The Portrait of a Godly Servant

Introduction|

Attention:

Let me ask you a question this morning: how many of you consider yourself to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ? As we think about this question, it is easy to raise our hands. However, it is another thing to model the attributes of a submissive servant. If you examine the lives of men and women who have accomplished big things for God, you will discover several critical attributes in every one of these disciples. When you study the life of Paul, you will find these characteristics. If you were to explore the life of Peter, you would notice these key attributes were present in his life. If you were to study the lives of Charles Spurgeon, D. L. Moody, Jim Elliot, Amy Carmichael, and Billy Graham, you would also discover that these men and women displayed these attributes.

Background:

The Book of James is one of the earliest letters of Christianity. Most likely, it was penned around A.D. 44-50. The name James (Greek Ἰάκωβος and Hebrew Jacob) is the name of several people in the New Testament.

First, you have James the son of Zebedee (, , , and ). He was one of Christ’s closest disciples—Peter, James, and John. While this close relationship to Jesus Christ gives James authority and credibility, he is an unlikely candidate because of his execution by Herod Agrippa in A.D. 44 ().

You also have James the Son of Alphaeus ( and ). He was also a member of the twelve disciples and an apostle. While He was a very influential individual as an apostle, he would have needed more identification as an author.

Finally, you have James the Half-Brother of Jesus Christ (, , , , and and ). We can gather three things about this ) he was the Pastor of the Church at Jerusalem; 2) he was the leader of the Jerusalem Council and; 3) he was the half brother of Jesus.

Church Tradition suggests James the Brother of Christ to be the author the epistle of James. Three facts help support this fact. First, the style of James matches the style of the letter sent out by the Jerusalem Council (). Secondly, the influence of James after his conversion makes him a great influence on Jewish Christians. From the New Testament, we understand that James did not believe that Christ was the Messiah until after the resurrection. Finally, James was influential upon early Christianity. In this letter, he addresses a group of Jewish Christians who are living outside of Palestine. However, this books is also applicable to us as members of the Christian community.

Need Element:

James is helpful for us because it addresses practical living. As James develops his letters, he explains the practical aspects of living for Christ. To fulfill this purpose, James develops several applicable aspects: Trails, Temptation, Racism, Faith and Works, Wisdom, Endurance, and Speech. Through the Book of James, James opens up our private life. Thus, “James is like a Spiritual Physical.” Just like a yearly physical, James checks our spiritual conditions by confronting real-life situations with scriptural solutions. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you made Him your Lord and Master. When you made the decision to follow Jesus in faith and repentance, you surrendered the rights to your life by making Jesus Christ your Lord and Master. Sometimes, we struggle with surrendering our will to his will, our work to his work,, and our word to his word. In our time together this morning, I want to show us three critical characteristics of a godly servant.

Textual Idea:

James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, greets His readers who are living for God in a godless culture.

Big Idea:

God uses submissive servants!

Interrogative:

What does a submissive servant look like?

Transition:

Outline|

I. A submissive servant exhibits humility before others.

Explanation:

As we consider the way James begins his letter, we notice that he displays a great deal of humility in greeting his readers. In most introductions, we find a list of accolades and accomplishments. When James introduces himself, he does not list his accolades or accomplishments. However, he had quite the list of accolades and accomplishments: 1) he was the half-brother of Jesus Christ; 2) he was the pastor of the largest Christian community in the world—the church at Jerusalem; and 3) he was the chairman of the Jerusalem council—the council that determined that gentiles could join the Church. If we are not careful, we find our identity in our accolades and accomplishments instead of finding our identity in Christ. He could have said: “James—the half-brother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Pastor of the Church at Jerusalem, and Leader of the Jerusalem Counsel—to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” Instead, James describes himself as “a servant of God and and the Lord Jesus Christ” (). By using the term servant, we find an indication that James possessed and demonstrated humility before others. From this description, we discover that James considered his position to be one of “humble service.” If we are going to accomplish big things for God individually or corporately, we are going to have to show humility before others.

He could have said: “James—the half-brother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Pastor of the Church at Jerusalem, and Leader of the Jerusalem Counsel—to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” By using the term servant, we find an indication that James possessed and demonstrated humility before others. From this description, we discover that James considered his position to be one of “humble service.” If we are going to accomplish big things for God individually or corporately, we are going to have to show humility before others.

