notices the person sitting alone, the need nobody else is meeting, or the job nobody wants to do and simply asks, “How can I help?”

That is the heart of Jesus. He was never focused on drawing attention to Himself—He was focused on serving others.

Takeaway

True greatness is not found in being served but in serving others.

3. We Serve Jesus by Serving Others

Matthew 25:40 ESV

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

A. Jesus Is Our Master

People are not our master—Jesus is.

People are our assignment, but Jesus is the One we ultimately serve.

B. We Cannot Meet Every Expectation

Sometimes people will be disappointed.

We cannot meet every need or every expectation perfectly. Our ultimate approval must come from Christ, not people.

Galatians 1:10 ESV

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

C. Our Identity Is Servant First

Peter, Paul, James, and Jude all identified themselves as servants of Jesus Christ.

Before titles, positions, or accomplishments—we are servants first.

In John 15:15, Jesus calls us servants—but also friends.

The One we serve walks with us, so we serve Him not out of obligation alone, but out of love.

Takeaway

We serve others because we belong to Jesus.

4. The Holy Spirit Guides Our Service (John 14:16; 26)

John 14:16 ESV

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

John 14:26 ESV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Jesus did not leave us alone. The Holy Spirit teaches, guides, reminds, and directs us. We need discernment to know where God is leading us to serve.

Acts 16 shows Paul and his companions being directed by the Holy Spirit. As they followed His leading, they learned to walk closely with God.

This should be a beautiful encouragement to us as we serve God each day. We are never alone, because God is with us in everything He calls us to do.

Key Statement

👉 A servant must stay close to the Master to know where to serve.

Takeaway

We cannot effectively serve without the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

This Week’s Takeaway

The closer we grow to Jesus, the more we will humbly love and serve others.

Conclusion

This week, do not just talk about following Jesus—live like Him.

Look for needs. Choose humility. Serve someone intentionally. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your steps.

Because at the end of the day, the question is not how many people noticed us, applauded us, or served us.

The question is:

👉 Did we become more like Jesus?

The King of Kings picked up a towel.

And if we truly belong to Him, we must be willing to do the same.

👉 True greatness is best seen in humble service to others.