Proclaim the Gospel by Serving

As Christians, we're called to make disciples.  Jesus shows us what this looks like: he proclaimed the good news in both word and deed.  These two aspects of Jesus' ministry are presented side-by-side in Matthew 10:7-8:

And proclaim as you go, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand."  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.  You received without paying; give without pay.

Words and actions go together.

One of the best ways to proclaim the gospel in deed is through serving others in practical ways.  How can you serve those around you today?  How can you serve your spouse, your classmate, your roommate, your friend, your teacher in a very real way today?

Here are 4 ways to help you serve well:

1. Be observant.  If you want to serve well, you must observe well.  Look for real needs before you.  How can you help meet those needs?
2. What makes you think, "I sure wouldn't want to do that!"  Do you think this when you see dishes in the sink or when you're watching your sibling clean his room?  How you answer this question may reveal great ways for you to serve someone!
3. Look to Jesus as our model.  Look at the ways Jesus served those around him.  He washed the feet of his disciples (John 13).  He stooped down and inconvenienced himself to meet a real need.
4. Look to Jesus as our motivation.   Be amazed at the ways Jesus has served his people.  "Though he was in the form of God he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6-8).  When you see Jesus serving you even to the point of death, you'll be willing to serve others in radical ways.

Through our proclamation of the gospel in word and deed, Jesus will receive the fame and honor that he is due (Philippians 2:9-10).  Point others to Jesus today.