Serve One Another
Notes
Transcript
For the last several weeks, we have been in our summer sermon series looking at some of the “one another” commands that we find in Scripture and some practical ways in which we can make changes in our lives in relation to these commands. We’ve talked about encouraging one another, praying for one another, valuing or considering one another, and honoring one another. At the end of each of those messages we ended with several practical steps we might take to improve how we do with these commands in our own lives. We are being challenged to let God point out to us how we are doing and what we might do differently as we continue to allow him to transform us. I hope that we all have taken these to heart as we considered how we might be able to work on becoming more intentional about living life among each other.
As we get started, I have a question for you to think about. How do you personally serve others? I want us to think about what we personally do. Not what our spouse does or what our family does or what our church does, but what do YOU do. Do you know what it means to serve others? Sometimes I think we, like we do with many things, like to complicate the idea of serving others, thinking it takes something big and fancy in order to have an impact. However, as we talk about serving today, I hope that we all realize that we have a place in service to each other and can all serve others in some way.
Turn with me to:
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
As we dive in this morning, we first need to talk for a moment about this idea of freedom that Paul mentions as it is important for us to understand this. This freedom we have in Christ is not about self-indulgence. In other words it’s not about us. What Paul is urging is something outward focused. He is focused on serving one another in love. This freedom we have is an opportunity for loving service to others. Let’s read verses 13-15 from The Message:
13 It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.
14 For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.
15 If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?
Christian freedom is not about us. It is not about creating opportunities for ourselves. It is for the purpose of serving others through love. The Christian ideal of freedom releases us as followers of Christ for “unfettered service.” We are free to love God and others the way we are called to. Christ has liberated us to love others, not to indulge ourselves.
Once we understand the idea of freedom as it relates to our freedom in Christ, we need to understand the idea of serving. The word serve is both a verb and a noun, but we are interested in the verb form of the word. Remember that verbs imply an action. Here’s some definitions I found:
to act as a servant
to wait on table, as a waiter
to be in the service of; work for
to be useful or of service to; help.
to go through (a term of service, imprisonment, etc.).
We often see this idea of service as something normally done by a slave, or a servant of some kind. These are tasks that are reserved for lower people. In this instance, Paul is referring to service a person owes to God and that it is to be displayed through service to one’s neighbor. Paul’s argument is that this is what constitutes service to Christ.
However, it is also important for us to note that the reciprocal pronoun one another emphasizes that this command to serve others is mutual in nature. Service is the responsibility of each of us as followers of Christ. We are to serve each other. When we do this, we all not only serve, but are served. None of us is too exalted to serve and none of us too lowly. Praise God!
Service itself is not enough. It is vital that our service to one another is done “in love”. Our love for Christ and for others is enough cause for us to serve one another. We see in the gospels the examples of Christ serving others, ultimately through his death on the cross. Christian love is to be a tangible expression of our faith.
Now a note. One way this has been interpreted is that it only applies to those who are believers. We are only to serve those who are fellow believers. However, as we see in the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10, this idea is clearly thrown out in Jesus’ teaching. The Samaritans were hated and a Jew would never have been caught helping a Samaritan the way we see in this parable. We are to serve people. As followers of Christ we are to serve people no matter whether they are a believer or not, no matter their socio-economic standing, no matter their skin color, or any other category. We are to have an attitude of serving others that stems from our deep love for Jesus Christ!
As we continue through this passage, we see some examples of what these acts of the flesh versus acts of the Spirit look like. We see in verses 19-20 examples of what Paul is referring to as acts of the flesh, acts that look nothing like serving one another in love. I think we can all agree that these things in Paul’s list do not look like love for others.
Then in verses 22 and 23, we see the fruit of the Spirit. The manifestations of the Spirit living and working in and through our lives as believers. This is what a life led by the Spirit focused on serving others in love looks like.
Now for some practical suggestions on how we can serve others. There are so many things I could have put on this list, but here are ten simple ideas that just about any one of us can do. If you would like other ideas for a situation in your life, please reach out and let’s talk about ways that you can serve others in your context.
Smile - This is a great habit to develop to start each and every day and to practice whenever you have the chance. The great thing is that smiling at others is easy and takes nothing but a little effort. Nearly everyone responds to a smile and it makes you and the other person feel better immediately.
Help someone get where they want to be - I mean when it comes to transportation or as a physical destination. There are always friends, colleagues and family needing a ride somewhere or a pickup from a trip, vacation or event. Perhaps it’s to be a designated driver for a group of friends. Simply offer to help get them there where they want to be.
Buy someone lunch and have conversation with them - Buying lunch is not that expensive, as many people do it everyday and when you have an opportunity when you are getting or eating lunch with someone, simply buy their lunch as well as yours. Don’t offer, don’t tell them, just do it and don’t make a big deal about it. Don’t say they can get the next one, don’t say they’d do it for you, just buy them lunch and leave it at that. We can do this even in the days of social distancing.
Here’s a good Wisconsin one - Shovel snow from your neighbor’s walks and drive - If you live in a subzero climate with snow, shoveling the walks can be a regular event in the winter months. Take a few minutes and shovel the walks for your neighbors or a local bus stop, or public pathway.
Volunteer in the community - This likely came to mind when you first thought about serving others and it’s a classic example of course. There are many ways to do this through programs, organizations, clubs, groups, community associations and any other activities in your community. There are often websites and directories for connecting volunteers and placements that would be good for them. Do some searching around your community. In the coming weeks we will be reopening the clothes closet and are going to need additional volunteers - just an idea.
Take on a project with someone - Do-it-yourself (DIY) has many benefits and when you can offer to help a friend take on a project you are doing a great service for them. Your help, support and perhaps expertise will bring you together to accomplish something and enjoy it when its done.
Pray for people - Don’t tell people you will pray and then walk on, often forgetting to do so. Take the time and pray with people in the moment. It is seldom that people will decline the offer to allow you to pray for them. It is more likely they will open up about the situations in their life that need covered in prayer. You never know, maybe a new relationship with start!
Encourage people - You have endless opportunities to encourage people to do what they love, follow their dreams, achieve their goals and do the things they enjoy doing. Encourage positive behavior and fun actions through you day, you will enjoy it more, help others recognize those same things and hopefully, keep more of those actions coming as a result in the future.
Be a friend even if someone doesn’t deserve it - Friendship is often thought to be something that is earned. Well serving others you not looking for what others earn, you are simply serving others. Extend the offer of friendship to someone who doesn’t seem like they deserve it. Perhaps they have made some bad choices in life, hurt you in the past or stuck in a difficult set of habits to break. The best thing for them is a true friend and it’s a great way to serve if you can provide that.
Let love for others drive your life - Love is the most powerful thing in this world. It provides us all with an ability to drive through incredibly painful circumstances. It brings about hope and joy that can overcome any amount of suffering and it sets an example for service to others and to God like nothing else. Love is a gift we all have the option to experience by God’s grace, it is offered to each and every one of us. Experience that, make love a focus in your own life and use it to drive your life to serve others.
Benediction - You are God’s servants, gifted with dreams and visions. Upon you rests the grace of God like flames of fire. Love and serve the Lord in the strength of the Spirit. May the peace of Christ be with you, the strong arms of God sustain you, and the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen you in every way. Amen (https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/a-wonderful-benediction-for-you-and-your-church/?v=7516fd43adaa)