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Servanthood — Sacrificial Love and Honor

Bryan Schiele
04/20/25 - Sun Worship

"A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher." (Luke 6:40)

I want to be a more well-rounded disciple of Jesus, focused on Truth, Heart, Action, and Community. Continuing our “Cross Training” journey, let’s keep those dimensions in mind as we apply them to different aspects of Jesus, jumping back to dedication. Servanthood includes seeing with new eyes, humility, sacrificial love, and honor. So what does it look like to love someone enough to sacrifice for them?

Sacrificial Love (Action)

Love Others as God Loves You

There are so many ways to say, "I love you." In a popular film about a so-called "kissing book," a rugged "farm boy" and a beautiful girl fall in love. But whenever she bosses him around, he always responds with, "As you wish," when he really means, "I love you." Later, when she finds out he's still alive, the only way she knows it's truly him — the love of her life — is when he shouts, "As you wish" while tumbling down a hill. But these two phrases aren't as different as you might think.

What You Need to Know

The Princess Bride tells a sweet love story, but it's nothing compared to the Lord who loved us — his bride (Eph. 5:25-27) — when we seemed unlovable. "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom. 5:6). The Servant Songs of Isaiah (Isa. 42:1-9, 49:1-6, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12) tell of the obedient Servant who "carried our sorrows" (Isa. 53:4) though we were the straying sheep (Isa. 53:6).

It's easy to think of love as some warm and fuzzy feeling you have towards someone, but Christlike love is a commitment to everyone — friend and enemy alike (Matt. 5:43-48) — seen in each interaction with others (1 Cor. 13:4-8). It’s good to tell people we love them, but we also need to show them (1 John 3:18). Jesus didn't express love in empty platitudes but on a cross. Sacrifice is an undeniable "language of love," so whenever you doubt his love for you, go back to that supreme "I love you" (1 John 3:16). Then, resolve again to lay down your life by serving people around you (1 John 3:16).

What You Need to Do

Examine the motive behind your sacrifices. You can give away everything you own or even lay down your life for someone, but if you don't do it out of love, it gains nothing (1 Cor. 13:3). On the surface, your sacrifice might look noble or loving, but only you (and the Lord) know that for sure. Do you serve out of obligation, victimization, or a martyr complex? Or does it come from willing love, the decision to pursue another's wellbeing? Like a lamb before the shearers, practice silent submission to God rather than fighting for yourself (Isa. 53:7; 1 Peter 2:20-25).

Broaden the scope of your kindness beyond your friends and people who treat you well. "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? ... if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others?" (Matt. 5:46-47). Extend your welcoming warmth and friendship to neglected people around you (James 1:27).

Lean in to listen for ways to serve. Ideally, we'd all express our needs clearly, but sometimes it takes investigation to understand how to support each other. Listen for people's struggles. Pray with specificity and give with generosity (James 5:16).

How can you pour yourself out without going empty? It only works because God promises to fill us back up (Luke 6:27-38). We can give because God provides (Phil. 4:18-19). Do you believe his promise (2 Cor. 9:6-11)?

Through the Week

• Read — John 3:10-17; 1 Cor. 13:1-8; 1 John 3:11-24; Matt. 5:38-48; Rom. 5:6-11
• Reflect — Ask yourself, “What's it look like for me to lay down my life for others in my day-to-day choices?”
• Request — Pray, ”Lord, pour into me a love for others that reflects your love” (cf. Rom. 5:5; 1 John 4:19).
• Respond — Tell someone you love them today, not with words, but with your actions.
• Reach Out — Ask someone, “How do you balance your needs with sacrificing for others?”

Honor (Community)

Live With Respect for Everyone

With a family of educators, I constantly hear horror stories about the disrespectful ways our little ones talk. And sadly, it's not a surprise given how some adults speak to each other these days. Are honor, respect, and basic courtesy gone for good?

What You Need to Know

As servants of King Jesus, we lower ourselves before him, honoring his rule over us (Phil. 2:9-11). We follow his counter-cultural example, prioritizing God and others (Matt. 22:37-40). Rather than jockeying for position, we value others and act as the "slave of all" (Mark 10:44). In the friendliest of competitions, we "outdo one another in showing honor" (Rom. 12:10). While the world disrespects and disregards the poor and the marginalized, we're busy serving and honoring them as if they were our King (Matt. 25:37-40). As Jesus says, "as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me" (Matt. 25:40).

The Bible's command to honor people forces us to examine how we think about people and how we treat them. Who do you deem worthy of respect? Who do you value and hold in high regard? Not everyone's actions seem worthy of honor, so why does Scripture say to "honor everyone" (1 Peter 2:17)? We show everyone honor out of reverence for our Lord who died for them (Rom. 14:15; 1 Cor. 8:11). Each person's value comes from their "Maker" (Prov. 14:31). What gives you or me the right to dishonor "people who are made in the likeness of God" (James 3:9)? Every mature disciple can find guidance by returning to the golden rule we teach children — to do to others "whatever you wish that others would do to you" (Matt. 7:12). When I look down on others, I need to remember that it's "by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10).

Peter said to "honor the emperor" (1 Peter 2:17) even as he prepared Christians for persecution (1 Peter 3:15). Though we're citizens of a heavenly kingdom (Phil. 3:20), we're not rabble-rousers. We pay taxes (Mark 12:13-17), obey the government (1 Peter 2:13-17), give our best to our employers (1 Peter 2:18-25; Col. 3:23), and pray for leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

We should have been training for this our whole lives — in our homes! "Honor your father and mother ... that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land" (Eph. 6:2-3) isn't just something parents tell their kids. It's a directive from God! And as we learn to honor our parents, "Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?" (Heb. 12:9).

What You Need to Do

They say, "Familiarity breeds contempt," but be careful not to dismiss or discount someone just because you've known them for a while. Rather than being a hometown "hero," Jesus' message was largely ignored by his friends and family from Nazareth (Mark 6:4-6). Honoring everyone means honoring strangers as well as those closest to you.

Keep an eye on your heart for feelings of bitterness or anger toward others — especially those in leadership roles. You may think you can hide your distaste for someone, but eventually, it's going to come out and reveal your thoughts (Matt. 15:18). Ask God to help you see others the way he does.

We all have moments of weakness, so be ready to apologize if you catch yourself acting disrespectfully. Don't leave someone with a bad taste in their mouth because of something you said or did without thinking. Like Paul, when he unintentionally criticized the High Priest, we need to admit our mistake and move on (Acts 23:1-5).

Through the Week

• Read — Luke 4:16-30; Rom. 12:9-13; 1 Peter 2:13-3:7; Eph. 6:1-4; 1 Cor. 12:12-26
• Reflect — Ask yourself, “Is my respect reserved only for those I view as "worthy”?”
• Request — Pray, “Lord, help me honor everyone made in your image” (cf. Prov. 14:31; Gen. 1:26).
• Respond — Find a way to honor your parents today.
• Reach Out — Ask someone, “When does showing honor come easy? When is it a challenge?”