The Servant Leader

The Apostle Paul’s Ministry

Titus 1:1-3 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

Introduction

A week ago, I attended the funeral of my last living aunt in Springfield, MO. It was bittersweet as we will surely miss her, but she was a strong believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. The eulogy was typical with all the “facts” about her life. As I settled into my pew for the pastor to preach, I began wondering, “If I was the one in the casket, what would the pastor be saying about me?”

I was captivated by things that I did not know about my aunt and yet in the back of my mind I was considering the text which we just read.

In the greeting of Paul’s epistle to his disciple, he declared his ministry to the reader. We are privileged to study that today.

What does it mean to be a “servant of God?”

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness

If I was to ask you about your spiritual position today, how would you respond? I thought about that, and I would have blurted out “I am a born-again believer in Jesus Christ.” And I am. And so was Paul. However, that statement is geared from the “reward” side of my experience.

But for Paul, that was not the way he described himself. He described himself as “a servant of God.”

For the believer, there is a “reward” side of salvation:

• Eternal life in a place prepared by Jesus Christ that is so beautiful that John could only describe it with words like: streets of Gold and the splendor of precious gemstones.

• No more pain, suffering, crying, and sin

• Joint heirs with Jesus Christ

• Blessings in “heavenly places in Christ.”

But, least talked about is the “position” side of salvation:

• The believer while left on this earth is to proclaim the Gospel, teach the saved, baptize the “born-again.”

• Jesus became the example as He became a “servant” to “do the will of the Father” (Mt 12:50).

• “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Mt 22:37; Lk 10:27)

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6 Qualities of a Servant Leader

May 1, 2022, By: Jennifer Stasak[1]

1. Integrity

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. — Proverbs 21:3 (ESV)

2. Humility

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. — Colossians 3:12 (NLT)

3. Flexibility

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. — Philippians 4:12‑13 (NLT)

4. Resilience

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:1‑2 (ESV)

5. Stewardship

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. — 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)

God’s given so many different spiritual gifts to his people. Could you imagine what life would be like if everyone thought, looked, and acted the same? The world would be so dull!

So, while being good stewards of our finances is something God wants us to do, that is not the only thing we can steward!

6. Empathy

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. — Romans 12:15 (NLT)

[1] https://www.wycliffe.org/blog/featured/6-qualities-of-a-servant-leader