Following Jesus at Any Cost 06:  Serve

Pastor Mabio Coelho

Midland SDA Church

October 16, 2021

Introduction to the series:

In this series we are studying what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, what it means to follow him. Our goal is that you are not satisfied that you know facts about Jesus. I want you to know Jesus for all that He is, so that you can have a daily and real relationship with Him. In the course of the (four) weeks that we still have.

(Quick Recap)

In our previous meetings we learned that Christianity is not a religion, it is a way of life!!! To be a Christian is not to belong to the religion of Christ, to be a Christian is to live the life of Christ! So today let's keep looking at the changes that Christ wants to inspire in our lifestyle.  With that in mind, It is important to have Jesus in our live, but is fundamental for Jesus to be your life!

Before we start this morning's study, let's pray one more time for God's guidance

(Pray specifically asking God to bless everyone who has something in their life that they need to give up for total surrender to Christ)

I want to read you a verse from the Bible that speaks of a fundamental characteristic of Jesus' Lifestyle. This passage is Mark 10:45: "For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Now, as at other times, let's look at another story of an incident involving Jesus. As usual I ask that, as I tell the story, you put yourself in it, imagine yourself living it, being the protagonist of the story and try to make this your personal story. Follow me and personalize this story:

(summarize the history of the first foot washing)

For years, the master's callused hands had gripped hammers, nails, and thick logs. Now they held the dusty feet of his followers. One by one, He washed the feet and thoroughly dried them with His towel. Again and again He had to throw out the dirty water and put in clean water while all observed almost speechless.

The Master then sat down to eat. All his feet were clean except His. Nobody served Him. He didn't feel resentment. He just served... and that was all that mattered to Him.

Let's understand now what happened there...

1. Think of a time when someone served your needs in a selfless way. How that act of kindness impacted you? Now think of a time when you served someone without have no benefit for without your own benefit...

Why should selfless service be an integral part of your daily life??

Let's read the Biblical narrative now. Let's read John 13:1-20. What did Jesus teach about serving others by his example? (Wait for answers)

So let's find out which groups of people God has called us to serve in a special way:

(a) Isaiah 1:17

“Learn to do good;  Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend [vindicate] the fatherless, Plead for the widow.”

(the helpless)

(b) Jeremiah 7:6

“if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt,,”

(again the focus is on the underprivileged, and beyond these on the wronged and downtrodden)

(c) Jeremiah 22:3

“Thus says the Lord: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place”

(In addition to the familiar "orphan" and "widow", he adds that we should seek to help everyone who has their right unjustly taken away, as they cross our path).

(d) James 1:27

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world”

Serving those who cannot help you and who do not benefit you at all is an integral part of Jesus' Lifestyle and should be part of mine and yours. According to James, brother of Christ, this is an integral part of the true religion, the religion of Christ, which is more than a religion, it is a way of life.

3. I have a challenge to you today: Practice serving someone today who won't do you any good. Practice the selfless love Jesus exemplified while he walked among us.

4. What would result if you (individual) and we (as a community) selflessly served the needs of orphans, widows, strangers, and the poor?

(Decision/Appeal)

Christ's followers have been redeemed for service. Our Lord teaches that the true object of life is ministry. Christ Himself was a worker, and to all His followers He gives the law of service—service to God and to their fellow men. Here Christ has presented to the world a higher conception of life than they had ever known. By living to minister for others, man is brought into connection with Christ. The law of service becomes the connecting link which binds us to God and to our fellow men.

To His servants Christ commits “His goods”—something to be put to use for Him. He gives “to every man his work.” Each has his place in the eternal plan of heaven. Each is to work in co-operation with Christ for the salvation of souls. Not more surely is the place prepared for us in the heavenly mansions than is the special place designated on earth where we are to work for God. (Christ's Object Lessons, 326 )