Serving
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:42-45
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:3-8
Jesus came as a servant. We believe that being shaped into the image of Jesus means that we too are made to serve. We practice serving one another to reflect God’s love by living out the Gospel in action: helping to alleviate suffering, building community, and advancing the mission of Christ to a broken world. Jesus perfectly modeled service with humility and compassion throughout His life in many ways, ultimately sacrificing Himself on the cross. As disciples of Jesus, we should look for ways to selflessly use our time, talents, and resources to meet the needs of others in our local community, in church ministries, and in our daily lives.
Practical Suggestions
Serve in Your Local Church – Volunteer in children’s ministry, connect, tech, or worship teams.
Serve in a Missional Community – Join a Missional Community in serving the needs of the city. Participate in block parties, food drives, or neighborhood clean-ups. Serve also those in your community by volunteering when needs arise, helping with meal trains, etc.
Serve at Home – Open your home for a meal with neighbors, church members, or those in need. Serve your parents, spouse, or children. Commit to one tangible act weekly that reflects the heart of Jesus to those in your home.
Prayerful Availability – Daily pray for God to show you opportunities to serve others in your workplace, family, or community.
Resources
The Gospel Comes with a House Key – book, Rosaria Butterfield
Serving Without Sinking – book, John Hindley
The Simplest Way to Change the World – book, Dustin Willis
A Meal with Jesus – book, Tim Chester