We wrapped up our BLESS series this past weekend with a message on serving and sharing. For the past three weeks, we’ve been learning how to be a blessing to others: First, we begin with prayer, then listening, then eating, then fellowshipping together, and then finally serving and sharing with people. We live in a society in which people want to see Christians walk their faith. What a great way to do so—by being a blessing to somebody else!

In John 13:34-35, Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Maybe there was once a time when Christians could use fear, fire, and brimstone to lead people to Christ, but those days are long gone. What people who are not believers need is someone who will truly love and care about them. They want to be seen, not as a number, but as people with worth. Jesus says that by loving others, He will be revealed. It’s time to start loving our neighbors by serving and sharing with them.

Even so, we’re all wary of a good sales pitch, like when an estranged college friend randomly calls you to invest in their pyramid scheme; all of our defenses are up. Our unbelieving neighbors are the same way. They can see a pitch for Jesus coming a mile away. So how can we avoid that while also discipling like Jesus? By serving them, and by investing our time and our resources; when we do, a person isn’t just another number—they’re a person with worth and value.

As a society, we’ve been trained to look out for ourselves, but Jesus calls us to love and serve others. The night before He was killed, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. He said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:14-15). The Son of God humbled Himself and washed His disciples’ dirty feet. What an act of love and servitude. And He calls us to do the same.

By helping neighbors unload groceries, bring in garbage cans, or watch their kids, we’re investing in them and showing we care. By showing up, loving, and serving, we create opportunities to share Jesus. The world is cold and cruel. By offering to serve someone else, we bring Christ’s light—a light that can’t be ignored. All of a sudden, there are opportunities for saying, “I know you’re going through a hard time. Know I’m praying for you.” Or, “It’s okay. God loves you no matter what. I’d love to share about Him with you.”

As Christians, we can embody the unexpected by being the hands and feet of Jesus. Let’s show our neighbors we’re not “Bible thumpers” or “holier than thou;” let’s show them we’re servants who care and are full of love. This week, let’s make ourselves available and serve. Where can you jump in to help? Is someone moving furniture? Can you offer a bottle of water to someone working outside? Can you grab a neighbor’s mail for them? Once we start looking, there are no shortages of ways to serve others. Let’s seize those opportunities and follow Christ’s example. 

Our time to share Jesus with our neighbor will come. But first, let’s pray. Let’s listen. Let’s fellowship with them. And then, let’s serve them. Let’s be a blessing and change the world by loving our neighbors, one person at a time.