Improve Your Serve

As Marie was preparing Beniets for her two young sons, Boudreaux and Thibodeaux, they began to argue over who would get the first one. Not wanting to miss a teachable moment, Marie said: “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first beniet.’” Boudreaux turned to his younger brother and said, “OK, Thib. You be Jesus!”

1st - Monitor Your Motives

In verse 36, Jesus asks them to put their request into words in order to reveal their own self-centered selfishness: “And He said to them, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’” They’re ready with their rehearsed request in verse 37: “And they said to Him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’”

Now, before we get too tough on these guys, Jesus did say in : “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” They got that part right but their methods were messy because their motives were all mixed up. Warren Wiersbe comments, “Jesus spoke about a cross, but they were interested in a crown.”

It’s really easy for our motives to get out of whack.

James and John wanted proximity, position, power and prominence. They wanted to be the closest to Jesus and they wanted to be higher than anyone else. And their mother desired the best for them. All three of them wanted their will done in their way and in their time.

If we want to improve our serve, we must first learn to monitor our motives. Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to have pure motivation? My motives are often misaligned, even when I try to keep them straight.

As best we can, we need to get our reason for serving straightened out. Let’s not serve to impress others or to try to gain favor with God.

As best we can, we need to get our reason for serving straightened out. Let’s not serve to impress others or to try to gain favor with God. The world says, “actions speak louder than words” while the Word says, “motives speak louder than actions and words.”

The world says, “actions speak louder than words” while the Word says, “motives speak louder than actions and words.”

When faced with their mixed up motives, Jesus asks a question to reveal what they were thinking: “What do you want me to do for you?”

A truthful answer to this same question can help you and I monitor our motives.

Here are some related questions to ask when you’re not sure about your motivation:

“What is it I want?” “Why am I doing this?” “Who am I serving here?” “Who do I want to impress?” “Am I doing this for God’s glory or for my own good?”

2nd - Prepare for Problems

It’s interesting that Jesus uses the two words that we use for the ordinances – the cup (communion) and baptism. Incidentally, Jesus is not talking about being “sprinkled” with problems but being fully immersed in extreme and excruciating pain. We have a number of people who will be baptized in two weeks and we’ll be celebrating communion next weekend.

It’s interesting that Jesus uses the two words that we use for the ordinances – the cup (communion) and baptism. Incidentally, Jesus is not talking about being “sprinkled” with problems but being fully immersed in extreme and excruciating pain. We have a number of people who will be baptized in two weeks and we’ll be celebrating communion next weekend.

Unbelievably, both James and John answer this pointed question with complete confidence in verse 39, “We are able.” I think they were a bit too eager in their response. Jesus reinforces this when He says: “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized.” They wanted glory but Jesus tells them to get ready for some grief and to prepare for some problems.

While we don’t always know in advance how much we’re going to suffer, we do know that if we’re serious about following Christ and serving Him wholeheartedly, we will face difficulty.

Philippians 1:29 NASB95

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

Friend, if you’re serious about serving, then get ready to suffer. You might be taken home early like James or you may battle a long time like John.

To “drink of the cup” has reference not only to suffering, but refers to remaining faithful to the end.

This phrase was understood to mean to drain the entire cup until it was emptied. While you can’t beat kingdom service, it will not always be easy.

If you’re serving in a ministry right now, chances are that you’ve already experienced some difficulty. If you haven’t yet, you will.

We’ve done a disservice by promising that the Christian life will be trouble-free and by promoting ministry as simple and a piece of cake.

It will cost you to serve Christ! Are you willing to pay the price?

3rd - Elevate Others First

After monitoring our motives and preparing for problems, the third way to improve our serve is to elevate others. In case you’re wondering how the other ten felt when they saw that James and John were trying to grab the power positions, look at verse 41: “And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.” I bet Peter must have really been torqued since he was also part of the inner circle and was considered the spokesman!

It’s refreshing to see someone famous not be selfish or self-centered, isn’t it? Fortune Magazine named Theo Epstein, the president of baseball operations for the World Series Champions Chicago Cubs, “the world’s greatest leader.” He came in two spots ahead of the Pope! When asked what he thought of this honor, he said, “Um, I can’t even get my dog to stop [going to the bathroom] in the house…The whole thing is patently ridiculous. It’s baseball--a pastime involving a lot of chance. If Zobrist’s ball is three inches farther off the line, I’m on the hot seat for a failed five-year plan. And I’m not even the best leader in our organization; our players are.”

The word “servant” is the word used for table waiter and is the root of the word for deacon. It literally means, “one who waits on and serves others.” The word “slave” refers to those who are owned by another and is completely subservient to the wishes and demands of the master.

If the disciples wanted to be leaders in His kingdom, they first had to elevate others.

What is a servant? It’s someone whose heart is intent upon, and whose will is bound to, the will and wishes of another.

If I am your servant, then what you say goes. You have the last word.

It’s someone whose heart is intent upon, and whose will is bound to, the will and wishes of another. If I am your servant, then what you say goes. You have the last word.

Let’s think through the difference between a servant and a volunteer.

A volunteer picks and chooses when and even whether to serve. A servant serves no matter what.

A volunteer serves when convenient; a servant serves out of commitment.

Someone said it well: “The servant does what he is told when he is told to do it. The volunteer does what he wants to do when he feels like doing it.” Friends, Jesus didn’t recruit volunteers; He redeemed us to be servants.

Someone said it well: “The servant does what he is told when he is told to do it. The volunteer does what he wants to do when he feels like doing it.”

Friends, Jesus didn’t recruit volunteers; He redeemed us to be servants.

Psalm 123:2 NASB95

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He is gracious to us.

I like the motto of the California Conservation Corps: “Hard Work! Low Pay! Miserable Conditions and More!”

“Hard Work! Low Pay! Miserable Conditions and More!”

Interestingly, this is how they recruit millennials…and it’s very effective.

Here’s the principle: If we want to become truly great then we must give up personal rights and serve others.

Jesus is saying something like this: Consider everyone as someone to be served and consider everyone to be your master. We must take opportunities to serve because we are obligated to serve. Remember that the true test of whether you’re a servant is to consider how you repond when you’re treated like one.

4th - Embrace the Example of Jesus

He offers Himself as the ultimate role model

Mark 10:45 NASB95

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

He served the needs of others and then demonstrated the ultimate act of servanthood when He gave His life as payment for our sins, so that we can be set free.

Here are four challenges. 1. Serve whenever you can. 2. Serve wherever you can. 3. Serve whoever is in need. 4. Be willing to do whatever it takes.

1. Serve whenever you can.

2. Serve wherever you can.

3. Serve whoever is in need.

4. Be willing to do whatever it takes.

Monitor your motives. Prepare for problems. Elevate others. Embrace the example of Jesus.

And that might mean letting someone else have the first beniet. Who’s willing to be like Jesus?