How high up on the Christian ladder is serving others? We often feel like a good Christian because we sang loudly at church, we read our Bibles during the week, and we prayed before bed every night. We often feel like a good Christian when we share a very Christian Facebook post or we’re really polite to the waiter at the restaurant. Now, none of these things are bad. Most of them are great. My point is, we often feel like a good Christian when we do overtly Christian things.

     Do we feel like a good Christian, do we feel particularly close to Christ, when we’re serving others? We definitely should. Listen to what Jesus says in John 13:34-35, “34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 

     Jesus doesn’t say, “The world will know you’re a Christian because you made that Facebook post. A good follower of mine always prays before bed. If you really want to be a Christian, you’ve got to sing loudly when Graves Into Gardens is played. None of those things are bad. But they’re not very high up on the list of Christian activity. But, way up that list, maybe even in the top three, is serving one another. 

     This Sunday, our church is going to do a lot of singing, praying, and Bible study. We’re going to take communion. We’re going to do a lot of “Christian” things. All good things. I just want to take a moment to thank you for volunteering to serve this weekend. You’re doing the best Christian thing. You’re putting the needs of others ahead of your own. Thank you. Out of all of us this weekend, you should feel the closest to Christ because you will look the most like Christ. Thank you!