SERVANTHOOD IS THE REAL PURPOSE OF LIFE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY AUGUST 25, 2020.

SUBJECT: SERVANTHOOD IS THE REAL PURPOSE OF LIFE!

Memory verse: "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant." (Matthew 23 vs 11.)

READ: Matthew 20 vs 25 - 28; 23 vs 11 - 12:

20:25: But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the ruler of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 

20:26: Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 

20:27: And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—

20:28: just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.

23:11: But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 

23:12: And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

INTIMATION:

The real purpose of our living is in given our lives to Christ, and in service to God and others. That is real discipleship, and it implies real commitment, pledging our whole existence to service of God and others. In service is rooted true greatness. To Jesus greatness comes from serving—giving yourself to service unto God and others. Service keeps us aware of others' needs, and it stops us from focusing only on ourselves. Jesus, the greatest man, came as a servant. 

Serving can roundly be described as subjecting one's will to that of another. Christlike attitude in service is such that lays aside rights in order to serve others. This is selflessness—putting others first. The great Jesus, our Messiah, said that His mission was to serve others, even to the extent of given His life away for the sake of saving others. Christ's nature of humility and servanthood, was instrumental to His greatness, and doing what no other has done or can do—giving one’s life for another. 

Also, servanthood is the hallmark of real leadership. A real leader has a servant's heart. Servant leaders appreciate others' worth and realize that they're not above any job. Jesus taught His disciples that the greatest person in God's Kingdom is the servant of all. Authority is given not for self-importance, ambition, or respect, but for useful service to God and others. 

On the night of the Passover meal, Jesus washed the disciple’s feet, even the feet of the one who would betray Him. That act of humility in service might be the single, greatest act of such ever done in history. Here was God Himself, in Jesus Christ, taking the form of a servant and washing the dirty, smelly feet of the disciples…even the feet of an enemy (Judas Iscariot), to give us an example of serving in humility like He did. 

The societal norm is that the great amongst us, and the leaders are served. But Jesus said, it is the other way round, the great, and the leaders should be serving others with that which God has given them. Instead of using people, they are to serve them. When you serve others, even in carrying out ordinary tasks, you are ultimately serving God. For instance, in First Samuel 2 vs 11, the Bible says, "But the child ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest." In other words , Samuel was Eli's helper or assistant in his priestly duties—service to God, and because Samuel was Eli's helper, he was God's helper too. And because our service is ultimately to God, every service has dignity. 

If we say we follow Christ, we must also want to live as He lived. We should develop His attitude of humility, and selfless service. This we can do by allowing the mind that was in Christ to be in us (Philippians 2 vs 5). Though selfless service might result to no recognition for our efforts, yet we must serve regardless of any recognition.

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me with the mind of Christ that I may lead a life of selfless service acceptable to You, that I may receive Your approval, and crown of glory of living in eternity with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!