Does anything like this ever happen at your house? Anybody there ever start throwing a pity-party? “I’m the only one doing anything around here. No one really appreciates me.” The attitude has kicked in. Someone finally notices that you aren’t very happy. “Hey! What’s wrong with you?” “Nothing!” And the peace in your home is gone.
There is a direct connect between how the help happens in your home and what the peace level is in your home. That’s why I want to talk to you about…
help@home
Text: Luke 17:7-10
Series: peace@home
Next week, we’ll continue our series on having peace at home. We’ll talk about how important forgiveness is. We’ll all be dinged… or hurt badly. What you do with that is huge.
Today… help@home. The Bible word for helping is serving.
Some form of the word “servant” is used over 2000 times in the Bible. That means that this is a big deal to God. And if it’s a big deal to God, it should be a big deal to me.
Some of the most famous predictions about the coming of Christ in the OT called Him a “Servant.” Isaiah 53:11 says, “My Servant [will] make many to be… righteous.” And when Jesus came to this planet, He talked about Himself this way:
The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.
Matt. 20:28a (ESV)
God is a God who serves. It’s important to Him. Doesn’t it make sense that we ought to be servants, too?
The very first Christians got it. Paul and James and Peter all opened their letters to churches by saying, “We are writing to you as servants.”
Do you see yourself as a servant? Are you a servant? It’s a command to every Christ-follower.
… live as servants…
I Peter 2:16 (NIV)
Think about it. I’m in a Kingdom. I have a good and wise and powerful King. And my job is to be a servant of this King. This is a Kingdom of love. One big way I show love is by serving.
I want to be known as a servant of Jesus. It makes me happy to be a servant.
You say, “Hold it. Being someone’s servant sounds so restrictive. I want to be free. I’m not going to be anyone’s servant!”
We are never really free until we are servants of Christ. You are going to serve somebody. Yourself. Your sin. Your money. Your career. Someone’s expectations. Serving anything or anyone other than Jesus enslaves us. But when Jesus, the King, rules your heart, your hands, your feet, your eyes, then you are really free. Because you are doing what you were designed to do.
Are you a servant? You say, “Rick, why are you pressing this point?” It’s because this can make such a huge difference in your home… and in all your relationships. It’s so important that Jesus tells a story about it in Luke 17. This story can help us to adjust our attitudes. From “me first” living to “you first” living. From having whiners in your house to having winners in your house.
Jesus asks us to think. What if you lived 2000 years ago? What if you were wealthy enough to have a servant in your home. You weren’t so wealthy that you had an outside servant and an inside servant. But you had a servant. Someone to plant and keep a big garden for you. Someone to take care of your livestock and animals – your sheep and goats and cows and donkeys. Your servant has been working outside all day and the outside work is done. Would you say, “Sit down right now; get something to eat”? No. He’s your servant.
You’re a good master. You’re treating your servant well. You’re providing good housing. But you’d say, “How about some supper for me? You’re dirty. Get cleaned up. Get dressed up. And serve me. After that, you can have your own supper.” And you wouldn’t even need to say “thanks” because your servant was just doing his job.
Then Jesus says, “So you…” He’s making His point. He’s saying, “You’re not the master. Jesus is. You are supposed to identify with the servant in this story.
So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.”
Luke 17:7-10 (ESV)
If you are a mom who is a little bit bitter about how much your family takes you for granted… if you are a dad who is frustrated because no one seems to really appreciate you… if you are a kid who resents some of the chores you are asked to do… and if all of that is creating stress in your house, then applying the truths in this story can make a big difference for you. The way you help in your home can help make peace in your home.
Have you ever taken out the garbage and muttered under your breath, “I don’t know why I have to do this all the time.” We are talking to ourselves all the time. And some of that self-talk destroys peace in the home. You can talk to yourself in a different way. What else could you say? Let’s think about…
The self-talk of a servant…
1. I’m serving Christ by serving others. v. 7
Whenever you want to gripe about putting away the dishes, tell yourself this: “When I serve others, I’m serving Jesus.” That can make a big difference.
“How can you say I’m serving Christ? I’m not serving Christ when I cut the grass. I’m serving my dad!”
Jesus told another story about people who helped others. They were giving away clothes. Visiting the sick. Feeding the hungry. Caring for prisoners. One day, those who served that way will be standing before the King to be judged. Notice what the King says:
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these… you did it to Me.”
Matthew 25:40 (ESV)
Jesus is telling us that when we serve others in the Kingdom, He counts as service to Him! The church is called the body of Christ. So, when you serve others, you are serving His body. You are serving Jesus. He says, “You serve Me by serving others.” You can see it again in another place.
