Whose Servant?

Rom 6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Grace does not mean that we can ignore God's word, or change it to something of our own imagination. I think some serve their own selves replacing God's truth with self glory, writing books about things in the Bible that are not true. They make of themselves a false teacher, ignoring the written word of God. Also we should be careful to not follow a movement that is way out there. The church of God is not a spiritual side show. I respect the teachers who teach from the Bible without changing it's meaning. We must steer a straight and true course through perilous times. It is the Holy Spirit in the church that restrains the evil of the world. He is the Spirit of truth, not fables of men. I think that many churches are being led by man's thoughts instead of God's thoughts. This should not be. If the Bible is just a boring book to you, you need to ask God for an infilling of His Spirit.

Deacons

My father was a deacon in the Church. He was a blue collar hard working man and he was very strong, a family man and I suppose he would be called a redneck from Arkansas who came to California with his family during the depression looking for work, leaving behind a farm. On Sunday he was transformed, wearing a fine suit he was as a fine a man as there was. He would serve communion every Sunday at the church and he would visit people who were unable to attend church.

 

Act 6:1  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Act 6:2  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Act 6:3  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Act 6:4  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

The ministry of the Deacons was brought about to fulfill a need. Someone griped or murmured about not getting their share of the handouts? and a new ministry is created to fulfill the need.

 

1Ti 5:9  Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
1Ti 5:10  Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
1Ti 5:11  But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
1Ti 5:12  Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

1Ti 5:13  And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
1Ti 5:14  I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
1Ti 5:15  For some are already turned aside after Satan.
1Ti 5:16  If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Do you want a ministry? Do you want to serve? Well then look for a need, you just might be the one to fulfill it. There are always more needs to be met than there are servants. Some of those needs are from posers, complainers, and people just looking for a hand out. Still others are dependant on the mercy and grace of the church. A Pastor-teacher needs to spend time in prayer and studying. The Deacons can help with the many service needs of the church. Perhaps you could find a need to fulfill too?

 

James 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
James 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

 

Luk 22:26  ... but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
Luk 22:27  For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

To be chosen as a Deacon you must be honest, of a good reputation and full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom from God, we do not have to have a title to serve. We are commanded by Christ to serve him.

Serving God

Those who seek to be in positions of authority have a duty to God, to be His servant. Jesus is our example of the greatest person, being a servant of others.

John 13:3  Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
John 13:4  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
John 13:5  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
John 13:6  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
John 13:7  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
John 13:8  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
John 13:9  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
John 13:10  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
John 13:11  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
John 13:12  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
John 13:13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
John 13:14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
John 13:15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

 

I see three things that are important. Outward ceremonies are not enough to save you, you must have Jesus in your heart by faith. Judas was among them, but his heart was elsewhere, perhaps on money. Satan had entered Judas even with Jesus so near. Second is that when we are saved by faith we still need the daily cleansing as in (1 John 1:9). The third lesson I wish to mention is that Jesus, who is the Son of God, stooped to serve his disciples as an example to them. The greatest among you will be your servant. Jesus showed his greatness and love by taking our punishment and sin to the cross. His work was finished, now it is our time to serve while it is still day. He is making a place for us as he rests at the right hand of His Father. They are one in Spirit; God is Spirit, the one true God Almighty.

 

Talents

Read Matthew 25:14-30.

Mat 25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Our gifts and callings are given to serve God. I want to be one that the LORD says "well done" to at his coming. Three men were entrusted with talents. One was given five talents and gained five. another was given two and gained two. The unprofitable servant hid his talent with no gain when the LORD required it again; he was cast out into outer darkness, a term used for hell, with torment. "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth". He was called a slothful servant. His one talent was given to the one who had ten. Our efforts do count. When we serve God, His grace is increased in us. Salvation and grace are not a free ticket to do nothing. A talent was a unit of money. The term talent has come to mean an ability given to us by God. I see it as the gifting's of God given for his service. Some receive many gifts that are to be used for the LORD's glory. Faith is required to be united with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The master left on a journey entrusting us to do his work, but he also gave us the Holy Spirit to accomplish our work. Faith comes by hearing and hearing God's word, so I assume that the one who had no increase, was not hearing the word of God by choice. He may have been one of those who professed to believe in Christ, but who never sought the gift of the Spirit, nor the desire to serve the LORD. He was fearful, a fearful person fearing life and fearing God. He was rejected. No man can please God without faith. We are to fear God and to serve him. Some who are given one talent use it abundantly and their ministry grows and grows. Some who are given many gifts, may not use them at all for the LORD. It is the LORD entrusting us to be good stewards of all that we have; money, or abilities, all come from him. May we each hear him say "well done thou good and faithful servant", at is coming.

The weightier matters

A prominent retired pastor shared some of his life with us one afternoon. He told us that when he began ministry it was as a youth pastor. One thing he shared was what he told the teenagers." Your life must show what you have learned as a Christian". What you have learned you must apply in your life. Be not a hearer only, but a doer. This goes along with Jesus' teaching us to be the salt and the light in the world. Look for opportunities to do good. Jesus was most upset with the leaders who were not faithful to do his will. They followed their customs but did not do the weightier things of the law.

Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 

Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Mat 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess...

As a teacher or leader we must teach "the weightier matters of the law;" the whole word of God. Our life must be changed to reflect the will of God. We seek the approval of people, but how well are we serving God? It used to be that a pastor was looked up to and reverenced, but not so much in today's world. The world wants to see the fruit and so does the LORD. This is a concern and a responsibility to us all, who are named Christians. We are called to be kings and priests but we are not to Lord it over anyone, but to be servants of all. We receive God's love and we are to love others.

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. 

We receive from God so that we may give out to others and to be a blessing to them.

The Gift of Helps

1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Let us look at the gift of helps. Helps, the Greek word: antilēmpsis, to aid, to help.

1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1Co 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: ...

I believe that all Christians can help others through service. We are commanded to be servants of God by serving one another.

Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mat 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Joh 12:26 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 honour.

Just what is this gift of helps? A wife should be a help meet.

A help meet is to complement the husband, serving him in any way that she can. The husband is to be the head of the wife, so the wife should not compete with him. In a spiritual sense the Holy Spirit is our Comforter, our help meet, the Greek word paraklētos: means called to ones side, called to one's aid.

Our Pastor often shares this verse written by Solomon:

Ecc 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;...

He is a minister, a servant of others, helping wherever there is a need to be met. A helper often is not noticed, but in the morning the coffee is made. In the church things are kept in order, the bathrooms are clean, there is a glass of water for the Preacher.

Mar 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Too often I hear someone complain about some lack in the church. A helper will take care of the need without complaining. They are a great blessing, not looking for praise or rewards, but serving as unto the Lord. A helper loves to help others. You will not hear them say, "oh that's not my calling" when asked to do something. A helper may teach a children's Sunday School class, drive a bus, or play an instrument in worship. They will wash dishes, serve tables, and be ready to help in any way they can.

The Deacons were helpers, serving tables.

Act 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Act 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Do not overlook the gift of helps, for we will be judged by our service to others. We are to be rewarded for our service.