Of all the things Jesus taught, the greatest was how to serve others!
Luke 22:24-30
Nov 17, 2019 AM
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I. Introduction (Mark 10:42-45)
A. When there is a need for helpers, We usually say things like “We need people to step UP and fill the gap” – to BE the one who meets a need!
B. But Jesus used the exact opposite of words to call for helpers
C. He said we have to step DOWN, and become invisible, become nobody important
D. He calls each and every one of us to lower ourselves and become servants of all
E. And that is probably the second hardest thing any of us will ever do – next to humbling ourselves enough to agree with God and repent of our sin and receive Jesus Christ!
F. So, Jesus asks us to LET Him change our selfish, self-serving, self-centred lives into self-less servants of all!
II. Background (Luke 22:14-23)
A. It is Tuesday evening, the day before the Passover
1. Jesus has just celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples
2. And tried to tell Him to remember His coming death with the Last Supper
B. He hasn’t been betrayed yet
C. Judas is still sitting at the table with Him
D. Jesus warns that He is about to be betrayed – sold into the hands of the Romans, used for someone’s personal gain, abandoned by His closest of friends
E. And they all wondered who would ever dare to do such a thing
F. And then that question turned into a strange argument
1. Proud declarations of loyalty
2. That turn into strife and arguing around that table
3. Jesus is talking about being crucified – an abhorrent Roman execution reserved for the worst of criminals
4. And most everyone else is talking about who is the greatest and most popular and who deserves what position in the coming kingdom
G. It is at this time, according to the Gospel of John chapter 13, that Jesus disrobes, and places a towel around His waist, and bows down and washes each of their feet, one by one, until there was silence in the room
H. He then teaches them all about how to be great
I. Because of all the things that Jesus taught, the greatest was how to serve others!
III. Message
A. The Strife Amongst Them (Luke 22:24)
1. Luke 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
2. There is strife and arguing going on around that table
a. Jesus is talking about being crucified – an abhorrent Roman execution reserved for the worst of criminals
b. And most everyone else is talking about who is the greatest and most popular and who deserves what position in the coming kingdom
c. Constant strife – even amongst Christians. Isn’t it sad!
d. Arguing and fighting over who was going to be in charge – the greatest, most important, have the most power and authority!
3. Claiming places of honour in the future kingdom – like being in the Prime Minister’s cabinet
a. Peter wanted to be Minister of Defence
b. James probably wanted to be head of Justice
c. John probably wanted to be the head of health and Human Services
d. Judas was going to be the Exchequer for sure – in charge of Revenue
e. Thomas probably wanted to be the head of the Environment
4. They criticized each other’s flaws – like at a political debate
5. This arguing and fighting happened often (Luke 9:46-48)
6. James’ and John’s own MOTHER got in on the power-grabbing (Mt 20:20-24)
7. All because of pride (Prov 13:10)
8. They were not being Christ-like, spiritually minded, but only carnal – self-serving (1Cor 3:1-4; Titus 3:1-3)
a. 1Co 3:1-4 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
b. Tit 3:1-3 Put them [CHRISTIANS] in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
9. Completely misunderstood the kingdom that was about to come – most do
B. The Way the World Works (Luke 22:25)
1. Luke 22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
2. Listen to the titles of world leaders and rulers
a. Kings
b. Lords
3. Rulers rule and govern and control nations
4. Exercise/push their lordship / their authority over everyone
5. And they benefit from being the “leader” – wealth, and power
C. We Are To Do Things Differently (Luke 22:26)
1. Luke 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
2. Who is Jesus talking to?
a. His Disciples
b. People who are trying to be like Jesus, live like Him, think like Him
c. Talking to US – if we will listen
3. The world’s way is Forbidden “ye shall not be so”
a. It is not forbidden for us to be leaders, or business owners, or to be in politics
b. It is not wrong for Christians to be successful in anything
c. But that we do not ACT as kings, and as VIP’s, but as servants
1) As inferior
2) As younger
3) As servants
4) That’s become hard to convince modern Christians of
D. A Completely Different Way of Looking at Your Life (Luke 22:26)
1. Luke 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
2. There are authorities in life
a. Government authorities
b. Parental authorities
c. Pastoral authority
3. And we are commanded to obey them
4. But WE were saved NOT to be authorities – to be in charge
5. We were saved to serve - to humble ourselves and serve all people like they are better than us
6. SERVING actually is the model that ALL democratic countries operate by – one of serving the people, as MINISTERS of State!
a. We do not have many kings left in the world anymore
b. But we do have people who PRESIDE over people (Presidents), and are Prime Ministers of the people
c. At least they give the idea that THAT is what they intend to do
7. But here is the problem…
a. We never will actually start serving like we are supposed to, until we desire no longer to be first; no longer to be chief; to be great; but to be the servant of all!
b. 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.
c. Mark 10:42-44 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. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
E. Jesus Asks a Simple Question (Luke 22:26)
1. Luke 22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
2. Jesus asks, Who is greater?
3. Which kind of person is thought of as being greater – more important, and more powerful?
a. The guy sitting at the restaurant table, or the person serving them?
b. What would it be like if it were reversed? Hah ha
1) What if the Restaurant Owner saw you not as the important person to serve, but the person to extort and rob?
2) What if the waiter didn’t care about your time, and your questions, and your requests, And instead just told you what he was willing to give you?
c. It sure is nice when you go into a restaurant and they treat YOU like a king, and not treat you like a BOTHER!
