THE BLESSINGS IN BEING A SERVANT
1 Peter 5:2
INTRO: In our relationship with God to be able to maintain these encounter with Him, we have to realize what He expects. There is nothing more great and sublime than Him. Separated from Him, there isn’t nobody that deserves our worship and surrender. When we understand who we are before His presence we cannot maintain this relationship.
Today, we see the difficulty it is for many to be servants. When we talk about servant hood we will define it as: Being under the authority of another. This simple word takes us to immense amplitude that could develop into many subjects. For now, we will concentrate on what God expects of man to maintain this relationship.
I. PEOPLE THAT HAD AN ENCOUNTER Y DECIDED TO SERVE HIM
A. Elisha (Prophet) – 1 Kings 19:19-21 “So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother good-by,” he said, “and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?” 21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.”
B. The Fishermen: Peter, Andrew, James & John (Apostles) – Mark 1:16-20 “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
C. Levi, The Tax Collector (Apostle) – Mark 2:14 “As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.”
D. Saul of Tarsus – Acts 9:6,15 ““Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do…. But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel”
II. THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THESE CHOSEN ONES
A. Elisha
1)His priority was His relationship with God (The cloak symbolized the presence of God) – vs.20
2)Made a covenant with God – vs. 21
3)He got rid of his material possessions (cook the meat with the plowing equiment) – vs. 21
B. The Fishermen
1)Having a profession, they left it to follow Him – vs. 18
2)Being at work, they followed Him – vs.19
3)Left their father in good hands – vs. 20
C. Levi
1)Obedient to the Calling – vs. 14
2)Put aside his material possessions – vs. 14
3)Put aside his prestige with the Romans – vs. 14
D. Saul of Tarsus
1)Obedient without understanding – vs. 6
2)Willing to receive instructions from an unknown, but knowing full well that the person was sent by God – vs. 15
3)Willing to suffer for the Kingdom – vs. 16
III. THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR TODAY’S SERVANT
A. Not because we must, but willing - 1 Peter 5:2 “…not because you must, but because you are willing,…”
B. Not greedy - 1 Peter 5: 2 “…not greedy for money,…”
C. Eager to serve – 1 Peter 5:2 “…eager to serve;…”
D. Not having superiority over them – 1 Peter 5:2 “…not lording it over those entrusted to you,…”
E. Not being more then the teacher – Matthew 10:24 “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.”
F. The greatest must be a servant – Matthew 23:11 “The greatest among you will be your servant.”
G. Must not quarrel – 2 Tim 2:24 “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel;…”
H. Be kind – 2 Tim. 2:24 “…instead, he must be kind to everyone”
I. Able to teach – 2 Tim. 2:24 “able to teach”
Conclusion: When God in His great mercy sees man seeking Him with humbleness, brokenhearted, filled with compassion and service. He will come and visit him. Will be with man to make a permanent place in his heart.
