Serve Others
4 ways to serve others and live sacrificially.
How do we keep a sacrificial spirit?
Serve one another.
“The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God. Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:7-11 NASB2020
Serve others through a sound mind and calm presence
In a world who follows every passions, those who express self-control are odd. And yet those who live out of control look at those who are in control with admiration.
Peter even connects our prayer life to our self-control. The more our passion is for his will, the more control we will have, the more we pray, the more we see God move in us, the more we serve others.
Serve others by agape-ing them fervently
Love is sacrifice. This is what agape love is. The apex of agape love is Jesus on the cross. With him living inside of us, agape love in growing measure is how we will live.
To the point this love covers a multitude of sins. Meaning we won’t be offended as often. Or not at all. Even when we have every right to be offended.
To a work screaming at each other through social media and political campaigns, love that isn’t offended at the offensive is oddly beautiful.
Serve others by showing hospitality without grumbling
To welcome others, including and especially, those who are not like you is odd. Not grumbling about it is even more odd!
Serve others through your God-given gift
Don’t hide what God gives to you. Let him use you by serving others with your gift. The purpose isn’t to gain attention. His purpose is to make himself visible through you.
We want to be special. The Avengers are popular because something in our hearts sing when we watch someone else step into the giftedness given to them.
We have the tendency to not step into our gifting because it is what makes us uniquely special.
You are a leader. A minister in God’s Kingdom for the benefit of others. Lean into the sacrifice by leaning into serving others in these ways.
You have a generation of peers waiting for your example so they can step out and live out a greater purpose too.
It will require your life. But a life given over to God so he can make himself visible through a live lived in service and sacrifice.