“Do as I Have Done for You”: following jesus in everyday service

In our previous article, I introduced the focus we currently have as a church: exploring the picture of life in the Kingdom of God that Jesus inaugurated, as described in Isaiah 61. Over these autumnal weeks, we’re preaching on some enormous topics such as justice, righteousness and restoration. It’s wonderful to be reminded of the transformational work that God does in and through His people as he brings new life.

THE SERVICE PRACTICE

Alongside this preaching series, our Life Groups are journeying through The Service Practice by Practicing the Way. The content is rich, deeply practical and something that can help anyone at any stage. Yet for us, it is especially handpicked for this moment. The practical way of life that is unpacked is a means for us to not just be inspired by, but to embody, the Isaiah 61 life that we’re invited to live through the power of the Holy Spirit.

With a vision for life as big and significant as Isaiah 61, it’s not enough to simply talk about it or just hope for the best. It’s easy to let it stay as a stirring idea rather than something we actually live out. The challenge for us is to ask: what does it really look like to step into this vision in our day to day lives today?

AN INVITATION TO give of ourselves

Life looks different for each of us. Some are in the middle of the beautiful chaos of raising small children. Others are sacrificially caring for ageing parents. Some have jobs that demand much of their time, energy, and focus. Others carry the weight of sorrowful circumstances that don’t seem to have an end in sight.

Yet God invites us, by the same Spirit who anointed Jesus, to join Him in His work of making all things new. The Service Practice is helping us learn what it means to follow the “Suffering Servant” and to give ourselves for the sake of others. God uses our simple, everyday acts of service to shape who we are becoming, to change the atmosphere in our homes and communities, and to express His love in tangible ways.

As we engage with the practical prompts from The Service Practice, we’re already hearing encouraging stories of how God is using these small, heartfelt acts to bring his renewing life. Each act of service, however ordinary it may seem, becomes part of the bigger story of what He is doing among us.

"do as i have done for you"

For us as a church, this feels especially important right now. We’re prayerfully seeking God’s direction for how we can further step out together and combine our time, skills, and creativity to serve in ways that go beyond what any one of us could do alone. We long to see the kingdom advancing and our local communities transformed.

But it begins with recognising that each of us is called to live this out personally. Our goal is to express as a church family something that is already being humbly expressed in our individual lives.

And before even that step, we remember that the foundation to it all lies in Jesus. Our church’s vision statement begins, “In response to the love of God revealed through Christ Jesus…” It reminds us that we love because He first loved us. In the same way, we serve because He first served us.

At the Last Supper, Jesus gives a beautiful example of servanthood to His disciples and then says:

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

— John 13:14–15

MEETING EVERY SUNDAY

Our move to meeting every Sunday is just around the corner, 1st February is getting closer! It will be such a significant moment for us, and we trust that God will use it to pour new life into us and through us into our community.

As we look ahead, we continue to ask Him to lead us into lives marked by love and sacrificial service in His name.