Who Me a Servant?
Introduction
1. The desire of God is for every believer to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
Read Romans 8:29 “conformed”- summorphos is translated “fashioned like unto” in Philippians 3:21.
2. To be conformed to the image of Christ means I must be a servant (Read Matthew 20:28 “ministered”- diakoneo or to serve.
3. God is engaged in building into His people the same serving qualities that characterized His Son.
4. God has called us to servants not celebrities (Read Matthew 20:25-27).
v. 26 “among”-is the Greek word en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), it is translated “in” 1874 x and “among” 117x. God does not want celebrities status in you.
5. According to Christ, true greatness is measured by the people you serve, not by the people that serve you (v. 26 “minister”- diakonos is translated servant 7x and deacon 3x).
6. We should not aspire to be the chief, celebrity or even the “church boss,” but a servant of Jesus Christ (v. 27 “chief”- protos is translated first 80x and is translated chief only 9x).
**NOTICE THREE QUALITIES OF “AUTHENTIC SERVANTHOOD” FROM THE LIFE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL:
THE 1ST QUALITY OF AUTHENTIC SERVANTHOOD WE SEE FROM THE LIFE OF PAUL IS:
I. TRANSPARENT HUMANITY (1 Corinthians.2:1-3).
Note three key words that describe Paul’s transparent humanity:
1. The first key word is weakness (v. 3).
2. The second key word is fear (v. 3).
3. The third key word is much trembling (v. 3).
NOTE: Contrary to popular opinion Paul didn’t always have it all together! He admits that he was even afraid. This is transparent humanity! Paul was short in stature, he had poor eyesight, some even believe he was hunchback.
THE 2ND QUALITY OF AUTHENTIC SERVANTHOOD WE SEE FROM THE LIFE OF PAUL IS:
II. TRUE HUMILITY (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).
1. He admitted he wasn’t very persuasive in his preaching (v. 4 “enticing”- peithos meaning persuasive).
2. He admitted he wasn’t concerned about impressing others (vv. 4-5 key words “man’s wisdom” verses “God’s Spirit” yet God’s Spirit equals the “power of God").
THE 3RD QUALITY OF AUTHENTIC SERVANTHOOD WE SEE FROM THE LIFE OF PAUL IS:
III. TOTAL HONESTY (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6).
1. When you are totally honest with God, you can be totally honest with men (vv. 4-5).
2. When you are totally honest with God, you will not seek glory from men (v. 6 “sought”- zeteo means to aim at, or strive after, to crave, this word is even translated desire 3x).
Conclusion
The true servant of Jesus Christ should strive to attain transparent humanity, true humility and total honesty before God. Are you an authentic servant of Jesus Christ?
posted by maranatha man at 2:53 AM
1 Comments:
Good, sobering reminders of what it means to be a servant. I think this lesson reminds us of our motivations for empowerment. Paul wanted to be clear in I Cor. 2:4-5 that the power displayed in his ministry was not of earthly origin. He saw himself as merely a vessel that would transmit the light of God into people's lives. To be a good servant we have to be cognizant of who we are, who we serve and who we must depend upon for our ministry. Unfortunately, too many times we approach service as being a right or a hassle, instead of a privelege. When we do this it is because we either have a wrong view of ourselves or a lower view of God; most likely it is both.
5:33 PM
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