Serving Others Serves Us | Northstar Church

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” – Matthew 25: 35-40.

Albert Schweitzer once said, “The only really happy people are those who have learned how to serve.” He also said, “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.”

When we look around, we see a world full of needs and there is only so much we can do. It would seem more practical and even more logical to have everyone take care of themselves first. That eliminates the concerns of who best to serve and how best to serve them. There is one problem with that idea. God wants us to serve others.

In fact, serving others accomplishes just about everything God wants in us. In Matthew 20:28, Jesus tells his disciples that, “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.” Because Jesus gave Himself up as the ultimate sacrifice for us, we are also called to serve others.

At Northstar, we believe that the Church does not exist for us. We are the Church and we exist for the world. We have the responsibility and the opportunity to show the love of Christ by serving other people. In other words, saved people serve people so that served people can become saved.

Northstar is not built on the gifts and talents of a few, but on the sacrifice of many. It’s one of the reasons that I love my church – because Saved People Serve People. And it’s never about excluding people, but about including people. Helping people find their fit – what makes them unique – and then fitting them in and helping them find a place of service is one of our top priorities.

I encourage you to serve if you haven’t yet. Ask yourself what it is that you do well. Or what is it you like to do? “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:10-11.

The point is we need you. We want you to be a part of God’s body in the way He designed you. You’re here because of Him, and we know He put you here for a reason. Let’s find out together what best suits your passion, personality, and availability.

Discussion Questions:

Your devotion to God is illustrated, demonstrated, and authenticated by serving others. Agree or disagree?
What is your definition of servanthood?
What hurdles do you have serving others?
What must you do, beginning today, to acquire an authentic heart of a servant?