Servant

When I was a boy, my dad would give me summer chores to accomplish while he was at work—anything from cleaning off the work bench to weeding the garden. I had all day to fulfill his requests and also had some time for my own enjoyment. But I knew that when Dad got home from work I would have to answer to him for what I had gotten done that day.

We know that Jesus had a great passion for the lost: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Christ’s main passion and overwhelming burden for the lost was that they would be saved.

Leadership—especially spiritual leadership—involves shepherding people. It involves connecting hearts with the life-changing truths of God’s Word. This requires a Spirit-filled leader with a heart large enough for people. It requires a leader who sees management as necessary to leadership but not defining of leadership.

The following list will provide some practical reasons for serving. Keep in mind that this list is far from exhaustive, but provides some compelling motivations for serving our great God! Why, then, should I involve myself in the ministry?

You’ve heard it said: In life there are two groups of people—givers and takers. The titles are self explanatory: givers invest, and takers seek to be invested in. Every Christian should be a giver, but those in the ministry should especially be givers. We should be investing our lives in others.

In spiritual leadership, the way up is down, and the way to greatness is the path of service. We already know that, and we pray for a servant’s heart. But sometimes we forget what a servant’s heart actually looks like. What, specifically, are we praying for when we ask for a servant’s heart?

I believe in checklists. Actually, I believe in lists, period. They help me keep focused on completing projects, and they keep me from forgetting important details. In Philippians 2, we have a checklist of a different sort—qualities of a productive Christian servant. The first several verses of this chapter describe a servant leader as they reveal the mind of Christ and His humility.

Sermon outline: This is an abbreviated outline with the complete sermon downloadable at the bottom of the post. Introduction: In Colossians chapters one and two, Paul exalts Jesus Christ to His rightful place as the Preeminent One in the universe. He explains that Jesus Christ is God in human flesh. Jesus is the Creator of the world, and therefore is sufficient in meeting every spiritual and physical need we have.

The highest model of leadership is cloaked in the lowest forms of humility. Specifically, servant leadership was set and demonstrated by Christ Himself when He left Heaven’s glory and “took upon him the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7).

The modern model of the office of a pastor seems to be that of a spiritual executive. The vision is of a man sitting in his office, reading reports, conducting meetings, and issuing instructions. It is true that if we are to “look well to the state of our flock,” inspection and direction are necessary. But the Bible model is one of service.

The Bible declares that God made the world out of nothing—He created! He did not make something out of something—He created something out of nothing. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

An old Yiddish proverb says, “God gave burdens, also shoulders.” But have you ever felt that your shoulders were too weak to bear your burdens? This is one reason God has made the church a family—that we might bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

If you are an adult Bible class leader, you are probably good at serving people. You are willing and able to help people grow in their Christian walk. You have already accepted this as your responsibility and privilege. But is your class also serving?

Service is a part of a Christian’s DNA. It is built into our new nature.Eagles are made to fly, wolves are made to hunt, canaries are made to sing, moles are made to dig, and Christians are made to serve.

I despise soggy cereal! When I was a kid, there was a grandmotherly woman named Mrs. Shelton who would sometimes care for us if my parents were out of town. She had a very effective way of getting us out of bed in the morning.

The deacons who serve our church have been a help to me—and to our entire church family—beyond what words can describe.

The world recognizes those who give financially to causes. They call them philanthropists. They also recognize those who go to great lengths to meet the physical needs of others

A relationship can be defined as a logical or natural association between two or more people. Relationships are very important in the business world.

There is a vast difference between knowing what you are and knowing what you are supposed to do. When I first got married I knew that I was a husband. However, I had no idea what I was supposed to do!

In the business world many catch phrases and buzz words arise. Several years ago I started hearing about paradigms (pair-a-dimes). I’m a simple kind of guy, an Alabama boy at heart.