D. L. Moody aptly observed, “We may easily be too big for God to use, but never too small.”

Illustration:

The story is told of two brothers who grew up on a farm. One went away to college, earned a law degree, and became a partner in a prominent law firm in the state capital. The other brother stayed on the family farm. One day the lawyer came and visited his brother, the farmer. He asked, “Why don’t you go out and make a name for yourself and hold your head up high in the world like me?” The brother pointed and said, “See that field of wheat over there? Look closely. Only the empty heads stand up. Those that are well filled always bow low.” Said differently, “The branch that bears the most fruit is bent the lowest to the ground.”

Argumentation:

Why does God use humble servants to accomplish His will?

God uses humble servants because, in weakness, God’s strength is made strong. As we study Scripture, we notice a theme that carries throughout the Old and New Testaments. God uses individuals who had nothing to be proud of. Moses had a speech impediment, yet God enabled him to become one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. Abraham had a faith problem, yet God helped him to become one of the greatest examples of faith in the Old Testament. David was a man of small stature, yet God made him be the greatest Kings in the history of God’s people. John the Baptist was a cultural outcast, yet Jesus said that He was greatest of his day. Peter couldn’t control his tongue, yet God used his boldness to preach repentance in the New Testament. Paul was a murder of the church, yet God enabled Him to become one of the greatest missionary in the history of the world. James was a skeptic, yet God transformed his life after the resurrection. God cannot use a proud person. However, God can use a person who submits to him in humility.

Application:

Let me ask you a simple question: Do you possess humility and do you model humility before others?

If you believe that you are better than someone else, you have a pride problem which is a sin problem. Until you deal with your pride, God will never be able to use you for His glory. If you continue down this road, God will humble you. I have found that God often times use humiliation to provide humility.

says: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (ESV).

Transition:

You may have spiritual pride. If you believe that you are better than some else because you go to church, you wear the right clothes, you say the right things, you carry the right Bible, and you listen to the right music, you have a spiritual pride problem. Spiritual pride is a significant problem in the church today. Spiritual pride cloaks itself in a mask of Christ and his word. However, it is nothing more than pride wrapped in the name of Jesus!

Jonathan Edwards, in his easy on Undirected Pride, describes the symptoms of spiritual pride: 1) you find great fault with others but not yourself; 2) you have a harsh spirit towards others because of their sin; 3) you are more concerned with the perception of others than God’s opinion of you; 4) you become defensive when others challenge your authority; 5) you have a boldness before God that doesn’t manifest itself through reverence; 6) you are desperate for attention and respect from others; and 7) you neglect the needs other by showing respect to those who the world deems worthy of honor and giving more weight to their words, their wants, and their needs.

If I just described you, you have a sin problem. This morning, I want to encourage you to seek God’s forgiveness.

II. A submissive servant exhibits devotion to his master.

Explanation:

We also learn that a submissive servant displays devotion to His master. The word servant is translated from the Greek word δοῦλος. It can also be translated as bond-slave. The word carries the idea of being under someone’s control or someone who is solely committed to another. It is also used in relation to God’s servants—James, Peter, Paul, and Jude. When used in this manner, it carries the idea of belonging to Christ because He has bought and owns one’s soul and desires absolute obedience from His followers.

One writer says: “What qualified James to write such a letter was not his physical relationship to Jesus but his spiritual relationship.”

James was entirely devoted to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The word lord suggests one who has authority as a master. I want you to notice two facts about Jesus: 1) He is master—Lord and 2) He is Messiah—Christ. He is the one who saves us and the one who we serve.

We can make four observations about this devotion: 1) a submissive servant is devoted to the will of his master; 2) a submissive servant is dedicated to the way of his master; 3) a submissive servant is devoted to the word of his master; and 4) a submissive servant is devoted to the work of his master.

One writer makes this observation: “Christians [commit] themselves to Jesus as their absolute divine master just as slaves had to swear unconditional allegiance to their human masters.”

