The Heart to Service

Its time to be a part of something bigger than you...

the Kingdom of God. 

(John 13:1-17) It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. 

Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love... 

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you... Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Who is a Servant?

Doulos: bond servant (It is a slave that is like an employee).

(Mark 9:35) Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Principle: Serving is a lifetime commitment.

Diakonos: deacon (It is like a waiter).

(Matthew 20:26-28) Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Principle: Focus on the needs of others.

Find a need and fill it.  Find a hurt and heal it.

Huperetes: Be under another.  Be anonymous. 

(Acts 26:16) “Now get up and stand on your feet. I (Jesus) have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.”

Principle: Magnify Jesus not me. 

A lifetime commitment to serve people’s needs in such a way that magnifies 

Jesus, not me.

The Heart of a Servant

1. A servant puts service over status.

(Philippians 2:3-4) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

2. A servant puts character over comfort. 

God is interested in your character.

(Luke 10:30-37 Message) “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. 

On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. 

Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. 

Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man. 

A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. 

Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’ 

“What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?” “The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded. Jesus said, “Go and do the same.” 

Don't ask, "If I stop and help another what will happen to me?"  

Ask,  "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"  Martin Luther King Jr.  

3. A servant puts we over me.

(Acts 2:44-45) All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

  

4. A servant puts worship 

over wealth.

(Matthew 25:37-40) “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/the-heart-of-a-servant

All scripture is from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.