The Servant Syndrome

Introduction

This morning we are going to take a look at “The Servant Syndrome.”

Let’s begin by defining Servant & Syndrome

Servant -a person who works for and performs duties for another person, a person employed in a service, devoted and helpful.

O.T. = Ebed= A Servant belongs to another person, the key ingredients are “action” and “obedience.”

N.T. = Doulos = a master’s SLAVE, a BOND slave

N.T. = Diakonos = “to wait tables,” “to serve” =Deacon

Definition of Syndrome -a combination of behaviors, emotions, and opinions.

Originated in Mid 16th century

Latin & Greek origins =- Sundrome “sun”= together & “dramein”=to run

I.e. a group of symtoms that CONSISTENTLY occur together or a CONDITION characterized by a set of associated symtoms.

If we are a BLOOD-BOUGHT, BORN-AGAIN BELIEVER, ...TRUE FOLLOWER of The Lord Jesus Christ, our symptoms, i.e. our Behaviors, Emotions, and our Opinions should consistently demonstrate that we are SERVANTS OF THE MOST HIGH GOD!

I want us to think about our lives as servants and at the conclusion of this message I’ll ask this question to all of us: What is The Holy Spirit saying to you right now?

As we answer that in our minds, I’ll invite you to take a step of faith and come to the front to either declare your service to The Lord OR if you would like prayer in order to become a more effective servant of God!

Let’s look at ....

I. A Servant’s Heart- Our Emotions -What they feel!Romans 12:9-13

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 12)

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another bin honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 are rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

A. Love (agape’) without Hypocrisy

Genuine,

Sincere,

Authentic

B. Hate that which is evil, Hold on to The Good

Evil Desires

Evil Speech

Evil Thoughts

Greed

Unholy Ambition

Worldliness - Gal 5:19-20

Galatians 5:19–20 (NASB95)

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

C. Be Devoted in Brotherly love = Philadelphia

Treat others as family-demonstrate affection FOR other believers

Demonstrating eagerness in HONORING one another-Esteeming others more highly than yourself. Valuing other over yourself.

Not being LAZY, being READY to expend energy.

D. Fervent in Spirit (pneuma-Third person in the Trinity )

1. Enthusiastically, energetically -Serving God In The Spirit

2. Possibly implies Utilizing The Gifts of The Holy Spirit

E. Rejoicing in HOPE

Being in a state of Well-being

Because of patience and encouragement through God’s Word that produces confidence

F. Persevering in Tribulation (Times of Trouble)

In spite of the difficult circumstances and/or suffering

To endure-life is a race -ILL my Mile run in H.S.

G. Devoted to Prayer

To Stay Close/to be continuously in prayer

Demonstrating our ongoing dependence upon God and our growing relationship with our Heavenly Father.

H. Contributing to needs of the Saints

1. Joining others in meeting needs

2. Giving towards Needs = necessities

3. Helping others to accomplish the needs of those who are dedicated to God

I. Practicing Hospitality

Practice = “To run after, chase after, to pursue” Wholeheartedly

Hospitality = “to let a stranger sit at your table,” treating them as you would a close friend.

J. Bless those who persecute you

K. Rejoice with those who rejoice

L. Be of the same mind towards one another

M. Do not repay evil for evil to anyone

Be Respectful

Be at peace

N. Never take revenge

O. Take care of your enemies needs

1. Feed your enemy

2. Give them drink

P. Do not overcome evil but overcome evil by doing good.

SUMMARY:

The Heart of A Servant Reflects that of Christ:

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, self control.

T.S. It is the Heart of a Servant that causes the servant to Think in ways that Christ thinks, we now move to a SERVANT’S HEAD

II. A Servant’s Head-What they think! Philippians 2:5

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 2)

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

A. Attitude / Mind = “to set one’s mind”

Here we are told to “GET AN ATTITUDE”

a. i.e. To get in the RIGHT mind-The Mind of Christ

b. To think in a Particular manner, Like Christ

2. We are to employ one’s faculties for thoughtful planning

B. Humbled Himself

a. Did not act privileged,

b. Gave up His rights as GOD - emptied himself

c. Was not arrogant

d. Was not a name dropper

C. Was obedient to the point of death....

D. How to THINK like Jesus: THINK Phil4:8

Philippians 4:8 NASB95

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

T-True

H-Helpful

I-Important

N-Necessary

K-Kind

T.S. We have looked at The HEART of a servant, The HEAD of a servant, and now we will look at what the Heart and Head of a servant lead us to do:

III. A Servant’s Habits-What they do! Matthew 25:35-40

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 25)

35 ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

A. Provide Provisions

Food

Housing

Clothing

Visit

Sickness

incarceration

B. Provide Encouragement - visits

In Sickness

Incarceration

SUMMARY: A Servant sees what needs to be done and does it.

Without complaining, without expecting something in return, and best of all Through the Head and Heart of being a SERVANT OF CHRIST!

APPLICATION:

In the beginning of this sermon I mentioned that I would ask the question:

What is The Holy Spirit saying to you right now?

As we answer that in our minds, you are invited to take a step of faith, step out of your row, and come to the front to declare your service to The Lord

OR if you desire someone on the prayer team to pray with you to become a more effective servant of God!

OR perhaps The Holy Spirit is telling you where he wants you to serve.... come on up to the front an tell someone...

Pray: