As Christians We have been called to serve not to be served.  We have been called to do whatever is necessary to introduce the lost and dying to the Savior.   We must always remember being the church is not about us but rather to bring glory to our Lord and Savior.  When a person comes to know Jesus as Savior, angels rejoice.  “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angles of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 ESV    Never take the focus off the mission of reaching the lost or you could be in danger of appearing to be just another organization and not the church.

     How can you judge for yourself whether you are a servant or just a attendee?  First you must confirm in your spirit that you are exactly where the Lord wants you.  You will never find a perfect church, for the church is filled with imperfect people redeem and saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ.  When you have determine that you are in the church body which God has lead you to, never look back, roll up your sleeves and go to work.  Being part of the church is not about just attending but working / serving till Jesus comes.   Also servants do not demand their own way or worry about their own feelings but rather find joy in serving.   Will you ever have your feelings hurt or disagree with how a certain thing is done?  More than likely … yes.  Don’t let this cause you to spend your lifetime jumping around looking for the perfect church; you will only be disillusioned and waste much time in the battle for lost souls.

             I wish to reflect upon the greatest servant that ever lived.  For if you never learn from the Master how to serve, I will dare say you will never find godly contentment as a Christian.

 1. We must have the mind of Christ

       Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself,  by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Philippians 2: 5-8 ESV   Jesus, submitted himself to the will of his Father as a servant.  It was God’s will that his son would be crucified upon the cross and Jesus willingly submitted. “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.  Never the less, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 ESV  

     “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money.”  Matthew 6:24 ESV     If we serve as Jesus, we must focus upon God the Father.   Deuteronomy 5:7 ESV makes it clear…You shall have no other gods before me.  If God is the focus of our service, we will cooperate with his will.

3. As Jesus, we acknowledge It’s not about ourselves

     “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 ESV   If you ever start down the slippery slope of the me me me type thinking, you will lose the reflection of Jesus in your life, and  others will not see Him in you either. For with the “me”  lifestyle everything is focused upon yourself.  How might one tell if they have the me lifestyle rather than the service lifestyle.  Are you easily angered when things do not go your way; easily offended; threaten to leave or quit often?  You may be in danger of being  self serving.  How would you over come this if this describes you?  Make a conscience effort to live Philippians 2: 3-4 ESV…Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others as more important than yourself.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others.  (Now refer back to point number one and read verses 5-8 of Philippians 2)

      In closing let me encourage you to make a song written by Kelly Willard the prayer for your life every day.  The Lyrics to the song are as follows:

                                                                                   Make me a servant humble and meek

                                                                                   Lord, let me lift up, those who are weak

                                                                                   And may the prayer of my heart always be;

                                                                                   Make me a servant, make me a servant,

                                                                                   Make me a servant today.

    You can go to youtube.com ~ type in Kelly Willard, Make me a Servant and hear this beautiful song.

     May we as a church become such servants to each other that those watching would say,  “My, how they love each another.”  What a testimony this would be and what a joy it would be to be a part of this type church.   Make it a point to serve someone this week…be purposeful and do something intentionally.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David