How to Serve Like Jesus

Intro: How can you serve like Jesus? In this message, we will learn eight ways to serve with a right heart. In the middle of the week, at around 3 am, I was distressed in my spirit and couldn’t sleep. I asked the Lord, “Should I lay here and try to fall back asleep?” And he responded, “Get up and pray.” So I arose to pray, and very soon, the Lord gave me this message and took me on a journey of studying servanthood in the New Testament. Serving is one of those areas where the enemy tries to poison people’s hearts and trip up their walk. Look at Martha and Mary (Luke 10:40-41). This issue with Martha revolved around serving. Look at the older brother in the Prodigal Son story (Luke 15:28-30). The older brother was angry because of an issue revolving around serving. It’s very easy for us to fall into the trap of serving God with the wrong heart. The good news is that today we will learn how to serve God with the right heart.

1 - Serve for the King’s Glory, not your own (Col. 3:23-24; Luke 4:8).

2 - Serve out of love, not obligation or fear (Gal. 5:13; Luke 1:74).

3 - Serve filled with the Spirit, not in your own strength or wisdom (Acts 6:1-6; Rom. 7:6; 1 Pet. 4:11).

4 - Serve with your eyes on Jesus, not based on what others say or do (Luke 10:40-42; 15:29-32).

I was in Chicago, jet-lagged after a long flight from Australia with our toddler. I was late for a meeting with the Fellowship of Christian Assemblies. In a fog, I staggered onto the hotel elevator. I kept my head down and heard a deep voice, "Where do you serve?"

As I looked up, I was shocked to see it was the well-renowned pastor, Jack Hayford. For those who may not know, it's like encountering Steve Jobs—except Jack is a profound Biblical teacher, author and worldwide Christian leader.

I stumbled over my words and finally said, "Australia." All these years, I've been impacted by his choice of words. Not, "What do you do?" Nor, "How big is your church?" But instead, "Where do you SERVE?"

Ayin ע is the sixteenth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. It has the numerical value of seventy and means eye. It also begins one of Hebrew's most significant words: servant (עבד eved).

What is a servant? It's someone who keeps their eyes on the Master. It's not about what they want, but what the Master wants. It's humbling. And it sometimes means being mistreated and undervalued by others.

Authentic serving in the Kingdom will mean dying to your self-nature, a nature that craves recognition, attention and appreciation. While servanthood is generally not esteemed by the world, it is one of the great values of Scripture. The Son was not ashamed to be called a servant (cf. Isaiah 42:1).

It has now been many years since my encounter with Pastor Jack Hayford. Our toddler is almost twenty-one. And this week marks twenty-two years of serving God in Australia and eight years of being an Australian citizen. I marvel at how the Lord has kept Anna and me, especially when seeming to face the impossible week after week. What have we learned? To continually keep our eyes on the Master.

In the Ayin ע portion of Psalm 119, the Psalmist is not ashamed to say, "Your servant I am (avdekha ani עבדך אני); Give me understanding, and I will deeply know your testimonies" (Psalm 119:125, my translation).

5 - Serve without seeking praise; Look only to God for your reward (Luke 17:7-10).

6 - SERVE WITH A GOOD ATTITUDE & CLEAR CONSCIENCE. Be warm, kind and represent Christ. Don't cross boundaries & violate trust (Rom. 14:17-18; 2 Tim. 1:3).

7 - Serve, but also rest. Find your rest in Jesus and take periodic breaks (Matt. 11:28-30).

8 - Serve Focusing on the cross, Looking to Jesus' example (Mark 10:45; Heb. 12:1-3).

Conclusion: Let’s remember these eight ways so that we can serve like Jesus with a right heart.

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