SERVANTHOOD
SERVANTHOOD
The Calling of the Servant Believer
By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.
© God’s Breath Publications
Our Model of Servanthood
Philippians 2:3-8
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross!”
A Servant is Called by God
Jude 1:1
“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ.”
A spiritual calling can be defined as:
1. To summon to a specific work.
2. To designate or characterize in a special way.
3. To bring or summon to action.
We often hear someone say that they were called to the ministry. While this may describe their commitment and motivation for pursuing full-time ministry, in actuality all of us are called to the ministry. When you accept Christ as your Savior, you have been called as a servant to spread the gospel and build His kingdom.
To better understand our calling as servants of God, we should look at the traits mentioned in scripture that portray the characteristics of a servant.
Traits of a Servant of God
A Servant is Humble
Matthew 10:24
“A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.”
A servant is humble and serves their master. As servants of God we should want God’s will not our own and we should seek to serve God not ourselves. Many of the problems we face in life could be solved if we were to put our Master’s will first, rather than our own.
Application: While it is true that as soon as you claim to be humble, you aren’t, seek to have God speak to you this week concerning your humility before Him.
A Servant is a Follower of Jesus
John 12:25-26
“The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
A servant is a follower of Jesus. A follower is dependent on God, not independent of Him. A servant’s priorities are of God’s Kingdom and the building of it. A servant’s focus and purpose are not centered on life in this world, but of the will of his Father in heaven.
A servant desires to be in the presence of God and seeks His will. A true servant will receive honor for serving his Master and Lord.
Application: Do you seek to follow your Lord and Master Jesus Christ, or do you go about your life following your own plans? Are you sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s direction, or do you ask God to rubber-stamp plans you’ve already made
A Servant Will Be Persecuted
2 Timothy 3:12
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
Just as Christ was persecuted for His message and mission, so shall we be persecuted. This persecution may come in different forms and degrees, but it is guaranteed that it will occur.
Application: Since persecution is inevitable, what should be the response of a Godly servant and follower of Christ?
A Servant is Merciful
Luke 6:36
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
A servant of God will show mercy to others, just as God has shown mercy to them. Servants reflect the character of their Master.
Thankfulness for God’s grace and mercy should be reflected in a servant’s actions towards others.
Application: Does showing mercy towards others come easy to you? Do you strive to show mercy to all those you come in contact with even if you don’t think some individuals deserve it?
A Servant is Trustworthy
Luke 16:10-13
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
Servants who are trustworthy in the little things can be trusted with greater responsibilities. A true servant recognizes he is a steward of God’s possessions. A servant is faithful if He serves God and not possessions.
Application: Can God trust you? Can you be depended upon to do His will? In what ways do you need to improve to become even trustworthier in God’s eyes?
A Servant is Forgiving
Matthew 18:23-35
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
The parable Jesus shared illustrates that we must forgive others, just as He has forgiven us for sins. Being willing to forgive an offense is critical to having the spirit of a servant.
Application: Is there anyone you have failed to forgive? How does the forgiveness shown to you relate to the forgiveness you should show to those who offend and hurt you?
A Servant Does His Duty
Luke 17:7-10
“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, he doesn’t just sit down and eat, but first prepares his master’s meal and serves him his supper before he eats his own. And he is not even thanked, for he is merely doing what he is supposed to do. Just so, if you merely obey me, you should not consider yourselves worthy of praise. For you have simply done your duty!”
As servants of God, we should not seek glory for ourselves. Praise and honor come to the humble servant who obeys, but this honor should not be expected for simply doing what God commands.
We cannot say that God owes us thanks or praise if we serve Him. We must leave it up to our loving God to comfort and reward us in His time for those labors of ministry we perform.
Application: Are you a willing servant who serves regardless of reward? Do you seek to show love to Christ and others through ministry only if you receive praise?
A Servant is a Witness
Matthew 28:19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
One of the last commands Jesus left with His Disciples, His servants, was to go and tell others of the salvation available only through Christ. God will use servants to speak to others. Servants of God are God in the “flesh.” He uses servants to reach others for His glory.
Application: Are you looking for opportunities to witness to your friends and neighbors? Are you prepared to share the gospel with those you come in contact with?
A Servant Puts Others First
Matthew 20:25-28
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”
Matthew 23:11 12
“The greatest among you will be your servant.
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Mark 9:35
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said,
‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’”
Jesus knew that people often strive for greatness and power. Jesus knew that those who were really great and important in His Kingdom were those who strove to serve others before they served themselves.
The prime mark of a leader is an individual who puts service of others as a primary goal.
Application: Do you seek to gain attention, power and honor for yourself by serving others or serving in a ministry? Do you serve others with the motive of seeking what is best for them and for God and His kingdom?
A Servant is Obedient
Matthew 24:45-47
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”
1 Samuel 15:22
“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
A faithful and wise servant is one who obeys his master and carries out his will and desires. Such a servant will be rewarded with the privilege of honor and greater responsibility. A faithful servant is one that knows that it is better to obey his Master in the first place, than disobey and have to offer sacrifices of repentance and sorrow afterwards.
