Being a Faithful Servant in the Kingdom of God
Assorted Scriptures
Nov 10, 2019 AM
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I. Introduction (Hebrews 12:28; Galatians 5:13)
A. Our memory verse this month… (Heb 12:28) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may SERVE GOD acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
B. Let’s look at another one (Gal 5:13) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by [THE SAME CALLING] love serve one another.
C. Evidently, Being a Servant is the highest calling of a Christian
1. There is a great kingdom, called the Kingdom of God
2. Greater than any kingdom of this world
3. It is full of people too – people who WERE lost, blind, sinful, broken
4. But people who have marvellously been born again on the inside, by repentance towards God and faith towards Jesus Christ!
5. But in this kingdom are no princes, or nobles
a. No Dukes, or Duchess’s
b. No Earls, or Countess’s
c. No rich and famous
6. But there are plenty of … I’ll give you one guess…
7. Servants!
D. Yet if we look around at ourselves, do we SEE servants?
E. Do we even know the joy of being a servant?
F. I don’t think so.
G. For the next few Sundays, I want to show you how to find a place of service in the Kingdom of God, and what joy you will find IN that service!
H. Because, each one of us were saved, not for our selves only, but to be a blessing, a help to someone, a servant of God and of each other!
I. It is our calling – our very purpose as Christians!
1. To serve God
2. And to serve one another
II. Background
A. How do you see yourself?
1. As an expert in a trade, Or proficient in a talent?
2. As a trendsetter, or as a leader in a business or community?
3. As the best at what you do?
4. As competitive, driven to be successful?
5. Or maybe you see yourself as a failure – a disappointment – a flop?
6. None of that matters in God’s kingdom
B. The child of God sees them self as only one thing…
C. As a servant
1. John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
2. Titus 1:1 Paul, A SERVANT OF GOD, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
3. Romans 1:1 Paul, A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
4. Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is A SERVANT of the church which is at Cenchrea:
5. James 1:1 James, A SERVANT of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
6. 2Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, A SERVANT and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
7. Jude 1:1 Jude, THE SERVANT of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
8. There is no hierarchy in Christianity – no clergy and no laity
9. Just people serving God and serving each other!
D. SERVING is our purpose
E. And, Becoming better servants is our ONLY goal
III.There are Seven Stages to Christian Maturity – on the path to successful Servanthood
A. Receive a Pardon – the moment you receive full forgiveness from God
1. That’s the starting point – there is no other way to become a Christian
2. Not by baptism
3. Not by morality
4. But by absolute and complete and full forgiveness from God at Christ’s expense
5. Born again – made right with God on the inside!
B. Have a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ is next necessary to develop – a daily walk with God, talking with Him, depending upon Him, listening to Him in the Bible
C. Become a People – working hard at accepting and loving the family of God – the brethren
D. Find A Purpose – finding out what God wants you to do with your life every day, and for the rest of your life
E. Take Your Place doing God’s will somewhere – not just in theory
F. Pay the Price of doing God’s will – it will always cost us everything
G. Win the Prize – Make the prize the only reason why you do anything now!
H. That path describes the life NOT of a king, or of a great ruler – but of great servants!
I. Where are YOU in that journey?
1. Have you been pardoned yet? Then you have been saved to serve!
2. Have you developed a daily, actual, one on one relationship with Jesus Christ?
3. If not, a life of service will be tormenting to you. Sacrificing your wants for the needs of others will never be possible
4. Do you see Christians are your people? Or do you still only hang with people your age, and people of your colour, and people who have the same likes as you?
5. We ALL have a God-given Purpose
a. Do you know YOUR purpose, and are you willing to go wherever God asks of you, to serve Him THERE?
b. Our purpose is for each and every one of us who are in the kingdom of God to do the will of God
c. And the will of God is… to SERVE God, and serve one another
1) Whether you are a chemist, a teacher, a Mom, a mechanic, a student, a security guard
2) You have been saved to serve people
3) To bless their lives, make them happy, make them safe
4) To make them more important than your own life
5) Even though it may cost you your life
6. Hmmmm. So, There is more to the Christian life than just praying, and trying to do right!
IV. Message
A. What is it like to serve God? What does it mean to actually serve the Creator of the universe?
1. It evidently is a very important thing to do (Matthew 4:8-10)
a. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and HIM ONLY SHALT THOU SERVE.
b. Important for EVERY PERSON ON THIS PLANET – not just a select few
c. Deu 10:12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
2. It means to honour Him above everything else in life
a. Honouring Him not as one among many, but as the only Master of your life
1) No one else can be allowed to be the master of your life except God
2) No other gods before me
b. Honouring the words of His mouth, more than our necessary food, Job said
c. Honouring His name above all other names
d. And honouring His way of doing things, over our own ways
3. It means to love Him with all our heart, soul, might and strength
4. It means to do what He says do
a. No one serves God who does not obey God
b. That is why His title is LORD – MASTER – the One in Charge!
c. The One Being you HAVE to obey!
