Great News! The Greatest Service
Pastor Anthony Prince
September 8, 2024
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Introduction
Personal Anecdote: Medical Sensitivity
Shares lighthearted story about feeling woozy at the hospital during the birth of his second child.
Transition to the main message by discussing personal weaknesses and relating it to moments of service.
Blood Platelet Donation Story
Anthony’s Experience Donating Platelets
Relates the story of donating platelets at City of Hope, a local cancer research hospital.
Explains the role of platelets in healing and how cancer patients need them due to their weakened state from treatment.
Key Takeaway
Reflection on how we all have something within us (gifts, talents, resources) that others need.
Importance of sharing what comes naturally to us with those in need.
Scripture Focus: Matthew 23:1-12
Context of the Passage
Jesus addresses the crowd and his disciples, acknowledging the teachers of the law and Pharisees.
Warns against the hypocrisy of religious leaders who say one thing but do another.
Key Verses Highlighted
Matthew 23:3: "Do everything they tell you, but do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."
Matthew 23:11-12: "The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
Pharisees’ Hypocrisy
They love the place of honor but refuse to help others with their burdens.
Their focus is on outward appearances and status rather than true service.
Key Teaching: The Greatest Among You Will Be Your Servant
Jesus' Call to Humility and Service
True greatness in the Kingdom of God comes through serving others, not through seeking titles or positions of honor.
The Pharisees’ behavior contrasts with Jesus’ teaching, which emphasizes humility and action over knowledge.
Practical Application: Blending Knowledge and Action
It's not enough to simply know what is right; we must live it out through service.
Serving others is what elevates a person in God's eyes.
Three Key Steps to Serving Others
1. Identify Your Gift or Abundance
Everyone has something that comes naturally to them—whether it’s a skill, a resource, or a trait like patience or joy.
Reflect on what you have in abundance that can be shared with others.
Question: "What has God gifted me with that others might need?"
2. How Can You Use Your Gift to Serve?
Think about practical ways to use your gifts to serve others.
Examples: mowing a lawn, washing a car, offering a kind word.
Question: "How can I use my gifts to bless and serve others?"
3. Who Will You Serve This Week?
Challenge yourself to put action behind your thoughts.
Choose a person or group to serve in the coming week, whether family, friends, or someone in need.
Question: "Who is someone I can serve with my gift this week?"
Call to Action
Jesus' Command to Serve
Jesus calls us to live a life of servanthood, where knowledge is coupled with action.
Serving others brings blessings not only to those we help but also deepens our understanding of God’s purpose for our lives.
Transformation through Service
Imagine how the church and the world would change if everyone embraced a life of service.
Even those already serving can look for new ways to deepen their acts of service.
Conclusion
Final Reflection
Challenge the congregation to take the next step in serving others.
Consider the ripple effect of individual acts of service on the church and the broader community.
Closing Prayer
Ask God to reveal where we have abundance, guide us in using our gifts to serve, and place someone in our lives to bless this week.
Encouragement
Pastor Anthony cheers on the congregation, reminding them that serving is an ongoing journey and that there is always room to grow.
Next Steps & Closing Remarks
Invitation to Get Involved
Encouragement to reach out to the church for opportunities to serve and to share the message with others.
Practical ways to get involved in church life, even for online attendees.
Final Blessing
Thank the congregation for tuning in and encourage them to take what they’ve learned into the week ahead.
Biblical References
Matthew 23:1-12 – Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and religious leaders for their hypocrisy:
"The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Matthew 23:11-12)
Jesus teaches that true greatness comes through serving others and humility.
Matthew 23:3 – “So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.”
Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of religious leaders who teach the law but do not live by it.
Matthew 23:5 – “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long.”
Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for doing good deeds for show rather than out of genuine faith.
Matthew 23:8-9 – “But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.”
Jesus emphasizes equality among believers, with no one elevating themselves above others.
Matthew 23:11-12 – “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
A central teaching on servanthood and humility as the path to greatness in God's kingdom.
These verses highlight the importance of humility, servanthood, and living out one's faith with sincerity, not for outward recognition.
Reflection Questions
What natural gifts or abilities do you have that come easily to you, and how could these be used to serve others?
Reflect on what you have in abundance that could be of benefit to those around you.
How do you feel about the concept of servanthood as the path to greatness in God’s kingdom?
Consider how Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 23:11-12 challenges common ideas of success and greatness.
Is there a person or group in your life who might benefit from your help or support this week?
Think of practical ways you can offer your time, resources, or skills to bless someone.
Are there areas in your life where you might have been more focused on knowledge rather than action?
Jesus emphasized the importance of both knowing and doing. Reflect on how you can put your faith into practice.
What steps can you take this week to move from understanding servanthood to actively living it out in your daily life?
Consider specific actions you can take to serve others and live out Jesus' call to humility and service.
Daily Activities
Monday: Identify Your Gifts
Activity: Spend 10-15 minutes in quiet reflection, journaling the talents, traits, and resources you believe come naturally to you. Think about how these could serve others.
Application: Ask yourself, "What has God gifted me with that could benefit others?" Write down a list of at least three things.
Tuesday: Serve Through Encouragement
Activity: Reach out to someone in your life who may need encouragement (a friend, family member, or colleague). Send them a message of support or make a phone call to offer kind words.
Application: Use your gift of empathy, encouragement, or joy to brighten someone’s day.
Wednesday: Practical Service
Activity: Perform a small act of service for someone, such as helping a neighbor with yard work, running an errand, or offering to babysit for a friend.
Application: Reflect on how this simple act reflects Jesus' call to serve. Ask yourself, "How did this act of service benefit the person I helped, and how did it impact me?"
Thursday: Volunteer Your Time
Activity: Research a local charity or church outreach program where you can volunteer your time, whether in person or virtually. Schedule a time to participate.
Application: Put your gifts and resources into action, knowing that even small contributions can have a large impact on the lives of others.
Friday: Reflection and Prayer
Activity: Reflect on the week’s experiences of serving others. Spend time in prayer, thanking God for the opportunities to serve and asking for continued guidance in how to use your gifts.
Application: Consider what you’ve learned about humility, servanthood, and how God has called you to continue serving others in the future.
