Volume 12 Post/Email 4 – Rejecting The Role Of Servant (Part 4)
Jesus calls us to a higher life. The misunderstanding I can have is what this life involves.
I can think God intends for me to be popular. I can believe that God guarantees me an easy journey. I can expect God to make me wealthy. I can focus on worldly matters rather than kingdom interests.
In Matthew 23:11-12 Jesus explains, "The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
God is a servant. Jesus left the comfort and bliss of heaven to reach people, love people, serve people, die and resurrect for people. Jesus lived and walked upon the earth for us! Jesus exalted us!
Jesus embodies servanthood. Now, he invites us to join him in participating in a higher life and calling. Jesus invites us to partner with him in ministry. Jesus invites us to experience a radical reorientation of our life, values, priorities and lifestyle. Jesus invites us to lose our life, our trivial pursuits, and our worries. Jesus invites us to a life of peace and joy seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Reflection: What are my impediments and objections to serving others?
Volume 12 Post/Email 3 – Rejecting The Role Of Servant (Part 3)
In Romans 12:1-2 Paul exhorts Christians to offer our bodies to God as living and holy sacrifices. He further states that we should not conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind.
Immediately following this spiritual instruction, in verse 3-4 Paul targets our attitude, stating that we should not think of ourself more highly than we ought, but to think of ourself with sober judgment. Why?
Answer: He is about to address spiritual gifts (vs. 6-8). If one does not have a humble or sober disposition, then he or she will not use their gift(s) to serve others. We all have a function or role within the church to fulfill. These spiritual endowments are chosen and designated by God. However, if we have an inflated ego and sense of self, we will use our abilities from God for personal benefits rather than kingdom purposes.
We can follow Jesus daily, intentionally, and sacrificially in the use of our spiritual gifts. In devoting our lives to God and filling our lives with His Spirit, He blesses us with these opportunities to give, bless, minister, and share with others.
May we continue renewing our minds and reorienting our lives towards God's good, pleasing and perfect will!
Volume 12 Post/Email 2 – Rejecting The Role Of Servant (Part 2)
If there were a conference in your area being offered with the headline, "How To Become Successful," would you consider attending? Do you think you might be excited about attending a seminar titled, "The Path To Greatness?" Might you be inclined to participate in a gathering centered on the theme "Leading Effectively" or "Powerful Leadership?"
Finally, do you believe you would want to go to a conference on "How To Become Smaller," "Choosing Slavery" or "Learning The Path Of Servanthood?"
The latter is the appeal of the kingdom of heaven! This appeal does not seem attractive to the average person, and is not the typical emphasis in corporations. We pursue personal power for the primary purpose of personal recognition. We desire glory, and define success by how many resources are in our possession and by how few people have a higher position and salary within our company. We compare and compete.
"Jesus called them together and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." (Matthew 20:25-26)
Jesus does not say it is wrong to desire greatness. Jesus does not say that it is bad to obtain power. What Jesus does is redefine greatness and redirect how one thinks about power and using his or her power!
Jesus says greatness is not measured by how much authority one has, but is defined by being a servant.
According to Jesus, success and greatness are accomplished through actively and intentionally serving people. Furthermore, effective and powerful leadership are accomplished largely through seeing, serving, and promoting the well-being of others. To invest in others and equip others requires time and the heart of a servant.
Reflection: Am I becoming great God's way?
Volume 12 Post/Email 1 – Rejecting The Role Of Servant (Part 1)
This next series of thought is on servanthood. The premise of the series is that we miss what God desires when we reject the role of servant. I submit that Scripture teaches the following straightforwardly - All that God would have us learn is in the context of being a servant.
In Matthew 20 Jesus is approached by the mother of James and John. She asks if they can be next to him in rank, one on his right and the other on his left in his kingdom. Jesus tells her this is not for him to grant, but for his Father. Jesus proceeds to talk about greatness being to serve, and that whoever desires to be first must be a slave.
What a provocative and mind-boggling statement! Who considers slaves to be great? Who desires to be another's servant?
The answer: The one who has the attitude and perspective of Jesus.
Matthew 20:28 - "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Over the next several weeks, I want us to focus on discipleship, and being a people of action who use our spiritual gifts in an attitude of humility and joy to serve others. All that Jesus would have us to learn is in the context of taking up our personal cross and carrying God's will for us. His purpose is largely and primarily that we see others. In seeing others, we capitalize on the opportunity to serve them!
Reflection: Am I rejecting the role of servant in my relationships?