How Leaders Can Serve Those They Are Called To Lead Series

How leaders and pastors can serve others

Matthew 11:28-30

Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Come unto me. A call to…salvation… to the weary…to the burdened…to those who have been trusted in works

Learn from me….the call to discipleship

Take my yoke upon you….a call to servanthood

Zeal for servanthood is better caught than taught. Jesus said:

The son of man did not come to be served…

I should be about my fathers business

But Jesus not only taught servanthood, he modelled it

How did Jesus serve his disciples?

By becoming what they needed him to be…

Phil 2:7 and being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on the cross

Paul says I become all things to all men

This means crucifying the flesh

This means denying yourself

Jesus became what we needed him to be, not what we wanted him to be

This applies to us too

We cannot always be what others want us to be…often that leads to compromise, and is indicative of the fear of man

Jesus served his disciples by being committed to doing the will of the Father for his life

This is the best way you can serve others

Often your gifts indicate your call

If it is to give, give, if it is to teach, teach, if it is to prophesy, prophesy, if it is to help, help, if it is to serve in practical ways, serve in practical ways

By being prayerful

Jesus showed us that we best serve others on our knees

That is why we are all called to be devoted to prayer

This is a lifestyle not a meeting

By being Holy

By praying for them

By showing them how to live a Holy life

By teaching them the ways of the kingdom

He taught how to do what they were called to do

He spent time with them

Showed them how to heal the sick

How to treat their enemies

By rebuking and correcting them

By washing their feet

…by refreshing them…

by letting them know they are valuable

By laying down his life for them….

1 John 3:16:

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for each other.

Take my Yoke…of an ox

Part of the born again experience: You WANT to do his will

Principles of Servanthood:

1. An invitation to greatness:

Matthew 20:26-27…whoever wants to become great among you must become your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave

2. Servanthood draws the call of God to you

David…Moses…Elisha…

Philip….table waiter to miracle worker

Every blessing you have from God is to cause you to be a better servant

3. Servanthood is the greatest witness for Christ

Serving others is an expression of love

They will know that you are my disciples

The attitude of the servant determines the atmosphere of the palace…home… restaurant…

how we live and how we treat each other becomes the greatest witness for Christ or the greatest hindrance in the kingdom

That is why most of the New Testament is not about winning souls, as important as that is

It is about living right, walking in love, walking in holiness, righteousness

Because what is the point of winning people if they are not going to live right because we don't live right

Sometimes we are eager to get involved in ministry

But the think we should be most interested in in living right before God and others

Qualities of servants:

1. Servants humble themselves

David …sheep…

1 Samuel 16

Still looks after the sheep even though he has been anointed

2. Servants are zealous for the house of the Lord

- John 2:17 his disciples remembered that is written: zeal fir your house will consume me

3. Servants never try to be equal to the ones they serve

1 Sam 24:6…the lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the lords anointed, and lift my hand against, for he is the anointed of the Lord

Phil 2:3-5 do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

4. Servants are caring and accepting

1 Samuel 22:2 (david flees Gath and hides in the cave of Adullam) All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader