Volume 12 Post/Email 4 – Rejecting The Role Of Servant (Part 4)
by brian
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)
by brian
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)
by brian
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)
by brian
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?
Volume 8 Post/Email 5 – Servant Leadership
by brian
The temptation of power is a matter any leader can face - political power, military power, economic power, or moral and spiritual power. What makes the temptation of power so seemingly irresistible?
Maybe it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God and easier to control people than to love people.
Jesus asks, "Do you love me?" We ask, "Can we sit at your right hand and your left hand in your kindgom?"
Ever since the snake said, "The day you eat of this tree your eyes will be open and you will be like God, knowing good from evil" (Gen. 3:5), we have been tempted to replace love with power.
We learn from Jesus (both his teaching and example) that true spiritual leadership is servant leadership.
Reflection Question: Do I love people or try to control people?
Remember that love (agape) is action. To love others is to help and serve them, not to use and dominate them.
-Brian
Volume 8 Post/Email 4 – Jesus’ Humility
by brian
1. Consider the commencement of His ministry. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus opens with "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3) The very first words of His proclamation about the kingdom reveal that it comes to the poor, who have nothing in themselves.
2. Jesus offers himself as Teacher, stating "Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29) Humility is our salvation.
3. The disciples had been disputing among themselves who would be the greatest in the kingdom, and had agreed to ask the Master (Luke 9:46-48 ; Matthew 18:2-3). In the first story, he answers, "He who is least among you all - he is the greatest." In the second story, He placed a child in their midst and said, "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." The question ('Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?') is far-reaching. The answer is surprising. The least is the greatest.
4. The Sons of Zebedee asked Jesus if they could sit on His right hand and on his left, the highest places in the kingdom. Jesus said it was not His to give but the Father's, who would give to those for whom it was prepared. They must not seek it or ask for it. And then He added, "Whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." (Matthew 20:27-28) The lowliest is the nearest to God.
5. Speaking to the multitudes and the disciples, of the Pharisees and their love of the chief seats, Jesus said once again, "The greatest among you will be your servant." (Matthew 23:11) Humble servanthood is the only ladder to honor in God's kingdom.
6. On another occasion, in the house of a Pharisee, He spoke the parable of the guest who would be invited to move higher, and added, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11) There is no other way. Self-abasement alone will be exalted.
7. After the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Jesus spoke again, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:14) In the temple and the presence and worship of God, everything is worthless that is not pervaded by deep, true humility toward God and mankind.
8. After washing the disciples' feet, Jesus said, "Now that I your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet." (John 13:14) The authority of command and example, every thought, either of obedience or conformity, make humility the first and most essential element of discipleship.
How little this is preached. How seldom it is practiced. How faintly the lack of it is felt or confessed. One cannot say how few attain to some recognizable measure of likeness to Jesus in his humility. How little the world has seen it. How scarcely it is seen in the inner circle of the church.
Here is the path to the higher life. It is the lowest path!
That is God's work. We are to humble ourselves, and take no place before God or man but that of a servant.
Jesus, the meek and lowly One, calls us to learn of Him the path to God, and to His favor and joy in kingdom living!
-Brian
Volume 4 Post/Email 10 – Faith(#10)
by brian
As "Thanksgiving" will be celebrated tomorrow in the U.S., I am reminded of Paul's counsel and encouragement in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. We can waiver in faith and struggle to trust and obey this teaching when matters in life seem adverse. We can lack a grateful spirit and joyful attitude. We can disregard God's blessings and promises.
We have numerous blessings and reasons for which to live in constant gratitude. Such is God's will for us.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
-Brian
(Also, below are two of my favorite quotes on gratitude.)
“Gratitude changes the way we start the day, spend the day, and look back at the day. It defines us as people who value our relationship with God and those He’s placed around us.” – Nancy Leigh Demoss, Choosing Gratitude (Moody, 2009)
“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”—W. T. Purkiser, 20th century Church of the Nazarene pastor
Volume 4 Post/Email 8 – Faith(#8)
by brian
As best biblical scholars can tell, Habakkuk was written in 607 B.C. just prior to the Bablyonian invasion and exile of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar. This event results in thousands of casualties and loss of freedom for the survivors.
The first 2 chapters describe a conversation between God and the prophet Habakkuk about why this is happening to all of Judah, including the "righteous".
Chapter 3 concludes with a prayer set to music (v.1, 19). The end of the prayer is a powerful expression of faith, as Habakkuk tells God that no matter how bad circumstances become, he will continue to rejoice in the Lord. May this reading bless us.
3:17-19 "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." For the director of music on my stringed instruments.
Reflection question: Would my current faith be described accurately as one of worship and rejoicing when circumstances are challenging or unpleasant?
-Brian
Volume 4 Post/Email 4 – Faith(#4)
by brian
Peter mentions (in 2 Peter 1:4) that God has given us "very great and precious promises."
In the last post I referenced the aspect of faith being precious, from Peter's opening statements in his first letter.
Now I want to highlight from Peter's opening statements in his second letter the aspect of his promises being precious.
God has promised us all that we need for this life and everlasting life. We can trust in his promises, even when our circumstances are negative, difficult, and even make us feel despair.
Faith in God's promises produces hope. The Bible is full of words of faith and encouragement for us. We have every reason to be optimistic!
Our future is as bright as the promises of God!
-Brian
Volume 4 Post/Email 3 – Faith(#3)
by brian
Faith is precious, especially when dealing with adversity.
Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:7, "These (v. 6 'trials') have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold (NKJV 'much more precious than gold'), which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
Whether it is sickness, loss, or other forms of suffering, faith in God is what propels us forward with a positive attitude and actions of perseverance. Faith says "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
I honestly don't know how people without faith deal with problems and trials of life.
The longer I live, the more grateful I am for faith, and the more I realize how precious my faith is to me.
-Brian