The Word Servant
Key Words of the Bible • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
Introduction
Introduction
Words are an important part of our lives. Without words, we would not be able to communicate. In our series on the Key Words of the Bible, we are looking to define these important words as we study the Word of God.
The fourth word that we are going to see in this series is the word servant. The words “servant”, “servants” and “servant’s” are found 997 times in the King James Version. We see the designation of servant used for those who worshiped God and those who worshiped other gods. We see the word servant used for those who served other people. Understanding the idea of a servant is central to our worship of God at Revival Baptist Church.
ser•vant \ˈsər-vənt\ noun
[Middle English, from Anglo-French, from present participle of servir] 13th century: one that serves others 〈a public servant〉 especially: one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer—ser•vant•hood \-ˌhu̇d\ noun—ser•vant•less adjective
When we think of a servant, we often think of someone who comes in and cleans behind someone else. A servant today is more like a maid or an employee. In today’s world, servants are hired and paid for their work. In the world of the First Century, most “servants” were actually slaves that had been captured in battle and sold to their master. At the time of Christ about half of the people in the Roman Empire were slaves. Service was something that you were destined to do for a lifetime. Though some were treated well and possibly even given their freedom, many only had hope for freedom through escaping their master.
Who are you serving? Where is your loyalty? Are you looking to escape the service that God has given you to do?
1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching The Servant Role
In Journey to the East, Hermann Hesse described the activities and relationships of explorers who were sent on a difficult mission by a certain order. A servant, Leo, cared for their every need: prepared the food, washed their clothes, and was at their beck and call. In terms of protocol, he was the lowest of the least. As the mission progressed, Leo’s adaptability and spirit proved invaluable.
The servant’s worth became more evident when their ship was wrecked and Leo was missing. Trying to proceed without him proved impossible. Eventually one member of the party made his way back to headquarters, where he met the leader. And, lo, it was none other than Leo! Though assuming the role of servant during the expedition, in reality he was their leader. Hesse was saying: real leadership has more to do with service than with status.
We see in this passage that Christ is the perfect Servant. He is our example and leader in service. His humility and obedience are the keys to being a true servant of the Lord.
Declaration
Declaration
Paul calls the church at Philippi to be "one-souled". This one soul or mind is the mind of Christ. The service of Christ is our example of the mind that we must have as Christians. Today, we must choose to have the mind of Christ as a servant. We see here three aspects of the word servant in the Bible.
1. A Biblical Servant has One Mind
1. A Biblical Servant has One Mind
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
A. We must have a mind that is Connected to the Spirit v. 1
A. We must have a mind that is Connected to the Spirit v. 1
Paul had already mentioned this topic in chapter 1 of Philippians.
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Paul mentions here four conditions for our relationship with Christ:
Consolation in Christ - This is the encouragement by our new connection to Christ. Christ is able to exhort us and lift our spirits. The word here is the same one used of the Holy Spirit in John.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Comfort of Love - This is the solace from the love of other Christians. The church is to show the agape love to one another. In Paul, this is a result and subordinate to the consolation.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Fellowship of the Spirit - This is the participation of the Spirit in our lives. When we are saved, the Holy Spirit comes into our heart and lives inside.
Bowels and Mercies - The bowels are the inward parts involved in our feelings toward others. The mercies here are the compassion that we feel.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Paul writes this sentence here that “since there is consolation, since there is comfort, since there is fellowship, since there are bowels and mercies…”
B. We must have a mind that is Concentrated on Unity v. 2
B. We must have a mind that is Concentrated on Unity v. 2
With these conditions, you will fill up the joy of Paul. He gives four goals that correspond to the four conditions in verse 1. The keys are the words likeminded and one accord.
Likeminded - We are called to live in harmony with each other in the church. We have a unified mind through the love of Christ.
