Service
Notes
Transcript
Church Camp
Gross bathrooms - games, grass, mud, pond
Pastor Tom
Larry Latrine
Competition
Clearest view of service I have seen first hand
As we talk about service this morning, I want to note something that I didn’t mention last week...
The ability to submit to another and to serve one another comes from identity...
The only way that we can consider others more important than our selves is when our identity is found in Christ
When we know who He says that we are and have confidence in Him, then we can submit as well as serve others
So service....Jesus, of course, demonstrates exactly what it means to serve others.
One day before he was killed, he could have been doing anything, but He chose to wash the feet of His disciples, including the person who would betray Him!
I don’t think anything embodies what it means to be a “Christ-Follower” more so than serving others, including those who will betray you, and those who deny you!
“As the cross is the sign of submission, so the towel is the sign of service.” - Richard Foster
14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
The idea of service is one of the vast contrasts to the way of this world....
The rest of the world is stepping on everyone to get to the top, but the way of the servant is lowering themselves to wash feet
25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—28 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.”
How is this radical life of service possible?
“True service comes from a relationship with the divine Other deep inside.” - Richard Foster
An opportunity for humility
It is awfully hard to consider ourselves when we are busy considering others!
When we put ourselves in the position of washing other’s feet, it keeps us from washing out own!
Objections
But, what if I am used and trampled on or taken advantage of?
“That is exactly what may happen. But who can hurt someone who has freely chosen to be stepped on?” - Richard Foster
It is kind of like the saying “you can’t take my life if I have already given it away.”
If our minds are transformed to a life of service, and not just acts of service, and we have chosen to give preference to serving others, we can’t be taken advantage of
Consider Paul
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Servant - Greek Dulous
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Lexham Theological Wordbook δοῦλος
Refers to someone who is the property of another.
A servant (doulos) is someone who is a slave and obeys the commands of his or her master.
So, Paul considers himself a slave to Christ…He is no longer in charge, but Christ is in charge!!
You can’t take something from me that I have freely given!
“Above all the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ gives to His friends is that of conquering oneself and willingly enduring sufferings, insults, humiliations, and hardships for the love of Christ.” - Brother Leo
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
So, the ability to serve others despite their response is the mind of Christ that we should have!
What do we gain from service other?
As with the other disciplines:
Freedom!
Freedom!
Freedom to let go of the idea that I have to control others…I can love them as Jesus loves them!
I don’t have to judge their motives!
And, I can serve them as Jesus serves them!
Jesus knew Judas’ motives…He knew where his heart was…and He still chose to wash His feet!
How many of us would have been quick to throw him out, knowing his motives?
Jesus gives us an example
15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
This is the challenge, but it is also where we find freedom!
Ways to serve
1. Service of small things
1. Service of small things
The difference in acts of service and serving others is acts of service are often “bigger things” - these require a great sacrifice once
Service in the “small” things is where the heart is truly transformed..service in the small things requires continual sacrifice
2. Service of guarding the reputation
2. Service of guarding the reputation
2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
For every negative word that we speak of someone, how many uplifting words do we speak?
Do we have a habit of complaining about others, or lifting them up?
3. Service of being served
3. Service of being served
This is what Peter had to learn!
Don’t rob others of their blessing!
Allow others to serve you!
4. Service of common courtesy
4. Service of common courtesy
2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Be kind to one another!
Treat others the way you want to be treated
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
5. Service of hospitality
5. Service of hospitality
9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Foster shares of one occasion....
“I remember an occasion where the hostess was scurrying around, attending to this and that, sincerely wanting to make everyone feel comfortable. My friend startled us all (and put everyone at ease) by saying, “Helen, I don’t want any coffee. I don’t want any tea. I don’t want any cookies. I don’t want a napkin. I just want to visit. Won’t you sit down and talk with us!”
Share life with others! Enjoy each other!
6. Service of listening
6. Service of listening
any talkers out there?
“To listen to others quiets and disciplines the mind to listen to God.” - Richard Foster
“I love to listen to people, because when you listen to them, they tell you things!” - Rob Schmutz
7. Service of bearing the burdens of each other
7. Service of bearing the burdens of each other
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
A swedish proverb that says:
A joy shared is a double joy. A burden shared is half a burden.
“Jesus, who bore the burdens of the whole world, could say, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:13)” - Richard Foster
8. Service of sharing the word of Life with one another
8. Service of sharing the word of Life with one another
Possibly the greatest joy that one can have, is to lead another to Christ!
Speak the Word of God over and into other’s lives!
Truly serving others starts with our understanding of who we are in Christ!
And flows into leading others to the cross!
Often times, we do so, through the towel!
Thank you to those who serve the church! There are many that do so with acts that are never seen!
This morning, let us share the word of Life with you!
If you haven’t come to the ultimate servant, and king, I invite you to do so!