Another Servant

Text: Mark 12:1-12

Place Preached - (Annual Meeting BCPM/BCPMC, Juniata, MI)

Date Preached - (01/17/01)

Introduction:   

Brief Explanation of Parable

Background & Context of Parable

This is one of the most interesting parables ever told by Jesus. It is interesting because it is both historical and predictive.

Jesus relates the parable to illustrate His rejection by the nation of Israel.

Jesus covered the history of Israel from God’s perspective, just as God sees it (Mark 12:1-5).

And then He predicted or revealed exactly what was going to happen to Israel: they were going to reject God’s own Son (Mark 12:6)

And because of their rejection and cruelty, God was going to reject them by giving the Kingdom of God to another people (Mark 12:9).

Psalms 118:22  The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

We also see many aspects of God’s Character in this passage

God is generous: He gives everything needed (v.1).

God is trusting: He gives responsibility & freedom to govern life (v.1).

God is exacting: He expects payment (v.2).

God is patient: He sends messengers to receive payment (v.2-5).

God is love: He sends His very own Son to the world (v.6-8).

God is just: He shall come & destroy evil keepers (v.9).

God is trustworthy: He fulfills His promises (v.10-11).

Tell the story – EMPHASIZE phrase “And again he sent unto them another servant” vs.4

SERVANT – Doulos - Bondslave

This is not James the Butler, but a slave.

PURPOSE:  That we might understand and accept the place of a servant in the work of the Lord.

I’d like to relate this to Church Planting and Church Planters.

We have got to get our perspective right on this.  We are servants, not the served!!

We must realize where we sit on the food chain, we are bottom feeders!!

A servant has a mission;  A servant will be mistreated.

If we understand our place as a servant, it will make the difference in many different areas.

In our homes, in our churches, in the Lord’s work, in business etc.

Let’s consider Some truths on servanthood from the text….

I. The Servant does the Master’s Bidding & Not His Own

It is never questioned that the servant goes.

EXAMPLE – The Centurion understood the place of a servant.

Matthew 8:9  For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

Luke 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Romans 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Ephesians 6:6  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

Galatians 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

II. The Servant is responsible in Stewardship & not for Provision vs.1-2

The Lord provides!  And He does so generously!!

He gives everything needed to accomplish His will and His work.

Everything was provided to assure growth and fruitfulness. The cultivators have no excuse for not producing.

1.  God “hedged it round about.” This was a wall built around the vineyard to keep the animals away from the grapes. The hedge or wall assured growth and fruitfulness.

2.  God dug a winepress. This was a trough or vat into which the wine was pressed. The trough was sometimes dug in rock, sometime built out of wood. The trough stands for the equipment which God provides to get His work done.

3.  God built a tower. It was a watchtower used to guard and protect the vineyard from thieves. The tower stands for the assurance and security of God’s care which He gives to His cultivators (cp. Matthew 6:25-34).

A good cross reference passage to this is Isaiah 5.

The servant’s only responsibility was to return with the Lord’s share of the harvest.

The Lord provides for us physically, financially and also spiritually.

ILLUS: My Cousin Kevin (As a chef, he is a preparer, not a provider)

God has provided everything necessary to feed His people, and to feed the spiritual needs of our community.  All we are is the messenger, the preparers and not the provider.

1 Corinthians 4:2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

III. The Servant is Expendable & not Irreplaceable vs.2-4

“A servant” vs.2  “Another servant” vs.4  “And many others” vs.5

HUMOR: A young preacher had announced to his congregation that he would be leaving the church for another call. As he was standing at the door greeting people one of the elderly saints approached him, her eyes were filled with tears.

She sobbed, "Oh pastor, I'm so sorry you've decided to leave. Things will never be the same again." The young man was flattered, but was equal to the situation and took her hands in his and most benevolently replied, "Bless you, dear lady, but I am sure that God will send you a new pastor even better than I." She choked back a sob and was heard to say, "That's what they all say, but they keep getting worse and worse."

As a servant you are just one among many, I am one of many.

ILLUS: If you think you are irreplaceable, get a bucket of water, make a fist, place your fist in the water, now pull your fist out.  If there is a fist shaped impression left in the water you are irreplaceable.  If not, you are like everyone else.

Now we are needed in the sense that God uses human instruments, yet God’s nature and program would not change without us.  We are not irreplaceable.

God would still be God if He didn’t have us to serve Him.

Even the rocks could cry out in our place!

IV. A Servant is not above the Son

The Lord in the parable had many servants, but he had only one son.

Christ is not merely preeminent, He is also transcendant.

He is not high over us by comparison as an angel is over a worm.  He is high over us by infinity.  He is as high over the angel as He is over the worm.

A. The Son became a Servant

So the transcendant one condescended to dwell among us.

Philippians 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

The Son gave His life as the act of a Servant

The Son gave His life to the hands of the Scorner

The Son gave His life in the place of the Sinner

The Son gave His life that we might become Sons

If we ever think that being a servant is below us, let us spend more time beholding the Son, contemplating Christ and the Cross!

Let’s get the perspective right on this!!

We are the authors of confusion…He is the Author of our peace.

We are the authors of unbelief…. He is the Author & Finisher of our faith.

We were the authors of His suffering….He is the Author of our salvation.

Conclusion:     (Review)