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
300 Illustrations for Preachers Couples Who Say “We” Resolve Conflicts Better
Couples Who Say “We” Resolve Conflicts Better
Philippians 2:3–4
Preaching Themes: Conflict, Marriage
The University of California, Berkeley, studied how couples fight and resolve marital disagreements. They analyzed the conversations of 154 middle-aged and older couples as they discussed the conflicts in their marriage. They discovered that couples who use the words “we” and “our” have happier marriages than those who usually use the words “I” and “his” or “her.”
One Accord - We are to be harmonious in our mind. This is a united spirit and a unified soul. One dictionary says that this word means “one-souled”.
one souled — being united in the same character, affections, and especially mindset as another.
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Being unified is the goal of a church that is ready and prepared to confront the enemy. Satan will have trouble stopping a church that is moving together.
C. We must have a mind that is Concerned with Others v. 3-4
C. We must have a mind that is Concerned with Others v. 3-4
Paul makes two statements here that sum up the verses to follow. They have one common element, humility. Humility cannot exist in the midst of pride or worthless glory. Humility cannot be found in the midst of conflict or strife.
The word that he uses is lowliness. This is humility as a positive concern for others.
Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
300 Illustrations for Preachers Most Americans Think They Are above Average
Most Americans Think They Are Above Average
Proverbs 11:2; 16:5, 18; 26:12; 27:2; 29:23; Jeremiah 9:23–24; Romans 12:3, 16; Galatians 6:3; Philippians 2:3
Preaching Themes: Assurance, Humility, Pride
A May 2014 poll conducted by YouGov found that only 4 percent of Americans think they are less intelligent than the average person. Most (55 percent) think that they are smarter than average. The poll also found that wealthier respondents were more likely to think that Americans in general are unintelligent.
Since 49 percent of Americans are actually less intelligent than the average, this would indicate that many people are guilty of ignoring Paul’s admonition to not think more highly of ourselves than we really are. These results seem to show that humility may be a missing ingredient in modern American life.
The way that Paul tells us to prefer other people is to look on their things not our own. Selfishness is the enemy of humility.
Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
2. A Biblical Servant has One Master
2. A Biblical Servant has One Master
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
A. The Master’s Mind v. 5-6
A. The Master’s Mind v. 5-6
The key to the illustration is the mind of Christ. Paul wants us to evaluate the testimony of Christ and behave as He does. Christ was willing to change His condition to save mankind. His mind was focused on others.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Christ is God. We find throughout the Bible the truth of the Deity of Christ.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
But, in eternity past there was a choice on the part of Christ to come to earth.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
B. The Master’s Method v. 7-8
B. The Master’s Method v. 7-8
Christ chose to come a servant. This word servant is the Greek word “doulos” meaning a slave. The slave was completely under the power of another. This is the method of the Master. He was a servant. While still Lord, He became a servant.
Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
When He came as a servant, He was made in the likeness of men. The word likeness is the similarity to something. Christ became a man, but a man without sin. That was where the similarity stopped.
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Because He was man, He could go to the cross. He humbled Himself and was obedient. Christ was willing to voluntarily give His life. By giving up His life, He was able to be exalted by God the Father. Obedience and subjection was Christ’s choice.
The end result of Christ’s mind was verse 8, the death on the cross.
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
C. The Master’s Manifestation v. 9-14
C. The Master’s Manifestation v. 9-14
Verses 6-8 are called the “Christ Hymn”. They show us the pattern that Christ followed for us. Because of His service, He is now manifested or revealed by being honored.
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
This was prophesied in the Old Testament and is seen fulfilled in the book of Revelation.
I have sworn by myself, The word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall swear.
Because of verses 5-11, we must do what verse 12 tells us. Obedience to the commands of Christ is how we work out the salvation that He has given us. We can accomplish what Christ did through our obedient service to Him. We look up to Him.
Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary Philippians 2:5
James Denney. An extended quotation makes the point: ‘When Paul thinks of (the glory of Christ) he does not look back, he looks up … men [and women] were saved, not by dwelling on the wonderful words and deeds of One who had lived some time ago, and reviving these in their imagination, but by receiving the almighty, emancipating, quickening Spirit of One who lived and reigned for evermore … And so it must always be, if Christianity is to be a living religion.’ This intention of the apostle leads on directly to the Christological section.
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
God does the willing and the doing of His pleasure. He gives us the will to choose obedience. He gives us the power to serve Him.
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
The good pleasure of God is the benefits above and beyond what we can imagine. The working of God should cause us to serve without complaining or arguing the merit of what we are called to do. The Israelites complained in the Wilderness and many of them died there. Exalting Christ is the opposite of complaining as we serve.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3. A Biblical Servant has One Mission
3. A Biblical Servant has One Mission
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
A. We are Lights in the World… v. 15
A. We are Lights in the World… v. 15
Our mission is to be an example and a light to the world that we live in. The church must have been in conflict and their conflict warranted this exhort from Paul. Christ used the illustration of a light in His Sermon on the Mount. The Light of the Gospel is a metaphor used throughout the New Testament. God spoke Light into existence in Creation and He is the Light of the World.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Light reveals the crooked and perverse world that we live in. What are you doing with the light that you have to shine out to the darkness? Are there shadows in your area? Are there areas that things move unseen by you? Are you actively letting your testimony affect other people?
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
B. …Because we are Serving the Lord v. 16-18
B. …Because we are Serving the Lord v. 16-18
The way that we accomplish the mission and show forth our unity is "Holding forth the word of life".
Acts 5:17–29 (KJV 1900)
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Humility is worked out in service. We see the humility of Christ in His path that ended at the cross. Our service is an offering that we give each day of our lives.
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Lexham Theological Wordbook Concept Summary
In the OT, the question, “Who is Israel serving?” has a direct impact on the nation’s prosperity. If Israel faithfully serves Yahweh, he will remain close to the nation, blessing it with land and a position of prominence above other nations (see Deut 28:1–15); if Israel “go[es] after other gods to serve (עָבַד, ʿābad) them” (Deut 28:14), God will be distant and send curses, confusion, and frustration on everything the nation undertakes to do (see Deut 28:16–68).
Lexham Theological Wordbook Concept Summary
The NT authors continue to stress service to God and, in addition, emphasize the vital role of service in maintaining the health of the Church (see, e.g., Mark 10:43; Gal 5:3; 1 Pet 4:10). The paradigmatic example is Jesus, who “did not come to be served (διακονέω, diakoneō) but to serve (diakoneō), and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt 20:28). In Greek, the two most common terms for a servant are δοῦλος (doulos, “servant”) and διάκονος (diakonos, “servant”), both of which are well attested across the writings of the NT.
Service is connected to our worship of God. If we are truly going to be Christians who glorify God, we must be obedient in our service to Him. Paul rejoices with the Philippians in their service from the faith that they have in God.
Conclusion
Conclusion
750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers (627: Service)
Don McCullough writes in Waking from the American Dream:
During World War-II, England needed to increase its production of coal. Winston Churchill called together labor leaders to enlist their support. At the end of his presentation he asked them to picture in their minds a parade which he knew would be held in Piccadilly Circus after the war. First, he said, would come the sailors who had kept the vital sea lanes open. Then would come the soldiers who had come home from Dunkirk and then gone on to defeat Rommel in Africa. Then would come the pilots who had driven the Luftwaffe from the sky.
Last of all, he said, would come a long line of sweat-stained, soot-streaked men in miner’s caps. Someone would cry from the crowd, “And where were you during the critical days of our struggle?”
And from ten thousand throats would come the answer, “We were deep in the earth with our faces to the coal.”
Not all service is glamorous. No doubt Christ’s decision to come as a man was not pleasant. Yet, He came as a servant to die for us.
Are you a servant of God? Service requires you to be purchased by Christ. This is a transaction that everyone can receive the benefit of.
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
Give the Gospel.
