Developing a Servant’s Heart
To serve means someone is involved in or engaged in an activity. Christians are called to be servants: John 12:26 (NIV)
26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
As we serve and as we follow we must shine in this world. As Christians our hearts must be set on GO! How do I serve? Let’s look to Jesus as our perfect example.
1. To serve we must first make ourselves aware of the need. Jesus was always fully aware of the need, He taught, traveled and preached.
Mark 1:21 (NIV)
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.
Mark 1:39 (NIV)
39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
If we are going being Christ like we must be transformed into Christians who go out into the world passionately seeking those in need.
2. To serve intently we must be willing to sacrifice regularly.
Mark 1:32-34 (NIV)
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Don’t you think Jesus was probably tired, needed a break, wanted some quite time. Maybe He wanted to quietly sit down and eat and talk to His disciples. WHAT HAPPENED? The whole town showed up!
Mark 2:1-2 (NIV)
2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.
Jesus could have easily said tell them to go home. I’m tired, I need time to recharge, I need some time for myself.
We all work hard every day many of us chase children to different events, we have yardwork that must be done, jobs and families that require our attention. Do we make time in our busy schedules for spiritual activities? Who will step outside the box and be ready to volunteer to teach class, help with VBS, host or attend programs for youth or fellowship. I don’t have enough time!
3. To serve intently we must be willing to sacrifice regularly, to go where God calls us and serve when God calls us to serve!
Mark 1:35-39 (NIV)
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Jesus’s schedule was hectic He got up early for intentional prayer time and then off He went! Christians must look to Jesus when we decide to prioritize our lives with commitments. Jesus not only went about preaching, teaching and doing good, but He did it with compassion and love.
A lady says:
I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile."
The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought,
this would be a piece of cake, literally.
Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald’s one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special play time with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.
I did not move an inch...an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God’s Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally deficient and the blue eyed gentleman was his salvation.
I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).
Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue eyed gentleman’s cold hand. He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you."
I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope." I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey. To give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. That day showed me the pure Light of God’s sweet love.
I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we, as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and be healed.
In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald’s, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: serving with compassion and love!
4. To serve intently we must be engaged passionately.
Mark 1:40-42 (NIV)
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
A man with leprosy was an outcast and it was against the law for him to come in contact with others. When he came around others he had to call out warning them that he was “Unclean”.
Leviticus 13:45-46 (NIV)
45 “Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.
Jesus knew the law, but being filled with compassion touched the man and cleansed him from his disease.
To be engaged passionately we must reach out to others with our heart set on go! We must find ways to intentionally serve God by serving those in need, and by going where God calls us to serve.
There is an old story about a preacher who, while driving through the countryside came upon a beautiful farm. Its crops were in well- ordered rows the fences were in good repair and the freshly painted house was surrounded by trees and gardens. As the preacher stood admiring the sight, he noticed the farmer coming toward him as he plowed a nearby field. The preacher waved at him and shouted “My son God has blessed you with a wonderful farm.”
The farmer stopped plowing and wiped his brow. He remarked, yes sir he has and I am mighty grateful. Then he thought a moment and added, but you know preacher you should have seen this place when He had it all to Himself.
This humorous tale contrasts two important aspects of our Christian walk, our responsibilities and God’s love. Our lives are much like that farm (our lives) God placed within it tremendous potential and for this we should be grateful. Yet our lives will not bear the fruit God desires until we maximize our blessings with service to Him and those around us. The most fertile farm in the world will soon only become acres of weeds without a diligent farmer.
In the same way, God has given each of us amazing talents may God bless us as we discover our potential to passionately serve him.
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48
Are you engaged to serve God!