Application: Are you an obedient servant? As God gives you direction in your life, do you respond willingly and with promptness, or do you argue and rebel against what God lays before you?
A Servant is a Good Steward of Their Talents, Time and Treasures
Luke 19:12-27
“A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.’”
In this parable the illustration is made that those gifts, talents, or possessions a servant is blessed with are to be used to further the gospel and minister to others. If a servant fails to use these gifts, talents, or possessions for ministry, they fail to minister to others in ways that God intended. This risks judgment from God. God does not distribute spiritual gifts, natural talents and blessings simply to lie dormant. God desires His servants to use all they possess to further His will and build His kingdom.
Application: Do you have spiritual gifts or talents you are not using for God? Are you failing to serve others in ways you are very capable of? Are you ignoring God’s calling to serve Him with your skills and blessings?
A Servant Respects Fellow Servants
Romans 14:4
“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”
We are to serve our Master, Jesus. We are not to condemn or judge our fellow servant. They are responsible to Jesus, not us. Too often, we take over what is God’s responsibility and judge others.
There is balance concerning this in scripture though. We are told to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) holding one another accountable. We are commanded to bring back a straying brother (James 5:19,20) and we are to provoke one another to good works (Hebrews 10:24). But, negative criticism and condemnation are not to be among God’s servants. The motive behind confrontation and accountability should be what would be best for the person and the church as well as what would best glorify God.
Application: Are you quick to judge brothers and sisters in Christ? Are you able to let God work His judgment in His time with your fellow Christians? Are you balanced, wise, loving and humble in your confrontations with fellow believers?
A Servant is a God Pleaser, Not A Man Pleaser
Galatians 1:10
“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
A servant’s goal is to please God, not men. You cannot be a true servant of Christ and attempt to please men. A servant cannot serve two Masters. As a Christian your Master is your Heavenly Father. Man-pleasers focus on earthly matters rather than eternal priorities and God’s Kingdom.
Application: Do you seek to please God in all that you do, or are you worried about what others think? Are you concerned with the character of your heart or with your reputation among men? Did you know that if the character of your heart is pleasing to God, your reputation among men will be perfectly fine!
A Servant Prays
Colossians 4:12
“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray without ceasing.”
Prayer is vital to the Servant’s life of faith. It is our connection with our Heavenly Father. It is the core element to our relationship with our Savior. It is the method by which we praise God, thank God, entreat God, petition God, ask God and glorify God. It should be as natural to the Servant of God as breathing.
Application: What is the quality of your prayer life? Do you spend an adequate quantity of time with God in Prayer? Of the time you spend with God in prayer, is it quality time?
A Servant Obeys God’s Word
Ephesians 3:7
“I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.”
Psalms 119:10-11
“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
While we serve God, we also serve His Word. It serves as a guide and benchmark by which we can serve our Heavenly Father. We obey God’s Word and therefore fulfill the will of God in our lives, to grow in our spiritual maturity. If we meditate and memorize God’s Word and let it saturate our hearts and minds, we will find we are more apt to obey our Heavenly Father.
Application: Do you read, study and obey God’s Word? Do you apply scripture to your everyday life, seeking to please God by observing the guidelines laid down in the Bible?
A Servant is Gentle and Kind
2 Timothy 2:24-25
“And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,”
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel with others. We must strive to be kind to everyone. Without gentleness and kindness, people will not listen to what you have to say about the Gospel.
Application: Are you known for your kindness? Are you gentle in dealing with people? Can you be sensitive to others in relationships?
A Servant is a Worshiper
Revelation 19:9-10
“Then the angel said to me, ‘Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’ At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’”
John 4:23-24
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
While servants can respect, compliment, and honor fellow servants, they are not to worship fellow servants. We are to only worship God. Many times Christians place others in a position of honor that only God should hold. As servants of God, we must always seek to worship Him in spirit and in truth for this is the type of servant worshiper He seeks.
Application: Do you worship God with all of your life? Do you place Him on the throne of your hearts and desires? Do you take joy in worshiping God both privately alone at home, and corporately in fellowship with other believers at church?
A Servant Demonstrates the Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-25
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
God’s Spirit lives in each of us as Christians, but the fruit of the Spirit will only be demonstrated as we seek to die to self and let God manifest Himself in us. As God transforms us into the image of Christ, the fruits of the Spirit will be demonstrated.
LOVE
John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Romans 12:10
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
JOY
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
James 1:2
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,”
Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
PEACE
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
PATIENCE
Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
KINDNESS
2 Peter 1:5-7
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
GOODNESS
2 Peter 1:3
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:5
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;”
FAITHFULNESS
Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Revelation 14:12
“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.”
GENTLENESS
Philippians 4:5
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
1 Timothy 6:11
“pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
SELF-CONTROL
2 Peter 1:5-7
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”
John 15:12-17
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.”
Philippians 2:3-8
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross!”
Galatians 5:22-26
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”