A Servant Heart

Jesus did not call us to serve…

That’s probably caught your attention but let’s explain what we mean.

In Matt 25 we read that Jesus said “I have come not to be served but to serve others”. It’s a radical idea that when the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Creator of the universe walked on earth – our natural response would be to serve Him – but Jesus is clear on many occasions where He says that He was here to serve us – not the other way around.

What Jesus did say was to follow him – to be his disciple – to look at how He lived and follow that as an example. Following Jesus’ example of serving is an important foundation as we continue to learn how to Love God and Love People.

Part of our response to the freedom we have been given through Christ is to serve. Paul says it well when writing to the Galatian church: ” For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”

So let’s get really practical – what does it mean to serve.

We want to do this by comparing a real servant heart to the “look at me” approach – you know the kind of service with the wrong attitude – where people care about being noticed, getting rewarded, counting the cost…

1.Listen to what God says
Look at me: usually human effort, expending energy and counting the cost.
Real service: Inspired and prompted by God.

2. Be willing to do any task
Look at me: care about the size of the task – like the “big deal” jobs.
Real service: never distinguish between the size of the task and often drawn to the smaller jobs.

3. Be willing to serve anyone
Look at me: pick and choose who to serve. Sometime powerful people because of what is may bring. Sometimes defenceless people because of the humble image it may bring.
Real service: is the servant of all (Mk 9:35)

4. Don’t worry if anyone is watching
Look at me: likes to serve in public places. Often looking for external feedback from people appreciating the effort.
Real service: content even if no one knows.

5. Be prepared to serve all the time
Look at me: serving temporary around a certain task. A decision to serve is based on how you are feeling.
Real Service: Being a servant is a lifestyle – always ready.

6. A servant excels
Look at me: does the job with the minimum effort required
Real service: gives the best they can – usually more than is required

Follow Jesus.

Have a Servant Heart.

Be The Church.

No related posts.