He Wants You

“ ⁸ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” —James 4:8

(1.) Jesus set the example: He came not to be served; but to serve!

“ ²⁴ A dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶ But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.’” —Luke 22:24-27

“ ¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes, and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ¹³ ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.’” —John 13:12-17

“ ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord…” —John 10:17-18

“ ⁴⁵ 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

(2.) As we draw near to God, we take on his heart

“ ⁶ The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love… ¹³ You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” —Galatians 5:6 & 13

(3.) As we take on God’s heart and serve, we show the world around us the goodness of God

“ ⁹ Let us not become weary of doing good, for at a proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” —Galatians 6:9-10

“ ¹¹ While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.” —Acts 3:11

“ ¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, they was nothing they could say.” —Acts 4:13-14

“ ³⁴ A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” —John 13:34-35

“ ¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put in on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:14-16