Last week, we learned that God’s love for us should overflow into our love for Him and others. In view of all God has done for us, we are called to offer our lives as an act of worship. Today, we’ll see how that love moves from our hearts to our hands and feet as we use the gifts God has given us to serve others and do good works. The love of God overflows into serving and good works!
Romans 12:1 NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
1 Peter 4:10-11 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Romans 12:3-8 NIV
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
The Last time I checked, it takes a body to serve and do good works. It also takes the right heart…
THE HEART OF SERVING: HUMILITY
Romans 12:3
Jesus demonstrated the humility of a servant.
In John 13:1-17, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. John 13:14-15 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
The King of Kings knelt down and washed dirty feet. Jesus knew His identity and authority but willingly humbled Himself.
Greatness in God’s Kingdom is expressed through serving. Remember the words of Jesus himself: Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
A servant’s heart comes from following and becoming more like Jesus. As followers of Christ, serving isn’t merely something we do; it’s part of who we are. Paul understood this when he identified himself as a servant of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1).
What’s interesting is that serving develops humility
Serving requires looking at the needs of others and giving your heart, gifts, and energy to help. It's an act of selfless service and love for others. As we serve, we become more like Jesus; we become humble servants.
Paul’s instruction to think of ourselves with sober judgment is not about having a low opinion of ourselves. It means having an accurate understanding of ourselves in light of God’s grace.
Humility doesn’t mean denying the gifts God has given us; it means recognizing that those gifts came from Him and are intended to serve others.
Humble servants recognize the gifts in others and encourage them to use them, too…
THE DESIGN OF SERVING: THE BODY OF CHRIST
Romans 12:4–5
God placed us in a body, a church, that helps each other to grow.
God designed His church as one body with many parts. We belong to Christ and to one another. Every member has a unique function, and no member is insignificant or unnecessary. Each of us contributes to the health and growth of the church.
Ministry isn’t the responsibility of pastors and staff alone.
Church leadership are more than positions or titles but are gifts that are responsible to equip the church to build up one another: Ephesians 4:11-13 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Ephesians 4:16b As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
When every part of the body does its part, the whole body becomes stronger.
Serving connects us to something greater than ourselves.
We aren’t simply recipients of ministry; we’re participants in ministry. Serving moves us from consumers to contributors as we participate in something greater than ourselves…God’s mission through His church.
Serving builds up the body of Christ, which ultimately multiplies the church
When we serve one another with our heart, gifts, and energy we are cooperating with what Christ is already doing. This is why we feel so much joy and feel part of something bigger that matters.
THE PRACTICE OF SERVING: USING OUR GIFTS
Romans 12:6–8
God graciously equips each of us with different gifts to serve others and strengthen His church.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT
Our gifts aren’t earned; they are given. Our gifts are entrusted to us by God’s grace and distributed by the Holy Spirit.
God gives different gifts for different purposes. Our differences are part of God’s design. We shouldn’t compare our gifts or consider some more important than others. Every gift has value when used to serve others. Reminder: while the church body has gifts, we are to be humble servants as we use them.
The New Testament records several key examples of individuals and groups using their unique practical and spiritual gifts to serve others and build up the early church:
Dorcas (Tabitha): Used her practical skill in sewing and craftsmanship to make tunics and clothing for widows and the poor in Joppa (Acts 9:36–39).
Barnabas: Used his gift of encouragement and material generosity by selling his field and bringing the money to the apostles to support the needy in the church (Acts 4:36–37).
Lydia: Used her gift of hospitality (and business means) to open her home to the Apostle Paul, Silas, and their traveling companions in Philippi (Acts 16:14–15).
Priscilla and Aquila: Used their gifts of teaching, leadership, and discipleship to mentor and equip Apollos more thoroughly in the faith (Acts 18:24–26).
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus: Used their social standing and material wealth to provide a proper burial tomb and costly spices for Jesus (John 19:38–40).
Peter and John: Used their healing and apostolic gifts to help a lame man at the temple gate, opening the door to preach to the crowd (Acts 3:1–10).
God expects us to use what He has given us.
Romans 12:6 (ESV) “Let us use them.”
Spiritual gifts aren’t merely given to be discovered; they’re given to be used. We don’t have to know our exact spiritual gift before we begin serving. Faithfulness begins with recognizing a need and meeting it.
The best place to discover our gifts is in Biblical community together. This can mean serving on a team, serving an outreach, evangelism, small groups, discipling one-on-one, or serving mid-week programs and Sunday mornings.
THE OVERFLOW OF SERVING IS GOOD WORKS
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Titus 2:14 NLT He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
God didn’t just save us from something; He saved us for something.
Consider the flashlight or candle. What does it do? Why? Because it has been designed to do so. You're no different.
A heart for serving and good works is not an attachment or external component that is installed later.
As believers, it's just part of who you are; it's part of your new identity, and it’s by design!
Serving and good works are an expression of Christ’s love through us, both within the church and beyond its walls.
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Jesus didn’t say to let our light shine only among other believers. He said to let it shine in the world so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
Our humble service and good works should point people toward God, not ourselves. When we serve others, we make God’s goodness known.
CLOSING
Does God only have your ears and your eyes? Does God have your heart? If He does, then he should have your hands and feet. Love the Lord your God with all your heart leads to all your strength! Not just hearers but doers of the Word. Not just faith, but works!
Story: The Usher No One Knows
S.H.A.P.E. Assessment Link - https://calvarydover17.servewireapp.com/survey/?swtest=shape_1
Spiritual Gifts Assessment - https://calvarydover17.servewireapp.com/survey/?swtest=spiritual-gifts-assessment-only_2
Salvation Prayer
Jesus, I know that I am a sinner in need of Your grace. Today I confess You as my Lord and put my trust in You alone. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again. Thank you for forgiving me and making me new. Lead me as I follow You from this day forward.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discussion
Do you think it's easier to receive help or to offer help? Why?
Jesus was the King of Kings, yet He humbled Himself to wash His disciples' feet. What does this teach us about what true greatness looks like?
Paul compares the church to a body with many different parts. Why is it important that everyone has a different role?
Why is it sometimes tempting to compare our gifts with someone else's?
How can comparison keep us from using what God has given us?
Pastor Ryan gave the following Practical Response in three steps:
Recognize what God has given you. What gifts, abilities, resources, or opportunities has God entrusted to you?
Find a place to serve. Where can you begin contributing to the health and mission of the church?
Look for opportunities to do good. Who can you serve this week in your home, workplace, or community?
How can we pray together for you today?
If Jesus isn’t the shepherd of your soul, the Savior and Lord of your life, are you ready to make that decision today?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life, we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and, when you’re ready, say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways, and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!