READ | SERMON NOTES
“Is there anything else I can do for you?”
A. What is Sacrificial Service?
1. Sacrifice
Sacrificial service is never easy to do. It is doing good works even when it is costly, challenging, or inconvenient.
- Costly – A sacrifice may be freely given, but it does not mean anything if it is not genuine. When we feel the pain of our sacrifice, we know we are giving up something that is important. 1 John 3:16 tells us that we give sacrifices to God more freely because we understand the greater sacrifice that leads us to God’s grace. Jesus laid down His life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.
- Challenging – 1 John 3:17 asks how God’s love abide in us who have the ability yet refused to help. Why do Christians hesitate to embrace God’s call to sacrificial service? The fear of people taking advantage of us. What is the difference in Choosing to Serve and being a Servant of Christ? When we choose to serve, we are in charge. When we become a servant of Christ, we give up the right to be in charge. Jesus is now in charge, and He has promised to take care of us.
- Inconvenient – When we go the extra mile to serve and step out of our comfort zone, these inconveniences reflect the presence of Jesus in the lives of people around us in practical ways.
2. Service
- Service in the Kingdom of God – is different from service in the world. In Matthew 23:11-12, Jesus corrected the disciples’ inappropriate concern for positions of prominence.
- Service in the World – The disciples had the ambition to be great and to have the highest position.
- Greatness is measured by Service – In Matthew 20:26-27, Jesus emphasized that to be great, we must become a servant; and to be first, we must become a slave. A servant works for hire to maintain the master’s home and property. A slave is forced into service. In the eyes of the world, service is not dignified, and it is the lowest positions in society’s scale. However, Jesus reversed its status in the community of the disciples to being great and first.
B. How Should We Serve?
- Serve one another in Love – In Galatians 5:13 and in Moses’ law, we are commanded to love our neighbour as ourselves. Love is defined by Christ’s sacrificial giving of His life for us and inspired by God’s spirit as seen in the Fruits of the Spirit. It is the love of God for us that changes us to serve one another in love.
- Serve with Humility – Service and humility enforces the total servanthood attitude that Jesus requires of His disciples. This is in contrast with status consciousness of the Pharisees. Discipleship is about walking and serving with Christ. It is the joy of being the channel of God’s blessings to others. God set us are free from the pressure to perform and impress. We are free to be slaves to one another.
C. Why is Service Important in Discipleship?
- Sustains Our Faith – We are to be the good stewards in the manifold grace of God and to serve one another with our gifts. 1 Peter 4:11 tells us when we serve others, it sustains our faith. Service is important for our growth in discipleship, prayer, hospitality and strengthening one another. These are all important so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ.
- Stretches Our Faith – When we serve sacrificially, it stretches our faith and leads to a deeper experience of the goodness and greatness of God for others. Ministry to others changes us. It strengthens our intimacy with God, and we are called to be loving and serving disciples.
The sanctifying grace of God shaped the soul of the early Methodists as they learn to live in community. One cannot learn patience, kindness, gentleness, forgiveness, grace, and love by oneself. As the Spirit deepens our interior lives, we yearn to see the world through God’s eyes. God invites us to see the world through the eyes of those who suffer and in need. A complete Christian life involves organising our lives to serve others with love, passion, consistency and thoroughness in humility and love. This is the service that is well pleasing to God.
(Sermon notes by Honey Vreugdewater)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Recall the first time you have been requested to serve in church or in a ministry-related event. Share your initial response to the request. How was your experience?
2. What is your understanding of the word “sacrifice” and “service.” How would you describe your current service in church or in any other ministry setting?
3. How is “service” in the kingdom of God different from “service” in the world?
4. What would it take for you for your service to be sacrificial? How would it be costly, challenging or inconvenient?
