Improving Our Serve
Mark 9:31-42
31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
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.
Short Prayer…
Introduction- This type of thinking is strictly of the flesh and prideful nature of man when your walking with the Lord. It stems from living in a world that is full of vanity lust.
You know, the things that Jesus had to deal with in His time with His disciples are still things that need to be dealt with today with His disciples. (Disciples meaning disciplined followers of Christ.) And your one of His disciples if you are doing these things)
In the world where we live today there are constantly marketing things that causes us to have:
a. The lust of he eyes
b. The lust of the flesh
c. The pride of life
Testimony…I can remember as far back as the early sixties for myself, when TV was telling America.
a. Be bigger
b. Be better
c. Be first
(In the sixties there was a Kennel ration dog food commercial that used to run on TV all the time, that went like this “The my dog is bigger than your dog”, commercial in which I believe has had a subliminal impact of the conscience of our generation. The things that have been perpetuated by this type of mentality is everyone and everything has to be bigger and better than everyone else’s unless it’s just not going to be good enough. So we are made to believe.
34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
It is typical of a person that has drive and leadership qualities and abilities to want to be the best.
But to be the best…for all of us who claim to be disciples (disciplined followers of Jesus Christ) means to humble ourselves and become a servant (Deacon) Greek Word: diakono"
Transliteration: diakonos
Phonetic Pronunciation: dee-ak’-on-os
Root: probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands, cf
—Strong’s Greek & Hebrew Dictionary to wait on others)… If any man desires to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all
In other words it is typical of a good leader to want to be his best, But what we must remember as leaders that there is only one function to follow, that is to serve God’s people with love patience and without grudging.
The qualifications for the position of a Disciple or a servant of Christ are,
a. To become last
b. To be a servant to all
c. Become like Him (and the servant is not greater than his master)
If any man desires to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all..
To be noticed or to stockpile credit in oneself for what the Spirit of God is doing through him, will always disqualify us from entering into the fullness of what the Spirit of the Lord is doing. There is much more that God can do if we get out of His way and let Him.
There are three things that I would like to cover tonight that I hope will help us to become better servants of the most high God. And in desiring to become a leader we truly desires a good thing. Qualifications of bishops, deacons, and their wives
1 Tim 3:1-13 (KJV)1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
But we better get used to becoming last as we put Him first.
And we better get used to becoming a servant to all (And we have no choice in the picking). ..
In General most people would much rather fallow someone that can lead by example and demonstration of his life, and someone who has wounds to show that he’s been in a battle rather than by someone who just want to get all the credit and privilege of telling people what to do. Never getting dirty just setting behind the desk giving orders.
Now I’m talking to everyone here including myself, who has a desire to serve God and to please God
If all we have is lip service, head knowledge and no track record were only hot air…
Servant
1249 diakonos {dee-ak’-on-os} probably from an obsolete diako
a. (to run on errands,
b. one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master,
a servant, attendant, minister
1a) the servant of a king
1b) a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him
by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use
1c) a waiter, one who serves food and drink (errand boy)
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Matt 10:39-42 (KJV)
1. We cannot become overly concerned and conceded in our service unto the Lord to the point that we begin looking for reward and glory from man. It won’t happen. (But you will get…)
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2. We cannot become satisfied with only lip service, head knowledge, and ideas without ever taking any actions.
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3. We must realize that we are all called to be servants of the highest God if we are one of his disciples.
1. Becoming overly concerned with how great we are, and what were doing to the point that we begin looking for reward and glory.
Sometimes we think of ourselves instead of staying reminded on what God has called us to do and realizing that it’s helping others.
We have to watch it when we sometimes begin to feel like we’re not getting enough recognition for our labor.
2. Nobody told me today what a good job I did…. or
3. I’m tired of helping that ungrateful…. or
4. I’m going to start doing things only where I’m more appreciated or can be noticed
Listen it’s good to be told good job. (Nice to be on top, harder fall down)
It’s nice to be appreciated and were supposed to be, but if you doing a service unto God we have to remember that He has already given us enough to approval when He said to us I love you so much that I’m going to give my life up so that you might have eternal life.
And I have called you and made you one of mine… Forget what man has to say. Is that not sufficient enough? It is for me…
Read Joshua 24: 1-16
Now, It’s an attack of the mind from the devil to try and cause our pride to rise up when we begin to feel this way. It’s an attempt to disqualify us from God’s eternal rewards Just like he tried to do to the children of Israel (And remember that Israel is the old testament type and model for the church). And there is no reward that should be more important to us than God’s rewards….
And usually it’s when we’re right at the point of receiving from God that is when old slew foot sticks his ugly face in the picture...
John 12:25-26
25 He that loveth his life (The things of this life) shall lose it; and he that hateth his life (are not concerned with what the world has to offer) in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. (KJV)
What this means is that, whoever shall serve me shall become like me. And the things that I do, you should do and my Father will honor you like He honor me.
He that serves me should strive to become an imitator of me. He is the greatest example of what a servant is and yet being the Son of God, high above all the earth humbled himself to serve man.
We must study God’s Word and become to others as much as we can what Christ has become to us.
Philippians 2:1-11
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (KJV)
It’s good to be recognized and respected. But the truth is that many of us will never get it the world’s recognition.
Should that stop us from being all you will be in serving others? No.
Because we know that God has a reward for us, and we are doing it for God, and not ourselves, not our pride….
And so we all ought to be like Paul the apostle when he said, I count everything as dung for the excellence of Christ”…
Let me talk to you from my heart today….
a. To win a soul
b. To plant a seed
c. To help someone from committing suicide in the time of crises. There is no title that you can give me, They are no reward that can satisfy me, no amount of money that can pay me for being the best servant that I can be
If we want to improve our serve
2. We cannot become satisfied with lip service only and no sold out Life to back it up.
a. It may hurt a little...
b. It may challenge you to another level in your relationship with God….
c. Yes, you might have to give some things up that you like to do…
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God. (KJV)
The bible always challenges us to become doers.
a. God can’t use a man if he’s not willing to give up his easy chair…
b. Sometimes it takes us putting forth some action before God will bring about changes in something or someone?
A servant serves in hope of God changing things around to make a situation comfortable for everyone involved. The very word deacon means servant. To serve others… (Literally to become a waiter).
Are they any needs around you that you feel that you can do something to make a difference? You can help make a difference?
On your job? - Is there some area that you can personally make a difference in on your Job without necessarily getting the credit for it or if you get the credit for it not necessarily getting the praise for it, or a raise for it.
c. Are you a servant unto the Lord? Ephesians 6:5-7
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: (KJV)
In your home?
Ephesians 5: 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
holy and without blemish.
In your Church? (Needing rides to Wed night prayer service)
We have many needs in this church.
a. Pick up …
b. Take care of …
c. Look after…
d. Offer help…
e. Just do it (Not to be noticed)
In Closing
3. We must realize that we are all called to be servants of the highest God.
And If we intend to improve in our service unto God, we must become totally submitted to God and in prayer, fasting, worship and praise, Listening and waiting for instructions from God.
We must become like Him, and when we think that we’ve done it all…. We must ask for strength and wisdom like Solomon did..
Prayer -
2 Chronicles 1:1-13
1 And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
2 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.
3 So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
4 But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
5 Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.
6 And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.
7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.
8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
9 Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
13 Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel. (KJV)
