Serving Others
2nd Sunday Celebration • Sermon • Submitted
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· 13 viewsHer Majesty Queen Elizabeth II epitomised the servant leadership of the Kingdom of God and her example encourages us to sacrificially serve others.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction (3m)
Introduction (3m)
Our Servant Queen
Our Servant Queen
5/2/22 on 70th Anniversary of accession to throne, HM The Queen issued a letter. Opportunity to celebrate/look back/feel sense of achievement. Instead, renewed pledge to give her life devoted to our service. Our Queen pledged to serve us. Promised to serve with all her heart. Signed it, Your Servant, Elizabeth R.
Her attitude is so countercultural
Her attitude is so countercultural
So many people in power use that power to “lord it over” those they are responsible for
So many people in power use that power to “lord it over” those they are responsible for
Flaunt their authority, as J points out to his followers.
Look around world today and we see leaders
Look around world today and we see leaders
going to war for more power, inciting a riot to cling on to power, going through a bruising election process to win power, oppressing people in order to cling on to power, and so on.
Explanation (3m)
Explanation (3m)
Human beings often dream of power and position and J’s disciples show
Human beings often dream of power and position and J’s disciples show
J just being telling them about coming condemnation, humiliation and death:
They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
What a picture of human vanity, ambition, seeking own benefit rather than benefit of others
What a picture of human vanity, ambition, seeking own benefit rather than benefit of others
Would not have signed Your Servant!
Laughable! But aren’t we all a bit like James and John?
Laughable! But aren’t we all a bit like James and John?
All sons of Zebedee? Might not make such an outlandish request after J’s speech about death and condemnation, but we do want the best seats in house/do have ambition/many have career mapped out/nice house/good salary/large church/children who achieve/even to have reputation as good preacher. Part of our human condition.
Jesus teaches there is only one cure for this human condition
Jesus teaches there is only one cure for this human condition
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Transformation from sons of Zebedee to children of God happens through servanthood
Transformation from sons of Zebedee to children of God happens through servanthood
Disciples had been invited by J to follow him. Immediately before this conversation between J, J & J, J had invited the rich, young ruler to follow him. Following J involves a life of servanthood.
J encourages his followers to resist a system of domination
J encourages his followers to resist a system of domination
exercising power over others/controlling others/ranking people in hierarchy/a life of winners and losers/insiders and outsiders/the honoured and the ashamed.
HM The Queen Understood and Accepted J’s words
HM The Queen Understood and Accepted J’s words
Just last month:
Photo
Throughout my life, the message and teachings of Christ have been my guide and in them I find hope. (HM The Queen, 3 August 2022)
Her Christian faith guided the path of her life and characterised her leadership
Her Christian faith guided the path of her life and characterised her leadership
Kept her going for over 70 years. Simply tried to serve G and do her best for him each day, by serving us as our Sovereign:
Pray for me … that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life. (HM The Queen, first Christmas broadcast, 1952)
Throughout life, HM The Queen turned world’s ideas of power and glory upside down and inside out, just as J said we should
Throughout life, HM The Queen turned world’s ideas of power and glory upside down and inside out, just as J said we should
She has been one of the most famous and faithful Christian leaders of all time. Her public service/Christian service shone brightly around the world.
Application (3m)
Application (3m)
Will we follow her example?
Will we follow her example?
Live humble lives. Ask G to grow servant hearts, to give us a servant’s attitude to our relationships with others. Be willing to help others as needed. Appreciate others’ worth. Realise not above any job. Work together in teams rather than worrying about status or authority. Not be jealous others but fulfil our own duties. Serve sacrificially. Carry out mission sharing J’s good news with the world. Follow the wonderful example of HM Queen Elizabeth II and the perfect example of J, our servant leader.
As we give thanks for the Queen’s life and service, let’s ask God to challenge us with her example.
As we give thanks for the Queen’s life and service, let’s ask God to challenge us with her example.
Next Steps
Next Steps
Lighting of tea lights
Lighting of tea lights
Come forward. As you thank G for the Queen, make a pledge to serve G and others in any way you can.