Loving God by Serving Others

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: Loving God Through Serving His People

We’re in a message series called “Four Priorities for Life.” Last Sunday, we talked about Loving God through Worship, and I hope that you grew in learning to worship God throughout the week. Last week, three of my boys and I attended an Assemblies of God Faith and Science conference in Springfield, where we learned from eminent scientists how God’s greatness is seen in nature.

From remote galaxies to the genetic codes in our cells, God’s incredible design was clearly displayed, and God’s handiwork became a powerful opportunity for worship. Today I’ve entitled my message “Loving God by Serving Others,” and this message will show how two of our priorities for life are closely interrelated. In the future, we’re going to talk about the priority of Loving God’s People, but today we’re going to focus on how we can express our love for God by serving those in His family.

Of course, serving is also an expression of our love for people. Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25 about what will happen on judgment day, when He will separate people into two groups He calls the sheep and the goats. The sheep will enter eternal life with Jesus, while the goats will go away to eternal punishment.

Matthew 25:40 (NIV) “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew 25:45 (NIV) “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”

In other words, how a person treats believers is how they are treating Jesus Himself. If someone truly loves Jesus and puts their faith in Him, that love will be shown through serving others. Those who are not true believers will not bother to serve, because service flows from genuine love for Christ.

Galatians 5:13 (NIV) You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

This verse reminds us that believers have been called to freedom, but that freedom is not meant for selfish living. Instead, it is meant to express itself through loving service to one another, especially within the church family. That is why it is so important for every believer to be connected to a local church, because you cannot serve one another in love if you are not in relationship with one another.

Choose to Follow Jesus’ Direction

Our main passage today comes from John 21, which records the third appearance of Jesus to His disciples after His resurrection. Seven of the disciples, including Peter, were together, and most of them had been fishermen before following Jesus. They were likely uncertain about what the future held and what following Jesus would now look like.

Jesus was about to teach Peter and the others some critical lessons that would shape their future ministry. These lessons would show how obedience, trust, and service are connected to loving God. The first lesson begins with a familiar scene on the water.

Going Your Own Way Leads to Nothing

John 21:3–5 (NIV) “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.

We’re not told exactly why Peter decided to go fishing, but it was his old occupation and a familiar way of life. Perhaps he was uncertain about his calling after everything that had happened with Jesus. Whatever the reason, Peter and the others fished all night and ended up with nothing to show for their effort.

When morning came, they saw a man on the shore but did not recognize that it was Jesus. He asked if they had caught anything, and their honest answer was no. When Jesus calls us to follow Him, going back to our old ways will always lead to emptiness and disappointment.

Going Jesus’ Way Leads to Abundance

John 21:6–7 (NIV) He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

After a long and fruitless night of fishing, Jesus’ instruction probably seemed too simple to matter. Yet when Peter obeyed Jesus and cast the net on the right side of the boat, the result was immediate abundance. The catch was so large they could not even haul the net into the boat.

John recognized that the man on the shore was Jesus, and Peter immediately jumped into the water to meet Him. This moment echoed an earlier miracle in Luke 5, when Jesus told Peter that from then on he would be catching people, not fish. Peter was being reminded that purpose and abundance come only from following Jesus’ direction.

Responding Honestly to Jesus’ Direction

Just like Peter, we are often tempted to go our own way without seeking the Lord’s guidance. Sometimes we fail to pray before making decisions, and other times we simply do not want to obey what Jesus is asking us to do. The result is always the same: emptiness in the things that matter most.

Following Jesus’ direction, however, always leads to abundance and significance. Think about your own life today and ask whether your nets are empty or full. If they are empty, it may be time to listen more closely to Jesus and commit to following His direction again.

Choose to Give to Jesus

The story now shifts to an important pattern between Peter and Jesus. Peter obeyed Jesus, and Jesus filled the net with fish, showing that the blessing ultimately came from Him. Now Jesus was going to teach the disciples something about giving back from that blessing.

Jesus Asks for a Portion of What He Gives

John 21:10–12 (NIV) Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

The net was filled with 153 large fish, and even with such a great catch, it did not tear because Jesus was in control. Jesus then asked the disciples to bring some of the fish they had just caught to Him. They obeyed because they recognized that He was the Lord.

Jesus always asks for a portion of what He gives us to be given back to Him. The rest is not meant for selfish use, but for participating in God’s purposes. Giving back is part of a cycle that begins with obedience and continues with blessing.

Jesus Provides for Our Needs

John 21:13 (NIV) Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

This moment echoes other times when Jesus fed large crowds with just a small amount of bread and fish. Once again, Jesus provided for the disciples after they had given back to Him. The pattern of sowing and reaping is clearly visible throughout this story.

Everything we have is a gift from God, including our ability to work and provide for ourselves. Jesus asks for a proportion back, and Scripture teaches proportional giving, beginning with the tithe. When we are faithful in giving, Jesus promises to meet our needs and use our gifts to serve others.

Choose to Love Jesus

To fully understand this final lesson, we need to remember Peter’s failure. Before Jesus was arrested, Peter boldly claimed that he would never fall away, even if everyone else did. Yet Jesus told him that he would deny Him three times before morning.

Matthew 26:33 (NIV) Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

That same night, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. Now, after the resurrection, Jesus was giving Peter a chance for restoration and a fresh start. He did this by asking Peter a simple but powerful question.

Love Jesus with Your Words

John 21:15a, 16a, 17a (NIV) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” … Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” … The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” …

Jesus asked Peter three times if he truly loved Him, mirroring the three times Peter had denied Him. Each question gave Peter an opportunity to reaffirm his love and experience restoration. This exchange would stay with Peter for the rest of his life.

But Jesus did not stop with Peter’s words of love. Each time Peter affirmed his love, Jesus gave him a command that showed how that love should be lived out. Loving Jesus would require action, not just words.

Love Jesus by Serving His Church

John 21:15b, 16b, 17b (NIV) Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” … Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” … Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

Jesus’ sheep are His followers, including both new believers and mature Christians. Peter was being called to shepherd the church, caring for and protecting God’s people. Serving the church would be the way Peter demonstrated his love for Jesus.

Those who love Jesus will love His church. Even if we have failed in the past, Jesus still asks us the same question: Do you truly love Me? If the answer is yes, then He calls us to serve His people faithfully.

Conclusion: Loving God by Serving Others

The greatest priority in life is loving God. Jesus taught Peter, and He teaches us, that loving Him means caring for others in the church family. When we follow Jesus’ direction, give faithfully, and serve His people, our love for Him becomes visible.

As we commit to these priorities, we will see God work more powerfully in and through our lives. Serving others is not an optional activity, but a defining mark of genuine love for Christ. May we choose to love God by serving others with joy and faithfulness.

📘 Continue the Journey

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