The past  6 weeks we have studied our value to GOD. “What am I Worth?” We know God loves each one of us so much that He gave His Son to pay for our sins. And we know Jesus loves us so much that He died for us. We are treasured by God and are precious to Him. We also learned that because of our value to God He gives us purpose and as we studied last week He gives us the gifts and abilities to serve His purposes.

This week I want to look at the value of others. How should I treat others? Others are made in God’s image just as I am so shouldn’t I treat others with the same value that God places on them?

 Read Mark 12:30-31; What is meant by “to love your neighbor as yourself?”

Mark 9:33-35, “33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

What does it look like to be “ Last” of all?

Remember a time when you put someone else ahead of yourself…What was this experience like, how did you feel?

John 13: 12-17, “12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (Matt 20:25-28; Gal 5:13-15; James 1:22)

Jesus said, “ If you do these things blessed are you if you them”. How do we do these things?

1. Be kind to one another (Romans 12:10; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12)
2. Edify one another (Romans 14:19)
3. Be of same mind towards one another (Romans 12:16; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Peter 4:1)
4. Bear each others burdens (Matt. 11:28-30; Gal 6:1; Romans 15:1)
5. Be submissive to one another (1 Peter 5:5)

What are other “these things” or ways you can serve others or put others first?

Matthew 5:43-48, 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Luke 6:35; Phil. 2:3-4; 1 Cor 10:24)

Can you recur a time you showed love, or prayed for someone you didn’t like or who treated you poorly and didn’t love you back?

Describe the experience, did it change how you say them or how they saw you? 

1 Peter 4:8-11, “8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Next Week: Where and how can I use my purpose  and value to best serve God?