Honor God
Help People
HOW TO SERVE
April 13, 2026For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
1. FOLLOW THE PATTERN JESUS SET. There is value and power in serving. Don’t underestimate a simple act of obedience in serving and sharing. Jesus told His disciples that worldly leadership dominates and controls, but “it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 20:25-26). And what is serving? Serving is preferring the other person, thinking less about yourself and more about them.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
2. SHOW HONOR TO OTHERS. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor” (Romans 12:10). These verses kill self-centeredness and fuel selflessness. The Greek translation expounds on Romans 12:10, “outdo one another in showing honor.” I’ve been selfish, and when you walk in that, it’s not even satisfying – it’s gross and won’t fill your tank. But “the generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25 NLT).
THE KING OF KINGS MODELED HUMILITY, SELFLESSNESS, AND SACRIFICE. JESUS SAID, “LIFT UP YOUR EYES AND LOOK ON THE FIELDS, THAT THEY ARE WHITE FOR HARVEST” (JOHN 4:35B), CALLING US TO LOOK PAST OUR OWN CREATURE COMFORTS AND SPECIFIC NEEDS TO HOW MUCH THE WORLD NEEDS SALVATION.
3. BE AN ENCOURAGER. We are called to encourage people daily (Hebrews 3:13). People are attached to your obedience. As you go through your day, sow encouragement, share the gospel – at work, when talking to a clerk at a store, while in a restaurant – and if there’s no open door, pray that God will send a laborer to cross their path (Colossians 4:3; Matthew 9:38). Some of us sow and some reap, but we all will rejoice together (John 4:36).
CONCLUSION: A SERVING LIFE IS AN ABUNDANT LIFE. There is so much selfishness in the world, but we’re called by God to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). That doesn’t mean that we just have to stop the celebration for our whole lives. God is not a party pooper. He wants us to bring the Kingdom definition of party – that Jesus came to give abundant life (John 10:10). Service submitted to God doesn’t ruin our lives. It helps our lives, and it most models who Jesus is. The greatest joy in life, I’m telling you, is alleviating the suffering of somebody else. I believe that God puts abundance in our lives so that it can pour out to a lost and dying generation.
DEFINITION: serve, verb
To be of assistance to or promote the interests of; aid. To give homage and obedience to the Lord.
PRAY THIS OUT LOUD:
Here am I, Lord. Prompt me to cross paths with the people You want me to reach. Help me to cooperate with heaven’s plan and yield to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Help me to walk in a manner worthy of You (Ephesians 4:1). I am Your workmanship. You have created me for good works (Ephesians 2:10). And I’m believing for great opportunities – and the wherewithal to actually walk in them. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Copyright © 2026 St. Louis Family Church, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
“Standard, N.” Merriam-Webster.comDictionary, Merriam-Webster, 2025, https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=standard.
