DNA - Caring
November 21, 2020

DNA -Caring

Main Point – We want to be a church that empowers people to serve others through their God-given gifts.

“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

Jesus would rather have us serve others in humility than seek honor for ourselves.

“When Jesus Christ sees the fallenness of the world all around him, his deepest impulse, his most natural instinct, is to move toward that sin and suffering, not away from it.” —Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly

Serving others will require us to move toward sin and suffering just like Jesus did.

Servants offer help and hope to others.
• Help to live a holy life
• Hope when life is hard

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” —Galatians 6:1-2

Serving others can be difficult – we shouldn’t try to do it in our own strength.

DC + DP = EYN
• “Divine Compassion + Divine Power = Everything You Need” – Paul David Tripp

In the end, honor will come to the one who serves Jesus.
• John 12:26 – “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

Takeaway – Because Jesus serves us, shares His love with us, and gives us His Spirit, we are empowered and expected to serve others – sharing His love with them.

Discussion Questions
1. Which part of the story of James & John and their request of Jesus strikes you the most? Are you surprised by their actions, or do you find them pretty typical? Explain.

  1. When do you find it easy to serve others, and when do you find it a challenge to serve others? What makes the difference?

  2. What are some of the ways you’ve been able to offer help and hope to others? How have others offered help and hope to you? How has Jesus brought you help and hope?

  3. Paul said we need to be careful when we try to help someone who is caught in sin, or we might find ourselves tempted. (Galatians 6:1). What is the danger that Paul is warning us about? How do we keep from succumbing to it?

Table Discussion Question — Share with each other your (current) response to the question that Jesus asks: “What do you want me to do for you?”