What if everything you thought about serving God was backwards? What if the recognition you seek and appreciation you crave are symptoms of a heart that hasn't grasped the revolutionary nature of Kingdom service?

The Parable That Changes Everything (Luke 17:7-10) When a servant comes in from working all day, does the master say "Come eat"? No. "Prepare my meal, serve me, then eat later." Does the master thank the servant? Of course not. Jesus concludes: "When you obey me, say, 'We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.'"

The Uncomfortable Truth You, Christian, are entitled to nothing. When you were born, what did you deserve? Hell. That's the starting point for understanding Kingdom service. We are saved by grace through faith—there was nothing in us deserving of what Jesus has done. It was pure love.

Obedience is the Minimum Obedience to God isn't something extra—it's the duty of anyone who follows Christ. Too many approach God transactionally: "Lord, if you will, then I will." But your life was purchased at an incredibly high price. It no longer belongs to you (Galatians 2:20).

Good Christian vs. Following Jesus Tom shares his struggle: Option 1 - Leave ministry, go into business, tithe, don't lie, pray occasionally, be a "good Christian." Option 2 - Follow Jesus into what He's called him to do, even without preferred financial benefits. The question: Are you being a good Christian or following Jesus?

The Service Mindset Shift

• Stop seeking recognition for every act of service
• Stop getting offended when efforts aren't acknowledged
• Stop serving people, buildings, leadership—serve Jesus
• Examine your motives: What do you expect when you serve?
• What you do by default is who you really are

From Slaves to Friends (John 15:14-16) The beautiful paradox: Jesus uses slave imagery to illustrate duty, then calls us friends. "I chose you to go and produce lasting fruit." How many of your pursuits will produce lasting fruit into the future?

Key Scriptures

• Luke 17:7-10 (The Unworthy Servant)
• 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5
• Mark 10:43-45
• John 15:14-16
• Galatians 2:20

Practical Application

Heart Examination:

• What's your default when serving isn't acknowledged?
• Are you serving for recognition or genuinely serving Jesus?
• What has God called you to do, and what are you doing about it?
• Are you just being a good Christian, or are you following Jesus?

The Challenge: Many of us have no idea how to hear God for our lives. We're not deliberate enough to spend time with Him to recognize His voice. We meander and wander because we're not deliberate about knowing the God who saved us. He's alive and has called each of us for an incredible purpose.

Who This Episode Is For

• Believers who serve but feel unappreciated
• Christians needing honest confrontation about service motives
• Anyone treating their relationship with God as transactional
• Leaders burned out from expecting recognition
• Those feeling purposeless and unsure of God's calling
• Mature believers ready for challenging truth

Keys to Persistence:

1. Forgiveness (Week 26)
2. Service (Week 27 - This Episode)
3. Prayer (Upcoming)
4. Humility (Upcoming)