Serving One Another
William MacDonald's sermon emphasizes the importance of serving one another through love and selflessness, illustrated by powerful real-life examples.
William MacDonald emphasizes the profound impact of serving one another through love, illustrating this principle with powerful examples of selfless acts. He recounts the story of a Gospel singer who cared for a dying friend, a Bible instructor who humbly cleaned the men's room, and a basketball player who prioritized service over personal gain. Each example highlights that true greatness lies in love-driven service, contrasting the self-serving nature prevalent in society. MacDonald encourages believers to embrace opportunities for sacrificial service, reflecting Christ's love in their actions.
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Â"Â...by love serve one another.Â" (Gal. 5:13)
Someone has said, Â"Self thinks itself great and is served. Love serves and is great.Â"
A popular Gospel singer witnessed to the man sitting next to him in a restaurant and had the joy of leading him to Christ. In the weeks that followed, he discipled this new convert. Then Fred, the new believer, was stricken with inoperable cancer and was taken to a convalescent hospital where, unfortunately, care was below standard. The Gospel singer, a radio celebrity, visited faithfully, changed the bed, bathed and fed his Â"TimothyÂ", and did many other things that the staff should have been doing. On the night Fred died, this well-known singer was holding him in his arms, whispering comforting verses of Scripture into his ear. Â"Â...by love serve one another.Â"
A senior instructor at a Bible School often found the menÂ's room awash after the morning rush. He would patiently clean the fixtures, then get down and wipe the floor dry. Not all his best teaching was done in the classroom. The students were humbled and inspired by the example of their respected teacher cleaning up after them. Â"Â...by love serve one another.Â"
In that same Bible School, a member of the basketball team had the heart of a true servant. After a game, when all the players would rush down to be first in the showers, he would stay in the gym and see that it was set in order for the next day. He Â"found in the selfishness of others an opportunity to identify himself afresh with the Lord as the servant of all.Â" Â"Â...by love serve one another.Â"
A Christian mother from rural Turkey was taken to London to donate a kidney for her ailing son. She assumed that to give a kidney would cost her life. When the English doctor asked if she was sure she was willing to give a kidney to her son, she replied, Â"I am willing to give two kidneys.Â" Â"Â...by love serve one another.Â"
In a world dominated largely by self-interest, the pathway of selfless, sacrificial service is not overcrowded. Opportunities beckon throughout every day for innovative acts of servanthood.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to serving one another
- The biblical basis for service
- Examples of service in everyday life
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II
- The importance of love in service
- Selflessness versus selfishness
- Transformative power of serving others
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III
- Real-life testimonies of servanthood
- Impact on the served and the server
- Encouragement to seek opportunities for service
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IV
- Challenges in serving
- Overcoming obstacles to serve
- The rewards of serving others
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V
- Conclusion and call to action
- Living out the command to serve
- Final thoughts on love and service
Key Quotes
“Self thinks itself great and is served. Love serves and is great.” — William MacDonald
“In a world dominated largely by self-interest, the pathway of selfless, sacrificial service is not overcrowded.” — William MacDonald
“By love serve one another.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Look for small ways to serve those around you daily.
- Reflect on your motivations for serving and ensure they are rooted in love.
- Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone to help others in need.