Making the Father Known – Self-Sacrifice

“What do you think of Americans?” I asked this question to a group of South African’s we were having dinner with. One of them responded, “serving!” She went on to explain how many US teams want to help our country and “work really hard!” Honestly, I was a little worried when I asked the question but was blessed by this answer. This individual just witnessed a bunch of incredible servants from Western Michigan pour their hearts and soul into several work projects at Oceans Retreat Center.

Last week we looked at how Jesus lived totally dependent on the Father which highlighted the Glory of His Abba. Another way Jesus made His Father known was living sacrificially. You simply cannot read the Gospels without being overwhelmed by the heart for service displayed by Jesus. From healing the sick, feeding the multitudes, listening to the lonely, washing the grimy feet of clueless disciples and placing His perfect life on a painful cross to provide a way for sinners to enter the Father’s forever loving presence.

Jesus lived the servant leadership manual for us to follow and stated boldly:

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Therefore if you and I have received the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice and He lives in us and our new spiritual DNA is wired to serve. I guarantee that the more you “deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow” the leadership model of Jesus and serve others-you will experience an abundant life (see Luke 9:23-27). When you live out of the Spirit of Christ in you and love others by serving them you point others to the gift of the Father, which is Jesus!

Everyday I wake up at a miracle called Oceans Retreat Center. The miracle was birthed out of tons of people who made sacrifices of time, money, prayer, and hard work. This campus is a standing stone to the glory of God the Father who filled His children up with the servant love of Jesus Christ. A love received in order to be released on a world that will only be transformed by Jesus’ followers who walk in His steps.

If Jesus is in you-He is waiting for you to display His love in tangible ways. I challenge you to find someone today that you can serve for the glory of your Father in Heaven!