The exemplary servant hood of Christ life on earth as the foundation for believers' servanthood to the Father and Son in the world.
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor. John 12:26. Note: to serve Christ is to serve the Father. It is to know God and walk with him. No man can come to the Father except by the Son. The children of God are the servants of God in Christ Jesus. As Christ devoted himself to God on earth so should they be on earth. The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life as ransom for many. Matthew 20:28.
You must be born again. You cannot become a servant of Christ if you’re not converted. Without regeneration, you are not saved or called to serve Christ. It is either you are called by men or called by Satan or self-employed into Christ service for whatever motive or reason. Those who are servants of Christ are led by his Spirit into their services for him - After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go to Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. Acts 16:6. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:3-8.
Christ is not a minister of sin. Galatians 2:17. In Christ Jesus, the believer is now a servant of righteousness. He must be an holy instrument and vessel by yielding himself unto God as an instrument of righteousness. Otherwise, he risks being a cast-away servant at the end and his services be in vain. Romans 6:16-19. Note: the Father sanctified Jesus before he sent him into the world to serve. John 10:38. Jesus saves you to serve, but you must first purge yourself from all lusts to be a sanctified vessel acceptable for earthly service, ready for every good use and reserved for the heavenly - higher calling. Add faithfulness to holiness because it requires a servant to be faithful. Faithfulness, add fruitfulness. Every branch in Christ that does not bear fruit shall be cut off. Holiness should be the central focus in your walk with God and work for him and service to men without which no man shall see God. Hebrews 12:14. Click to Read The futility of good works to heaven without holiness.
Serving Christ requires personal striving to duplicate Christ by serving others after his pattern. You call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. John 13:13-17. Luke 6:40.
Great is the mystery of godliness. Christ's incarnation was to show us how, lovingly and humbly, serving others is connected to our devotion to God, being part of doing service for God. Killing or murdering anyone in the name of religion is not of the true God. John 16:2. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle and meek to instruct others. 2 Timothy 2:24-25. Thou shall not murder. Exodus 20:13. Whosoever kills another by sword, by sword shall he die. Matthew 26:25. Note: the Lord is the prince of peace. His servants are messengers of peace. Physical violence and destructions should be far from them - the Lord hates men and women who love violence. Psalms 11:5.
The faithful servant seeks the interest of his master in all things. For I have no like-minded man who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. Philippians 2:20-21.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:4-8. Note: though hand join in hand, the proud shall not go unpunished. The humble are not fools. They are only pleasing God to live and walk in humility before him in this cursed generation of haughty men, women and children. Psalms 119:21. Proverbs 16:5.
Christ was meek and lowly in heart. Those with the true emblem of Christ don’t speak proudly. They don’t treat others with contempt and disregard. They honor one another above themselves. Romans 12:10. They don’t think proudly about exercising themselves in things too high for them. They don’t walk or look proudly. It is required of the children of God to put on humility as a garment and to walk humbly before him. Micha 6:8. 1 Peter 5:5.
Practical humility in service to Christ depicts the level and depth of your relationship with and knowledge of God. Job 42:5-6. The degree or extent of true knowledge with a deep, deeper relationship with God is known by how low a man can go to bring himself down to serve others while walking with God and living for him like Christ humbled himself while he was on earth: though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Psalms 138:6. It is a proud servant with a darkened heart like Satan and an empty brain like the partridge that broods but does not hatch who will ignore serving others with humility in their respective ministry or calling. Note: you do yourself a favour whenever you do service to others in God’s stead. It is to your account and reward in heaven whatever you do to any of these little ones. It is done unto Christ – good or bad. When I was hungry, you fed me. When I was in prison, you visited me. Matthew 25:35-40.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, was called to be an apostle. Romans 1:1. We are saved and called to serve one another in different capacities, but all those with the mentality of a boss in the church don't know the God they serve. The greatest should be the servant of all. God does not measure greatness by the position of authority in the kingdom but by the strength of service and labor of love of a faithful servant in Christ Jesus. Everyone should wait and serve faithfully in their ministry.
The servant of Christ must not abuse the love and the holy bond uniting him together with fellow brethren in the Lord. Bondaries and limitations to different relationships as brothers and sisters, leaders and followers, team or group members should be respected, lest by serving Christ in any inappropriate way like the sons Eli, should not be destroyed for their services while holding the truth in unrighteousness and uncleanness. For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13.
God called Christ as his servant. A servant Saviour. A servant preacher. A servant deliverer. A servant redeemer. A servant healer, - behold my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. Matthew 12: 18-21.
Your primary purpose as a servant of Christ is to please him. Ignoring what others might say or think about you – before your Master you stand or fall. And you will stand, for the Lord is able to make you stand. Romans 14:4. Your praise and reward is from God: you are bought at a price; be ye not servant of men. Note: You are to serve God by serving others, and you are to serve others to serve God, but none should rule over you but God - Gideon said to them, I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you. Judges 8:23.1 Corinthians 7:23.
