ARTICLES ON SERVING
DATE: 24 March 2002
SPEAKER: Pastor Tayo Adeyemi
TITLE: The power of the towel - Rediscovering the lost art of servanthood
Part III - Servanthood in action
TEXT: Matthew 20:25 - 28
James 2:14 -17 "Dear friends, do you think you will get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say "Good morning friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a cup of soup - where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?" - The Message
James 1:26,27 "Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father is this: reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from godless world." - The Message.
Faith without works is dead. If we profess a spirit of servanthood and do not translate it into action we are self-deceived. Unfortunately, this is where the majority of the church lives. "We know more than we do" - our knowledge has exceeded our actions. We are educated way beyond our level of obedience. We are high on inspiration and low on perspiration.
If servanthood must truly percolate through our congregation, then each of us must find ways to live it out on a daily basis.
Seven Ways to put servanthood into action
See beyond the surface
Esteem others better than yourself and encourage them
Reach out in a practical way
Venture out Of your comfort zone
Act in anticipation
Never expect anything in return
Talk to God
1.See Beyond The SurfaceA true servant knows how to see beyond the façade. He is able to readily pick out what is not obvious and instinctively sense a need. Jesus, the ultimate Servant, was not limited by His natural senses. Isaiah 11:1-3
The Spirit of God can quicken your heart and help you to "listen with your eyes and see with your ears"
When the Jews saw Zaccheus, they saw a short, greedy, oppressive, extortionist, traitor of a tax collector. He too must have lived up to that reputation. But when Jesus saw him, He saw a man who was hungry for God and hungry for love and approval. Luke 19:1-10.
In Luke 7:36-50, the Pharisee who invited Jesus to dinner thought he had insight into the woman's real condition. Yet he was the one who really was blinded by prejudice.
In the same way, we can let a negative surface prevent us from seeing a person's real heart also. Sometimes we are blinded by an appearance that everything is okay. There are people who look alright on the outside, but if you pause a little, stop for a while and look a little closer you just might see the need and feel the hurt they are so desperately trying to hide.
S is for surface. I will see beyond the surface.
2.Esteem Others Better Than Yourself And Encourage Them (Philippians 2:3)This kind of thinking runs in direct contradiction to the natural disposition of the flesh. Whether we admit it openly or not, most of us think we are better than everyone else. That is why unconsciously we are waiting to be served rather than serve others.
Esteeming others does not mean belittling yourself or seeing yourself as inadequate or inferior. It means focussing more on God and on others than yourself. Philippians 2:4.
Fix your eyes where your neighbour excels. Romans 12:10. Out of this esteem for others will flow a genuine release of encouragement. Everybody needs encouragement; everybody appreciates being encouraged. More people suffer from a traumatized self-esteem than they would care to admit. Never assume that a person does not need encouragement - even hostile people are hungry for some appreciation. It costs nothing to encourage some else - go out of your way to speak an encouraging word today. Ephesians 4:29
E is for encourage. I will esteem and encourage others.
3.Reach Out In A Practical WayLook for a real need and meet it. James 2:15,16. Words of encouragement are okay but they are not enough. When the disciples of Jesus were discouraged after His death, He appeared to them and met their immediate need. He showed them where to find fish to catch, then went a step further and cooked them breakfast John 21:5-12.
Find a practical way to serve someone this week. Invite someone over for lunch or dinner. Take someone's kids off them for the weekend. Pay for someone to service their car - or valet it. Take someone shopping.
When you reach out in practical ways, be sensitive. Don't impose your will on people. You may think you have a brilliant idea, but check with them first if that is what they need. Also, check with God and confirm that it is a 'God-idea' not just a good idea.
Even though Peter's feet desperately needed washing, Jesus did not wash them until Peter gave Him the permission John 13: 5-9.
R is for Real. There are real needs in people's lives and I will reach out and meet them.
4.Venture Out Of Your Comfort ZoneMost Christians will offer a helping hand as long as it is convenient. But true servanthood is about going out of your way. Before washing His disciples' feet, Jesus laid aside His garments - John 13:4.
In order to save us, He made Himself of no reputation - Philippians 2:7.
True servanthood will cost you - Matthew 5:40,41; Matthew 6:46,47
V is for venture. I will trouble myself on behalf of others.
5.Act In AnticipationAnticipation is the quality that distinguishes a good servant from an exceptional servant. When a waiter in a restaurant meets all your needs, you are happy, but every once in a while an exceptional waiter comes along who, goes beyond just meeting your needs. They actually know what you need before you ask. That is the "anticipation factor".
I Peter 5:7 "casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you". To care for someone is to anticipate their need and meet it before the need arises.
We are expected to love each other and care for one another as He cares for us.
A is for Action. I will anticipate the needs of my brethren and act accordingly.
6.Never Expect Anything In ReturnAnybody can be kind to those who have been kind to them. Anybody can give gifts to people who are capable to returning a favour in kind.
Luke 6:32-35; 14:12-14.True servanthood is about reaching out and serving those who can't return to you.
N is for Nothing. I will never expect anything in return.
7.Talk To GodPart of servanthood is taking time to pray for others. Also, you can pray for God to show you who to serve and how to serve them.
