Sermon – Love Language For Church – Acts of Service

  • Last week, we took a spiritual check-up to see how healthy our spiritual lives are; and I gave you the love language test to take home.  If you have taken the love language test, be it last week or some other time, do you know what your love language is?

  • To refresh your memory, the five love languages are: Acts of Service – Words of Affirmation – Gift Giving – Physical Touch – Quality Time.  Generally, when someone expresses their love with a particular language, they also like to receive love in the same manner.

  • This morning, and for the next month, we will look at God expresses His love; and then discuss how He expects us to reciprocate that love using the same language.

God Loves & Is Love

  • John 3:16 (NLT) … For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

  • 1st John 4:8 (NLT) … But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

  • God has given us the Bible; and it contains the pure and clear revelation of what love really is; where love comes from; and what God’s love languages include, which are not limited to, Acts of Service (His Works) – Words of Affirmation (His words/promises) – Gifts (His Grace) – His Touch – Quality Time (His Presence).

  • Jesus’ whole life and ministry were dedicated to service.  He had more instances of acts of service than sermons.  He never hesitated to reach out to the real needs of the people he encountered.  Acting in compassionate service allowed him to effortlessly introduce people to a life without sin and the joys of salvation.

  • Matthew 20:28 (NLT) … 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.

  • Jesus served through his works; and the psalmist wrote in 77:11 (NLT) … But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.

  • Remembering all that He has done, focusing on all that He is doing, and looking forward to all that He will do should give us joy and hope. 

  • What are some things God has done in the past, to show us His love?

  • What are some things God is doing right now, to show us His love?

  • What are some things God will do in the future, to show us His love?
  • Hebrews 6:10 (NLT) … God is not unjust.  He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.

  • Galatians 5:13 (NLT) … For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.  But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.  Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

  • Matthew 23:11 (NLT) … The greatest among you must be a servant.

  • In order to reciprocate love through service; we are to serve others individually, and as the church; along with serving the church.  So, how are we to serve?  We don’t have to go crazy in figuring this out – we just have to not forget the basics; and act upon them.

  • Be here – be there – be available (to meet needs)
    • It is hard to serve the church, if we are not here.
    • It is hard to serve outside the church, if we are not where the need is.
    • We need to be willing to serve when we know of needs, especially if asked.

  • Use your spiritual gifts … We all have at least one (1st Corinthians 12:7); and they have been given to us from God’s great wealth (1st Peter 4:10).
  • Use your talents / time / treasures
    • We each have ways of serving; perhaps unique to others.
    • We are all different – and that is OK (Romans 12:4; and also 1st Corinthians 12).
    • Some of us can serve more or longer than others.
    • The key is to serve; and not ignore our responsibilities.

  • Fulfill The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) … WE are to go, make disciples everywhere, baptize them, and teach them to obey Jesus’ commands.

  • Don’t Forget The Least of These (Matthew 25:35-40) … In that passage, the righteous ones did not actually serve Jesus, but someone in need – most likely someone that could not return the favor.  They fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, invited those with no place to go into their homes, cared for the sick, and visited those in prison.

  • Matthew 7:21-23 (True Disciples) & Matthew 25:14-30 (Talents) … We are going to hear one of two things at the end … either “Well done, my good and faithful servant” … or … “depart from me, I never knew you, (you who breaks God’s laws)” …

  • Are we going to be good and faithful servants that are welcomed into Heaven; or lazy, wicked, and unrepentant people that are cast into darkness, with weeping and gnashing?

  • True servants are rewarded – those who actually do the will of the Father – not just those who claim to be believers or look the part – but those who actually serve.