Illustration:

Ten days after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, residents of North Platte, Nebraska heard a rumor that soldiers from their town, part of the Nebraska National Guard Company D, would be coming through on a troop train on their way to the West Coast. About five hundred people showed up at the train depot with food, gifts, letters, and love to give the boys. When the train showed up, it was not the Nebraska National Guard Company D boys on board; it was the soldiers from the Kansas National Guard Company D. The North Platte residents decided to give out their gifts to these soldiers they did not know. It was a spontaneous act of genuine devotion that touched both the soldiers and the people who came to the depot that day. A few days later, a 26-year-old woman named Rae Wilson wrote a letter to the editor of the local paper recounting the profound experience they’d shared that night. She then suggested the town organize a canteen, so they could do something similar for every troop train that came through. She offered to lead the effort as a volunteer. For the next four and a half years, the people of North Platte and the surrounding communities met every troop train that came through their town. Every day, they prepared sandwiches, cookies, cold drinks, and hot coffee. They had baskets of magazines and books to give away to the soldiers and snacks for the train. There were even birthday cakes for anyone having a particular day. And they did this, some days, for as many as eight thousand soldiers and sailors. The statistics are staggering. By the time the last train arrived on April 1, 1946, six million soldiers had been blessed by the North Platte Canteen. Forty-five thousand volunteers had served faithfully until the war was over and most of the troops had been transported home. If the residents of North Platte were that dedicated to doing whatever they could to help win World War II and serve the soldiers, Christians should be even more committed to serve the Lord any way they can.

Argumentation:

Why should we be devoted to serving Christ?

Solomon, in his benedictory prayer, provides several beautiful reasons to be devoted to the Lord entirely.

Solomon says: “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant. May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers; may He not leave us or forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, which He commanded our fathers. And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day requires, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no one else. Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day” (, NASB).

Application:

Let me ask you a simple question: are you serving the Lord with a devoted heart?

Devotion manifests itself by submitting to Christ’s way, word, will, and work and servicing Christ, His Church, and His creation (others). summons us to be entirely devoted to Christ as both our master and Messiah.

Transition:

III. A submissive servant exhibits service for his master.

Explanation:

Finally, I want you to notice that a submissive servant serves his master. The word servant is translated from the Greek word δοῦλος. It can also be translated as bond-slave. The word carries the idea of being under someone’s control or someone who is solely committed to another. It is also used in relation to God’s servants—James, Peter, Paul, and Jude. When used in this manner, it carries the idea of belonging to Christ because He has bought and owns one’s soul and desires absolute obedience from His followers. Servants of Jesus Christ serves Him by obeying His word and doing his work! James gave his life to advancing the gospel message and helping the church grow in their knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Illustration:

I recently read the story of Bishop Tucker of Uganda. He was an artist, but how did he become a bishop? One day he was painting a picture of a poor woman thinly-clad and pressing a babe to her bosom, wandering homeless on a stormy night on the dark, deserted street. As the picture developed, the artist suddenly threw down his brush, exclaiming, “Instead of merely painting the lost, I will go out and save them.” He went to Africa.

Argumentation:

Why should we serve Christ?

We should serve Christ for several reasons

We serve Christ because He loved us ()

We serve Christ because He served us ()

We serve Christ because He

We serve Christ because we

Application:

Application:

Let me ask you an important question: are you serving Christ with your time, talents, and treasures?

You can serve Christ by sharing the gospel with a lost co-worker, friend, neighbor, or family member. You can serve Christ by obeying the great commandment (Love God and Others) and the Great Commission (sharing the gospel and making disciples). You can serve Christ by using your talents and gifts for Christ and His Church. You can serve Christ by showing up to an outreach event. You can serve Christ by giving to furtherer the gospel.

Transition:

Conclusion/Application|

Visualization:

A perfect picture of a submissive servant is our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he writes: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (, NLT).

Action:

James’ description of himself encourages us to develop these same attributes in our own life. God wants to use you for his glory and mission. However, He cannot use a proud person. When we consider the accolades and accomplishments of James and His description of himself, we notice the humility of James in his life and ministry. If you are willing to humble yourself, God can use you for his glory and honor. We also notice the devotion of James to his Lord and Master. As a servant/bond-slave, James was fully committed to his master. If you are willing to devote yourself to Christ, He can use you to fulfill his mission and work. Finally, we notice that James served Christ faithfully. In this passage, we are encouraged to serve Christ by obeying His word, will, way, and work. If you are willing to use your time, talents, and treasures, God can use you for His glory.

Appeal:

This morning, I want to encourage you to develop an attitude of humility. While God cannot use a haughty spirit, He can use a humble spirit. In humility, I invite you to find a place of prayer in your pew or on this altar and ask Christ to help remove your pride and replace it with humility. I also want to encourage you to devote yourself to Christ. If you are a follower of Christ, you should be dedicated to Christ’s word, will, way, and work. Finally, God encourages us to serve Christ with our life by obeying His Word.