Christ focuses his servant hood on earth to satisfy and fulfill the pleasure of God. John 8:28.
Your accountability is to God and your responsibility is to serve and honestly represent his interests. If you seek to please men and to compromise your faithfulness to Christ for their approval, you are not a worthy servant of Christ. Christ endured the contradiction of sinners against himself. Be not weary and faint in your heart for being faithful to the Lord till the end for the crown he promised. There is no humility or suffering in the service of Christ's disciples of the past, present or future that can be compared to that of Christ. By the fruit of the spirit, we must put on true humility in serving one another. Otherwise, we are of the devil, who by the reason of his service became proud and was expelled from heaven and debased to earth - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7. Note: if you are not useful to somebody at an opportune time, you are a vain person in the sight of God. Never say like the ignorant and foolish proud outburst, I've been taken for a fool by others. People are using me. My husband is using me. My wife is using me. My siblings are using me. My colleagues are using me. It is God who is at work in you, both to will and do according to his good pleasure. If you are not used by God, Satan will use you for people. It is not about you. It is about the God of heaven or the god of this world. Whether you like it or not, God or Satan will use or work in you. But you can't serve both -what do you prefer?
The believer is now a servant of Christ bought by the inestimable price of the blood of the Lamb. Every belonging of the servant belongs to his master. The believer owes everything to his Lord the Christ. Everything he was, and he hopes to be, is owned by Christ. There is no room for pride than constant expressions of gratitude for the privilege of salvation to serve Christ. There is no room to take any credit whatsoever because the owner of the house is greater than the house itself. The believer is saved to serve Christ and others with love and humility in Christ. Acts 20:19.
The seventy returned to Jesus with joy after they'd preached with good results. Luke 10:17. Count it all joy if you are used by God, but continue to set yourself aside for Him. Seek for his will. Always in readiness for the next call of assignment. Luke 12:41-48. Servants are replaceable and can be destroyed by God; carefulness in obedience is required. Was King Saul not replaced and eventually destroyed by God for his disobedient and idolatrous sin? Thus saith the Lord, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me. Isaiah 65:8-10.
Your unavailability or slothfulness cannot stop the works of God in the lives of others. Your slothfulness makes God’s works wasted, and what do you think of your end? Should you not be wasted as well? Proverbs 18:9. The believer cannot take credit for anything done in Christ in his service to others. His works bring or give pleasure to his Lord and Master, but he becomes a vessel wherein there is no pleasure to his Master if he’s using his gifts to manipulate others or to milk them in an abusive way. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke 17:7-10.
It is required that a steward should be faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2. Faithfulness was the girdle of Christ's reins. He was faithful in everything pertaining to God, therefore, was he made by God as our faithful eternal high priest in heaven. A faithful servant shall wait continually before his Master. Matthew 20:6-7. His desire to serve his master should not override his zeal to do what he was not given instruction to do. Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honored. Proverbs 27:18.
Be zealous, but don’t be overzealous in the kingdom. The latter can be ruinous if you don't know your measures and limits. 2 Samuel 6:7. Let your zeal work and serve for the Lord be within the bonds and scopes of his eternal word on what you've been led to do by his Holy Spirit. The lack of self-control is a damnable work of the flesh which can be seen as an intrusion into others’s services, rebellion to divine authority or the authority of God in the local church, punishable by death. No servant shall be praised or rewarded for doing what he was not asked to do rather than to be punished for his disorderliness before the God of order.
Either an earthly or celestial master, a servant honors his master. Malachi 1:6. A believer working under another believing master should not take advantage of brotherhood love to dishonour or disrespect their master. A believer working for an unrelieved employer should be faithful in all things because he represents the Lord in the place he gains his daily bread. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Colossians 3:22-25. 1 Timothy 6:1-2.
Formerly in heaven, Christ was figuratively shown as the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David who triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals. Revelation 5:5-6. There was never a throne set aside in heaven for Christ at the right hand of the Father before he came into the world to die for our sins, but his faithful accomplishments of the works of God procure him the honor of the name which is above every other name, and his endurance for the death on the cross earned him the exalted position at the Father's right-hand throne where he is now seated to make intercession for us - The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Romans 8:34. Psalms 110:1-2.
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Note: a servant must be bold to execute and defend his master’s interest in the face of persecution to endure false accusations and rejections to expect. Matthew 10:25.
Two major things were seen in Christ servant hood. First, the pure motive found in his fixed goal – I came down from heaven, not to seek my own pleasure, but the will of him who sent me. John 6:38. Second, his humility in service - Let nothing be done through strife and vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Note: Whatever you do unto anyone, believer or unbeliever which is not done as unto the Lord is of no use to him and of no reward from him. Philippians 2:3.
