Linked UP Worship — July 5, 2026
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Title: “Blessed to Be a Blessing”
Foundation text: Acts 20:35 TPT
Acts 20:35
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35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
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Introduction:
One of the greatest misconceptions about church is that we gather only for ourselves. But Jesus did not save us merely to sit in church, He saved us to serve people.The church is not just a building in the community.The church is God’s answer to the community. People may never read a Bible, but they will experience God’s love through your kindness, your generosity, your compassion, and your service. Serve Month is more than an event. It is the Church saying:“We are here. We care. We will serve.”
One of the greatest misconceptions about church is that we gather only for ourselves. But Jesus did not save us merely to sit in church, He saved us to serve people.The church is not just a building in the community.The church is God’s answer to the community. People may never read a Bible, but they will experience God’s love through your kindness, your generosity, your compassion, and your service. Serve Month is more than an event. It is the Church saying:“We are here. We care. We will serve.”
Point 1: We Serve Because Jesus Served Us.
Mark 10:45
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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.”
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Jesus had all authority, yet He washed feet, He touched lepers, He fed the hungry, He healed the broken. If Jesus served people, then serving isn’t beneath us, it’s becoming like Him.
Application
We don’t serve for applause. We don’t serve for recognition. We serve because Jesus first served us.
We don’t serve for applause. We don’t serve for recognition. We serve because Jesus first served us.
Point 2: Serving Our Community Opens Hearts to God.
Matthew 5:14-16
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14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
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Notice: Jesus didn’t say hide your good works. He said let people SEE them. Why? Because acts of love point people to God. A family receives groceries. A single mother receives help. A child gets school supplies. A senior citizen’s yard is cleaned. Those aren’t just good deeds. Those are sermons without microphones.
Point 3: God Blesses Those Who Bless Others.
Proverbs 11:25
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25 A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
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This is one of God’s great principles: When you refresh others, God refreshes you. When you help others, God helps you. When you become a blessing, God sends blessings through and to you.
Five Biblical Benefits of Giving Back to the Community.
1. God Refreshes Those Who Refresh Others.
1. God Refreshes Those Who Refresh Others.
Proverbs 11:25
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25 A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
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You cannot pour into others without God pouring back into you. Many people discover joy, purpose, and renewed passion while serving.
2. Giving Breaks Selfishness and Builds Christlike Character.
Philippians 2:3-5
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3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:
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Jesus teaches us to put others before ourselves. Serving changes us. It shapes our hearts. It develops humility.
3. Serving Creates Lasting Kingdom Impact.
Galatians 6:9-10
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9 Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
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Every act of kindness is a seed. You may never know how many lives are changed because you served.
4. Serving Is Evidence of Genuine Faith.
James 2:17
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17 So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.
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Faith isn’t just what we believe. Faith is love in action. Faith serves. Faith gives. Faith cares.
5. God Rewards Those Who Serve Others.
Hebrews 6:10
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10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
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People may forget your sacrifice, but God never does. Every hour you serve, every meal served, every prayer prayed, and every hand extended, God sees it all!
A Powerful Biblical Example: “The Good Samaritan.”
Luke 10:30-37
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30 Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.
31 Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side.
33 But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion.
34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’
36 Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 “The one who showed him mercy,” replied the expert in the law. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
31 Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side.
33 But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion.
34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’
36 Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 “The one who showed him mercy,” replied the expert in the law. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
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In Luke 10:30-37, religious people passed by a hurting man. But one man stopped. He used:
- His time
- His resources
- His compassion
- His transportation
- His money
And Jesus asked: “Who was neighbor to him?” The answer: The one who showed mercy. Then Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.” That is Serve Month.
- His time
- His resources
- His compassion
- His transportation
- His money
And Jesus asked: “Who was neighbor to him?” The answer: The one who showed mercy. Then Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.” That is Serve Month.
Challenge the Church:
What if every member served one family? What if every connect group adopted one project? What if every young person served one neighbor? What if every business owner mentored someone? What if every believer asked: “Lord, who can I bless this month?” We could transform our city one act of kindness at a time.
What if every member served one family? What if every connect group adopted one project? What if every young person served one neighbor? What if every business owner mentored someone? What if every believer asked: “Lord, who can I bless this month?” We could transform our city one act of kindness at a time.
Closing Declaration:
Church, we are blessed to be a blessing. We don’t just attend church, we are the church. We don’t just love God privately; we love people publicly. We don’t just pray for our community, we serve our community.And when we serve, hearts are healed. Lives are changed. Jesus is glorified.
Church, we are blessed to be a blessing. We don’t just attend church, we are the church. We don’t just love God privately; we love people publicly. We don’t just pray for our community, we serve our community.And when we serve, hearts are healed. Lives are changed. Jesus is glorified.
Let’s make this Serve Month our greatest demonstration of the love of Christ our community has ever seen.