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23 (HCSB)
Whatever you do to help someone in your home, do it with great passion. And do it for the Lord… and not for your kids, not for your mom or dad or brother or sister.
This past week, an argument broke out in someone’s home because of a late fee. The person who pays the bills was too busy. Didn’t get to it in time. And the argument went something like this: “I’m the only one who thinks about paying the bills around here. If I’d just get a little help from you, we wouldn’t be paying this late fee.” The spouse got defensive. The check was written with a resentment that everyone in the family feels.
If that’s you, you need to remind yourself, “I’m serving Christ by serving others. When I write this check to care for my family, even if it’s late, I’m writing it for Christ.”
Would there be more peace@home if you served this way? Less anger? Less bitterness? My help in my home helps make peace in my home.
The self-talk of a servant? I’m serving Christ by serving others.
2. It’s not break-time… yet. v. 8
You work hard all day at the office. You come home and want to chill out. “I can’t believe I have to do these chores! What have you guys been doing all day around here?” Anybody here ever cop that attitude? Let’s listen to Jesus.
Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’?
Luke 17:7-8 (ESV)
This is a demanding master. He works his servant from sunup to sundown until he is dead tired. Then he expects the servant to fix supper.
Why does Jesus tell us this? When we’re ready to quit, He’s wanting us to say, “It’s not break-time… yet! I am not done. I’m not through. I’m not finished. I’m ready for more.”
Jesus doesn’t want us to start thinking, “Hey, feeding the donkey is not in my job description! I’m an inside servant!” Or, “Hey, I don’t do dishes! I’m an outside servant.” No. A servant is willing to do it all. Doing what we ought to do as servants of the King is not easy. It’s not glamorous.
But don’t forget, that it’s our highest honour to serve the King. And we serve the King by serving others. And we should never be offended at how much we need to do.
Yes, servants do grow tired. Servants are human. And we all need to take appropriate rest and vacations. Even the greatest Servant, Jesus, took time away from the crowds to rest. But servants often have to serve through some fatigue.
Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.
Luke 12:48 (NLT)
“OK. I’ve done the dad thing for 25 years. I’m ready to relax, kick back. I want someone to serve me some sweet tea.” Hold it! You’re not done yet. There is something else for you to do. Your service will change with the seasons of your life. But you are to keep on serving as long as you live!
Now is the time for service. Now is the time for teaching your children. Now is the time to show your family in practical ways that you love them. Opportunities are in front of you every day. You won’t have these same service opportunities in the life to come. Work while it is day. Your service is not finished.
Listen, dads. Let’s serve our children now. One day, our kids will be gone from our homes. And when they leave, we will grieve over the wasted opportunities!
“But I want to prop my feet up! I deserve a break.” Listen. It’s good that our service never ends. It shows me that the King still wants me to serve Him. He’s pleased with my service so much that He asks me to do more and more for Him.
So, we pray, “Lord, let me be your servant. Never write me off. Never let me go. Never say, ‘You’re fired!’ to me!”
Are you tired? Been working all day? Run that vacuum. Wash those dishes. Pay those bills. Write those checks. Wash the laundry. Cut the grass. Paint the house. Keep serving!
Don’t be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 (CEV)
This past week, a young adult who’s still living with mom and dad got defensive. The mom asked that young adult to pick up some groceries. “OK. Fine. But you don’t understand how busy I am! You don’t seem to understand how much I have to do.” Tensions are high.
If that young adult is you, you need to remind yourself, “It’s not break-time yet. I have more to do for Christ by serving my family.”
Would there be more peace@home if you served this way? Less arguing? Less hurt feelings? My help in my home helps make peace in my home.
The self-talk of a servant? It’s not break-time… yet.
3. I won’t demand a thank-you. v. 9
When we do something for someone, there’s something inside us that wants to be noticed. If we’re not appreciated, it hurts. It’s easy for us to pout. But look at the question from Jesus.
Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?
Luke 17:9 (ESV)
When you thank someone, it’s a response to their generosity. But the master doesn’t think that the servant has been generous. Why not? The servant is just doing his duty. The servant shouldn’t expect a thank-you. Why? He’s getting paid a salary. Or maybe he’s getting room and board. No need for pats on the back.
Our service to God doesn’t make Him think that He owes us. He doesn’t even owe us a “thank you.”
You paid your taxes. Did you get a thank you note from the IRS or President Bush? No. You did what you are supposed to do!
Is it wrong to show appreciation? Is it off the mark to say, “Thanks” when someone does something for you? Are you mistaken to reward someone for a job well-done? No. we ought to say thanks to each other a lot. If you are the one being served, say thanks and mean it. But it’s dangerous for the servant to start expecting it… or demanding it.
I want to be someone who serves without looking for reward or praise. I want to be someone who is not looking to be recognized. I want to be someone who says, “I will serve without thanks.”
Why? There are so many things that as servants of the King we have left undone. And we have done some things the King didn’t want done. What thanks do we deserve? None!
Yes, the people in your family should show love and gratitude to you when you serve them. But that can’t be demanded. This passage says that it can’t even be expected.
“Well, if they don’t appreciate it, I won’t do it!” Be careful…
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
James 4:17 (NLT)
This past week, a dad wrote a big check to pay for a teenager’s car insurance. And he wrote another big check to pay for a trip to Cedar Point. He got a “Thanks, dad!” But deep inside, he knows the kid said it out of habit. He’s felling unappreciated and is throwing a pity party. Everybody knows something is wrong. People are waling on eggshells.
If that dad is you, you need to remind yourself, “I won’t demand a thank you. It would be nice. But my service is to Christ. And He’ll thank me someday with a well-done.”
Would there be more peace@home if you served this way? Less stress? Less heartache? My help in my home helps make peace in my home.
The self-talk of a servant? I won’t demand a thank you.
4. I’m not a worthy servant. v. 10
So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’
Luke 17:10 (ESV)
Unworthy. Some versions say, “Unprofitable servants.” It means “no one owes me anything. The master does not owe me anything extra.” Unworthy is a word that means “I do not deserve praise.” Why not? I just did my duty. The NASB translates it this way: “We have done only that which we ought to have done.” “I just did what I ought to do.”
The happiest servants (and the ones who please God the most) are the ones who call themselves “unworthy servants.”
I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are.
Romans 12:3 (CEV)
We are, at our best, unworthy servants. Think of what Jesus has done for you. He loved you eternally. He loved you sacrificially. He loves you infinitely. What a King. A King that would die for His servants. What have you done for Him compared with what He has done for you?
Anyone here done everything Jesus commanded today, last week, last year, ever? No. You all are in the “unworthy servants” club with me. It’s a good place to be.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
James 4:10 (ESV)
I read about a follower of Jesus who was asked, “Do you tithe?” “Yes. I give at least 10% of my income to God.” “Wow. That’s awesome!” “Not really. It’s what God has said we are to do.” That guy gets it. He didn’t expect a pat on the back. He was only doing the duty of a servant to the King.
Listen, if we everything that this Book says, we are still unworthy servants!
This past week, a dad went over and above the call of duty. Several nights this week, he grilled chicken and ribs and helped with supper. He helped clean up the house and hosted a sleep over. He volunteered at the church by cutting grass. He called his aging mother. He hauled his daughter to three softball games. He bought a card to give to his wife just to say, “I love you.” He’s at church today and is barely staying awake. Inside, he’s feeling pretty good about himself. And his pride is showing. And somehow his family feels “less than” because he’s got this “holier-than-thou” thing going.
If that dad is you, way to go! Keep on serving. But you need to remind yourself, “I’m not a worthy servant.”
Would there be more peace@home if you served this way? Less pride? Less arrogance? My help in my home helps make peace in my home.
The self-talk of a servant? I’m not a worthy servant.
You know what all this requires? Humility. This month, our children are learning a great definition for the humility that’s necessary for being a servant.
Humility –
putting others first by giving up
what you think you deserve.
Think about it this way. When you come to Christ ad your Savior, He gives you resources. It’s like you have money in the bank. Then He says, “Serve Me with all that I’ve given you.” Sometimes, He wants you to write the big check!
But often, He’s looking for is people who will give 25 cents here and 50 cents there.
You says, “How do I do that?” You give 25 cents listening to your wife’s troubles or 50c cents hearing your kid’s heart. It’s spending a nickel carrying out the trash. It’s changing a dime’s worth of dirty diapers.
Usually serving Christ isn’t glamorous. Or spectacular. Sometimes, it might be. But being a servant is doing all those little acts of love – 25 cents at a time. It’s living a life of flowing Jesus little by little over the long haul.
A truth to take home: When service goes up, the stress goes down.
Another way to say? My help in my home helps make peace in my home.
A verse to remember: Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant. (Mark 10:42b; NASB)
Jesus measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines your greatness not by how many people are serving you, but by how many people you are serving.
A question to answer: How will I seek a servant’s spirit this week?
See serving as a big job – as an important role. Serve so well that if anyone wants to know what a servant is, they could ask Christ, our King, and He will point to us, and say, “There is a great one. There is a servant.”
