Serve Jesus by Serving Others

[Serve Jesus by Serving Others]( Current Teaching Series [Expecting a Resurrection When Life Falls Apart]( [Listen to Today's Broadcast]( [Serve Jesus by Serving Others]( By Rick Warren — 03/29/2021 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email]( “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:37-40 (NIV) Just before Jesus died on the cross, he said, “I am thirsty” (John 19:28 NIV). That moment shows his humanity, that Jesus was God living among us as a man. The Bible says that the Roman soldiers soaked a sponge in a jar full of wine vinegar and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. The sour wine was meant to relieve his thirst. Wouldn’t you like to have been there to be able to give water to Jesus for his thirst? In fact, you’d probably have considered it a privilege and blessing to serve him in that moment. But that moment is long past, and you can’t help Jesus in that way. On the other hand, you can help those around you on behalf of Jesus. People everywhere are spiritually thirsty, searching for purpose and significance. They want to know what to do with their lives and if their lives have any meaning. People need to know that Jesus can quench their thirst, that he is what they are looking for when they hop from one thing to another. They need to know that he meets them in their depression, discouragement, and despair. Jesus says, when you serve others, you’re serving him. So, when you want to do something for Jesus, look for people around you who are in need. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40 NIV). Whenever you give a drink to someone who is thirsty, you are giving it to Jesus. The same is true when you lead those who are spiritually thirsty to Jesus. Love in action is when you meet the needs of other people in their thirst—physical, emotional, or spiritual—out of love for Christ, who endured thirst on the cross for you. The only way you can serve God is by serving people and helping others in his name. Who are the people around you who appear to be spiritually thirsty? Ask God to show you who they are and the best way to lead them to Jesus. [PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>]( Talk It Over - Why do you think God wants you to meet people’s physical needs in addition to their spiritual needs? - What does it look like for someone to be spiritually thirsty? - When you share about Jesus, you might start with what he has done for you. How has Jesus satisfied your thirst for love, purpose, and hope? The post [Serve Jesus by Serving Others]( appeared first on [Pastor Rick's Daily Hope](. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email]( [Get The Seven Greatest Words of Love Study Kit when you give a gift to support Daily Hope]( Unlock the blessings found in the words Jesus spoke during his final hours on the cross with Pastor Rick’s The Seven Greatest Words of Love study kit, which includes a 7-session DVD and workbook, perfect for both individual and group studies. You’ll discover seven statements Jesus made from the cross he didn’t want his followers to forget. As you unpack these life changing words of love with Pastor Rick, you’ll realize how the blessing of the gospel speaks personally and powerfully into your life, your career, and your relationships . . . and can help you find true fulfillment in them. [LEARN MORE]( [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)]( Includes 2 full-length messages from Pastor Rick's series Expecting a Resurrection When Life Falls Apart. [LEARN MORE]( [Series Summary]( Message 1: Expecting a Resurrection When Life Falls Apart Message 2: How the Resurrection Gives Us Hope [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST]( Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Linkedin]( Enjoy today's devotional? Listen to Pastor Rick’s daily audio teaching at [PastorRick.com]( Did someone forward this devotional to you? [Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional.]( As the founding pastor of Saddleback Church with his wife Kay, Dr. Rick Warren leads a 30,000-member congregation in California with campuses in major cities around the world. As an author, his book [The Purpose Driven Life]( is one of the best-selling nonfiction books in publishing history. It has been translated into 74 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. His book [The Purpose Driven Church]( was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the century. Rick also founded [The PEACE Plan]( to address five global issues—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. You can listen to Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope, his daily 25-minute audio teaching, and sign up for his free daily devotionals at [PastorRick.com](. © 2021 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe by clicking the link below. Sent to: {EMAIL} [Unsubscribe]( Pastor Rick's Daily Hope, 23182 Arroyo Vista, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, United States