STEP 9: SERVE
JOIN JESUS IN HIS WORK
The third lifelong pursuit of all disciples is to join Jesus in his work of expanding the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. While on earth, Jesus accomplished his work of inaugurating the kingdom of God through his death on the cross. Now the kingdom of God continues to expand (come) on earth as it is in heaven.
God is a just and merciful king, 1 so wherever the kingdom of God exists (where God’s authority as king is recognized and realized), there is justice and mercy. 2
Justice is the presence of righteousness, fairness, and equality in society. It is the absence of injustice, oppression, and inequality in society. Mercy is the expression of kindness, love, and compassion for all, regardless of merit or perceived worth.
Right now, Jesus is the risen and reigning King. However:
HEBREWS 2:8
8 At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.
The world is still living in rebellion against God and his anointed King, Jesus. This rebellion is why the world is still plagued by injustice and a lack of mercy. However, King Jesus is actively working to expand his kingdom.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:25-27
25 For [Christ] must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” …
A day is coming when the kingdom of God will be fully and finally consummated here on earth—this is the coming New Heavens and New Earth. At that time, there will be perfect justice and mercy. 3
Until that day, the kingdom is continuing to expand on earth. As it expands, justice and mercy expand. Every disciple of Jesus plays a part in Jesus’ work of bringing his kingdom of justice and mercy on earth now as it is in heaven. How can disciples join Jesus in his work of bringing justice and mercy to everyone? In the same way that Jesus inaugurated the kingdom—by selfless, sacrificial service.
Serving others is a primary way disciples join Jesus in his work of expanding the kingdom on earth. In this lesson, we will learn why we serve, who we should serve, and how we serve.
WHY
WE SERVE
WHO
WE SERVE
HOW
WE SERVE
WHY WE SERVE
Pain and suffering permeate our world. There are great injustices all around us. Greed and selfishness seem to describe our culture, not mercy. In light of all these problems, why is serving others the primary way of promoting justice and mercy?
In first-century Palestine, where Jesus lived, many people were oppressed and lived under great injustices. They hoped for the coming of God’s kingdom of justice and mercy. Therefore, when Jesus came as God’s True King, many expected he would bring God’s justice through violence, force, and might—like a king with a sword. Likewise, many ideas exist on how justice and mercy are best enforced in contemporary society. These kinds of politics can be polarized, and for some people, doing justice and mercy seems impractical and unattainable. Yet Jesus showed us a better way—one that is both divine and surprising. Jesus selflessly and sacrificially served others, ultimately giving his life for them. Jesus taught his disciples that his kingdom and kingship were different than the ways of the world.
MARK 10:42-45
42 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. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus served and taught us as his disciples to do the same.
JOHN 13:3-5, 12-15
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. … 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
Jesus changed the world. He did it without writing a book, holding a political office, organizing a protest, or picking up a weapon. He changed the world without massive media platforms, the internet, social media, or the printing press. Jesus served in radical ways that surprised and delighted many and upset those in positions of corrupt leadership.
In the centuries since his resurrection and ascension, the church has continued to change the world through service. Whether serving society's untouchables, feeding the hungry, welcoming refugees, adopting babies, or befriending a lonely widow, Christians have impacted the world through service.
Working in politics and other occupations to help bring justice and mercy to society is important. 4 But every disciple of Jesus can serve to join Jesus in his work, no matter their occupations.
WHO WE SERVE
Whom should we serve? The first step is to identify who around you has needs. Paul gives us this guidance in his letter to the Galatians.
GALATIANS 6:9-10
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Serve Everyone
Whom should we serve? The answer is simple: everyone. We should serve anyone and everyone. Wherever we see a need to be met, we can do what is right to meet that need.
Serve Church Members
Paul tells disciples especially to do good to the household of faith, or in other words, the family of God—the church. The church is a family. Just like God has called us to meet the needs of our immediate family before considering the needs of our neighbors, Christians make sure all the needs in their church family are being met as a first priority. This was how the church in the first century operated.
ACTS 2:44-45, 4:34-35
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. … 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. “There was not a needy person among them.” 5
What an incredible testimony! This was how well the church took care to serve one another. In the last section, we will talk about some of the ways we can serve one another in the church.
Serve The Vulnerable
God calls disciples of Jesus to serve those outside the church as well. The Bible gives us good categories of those who might need help: 6 widows, orphans, refugees/foreigners, and the poor.
Sometimes, it can be tempting to evaluate in our minds who is worthy of help. But the Bible warns us about showing favoritism, a form of injustice.
JAMES 2:1-6
1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. …
Everyone has value in God’s eyes, independent of their ability to contribute to society. As disciples, we seek to serve everyone, regardless of they are in our social circle or our blood relative. Serving the most vulnerable in society is the kind of religious devotion God desires.
JAMES 1:27
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
ISAIAH 58:6-7
6 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Wherever Jesus went, he saw the needs of those around him and served them. Disciples of Jesus follow him into his work by serving those in need around us.
HOW WE SERVE
Specifically, how can we serve others? Simply by sharing with others what God has given to us.
The Bible consistently teaches that God blesses his people so that they can bless others. 7 Talents, abilities, opportunities, spiritual gifts, and financial resources are all given to us by God to be used to serve others around us. Let’s consider two: spiritual gifts and financial resources.
Spiritual Gifts
1 PETER 4:10-11
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The New Testament teaches that all disciples are empowered by the Holy Spirit in various ways to serve one another. 8 Some are gifted at giving encouragement; others are gifted at administration, teaching, leadership, helping, and so on. Whatever gifts God has given you, these are not meant to define your identity or individuality but rather to serve the common good.
Find a way to serve your church community. Volunteer at the Sunday gathering to help set up, assist in the kids' class, or serve in another area of need. Talk to a pastor or other disciples already serving to find out where you might help. You might not feel you have any special ways to serve or contribute, but God has given every disciple gifts, abilities, and passions to serve others. Start serving and see what areas and ways seem to help and bless others. This is a way to discover the particular gifts God has given you.
Financial Resources
Likewise, God has entrusted us with financial resources in order to steward them to serve others’ needs. When we see others in need around us, it does no good to simply wish them well.
JAMES 2:15-16
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
1 JOHN 3:16-18
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Sometimes, we may serve others by meeting their needs directly. Often disciples will pool their financial resources together to make a bigger, more focused impact. 9
Acts of Kindness
On any given day, we may encounter needs both big and small. It could be an elderly person who needs help carrying their grocery bags or a child who needs tutoring help. We might see a neighbor whose house needs repairs or a co-worker who needs someone to listen to them share a recent hardship. Whatever it is, Jesus wants to work in their life through us, his church. As his disciples, we are his hands and feet, his mouth and ears, and his heart of compassion and mercy in the world today.
What needs do you see around you? In your church community? Outside your church community?
What resources and gifts do you have to share with others?
Where will you start?
1 Psalm 96:10-13, 97:1-2, 145:1, 8-9, 13-19
2 Isaiah 9:7, 11:3-5, 32:1, 16-18
3 Revelation 21-22, 2 Peter 3:13
4 Step 10: Work
5 Acts 4:34
6 Zechariah 7:9-10
7 Psalm 67, Genesis 12
8 Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4
9 Acts 4:35