Part 6: Serving with Compassion – Faith Expressed in Love
Faith in Motion: Living What We Believe • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Series Title: "Faith in Motion: Living What We Believe"
Series Title: "Faith in Motion: Living What We Believe"
Part 6: Serving with Compassion – Faith Expressed in Love
Part 6: Serving with Compassion – Faith Expressed in Love
Key Scripture: Matthew 25:35-40 – "As you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me."
Introduction: Faith That Serves
Introduction: Faith That Serves
Faith is not just about belief—it is about action. A truly transformed life in Christ is marked by serving others with compassion. Jesus made it clear that serving "the least of these" is the same as serving Him.
This lesson will explore:
How Jesus modeled serving with compassion
Why serving is an essential part of faith
How serving impacts the world and the church
Practical ways to serve with love
I. Historical and Biblical Context
I. Historical and Biblical Context
Authorship & Date: The Gospel of Matthew was written by the Apostle Matthew (Levi) around A.D. 60-65.
Audience: Primarily Jewish Christians, emphasizing Jesus as the Messianic King.
Purpose: To teach that true righteousness is not just in words but in deeds—particularly in serving others.
Background of Matthew 25:35-40
Background of Matthew 25:35-40
Jesus is teaching about the Final Judgment, separating the sheep (righteous) from the goats (unrighteous).
The sheep are commended for acts of compassion—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned.
This passage shows that serving others is evidence of genuine faith.
II. Passage Analysis – Breaking Down Matthew 25:35-40
II. Passage Analysis – Breaking Down Matthew 25:35-40
📖 Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV) – "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."
🔍 Key Greek Word:
Diakoneo (διακονέω) – "Serve, Minister"
Means to actively assist, attend to needs, or provide care.
Used in Mark 10:45 – "The Son of Man came not to be served (diakoneo), but to serve."
Analysis:
Serving practically meets physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
James 2:15-17 – "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?"
True faith moves us to action, not just words.
💡 Application:
Are there practical needs you can meet in your community?
How does your faith move you to serve others selflessly?
2. Serving as an Act of Worship (Matthew 25:37-40)
2. Serving as an Act of Worship (Matthew 25:37-40)
📖 Matthew 25:40 (ESV) – "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."
🔍 Key Greek Word:
Elachistos (ἐλάχιστος) – "Least, Smallest"
Refers to those who are weak, overlooked, or insignificant in the world's eyes.
Used in Luke 9:48 – "Whoever is least (elachistos) among you is the greatest."
Analysis:
Serving others is serving Jesus Himself.
Galatians 5:13 – "Through love, serve one another."
Compassionate service brings God glory and reflects His heart.
💡 Application:
Do you see Jesus in the people you serve?
How can you serve someone in need this week?
3. Jesus: The Ultimate Servant (John 13:12-17)
3. Jesus: The Ultimate Servant (John 13:12-17)
📖 John 13:14 (ESV) – "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet."
🔍 Key Greek Word:
Hupotasso (ὑποτάσσω) – "Submit, Yield"
Means to humble oneself in service to another.
Used in Philippians 2:5-7 – "Christ Jesus... emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant."
Analysis:
Jesus did not just teach service—He lived it.
Foot washing was a task for the lowest servants, yet Jesus did it willingly.
Mark 10:45 – "The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
💡 Application:
What areas of pride keep you from serving others?
How can you humbly serve like Jesus did?
4. Practical Ways to Serve with Compassion
4. Practical Ways to Serve with Compassion
📖 1 John 3:18 (ESV) – "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Serve the Poor & Hungry (Proverbs 19:17)
Donate food, support shelters, volunteer at soup kitchens.
Example: Jesus fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21).
Visit the Sick & Lonely (James 1:27)
Hospital visits, elderly care, prison ministry.
Example: Jesus healed the sick and comforted the brokenhearted.
Be Generous with Your Time & Resources (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
Support single parents, foster care, orphans.
Example: The early church shared everything (Acts 2:44-45).
Use Your Talents for God’s Glory (Colossians 3:23-24)
Music, teaching, mentoring, hospitality, counseling.
Example: Dorcas helped others through sewing (Acts 9:36-39).
💡 Application:
Choose one way to serve others this week.
Ask: Who in my life needs an act of love today?
III. Faith in Action – Practical Application
III. Faith in Action – Practical Application
Serving is an Act of Love (John 15:12-13)
Jesus commands us to love through action.
Serving Demonstrates Our Faith (James 2:26)
Faith without works is dead—service proves our faith is alive.
Serving Draws Others to Christ (Matthew 5:16)
People see Jesus through our love and generosity.
IV. Study Questions for Reflection
IV. Study Questions for Reflection
How does serving others demonstrate faith in action?
Why is serving considered worship to God?
What are barriers that keep you from serving more?
What practical step will you take to serve this week?
V. Sermon Outline: "Serving with Compassion"
V. Sermon Outline: "Serving with Compassion"
1. Serving is a Mark of True Faith (Matthew 25:35-40, James 2:15-17)
1. Serving is a Mark of True Faith (Matthew 25:35-40, James 2:15-17)
Faith that does not serve is empty faith.
2. Serving is Serving Christ (Matthew 25:40, Galatians 5:13)
2. Serving is Serving Christ (Matthew 25:40, Galatians 5:13)
When we serve others, we serve Jesus Himself.
3. Jesus Modeled True Servanthood (John 13:12-17, Mark 10:45)
3. Jesus Modeled True Servanthood (John 13:12-17, Mark 10:45)
We are never too important to serve.
4. Serving Brings Light to the World (Matthew 5:16, 1 John 3:18)
4. Serving Brings Light to the World (Matthew 5:16, 1 John 3:18)
Compassionate service points people to Christ.