God has called you to translate the spirit of servanthood into action. Now, you go and do something about it. Jesus said: "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them" John 13:17. Don't wait for others to catch this vision. You take the lead. If no one wants to pick up the towel in the room, you be the first.
Most believers would be glad to wash the feet of Jesus and in a sense, that's what we do during worship. But beyond this, He is calling us to wash each other's feet. If you take it upon yourself to serve one believer every week, you will end up serving 52 people each year.
.GO AND LOOK FOR SOME DIRTY FEET TO WASH TODAY.
TO ORDER THIS MESSAGE ON AUDIO OR VIDEO TAPE, CALL 020 88 555 888 NOW.
The Spirit of God can quicken your heart and help you to "listen with your eyes and see with your ears"
When the Jews saw Zaccheus, they saw a short, greedy, oppressive, extortionist, traitor of a tax collector. He too must have lived up to that reputation. But when Jesus saw him, He saw a man who was hungry for God and hungry for love and approval. Luke 19:1-10.
In Luke 7:36-50, the Pharisee who invited Jesus to dinner thought he had insight into the woman's real condition. Yet he was the one who really was blinded by prejudice.
In the same way, we can let a negative surface prevent us from seeing a person's real heart also. Sometimes we are blinded by an appearance that everything is okay. There are people who look alright on the outside, but if you pause a little, stop for a while and look a little closer you just might see the need and feel the hurt they are so desperately trying to hide.
S is for surface. I will see beyond the surface.
2.Esteem Others Better Than Yourself And Encourage Them (Philippians 2:3)This kind of thinking runs in direct contradiction to the natural disposition of the flesh. Whether we admit it openly or not, most of us think we are better than everyone else. That is why unconsciously we are waiting to be served rather than serve others.
Esteeming others does not mean belittling yourself or seeing yourself as inadequate or inferior. It means focussing more on God and on others than yourself. Philippians 2:4.
Fix your eyes where your neighbour excels. Romans 12:10. Out of this esteem for others will flow a genuine release of encouragement. Everybody needs encouragement; everybody appreciates being encouraged. More people suffer from a traumatized self-esteem than they would care to admit. Never assume that a person does not need encouragement - even hostile people are hungry for some appreciation. It costs nothing to encourage some else - go out of your way to speak an encouraging word today. Ephesians 4:29
E is for encourage. I will esteem and encourage others.
3.Reach Out In A Practical WayLook for a real need and meet it. James 2:15,16. Words of encouragement are okay but they are not enough. When the disciples of Jesus were discouraged after His death, He appeared to them and met their immediate need. He showed them where to find fish to catch, then went a step further and cooked them breakfast John 21:5-12.
Find a practical way to serve someone this week. Invite someone over for lunch or dinner. Take someone's kids off them for the weekend. Pay for someone to service their car - or valet it. Take someone shopping.
When you reach out in practical ways, be sensitive. Don't impose your will on people. You may think you have a brilliant idea, but check with them first if that is what they need. Also, check with God and confirm that it is a 'God-idea' not just a good idea.
Even though Peter's feet desperately needed washing, Jesus did not wash them until Peter gave Him the permission John 13: 5-9.
R is for Real. There are real needs in people's lives and I will reach out and meet them.
4.Venture Out Of Your Comfort ZoneMost Christians will offer a helping hand as long as it is convenient. But true servanthood is about going out of your way. Before washing His disciples' feet, Jesus laid aside His garments - John 13:4.
In order to save us, He made Himself of no reputation - Philippians 2:7.
True servanthood will cost you - Matthew 5:40,41; Matthew 6:46,47
V is for venture. I will trouble myself on behalf of others.
5.Act In AnticipationAnticipation is the quality that distinguishes a good servant from an exceptional servant. When a waiter in a restaurant meets all your needs, you are happy, but every once in a while an exceptional waiter comes along who, goes beyond just meeting your needs. They actually know what you need before you ask. That is the "anticipation factor".
I Peter 5:7 "casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you". To care for someone is to anticipate their need and meet it before the need arises.
We are expected to love each other and care for one another as He cares for us.
A is for Action. I will anticipate the needs of my brethren and act accordingly.
6.Never Expect Anything In ReturnAnybody can be kind to those who have been kind to them. Anybody can give gifts to people who are capable to returning a favour in kind.
Luke 6:32-35; 14:12-14.True servanthood is about reaching out and serving those who can't return to you.
N is for Nothing. I will never expect anything in return.
7.Talk To GodPart of servanthood is taking time to pray for others. Also, you can pray for God to show you who to serve and how to serve them.
God has called you to translate the spirit of servanthood into action. Now, you go and do something about it. Jesus said: "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them" John 13:17. Don't wait for others to catch this vision. You take the lead. If no one wants to pick up the towel in the room, you be the first.
Most believers would be glad to wash the feet of Jesus and in a sense, that's what we do during worship. But beyond this, He is calling us to wash each other's feet. If you take it upon yourself to serve one believer every week, you will end up serving 52 people each year.
.GO AND LOOK FOR SOME DIRTY FEET TO WASH TODAY.
TO ORDER THIS MESSAGE ON AUDIO OR VIDEO TAPE, CALL 020 88 555 888 NOW.
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