Sermon on Servanthood | To Be A Servant

1. This is perhaps the greatest barrier of all to being a servant.

1) We don’t live in a country that seeks to serve others; we live in a country that seeks to be served.

2) Our culture is permeated with the message: “Serve me.”

3) So we have a difficult time understanding, in our culture, what it means to have the attitude of a servant.

4) Attitude plays the most important role here.

5) A lot of times, we are like the two boys fighting over the pancakes (illustration).

6) We want the other person to serve, not us.

7) How can we develop the attitude of a servant?

2. We need to consider others before self.

1) Phil. 2:3-4 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

2) Romans 15:1-3 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”

3. When we consider ourselves, we need to consider ourselves unworthy of honor.

1) Luke 14:7-11 illustrates the proper and improper attitudes in this regard: “And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

2) Romans 12:3 “…not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…”

3) Romans 12:16 “… condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

4. We need not think that there is a task too lowly for us to accomplish.

1) Consider the attitude of Naaman in 2 Kings 5:11-13:

2) Who was it that returned Naaman to sober judgment in his case? His servant.

5. We need to take into account the principle of love before doing all things.

1) Galatians 5:13-15,

2) 1 John 3:16-19

1. Get involved.

1) The old adage is true: the more you put into something, the more you get out of it.

2) There are some who want to work, but do not know what they can do.

3) Many times it is due to lack of involvement.

4) The more involved you are with something, the more opportunities will arise to serve.

5) Eccl. 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;”

2. Involve others.

1) There are those who serve and want to do everything.

2) There’s not necessarily anything wrong with this attitude, but sometimes, we need to involve others in the work instead of doing it all ourselves.

3) Luke 5:7 “And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.”

3. Ask/Pray

1) There is always something that needs to be done.

2) If you want something to do, then just ask someone.

3) Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you…”

4. Volunteer

1) A lot of times, there are things that need to be done about which we don’t need to ask to do.

2) Regarding these things, we need simply but volunteer to do the job.

3) Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

5. Finally, knowing what to do sometimes means doing things that we don’t necessarily want to do.

1) Jesus prayed, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

1. Sometimes it’s not a matter of attitude or knowledge, but simply lack of action on our part.

2. We need to heed the words of James 1:22-25 “But be ye doers of the word…”

3. Col.3:23 ” And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

4. James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

5. Let’s resolve to get involved in service one to another.