Introduction
• Very few people intentionally stop serving God and others—it just happens.
• Serving others is a great way of reducing your own stress and forgetting about your own problems.
     Illustration: A woman loses sight of her own problems when her pastor orders her to bake desserts and visit needy people twice a week.
• Matthew 16:25; Matthew 25:34–40

Forget about your limitations
• Many people don't serve others because they believe they're not good enough.
     Illustration: A passage from The Purpose Driven Life highlights several biblical heroes who had severe flaws, for example: Abraham was old, Joseph was abused, Elijah was suicidal, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid.
• It's actually by doing good that you become spiritually strong.

Be a team player
• Illustration: A young woman is accepted into a college because she was honest when asked, "Are you a leader?"
• If you're not willing to follow, you're not ready to lead.
     Illustration: A quote from Leonard Bernstein on the difficulty of finding musicians who are willing to play the harmony.

Be willing to get your hands dirty
• Illustration: May's church requires people in "prestigious" leadership positions to also serve in a low-profile ministry.
• Often times, the high-profile jobs are exhausting while the low-profile jobs are exhilarating.
• A lot of real ministry takes place when you get your hands dirty and practically serve people where they live.

Turn your job into a ministry
• Illustration: A story from Today's Christian Woman highlights the positive, eternal consequences of babysitting.
• Define your job by the benefit it brings to others, and use it to serve others.

Conclusion
• Practice random acts of kindness; find an ongoing, structured place to serve; and do something big for others each year.
• Add fuel to your spiritual life by serving Jesus through serving others.