1) My younger brother would always hate it when my parents would go out for a little while
2) Because then either my older brother was put in charge, or “I” was put in charge
3) And no matter how many times my Mom would say to Paul, “Now listen Paul, while Dad and I are gone to the shop, you have to do what Craig here says do…”
4) And as soon as they pulled out of the driveway, my little brother Paul would run off and yell “YOU ARE NOT MY BOSS!”
d. To serve God means to willingly place yourself under His rule; His power over you
e. The Bible word for it is, submission, yielding, letting Him lead you
f. Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
5. It means to do the things that please Him – that make Him happy
a. We are supposed to please God, whether it brings pleasure to us or not
b. Whether it is exciting to you or not
c. Whether it is something easy to do, or now
d. John 8:28,29 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
e. Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
f. Example:
1) It took many years for ME to learn this
2) I did things for Nita that “I” thought were a blessing – but she didn’t think they were that great
3) It is like a husband buying his wife a new hoover, or a powerwasher
6. No matter the cost to us
a. Every servant I have ever known, has been tired
b. Every time I serve others, I wear myself out
c. That’s what servants do – we gladly serve, even though it costs us
7. Our culture sure has turned everything around hasn’t it?
a. Serving God is only for a few weird people today
b. People honour the basest of men and women, and yet blaspheme and trash the God of heaven
c. Most Christians do nothing but ignore the commands of God and argue and debate about them, never just DOING what God says to do in the Bible!
d. How many of us IN THIS ROOM worry about whether our lives actually please and bless God? How many of US think about all our spending, our words, our plans, and ask ourselves if any of it is beneficial to God or God’s kingdom?
e. Not many I am afraid.
f. Because the world today has badly affected Christianity, instead of Christianity greatly affecting our world!
B. What is it like to serve others?
1. You cannot serve God for very long without ending up serving other people
a. 1Jn 4:20,21 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
2. To serve means: to benefit someone else – make their life better
3. To help them
4. To please them
5. To love them as brethren
a. 1Pe 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
b. 1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
6. To willingly put yourself under the wishes / the power
- of another person
HORRORS! What a terrifying thought!
a. Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty [FREEDOM] for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
b. MAKING OTHER PEOPLE BETTER OFF THAT YOURSELF
c. That’s what servants do!
d. Luke 7:6-8 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and MY SERVANT shall be healed. For I ALSO AM A MAN SET UNDER AUTHORITY, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; AND TO MY SERVANT, Do this, and he doeth it.
e. Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
7. We do what we are asked – not what we want to do
a. It almost does not matter WHO asks us to do something
b. What matters is that we are willing to do what anyone asks of us
c. Because THAT is what servants DO!
d. A servant serves – no matter who asks them
e. Because, you are not serving THEM
f. You are serving God who placed them and their need right in your path
8. We should do more than we are asked (Luke 17:7-10)
a. Luke 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
b. Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
c. Luke 17:9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
d. Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have [ONLY] done that which was our duty to do.
9. Whenever needed – a servant is available to serve, not a 9-5 job!
10. And to stay that way – servants are faithful - serving is a way of life
11. Why?
a. ONLY Because you are doing it for the Lord Jesus
b. Not for anything or anyone else!
c. Col 3:22-24 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
d. Mat 25:34-40 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
e. Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
f. Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
g. Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
h. Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
i. Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
j. Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
C. Examples of Servants
1. You and I expect it of waiters, and store employees, and politicians…
2. Jesus washing His disciple’s feet (John 13:1-5, 12-17)
a. John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
b. John 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
c. John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
d. John 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
e. John 13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
f. …
g. John 13:12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
h. John 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
i. John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
j. John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
k. John 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
l. John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
3. Husbands
a. 1Co 7:33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
b. Not pleasing himself
c. Marriage is a lifelong effort to please the other person!
4. Wives
a. 1Co 7:34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
b. Not pleasing HERSELF either
5. All Christians – are supposed to live like they are part of ONE BODY (1Cor 12)
a. Each person ministering to the rest of the body of believers
b. One person is a finger, another a toe, another an eye, another an ear
c. Everyone SUPPORTING the body – caring for the body
d. Not ever tearing itself apart
e. But serving the needs of the body – like a hand reaching and grabbing an apple, or reaching way back across the back to scratch an itch
6. The list is endless
a. Children serving and helping their parents
b. Neighbours serving alongside and helping each other
c. Elders in a church always coming early to church, and making sure everything is ready for OTHERS to hear the Bible preached
d. Everyone always asking “What can I do to help today?”
e. Even our enemies should notice Christians praying for them and blessing them and doing good unto them even though they have so mistreated a believer
D. Examine Yourself and See Where You Are At as a Servant
1. It is natural and normal to want to BE honoured, to have power, to be popular
2. But Jesus shows us that the truly greatest of leaders of history, will only be the servants
a. Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
b. Mark 10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
c. Mar 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
d. Mar 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
e. Mar 10:45 For even the Son of man [THE LORD Jesus] came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
E. Conclusion - We ALL Have to Make a Choice – will we Serve?
1. Becoming and staying a servant doesn’t just happen – you can come here every week and nothing will happen
2. You have to make a choice – sometimes daily – to just be a servant
a. In your home
b. In this church
c. At your work
d. While out shopping
e. While on holiday
3. All believers have had to make the same choice
a. Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
b. The great Apostle Paul said, “I made myself servant unto all” (1Cor 9:19)
c. Psalm 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
4. If you do NOT make a choice to serve, then you have made your choice, and you will miss the only joy that there is for the Christian this side of heaven – of serving!