Mark 10:42-45 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Every pastor in America — and probably the disciples too — knows the pain of trying to find volunteers. Sometimes it feels like trying to convince teenagers to clean their room. They hit you with:
• “Maybe next week…”
• “I’m praying about it…”
• “Pastor, I think I’m called to a different ministry…”
Right. Sure. And I’m called to be 6’8” and play for the Celtics.
But here’s the truth: a healthy church rises on the shoulders of everyday servants — not superstars, not celebrities, not polished professionals.
Ordinary people saying yes to God in ordinary ways. That’s where the Kingdom thrives.
Greeters, nursery workers, worship teams, chair setters, Audio and visual booth warriors, coffee brewers, youth helpers, bulletin folders, prayer warriors…
These are the real MVPs.
And Jesus — the Savior of the world — modeled the ultimate servant life.
Which means if we’re following Him, serving isn’t an option.
It’s our identity.
1: SERVING IS NOT OPTIONAL — IT’S WHO WE ARE
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…”
Notice — not “suggested,” not “recommended,” not “if you feel like it.”
We were created to serve.
Some folks treat church like Costco-
“I came for the samples, not the commitment!”
But the Bible describes believers with words like:
• servants
• ambassadors
• workers
• soldiers
• co-laborers
Not consumers.
Illustration: “THE AIRPORT RUNWAY CREW”
You ever watch planes land at the airport? Everybody’s eyes go to the pilot — the hero in the cockpit. But what most folks never see is the runway crew.
Those guys in the vests?
They’re out there before sunrise.
They inspect the runway.
They clear debris.
They guide the planes in.
They make sure everything is safe, smooth, ready.
And here’s the crazy part:
A pilot can be world-class… but if the runway crew doesn’t do their job, that plane isn’t landing safely.
Church is the same.
People notice the sermon, the worship, the big moments — the “pilots.”
But none of that happens without the runway crew:
• the greeters
• the audio-visual team
• the kids workers
• the volunteers who prep, clean, and serve
They create the environment where people can “land” safely and encounter Jesus.
So if you’re serving in the Kingdom?
You're not background.
You're the runway crew making the mission possible.
2: SERVING MAKES US LOOK LIKE JESUS
Jesus didn’t just teach servanthood.
He lived it every moment.
He touched lepers.
He fed crowds.
He washed nasty, dusty, funk-covered feet nobody else wanted to go near.
Philippians 2:5–7 says He took “the very nature of a servant.”
If the King of Kings picked up a towel, we can too.
Illustration: The kayak That Spins in Circles
You ever paddle a kayak with someone who stops paddling?
You go in circles like a confused tourist trying to find Tunnels Beach.
If Jesus is paddling and we’re not?
We spin.
But when we serve — we paddle in sync with Him.
And movement happens.
3: SMALL ACTS OF SERVICE HAVE ETERNAL IMPACT
Some folks think, “I’m just handing out bulletins,” or “I’m just helping in nursery.”
Nah. Don’t minimize what God maximizes.
Matthew 10:42 “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water… he will certainly not lose his reward.”
If God rewards water, He definitely rewards:
• wiping tables
• helping kids encounter Jesus
• setting up chairs
• clicking slides
• handing out bulletins
• brewing coffee
• praying with someone
• smiling at a visitor
•
Illustration: “The Kinked Hose”
You ever try to water plants, but the hose is kinked?
Doesn’t matter how much pressure is behind it — the flow stops.
A single servant stepping into their calling can unkink the hose spiritually.
It releases the flow of ministry again.
4: SERVING BUILDS UNITY — AND DESTROYS CONSUMERISM
Romans 12:4–5 “Each member belongs to all the others.”
Serving together bonds people.
You laugh together.
You learn together.
You sweat together.
You clean up messes together.
You see God move together.
Illustration: Army Maintenance and the “One Loose Bolt”
In the Army, we checked every vehicle like lives depended on it — because they did.
One loose bolt could stop a convoy.
The church is the same.
One faithful servant in the right place keeps the whole mission moving smoothly.
It’s unity in motion.
5: GOD USES WILLING HEARTS — NOT PERFECT PEOPLE
Moses stuttered.
Gideon hid.
David messed up big-time.
Peter denied Jesus three times.
Yet God used each one because they said yes.
Today people say things like:
“I’m too busy.”
“I don’t know enough.”
“I’m not spiritual enough.”
“I don’t want to die in the nursery.”
“I can’t sing.”
“I don’t like people.”
Good news — God specializes in using unlikely people.
Illustration: “THE BEACH SUNSET PHOTOGRAPHERS”
You ever notice how at Poipu, right around sunset, suddenly everybody becomes a professional photographer?
Folks sprinting to the shore with their phones out like they’re working for Time Magazine.
They want that perfect shot — golden sky, glowing clouds, Instagram glory.
But almost nobody sees what makes that sunset beautiful:
The ocean currents.
The trade winds.
The cloud layers.
The position of the sun.
The countless details God puts in place long before anyone snaps a picture.
People show up for the perfect moment —
but they don’t see the hours, the precision, the preparation God did to make it happen.
Church is the same way.
Everyone loves the beautiful moments —
the worship, the message, the fellowship, the answered prayers…
But those moments exist because volunteers did the unseen work long before anyone showed up.
The miracle isn’t just in the moment —
it’s in the preparation.
And anyone can be part of preparing what God wants to do.
6: WHEN WE DON’T SERVE — WE STAGNATE
Serving grows you.
It challenges you.
It stretches your faith.
It forces you to trust Jesus beyond comfort.
Some folks want to grow without serving — but that’s like wanting six-pack abs without doing sit-ups.
Ain’t happening.
Faith grows by use, not just by knowledge.
If you don’t serve — your spiritual muscles atrophy.
Illustration: “The Garden That Won’t Grow”
Imagine planting seeds, watering once a month, and then yelling at the plant for not growing.
You’d look crazy.
But spiritually, some believers do the same.
Serving is the sunlight.
Serving is the fertilizer.
Serving is the oxygen.
If you want to grow — get to work.
CALL TO ACTION:
Kapaa Missionary Church isn’t built on one pastor.
It’s built on a family of servants.
Your church needs your gifts.
Your pastor needs your help.
The Kingdom needs your heart.
We don’t need superheroes — we need servants.
Jesus didn’t call us to watch Him work.
He called us to join Him in the work.
ILLUSTRATION-BASED CLOSING STORY — “THE FOOTBALL TEAM’S INVISIBLE CREW”
Watch a football game:
You see the quarterback, the receivers, the coaches.
But behind them are hundreds you never see:
• equipment managers
• trainers
• hydration crew
• tech guys
• field prep crew
If they don’t show up, the game collapses.
The church is the same.
Volunteers are the invisible crew that make the mission run.
Heaven sees every moment.
Even when no one else does.
Conclusion:
You weren’t saved to sit.
You were saved to serve.
Your calling is bigger than your comfort.
Your purpose is bigger than your preference.
Your gifts are needed right now.
Step out.
Join the mission.
Pick up the towel Jesus held — and watch Him use you in ways you never imagined.
CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK:
This week, ask yourself honestly:
1. “Am I treating church like a place I attend—or a mission I serve?”
What’s one step I can take this week to move from consumer to contributor?
Jesus picked up a towel.
2. What’s one practical way I can pick up a towel this week—at church, at home, or in my community—without needing recognition or applause?
If the church is a runway,
3. Where could I serve that would help someone ‘land’ and encounter Jesus?
What ministry can I commit to exploring or stepping into this month—not “someday”?
