SERVANTHOOD: BECOMING THE GREATEST OF ALL
“But Jesus called them to Himself and said,‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.�?�?
- Matthew 20:25-26 NKJV
LIVING THE GOD-KIND OF LIFE
Servanthood is the key to living the God-kind of life. It’s the mark by which we should measure our every decision, every action and every thought. Unfortunately, most people have a negative stereotye of what a servant is. Servanthood is looked at with a degrading eye and is certainly not something that is equated with a victorious life.
Jesus demonstrated true servanthood with His words and actions. When the disciples were arguing about who among them was the greatest, He told them that the greatest among them was the one who would first be the servant of all. Jesus later demonstrated this principle by washing the disciples feet.
In order to live the good life God intends for every believer, we have to change the way we think about servanthood. Servanthood releases the very power of God in our lives and will open doors of opportunity we never dreamed existed.
WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY?
If you want God to entrust His gifts to you, if you want to do great exploits in His Name, then you'll first need to become a servant, a bondslave...one who goes beyond the requirements. True servants want to be totally committed to God and His Word.
Philippians 2:5-7
In what ways can we serve as Jesus served?
Colossians 3:17
How does this apply to servanthood?
Matthew 24:45-47
How are we to be faithful servants?
SERVING WITH EXCELLENCE
A high standard and attitude of excellence is what God expects from every believer who “serves”in the Kingdom of God. As God’s servants, we should be well-trained, highly refined, cultured, and equipped to minister to any need with which we are confronted. There is nothing more important than what we do for the Lord, so God expects us to serve with the best attitude, finest appearance, and highest form of service and professionalism we can render in His Name.
The One We Serve
Humility is an attitude that enables us to receive grace from God and also those He has placed in our lives. We must humble ourselves to others to receive the supply of the Spirit in the Body of Christ. Even though there is rank in the Body of Christ, we are also instructed to humble ourselves to those who are around us and under us. God inhabits eternity and dwells in the high and holy place, but He also dwells or lives with those who are of an humble spirit.
Serving the Word of God
One of the greatest ways we can serve is when we make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit to minister the anointed Word of God. Nothing is more gratifying than seeing someone restored to health because a word of healing has been spoken...someone broken from the bondages of sin because a word of redemption has been minstered or watching someone conquer a mountain of debt and lack as they are reminded that God is the all-sufficient one.
Lasting Leadership
All lasting leadership begins with servanthood. If things are not going well in our leadership, we need to examine the level of service that we’re rendering to others (especially those God has given us to lead), and the spirit with which we deliver it. As we strive to meet the needs of others, we’ll find our influence growing. God will exalt us and give us visibility and influence in our community and beyond if our primary focus is on how we can be a servant.
WORD STUDY: DIGGING DEEPER
‘Authority�?(Greek root):
‘Great�?(Greek root):
‘Servant�?(Greek root):
THOUGHTS TO DWELL ON
The most basic and most effective way to serve is to make your resources available to the part of the Body of Christ to which God has called you - your local church. God designed the local churc to reach the lost and help believers grow into the image of Jesus. The church enables your supply of time, finances and prayer to produce the most fruit for the kingdom of God. Another way to serve is in your family. Serving those who are closest to you and who know you the best can be more difficult because you are with them a lot more than anybody else is.
If you humble yourself (you have to do this; don't ask God to do it for you) under God’s mighty hand in servanthood, you enable Him to exalt you, lift you up and honor you before men. Then when you are in this exalted position, you give God the glory instead of taking the credit yourself. God’s kingdom will receive greater visibility and increase as a result of your light shining in the darkness of this world when you become the servant He has called you to be.
SERVANTHOOD:
SUMMARY
Scriptures
1 Samuel 12:24
Matthew 23:11-12
Matthew 24:45-47
Matthew 25:21
Matthew 20:27-28
Joshua 24:14
John 15:15
Acts 2:18-19
Philippians 2:5-7
Further Scriptures
Romans 1:1
Luke 12:37
Confessions
I confess that I live a life of servanthood and am a blessing to my employer, my boss, my director, my supervisor, and to my pastor. My attitude is positive. I am willing to do what I am asked to do. I am a servant and never a source of contention; instead, I am a constant source of blessing to those who are over me. They are glad I work under them because I exhibit such a cooperative spirit of joy and thankfulness.
CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS:
Ricker Renner, Mac Hammond, Mark Hankins, Kenneth Copeland
Quotes
Pressing toward the mark of servanthood can turn even the bleakest of situations around 180 degrees.
- Mac Hammond
It is an act of humility to find a place to serve in your church and be a blessing to others.
- Mark Hankins
It must be distressing to God when He sees believers tolerate a standard in the Church that is lower than the one found in the world. As God’s “servants,�?we should set the example of excellence in every sphere.
- Rick Renner
The rewards and blessings of being a servant always extend far beyond what can be seen or heard.
- John Mason
Any time I have seen someone unwilling to serve man, or to submit himself to man, that person also has been just as unwilling to serve and submit himself to God.
- Matthew Liphart
Remember, to reach the world you must first be like Jesus, the greatest servant of all.
- Carman
Right now, commit yourself to be that wise and trusted servant. Let God know He can count on you!
- Gloria Copeland
God’s idea of serving people is illustrated by the life of Jesus.
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