When Serving Ain’t Serving

To Those Who Served

Just about a year from now I officially retire from the Army. I haven’t worn the uniform since 2011 but I’ve been on the list and on the books to retire when I hit 60 next year.

For those of us who have served in the military, there is a connection. It is true that, for some, the experience wasn’t always the best. But, for most of us, there are good memories, good friends, and connections to a cause that make us proud.

When I was young, I used to be critical of ‘old’ people who wore the hats of aircraft carriers or destroyers, posts and bases, and names of wars from the past. Now I go out of my way to thank them. I nod. I try to make eye contact. I want them to be recognized.

They served. They went into a draft or enlistment and became nothing to be forged into something – a sailor, marine, airman, or soldier. With each pushup, deployment, classroom, airborne jump, physical fitness test, or laugh in the bunkroom - bonds were being made – all the while serving.

I was sorting through Amazon the other evening, looking for a graphic shirt. Maybe a place I’d been – Fort Ord, Presidio of Monterey, Fort Rutger, Fort Huachuca, on and on. Maybe the warrant officer crest?

At the same time, I was considering the idea of what it means to serve as a Christian. I had titled this message “When Serving Ain’t Serving”. I realized that somewhere in my career as a soldier, serving wasn’t serving, it became something more than serving.

I think this helps understand what it means to serve Christ.

Bondservants of Christ

The OT book of Exodus has the recurring themes of slavery and freedom, bondage and liberty.[1]It is easy to get caught up in the oddities of the history – slavery in Egypt, a mass escape, hardships in the desert, and development as a spiritual nation. But – the main point is slavery and freedom, bondage and liberty. These themes are universal and timeless.

In the middle of these themes, there is an interesting opportunity for servants that is explained:

Exodus 21:2–6 NIV

“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free. “But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.

Imagine a scene from ancient times, where a bondservant and his master stand before the community. The servant has served his time and is now free to leave, but instead, he chooses to stay. He stands before his master, not in chains, but in freedom, and declares his intention to remain not as a slave, but as a devoted servant by choice.

This servant has worked alongside his master for years, and through his service, he has come to respect and love the master. The master, in turn, has come to rely on and deeply value the servant, not just for his work, but for his wisdom and companionship. Their relationship has grown beyond transactional necessity into a bond of mutual respect and loyalty.

In this moment, the servant is offered an awl and a doorpost. He willingly places his ear against the post and allows it to be pierced, a symbol of his decision to serve his master for life. This act is not one of subjugation, but of strength. It is a declaration of commitment, a testament to the servant’s character, and a reflection of the trust and honor bestowed upon him by his master.

The BIG Message

The picture we get mirrors the Christian’s relationship with Christ. Believers are called to be bondservants of Christ, not out of obligation, but out of love and gratitude for the freedom He has given us. Just as the servant chose to remain with his master, Christians choose to serve Christ, not because they must, but because they want to honor the One who has set them free.

Sin is Slavery

The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. As bad as it was, there were still times when the Israelites wanted to go back into slavery. Sin is horrible and wants to draw us back into slavery.

Romans 6:17–19 NIV

But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.

John 8:34–35 NIV

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.

Earlier this year we spent several weeks learning how we can experience freedom. Jesus wants to set us free and has provided everything that we need!

Christ is an Awesome Master

On Wednesday night our Bible study group took some time to share testimonies about how Jesus saved them from bad situations. Across this congregation this morning there are amazing stories about the goodness of God. People have been saved from broken pasts, addictions, depression and suicidal thoughts, purposeless lives, and much more. We owe all of that to our Savior Lord Jesus Christ.

The heart of Jesus is described in Philippians 2

Philippians 2:6–11 NIV

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Those who were closest to Jesus knew Him best. Their actions and words after the ascension of Christ demonstrate that they were willing to serve Christ even to the point of a torturous death.

This is the response of the heart to what Jesus has done for us. The Apostles Paul, Jude, and James all begin their letters by introducing themselves as bondservants of the Lord. They realized freedom is best lived under the roof of the Master’s home.

Paul -

Titus 1:1 NIV

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—

Jude -

Jude 1 NIV

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

James -

James 1:1 NIV

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

There is a story in the OT about a man named Mephibosheth. He was the son of Jonathan, the friend of King David. The house of Saul had been destroyed but David wanted to bless a descendent of Jonathan, so he asked around. He then learned of Mephibosheth, lame in both legs due to the chaos when the house of Saul was destroyed. David brought Mephibosheth into his home and allowed him to eat at the King’s table. The Bible even gives us the detail that the tablecloth covered his deformed legs. At the King’s table he was whole.

Later in the civil war between Absolom and David, Mephibosheth had the opportunity to lash out at King David, but he didn’t. He said…

2 Samuel 19:27–28 NIV

And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever you wish. All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?”

How Bondservants Behave

When your love gets twisted around in marriage it is always good to go back to 1 Cor 13 and listen to the description of what love is. Love is kind, patient, doesn’t keep lists. It doesn’t dishonor others. It protects and trusts. This is a powerful tool to realign your love.

The Bible also describes for us the behaviors of a bondservant. It is…

Diligent…Faithful…Honest…Obedient…Persevere…Respectful

Servants are not lazy. They get their responsibilities accomplished.

They are entrusted with responsibilities.

The Royal Rangers Code.

A Royal Ranger is: ALERT - He is mentally, physically, and spiritually alert. CLEAN - He is clean in body, mind, and speech. HONEST - He does not lie, cheat, or steal.

2 Thessalonians 3:11–13 NIV

We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

These qualities seem obvious but there are Christians who call themselves servants of God but whose lives do not reflect these behaviors. When you truly know Jesus your actions begin to line up with your heart.

We All Serve Something

We all must make a decision about what we will serve. Will we allow the Lord to pierce our ears? Will we allow the world? Who is the Master? There are a lot of masters out there – work, pleasure, our own idols that we create, our own pride.

None can compare to Christ – He is the Chief Servant and worthy of our love and devotion.

Matthew 20:25–28 NIV

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.”

Don’t fall in love with something less than the Master.

[1]Iain D. Campbell, Opening up Exodus, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2006), 87.