SERVE GOD WHEN YOU CAN

We will be discussing the importance of serving God and others through love. Our focus will be on understanding how love is the greatest commandment, how it informs our service to both God and our neighbors, and the blessings that come from such service. Let’s open our hearts and minds to what God wants to teach us today! I. *Love as the Greatest Commandment* To understand the foundation of our service, we must first grasp the meaning of love as the greatest commandment. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus declares:*“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”*These verses encapsulate the essence of our faith. Loving God and loving others are inseparable. Our capacity to serve effectively stems from our love for God, which then extends to our fellow man. *II. Love and Service to God and Man* Serving God is naturally born out of our love for Him. When we serve others, we are displaying Christ’s love. In 1 John 4:19, we are reminded:*“We love because he first loved us.”*Our service to God manifests through our actions towards others. Galatians 5:13 emphasizes this:*“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”*When we serve one another, we fulfill Christ’s command and embody His teachings. Our acts of service are not just duties; they are expressions of our love and gratitude for God’s eternal love for us. *III. The Most Important Expectation from God:* Love ServiceGod expects us to express our love through service. In Micah 6:8, we read:*“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”*This encapsulates God’s expectation from us. He desires us to act justly, show kindness, and maintain a humble spirit. Our love for Him is evidenced by our acts of service toward others. This is not just a suggestion; it’s an essential guideline for how we are to live our lives. *IV. How to Love and Serve God and Neighbors Together* 1. **Prayer and Worship:** Begin with a sincere relationship with God. Matthew 6:33 states: *“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”* Make daily time for prayer and worship, allowing His love to fill your heart.2. **Acts of Kindness:** Look for opportunities to serve others. Help a neighbor, volunteer at a shelter, or participate in church outreach programs. In Colossians 3:23-24, we are reminded: *“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”*3. **Community Involvement:** Engage with your church and community. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us: *“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…”* Join group activities, coordinate charitable events, and support one another.4. **Being Present:** Sometimes, just being there for others is an act of love. Romans 12:15 says: *“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”* Share in others’ joys and sorrows, showing compassion and empathy. *V. Benefits of Good Deeds* Serving others brings numerous benefits, both now and in eternity:1. **Joy and Fulfillment:** Acts 20:35 reminds us: *“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”* Serving others brings joy and fulfillment, nurturing our spirit.2. **Stronger Relationships:** Service fosters connection and unity. Ephesians 4:16 states: *“From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped… makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”*3. **Spiritual Growth:** Serving leads to spiritual transformation. James 2:17 emphasizes: *“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”* Active service strengthens our faith and trust in God.4. **Eternal Rewards:** In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says: *“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”* Our acts of love and service are acknowledged and rewarded in heaven. *Conclusion:* In conclusion, serving God and our neighbors through love is not merely a duty; it is a way of life that reflects our faith in action. Let us strive to live out the greatest commandment by loving God wholeheartedly and extending that love to everyone around us.Let’s encourage one another to continue in good deeds, remembering the eternal impact they have. May we be known as a community that serves with love, compassion, and humility.**Closing Prayer:**Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of love and the opportunity to serve. Help us to grow in our love for You and for others. Guide us in our actions so that we may reflect Your heart in all we do. May our lives be a testament to Your grace and love. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.