Servanthood

[Albert Finch]

Servanthood

Matthew 20:26-28 - Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Philippians 2:3-4 - Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

There is an important link between acts of serving others and gaining spiritual understanding and revelation that we must lay hold of in this generation. When Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, the Bible points out....

"When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but THE SERVANTS KNEW who had drawn the water) the master of the feast called the bridegroom." (John 2:9)

The ones who were serving actually had more understanding and insight into this notable miracle and the One who performed it, than those who were "masters" over the wedding.
(Amos 3:7) declares: "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets."

Here again we discover a distinct connection between receiving revelation from God and being a servant. We often hear more about being a prophet than we do about being a servant, but they are inseparable. We see again the alliance between the two in the greatest revelation of all......

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-- things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John." (Revelation 1:1)

This great unveiling of the Lord Jesus intended for His SERVANTS was delivered through His SERVANT John. It has been said that the chief service of a prophet is not to rebuke sin, nor instruct in virtue, it is to give the world a radiant idea of God. When are we showing the world what God is like more than when we serve?

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

 

Into Action

WHAT IS THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF THIS TEACHING AS IT APPLIES TO YOU?