What do you have that you have not received? A servant, because he is a servant, is of a humble statute who should always be of a humble disposition to stay and serve in humility, lest he work against the plans of his master beyond what is expected of him or be puffed up to his destruction for the gifts received to serve others. 1 Corinthians 4:7. Christ was meek and lowly in heart in all his ways and stewardship. Those with the true emblem of Christ don’t speak proudly in their stewardship. They don’t treat others with contempt and disregard in their stewardship. They don’t think proudly about exercising themselves in things too high for them in their stewardship. They don’t walk or look proudly at their stewardship. It is required of all the children of God, both great and small, to put on humility as a garment (1 Peter 5:5), to walk humbly before God (Micah 6:8), and to serve one another in humility. Acts 20:19.
Be zealous, but don’t be overzealous in the kingdom. The latter can be ruinous if you don't know your measures and limits. 2 Samuel 6:7. Let your zeal to work and serve the Lord be within the bonds and scopes of his eternal word. The lack of self-control is a damnable work of the flesh which can be seen as an intrusion to other’s services, rebellion or insubordination to divine authority or the authority of God in the local church, punishable by death. No servant shall be praised or rewarded for doing what he was not asked to do than to be punished for his disorderliness before the God of order.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle. We are saved and called to serve one another in a different capacity. Those with the mentality of a boss in the church don't know the God they serve - the greatest should be the servant of all. God does not measure greatness by the position of authority in the kingdom but by the strength of service and labor of love of a faithful servant in Christ Jesus. Romans 1:1.
There are under shepherds, who are the apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists, and teachers in the churches, not the flattering titles of daddy G.O.'s. The so-called daddy G.O. are just hired as servants to work in the Lord's vineyard. Do any of them die for any of the sheep to merit such a title or position? Christ is the General Overseer - the Chief Shepherd of his Church. 1 Peter 5:1-4. To accept this flattering and deceptive title from the brethren is to share with Christ his unique title and glory for giving his life for the church . King Herod was killed for such pride, and the people bestowing such false titles shall not be spared either. Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles to man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away. Job 32:21-22. The undershepherds, such as the Prophets, Apostles, Pastors and church elders are not to lord it as chiefs over the heritage of God, but to be good examples of servants. They are not appointed to sit as kings, worshiped as gods or be serves as lords in the church. Leaders as well as believers are saved and called to serve Christ and one another respectfully in the love of Christ.
Christ lays much emphasis on faithfulness even as the Father in heaven rewarded the faithfulness of the Son for the works he accomplished on earth. Little or great responsibility or service, the faithfulness of each believer in his servant hood for Christ shall answer for him before Christ at death. Daily records are kept of the faithfulness and unfaithfulness of each servant of Christ, be it a doorkeeper, cleaner, usher, deacon, elder, pastor, chorister, prayer warrior, evangelism team, treasurer e.t.c
The manner and quality of our service to God in Christ Jesus on earth will be the deciding factor if we will be honored to serve him throughout all eternity. Fruitful, faithful and profitable servants with godly conduct and honest management in servant hood from their little or great resources shall be honored and promoted unto greater eternal service before the Father in a new and glorious body throughout all eternity, - And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. Revelation 22:3-4. Note: Christ will not receive or welcome any believer into eternal home as kings and priests he made us unto God. This is a conferral honor reserved for those who are presently faithful in their servant hood in Christ. They shall manifest and exercise these honors and power during the Millennium reign with him as kings and priests. Revelation 5:10.
For now, we should continue to exercise ourselves in the present office of royal priesthood, standing in the gap for everyone in the church as well and for the people in the world before God in prayers. 1 Timothy 2:1-4. We must faithfully and diligently serve the brethren of the household of faith and help the world of unbelievers as the salt and light in things pertaining to God and eternal life.
As one bought by the blood of the Lamb, you must be ministering daily before the Lord to him for daily release of spiritual blessings from above just as an early dew refreshes the earth. Hosea 14:5. First, your lifestyle is the most reasonable service, if it is presented as a living and holy sacrifice to God. It should bring forth herbs, not thorns and briers for those by whom it is dressed. The herbs speak of a sanctified and profitable servant prepared for every good usefulness for his Master. God will not forget any of your works of faith and labor of love in your unweary services to your master. The thorns speak of the unfaithful and unprofitable servant bringing forth fruit unto himself, doing the works of his Lord deceitfully. Hebrews 6:7-10. Christ is patiently waiting to receive each of us in him. He will receive us either as a good and a faithful servant, being faithful according to the limit and capacity of his or her responsibilities on earth to inherit heaven (Matthew 25:21) or to receive you as a wicked, unfaithful and unprofitable servant to be disowned and sent to hell fire prepared for Satan and his angels. Matthew 25:30. Romans 16:17-20.