Introduction:
A minister was approached one Sunday by a man who expressed a desire to be a member of the church where he preached. In his conversation with the preacher he said: “I want you to understand that I am a very busy man and don’t want to be called on for any service such as committees, visitations, teaching in the Bible school or singing in the choir. I would like to be spared from anything that would require time. Then too, don’t expect me to be present for the worship services too often.” The minister thought for a moment and then replied: “You’re at the wrong church. The church you’re looking for is down the street a few blocks.” The man followed the preacher’s directions and soon came to an abandoned, boarded up, closed church. A church without active members is a dead church no matter how many are on the rolls.
Thesis: Two questions: 1) Who should be servants? 2) How are they to be servants?
For instances:
Who should be servants?
Jesus is our servant, two pictures show us this:
1. Jesus bending to wash dirty feet at the Last Supper
“so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him.” “When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:4, 5, 12-15
2. Jesus hanging on the cross, taking the punishment for our sins- “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” Mark 10:45
Jesus washed the apostles’ feet and commanded them to do likewise, apostles are servants.
“For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. We are fools for Christ...” 1 Corinthians 4:9-10, NIV.
Because of their service, the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:20, NIV.
Preachers are to be servants. Tychicus (in Ephesians 6:21) and Epaphras (in Colossians 4:12), preachers in the early church, were called servants.
Elders are to be servants. “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:1-3, NIV.
Deacons are to be servants. “Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 3:13, NIV.
Every Christian is to be a servant.
Preachers, elders, and deacons are servants but our primary mission is not to do all the work of the church but to prepare God’s people (every Christian) to be servants. “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13
Far too many Christians are only concerned about themselves. This might happen, “No one from the church came to see me when I was sick.” Truth be told, they have never checked on one single sick person in the congregation. They have never been to the hospital to visit, or to the nursing home to make a call. Yet, when they are sick, everyone needs to make a beeline right to them. Some believe the preacher’s only job is to call on them, to make sure they are cared for. It’s as if they are the only people he has to be concerned with.
“The church is doing nothing. The church needs to do something about this?” These same people complain to the elders and deacons but they are unwilling to lift a finger to help out.
Had troubles filling the communion servers, greeters, and specials this past year. Hope that doesn’t happen again in 2016. When the list comes out many times elders and deacons are the first to sign up and no one else signs up until almost forced. Other things come up through the year where we need volunteers. Family ministry/ youth group is coming back soon this Fall. Wednesday night meals and Bible study are coming back, look for opportunities to serve.
2. How are we to be servants?
Make ourselves available to serve.
So many cram their schedules so full of activities that they have no time to serve in the church or anywhere else. Much like a soldier, a servant must be ready, standing by for duty: “No-one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.” 2 Timothy 2:4, NIV. If we only serve when convenient, we will never serve. Servants do what’s needed, even when it’s inconvenient.
Can God mess up our plans? As a servant, we don’t get to pick and choose when or where we will serve. Being a servant means giving up the right to control our schedule and allowing God to interrupt it whenever he needs to. If we remind ourselves that we are God’s servant, interruptions won’t frustrate us as much, because our agenda will be whatever God wants to bring into our lives. Servants see interruptions as God’s appointments for ministry and are happy for the opportunity to serve.
Pay attention to needs
Servants are on the lookout for ways to help others. When they see a need, they seize the moment to meet it. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10. When God puts someone in need right in front of us, God is giving us the opportunity to grow in servanthood. Notice that God says the needs of the church family are to be given a high priority.
We miss many opportunities for serving because we lack sensitivity and spontaneity. Great opportunities to serve never last long. They pass quickly, sometimes never to return. We may only get one chance to serve so take advantage of the moment. “Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow”--when you now have it with you.” Proverbs 3:28.
Do the best with what we have
Servants refuse to make excuses, procrastinate, or wait for better circumstances. Servants never say, “One of these days” or “When the time is right.” They just do what needs to be done. “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” Ecclesiastes 11:4, NIV. If we wait for perfect conditions, we will never get anything done. God expects us to do what we can, with what we have, wherever we are.
One reason many people never serve is that they fear the are not good enough to serve. They have believed the lie that serving God is only for superstars. Probably heard, “If it can’t be done with excellence, don’t do it.” Must be perfect or don’t do it. If that is the case nothing will get done. The truth is, nothing we do is perfect. Much better to have many regular folks involved in ministry than a “perfect” church run by a few superstars.
Servants do their tasks with dedication
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” Colossians 3:23, NIV. We will never arrive at the state in our lives where we are too important to help with menial tasks. Jesus specialized in menial tasks that everyone else tried to avoid: washing feet, helping children, fixing breakfast, and serving lepers. Nothing was beneath him, because he came to serve. Jesus didn’t do these things in spite of his greatness, but because of it, and he expects us to follow his example.
Great opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks. The little things in life determine the big things. Don’t look for great tasks to do for God. Just do the “little things”, and God will assign us whatever he wants us to do. Before attempting the extraordinary, try serving in ordinary ways. There will always be more people willing to do “great” things for God than are willing to do the little things. The race to be a leader is crowded, but the field is wide open for those willing to be servants.
Servants are faithful
Servants finish their tasks, fulfill their responsibilities, keep their promises, and complete their commitments. They don’t leave a job half done, and they don’t quit when they get discouraged. They are trustworthy and dependable.
Many people don’t know the meaning of commitment. They make commitments casually, then break them for the slightest reason without any hesitation, remorse, or regret. Every week churches must improvise because people didn’t prepare, didn’t show up, or didn’t even call to say they weren’t coming.
Servants maintain a low profile
Servants don’t promote or call attention to themselves. If recognized for service, that is okay, but they don’t allow notoriety to distract them from their work.
Self promotion and servanthood don’t mix. Servants don’t serve for the approval or applause of others. Harry Truman- It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.
Even when our service goes unrecognized, keep on serving God! “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV.
