Gifts of Grace - Servant

God gave a gift through the giving of the Holy Spirit

Romans 12:6–8 KJV 1900

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

God gives gifts to each individual member to the body of Christ

The Characteristics of the Servant

Recognizes needs and has a desire to meet the need

These needs are usually physical

for i have no man

Timothy i need the parchments

books

The apostle Paul knew Timothy had a gift

A gift of seeing and meeting a need, and doing whatever is necessary to care for needs

We all should be servants of Christ

The joy of the servant is not just in caring for the need but also understanding the fulfillment of the need is bringing peace of mind to another person.

Timothy served and Paul was free to accomplish what God called him to do

3. Disregards Weariness

They will go the extra mile

Sees the importance of the task to be accomplished

Will use personal assets such as money and energy to accomplish an act of service

The servant sees past themself and focuses on the completion of the task knowing the joy it will bring to himself and others

4. The servant finds no hard to say

The servant while meeting needs may be asked to fulfill another need. The servant finds it hard turn down a request because a request for help represents a need that can be filled.

Servants are known

20% do 80%

5. Servants are alert to likes and dislikes

Those with the gift of service have an incredible ability to remember special days and special interests of the people they serve.

Birthdays and anniversaries are special to them and they can often recall details about other’s likes and dislikes ie. favorite foods, colors and can make occasions special with their gift.

6. Servants need words of affirmation

The servant needs appreciation and encouragement that their work is not only necessary but that God will bless that work.

They need clear direction.

The apostle Paul gave timothy precise instructions and praise.

They like to be on a team

Servants want to work with a person rather than for a person.

7. Servants enjoy tasks that can fulfill an immediate need

Long term projects can be frustrating to a servant and they enjoy more short term goals.

Timothy was encouraged to endure as a good soldier and to continue in the calling given him by God

A room cleaned

A wall painted

A servant wants the project done

8. A servant does more than expected

The servant delights in bringing delight to those being served understanding that they are ultimately Serving the Lord Jesus.

They go the extra mile

They stay later

They do extra

Servants look for the needs and do extra to make the Lord happy

We are all servants but there is a special enabling

9. Servants enjoy getting the job done quickly

They want to avoid committees, red tape, and delays and even spend their own wealth to accomplish the service needing accomplished.

The church needs servants

Misuses of the Gift:

Without the Walking in the Spirit, each gift can have negative affects

Giving unsought help

could be judged as pushy, intrusive, nosy

they could even get involved in areas that are not their responsibility

2. Misappropriation of priorities

While meeting the needs of others they can neglect their own homes and personal needs.

There may be too much attention placed on things that are physical and temporary

3. Working beyond Physical limits

Inner tension and emotional ailments happen in a servants life.

The Spirit helps servants not to overextend themselves or take too many responsibilities

Leaders and bosses need to also be sensitive to the servant’s limitations

4. Neglecting God-given priorities

Servants often become leaders and have places of authority

They have a tendency to try to accomplish tasks that should be delegated.

Their authority can be frustrated because the overall goal is not being accomplished

They would rather do it themselves rather than delegating

If God has given you the gift, delegate

5. Reacting to overlooked needs

He assumes that others should be seeing the same needs he sees and fulfilling those needs

delegates and the need goes unfulfilled the servant can become resentful

They don’t understand why others wouldn’t fill a need

6. Resenting lack of Appreciation

If a servant receives a physical job and is simply expected to receive joy from accomplishing it, he may feel taken advantage of and react in anger

The servant can forget they are working for the Lord if they are not in the Spirit

Perspective can also be lost if they see waste of time

7. Lack of Schedule

Because of an unwillingness or inability to train others, the servant can force others to adapt to their schedule.

Family may not feel involved in the servants life or ministry

Fellow laborers may not feel valuable.

Servants train others to be servants

Children you need to learn to serve

Ask God for an eye to serve and to train others

You shouldn’t have to be asked children

8. A frustration with time limits

A servant may react to schedules not realizing it is for their own good.

Twice Paul told Timothy to “do thy diligence to com shortly unto me… do thy diligence to come before winter.

He needed it now, the servant takes time

9. Interfering with God’s discipline

The purposes of God may be frustrated when a servant meets a need that God allowed in a person’s life to bring repentance.

What if a servant was there when the Prodigal son was in the pig’s pen?

Help must be from God’s leadership

Ask authority

Romans 12:10 KJV 1900

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Kindly affectioned to other servants

When others don’t see the need - be kind

When others create problems

Brotherly love

Honor toward others

In your gift still honor others

Servants need authority to help direct them

Servants are fulfilled by serving, but they need to not take too much