4. Jesus agreed that THAT is how it should be
5. But then He turns everything upside down and inside out!
6. He declares that HE, the Lord of heaven, even though He SHOULD BE served… instead serves everyone - THINK ON THAT FOR A FEW MOMENTS
7. He swapped places with the inferior – with US!
8. And so should you and so should I
a. Swap places with people we normally think are “beneath” us
b. And serve them like they are more important
F. So, What Does a Servant Actually Do?
1. Servants never become great – they are the ones who make others GREAT!
2. That is the way of things in the kingdom of God
3. A Servant… Serves (26)
a. I read this quote yesterday… “God will never ask us how many talents or abilities we had. He only cares how we used them”
b. Serving means to work for someone else
1) To wait for a command to do something for someone else – a waiter/waitress
2) A servant humbles themselves (1Peter 5:6)
a) Comes under someone else’s power – to be inferior!
b) We hate to do what someone tells us to do
c) And we wonder why our children are the devil when it comes to obeying us!
c. Serving means to please someone besides yourself
1) 1Co 7:33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
2) 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.
d. To help someone carry their burden – or maybe carry it for them (Gal 6:2) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
e. It means to pay off someone else’s debt, when you didn’t have to (Phil 1:15-19)
1) 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
2) 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
3) 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
4) 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
5) 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
f. It means to forgive someone who hurt you, no matter how deeply – simply because you desire to serve them instead of destroy them!
g. Makes others more important (Rom 12:10; Philp 2)
1) Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another
2) Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
h. All without complaining (Php 2:14) Do all things without murmurings and disputings
i. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear two people getting married vow…
1) For better, for worse, in sickness and in health, in joys and in sorrows
2) To love, honour, cherish…
3) And spend the rest of my life serving you
4. He or She Serves Everybody
a. Who won’t you serve?
b. There was no one that Jesus refused
c. God so loved this wicked world, that He gave His only begotten Son for them all
d. You and I will often have issues, and problems with trying to honour and serve some people
e. And it may just not be in us to bless them, and be kind to them
f. But we are supposed to change, and not stay the same
g. We are supposed to become more and more like our Master, our Lord
h. And that means becoming more and more like a Servant of All
5. A Servant Suffers
a. It is in the job description!
b. A servant always is treated wrongly by someone
c. Is usually the person blamed
d. Try being a nurse for a week! Nurses are so abused!
e. There is a high cost of being a servant (Mk 10:37-41)
f. And that is why there are really so few Christian servants
6. Says Yes to the place God has them in
a. Where does the Lord have you?
b. NOT the pastor? NOT the head honcho? NOT the most popular in school or at the office or even in your home? Serve! Like Christ did!
c. Married? Stay married, and serve your wife, your husband
d. Single? Stay single, until God brings the right person into your life
e. Unappreciated? Stay serving THERE! God notices everything you are doing
f. Underpaid? Every time you complain, you lose your reward from Christ!
g. Cork, Ballincollig, Ireland?
h. This city needs people who are willing to stay HERE and serve HERE
7. A servant will be Stressed and Tested while Serving (22:31-34)
a. If there is anything the devil hates, it is anyone that starts to look like, sound like, and act like Jesus Christ
b. And so Satan will shred you and tear at you until you quit
c. Don’t quit!
d. In this room this morning, there are way too many people who only need ONE little thing to go wrong, or to be said wrong, for you to get mad and quit
e. SERVE dear Christian!
8. Settles into serving - Adapts (22:35-38) – not a part time job
a. Becomes a way of life
b. Never lets anything hinder or stop them from serving
c. When it was EASY, and everything was just handed to you, and everyone loved you and looked up to you
d. And when it became hard, and costly, and dangerous
e. Serve God! And Serve others!
9. Never really serving people, but serving the God who made them free! (Col 3:23) And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
G. Everyone Benefits by Serving (Luke 22:28-30)
1. Look at the benefits of serving Christ…
a. A new kingdom
b. Thrones, millennial responsibilities – unbelievable what lies ahead
c. Luke 22:28-30 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
2. Listen to how Paul excites Christians about the rewards for serving others…
a. An eternal inheritance in heaven
b. And a dark world gets the benefit of Christ’s influence!
c. All because of just serving people
d. Col 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
e. Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
f. Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
g. Col 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
h. Col 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
i. Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
j. Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
k. 1Peter 1:4 an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you – better than GOLD!
3. If you only knew how GREAT our reward will be in heaven, you would serve with all your might!
IV.Next Week – Ministry Sunday
A. God has gifted every believer to serve
B. What is YOUR gift?
C. And how can you use it to serve Him?
V. Conclusion
A. What would a home be like if it was full of servants? I wonder what YOUR home would be like if from THIS moment on, you became a real servant of the Living God!
B. What would a church be like is everyone saw themselves as servants?
1. As MEMBERS of this body of believers and not spectators, or visitors?
2. As servants of everyone else in this body, and not critics!
3. And saw everyone else as better than themselves (Philp 2:3) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
C. What would a community be like if a large portion of people were SERVANTS in that community, instead of self-serving?
1. Christians ought to be the hardest working employees
2. The most helpful neighbours
3. The people most concerned about “people” instead of performance
D. Tell me Who you won’t serve, and I will show you your new mission!
E. Will you step down and start serving here and now?
F. You have to.
1. Because the opposite of a servant is a Master. And that position is already filled!
2. If you find this step DOWN hard, then you are in very good company
3. But only a born again Christian will WANT to serve, and will strive NOT with people, but against their own pride and humble themselves to the point of embarrassment, just to serve one another as Christ asked of us!