SERVANTHOOD LEADS TO TRUE GREATNESS IN CHRIST!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MARCH 17, 2024.

SUBJECT: SERVANTHOOD LEADS TO TRUE GREATNESS IN CHRIST!

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

READ: Mark 10 vs 42 - 45: 

10:42: But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

10:43: Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

10:44: And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.

10:45: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

INTIMATION:

Service is a process of attending to, or meeting the need of, and subjecting one's will to that of another. Christlike or Christian attitude in service is such that lays aside rights in order to serve others. Service is the key that opens the door of true greatness in Christ. In our memory verse, Jesus stated that the one amongst His followers who serve others is the greatest among them. To Him, true greatness comes from serving—giving yourself to serving God and others. 

Businesses, organizations, and institutions measure greatness by personal achievement. In Christ’s kingdom, however, service is the way to get ahead. Rather than seeking to have your needs met, look for ways that you can minister to the needs of 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. Believers should be selfless rather than self-centered in our service to God and to man. Instead of expecting God to serve us, we are to serve Him for who He is, not for what we get from Him.

When you serve others, even in carrying out ordinary tasks, you are serving God. And because ultimately we serve God, every service has dignity. 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 the Scripture recognized him as a minister to God, therefore, he was God's helper too, though he was an assistant to Eli.

Jesus, the greatest man ever, came as a servant, and challenged society’s norms. To Him, greatness comes from serving—giving of yourself to serve God and others. When we give our lives in service to Christ, we discover the real purpose of living. Real discipleship implies real commitment—pledging our whole existence to His service. In Matthew 16 vs 24, Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let Him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me...” “And He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10 vs 38).

To take up our cross and follow Jesus means to totally commit ourselves to His service, identifying with Him publicly, and acknowledging our readiness to experience certain opposition, and to be willing to face even suffering and death for His sake. God should be our first priority. Jesus calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquility in this life. The apostle Peter was regarded as the head of the apostles by Jesus, hence His challenge to him to tend His sheep; handing over to him at His departure from the earth; and extracting real commitment in follower-ship, and discipleship from him:

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah,  do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes Lord, You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said Again the second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to Him the third time, “Simon, the son of Jonah, do you love Me?” ....And He said to Him, “Lord You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” (John 21 vs 15 - 17.)

It was in the same manner that the apostle Peter instructed elders in the early church, and even in the churches today, extracting total commitment from them: “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Sheppard the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lord’s over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (First Peter 5 vs 1 - 4.)

Our care for others is a measure of our greatness. How much concern do you show for others? This is a vital question that can accurately measure your greatness in God’s eyes. How have you expressed your care for others lately, especially the helpless, the needy, the poor—those who can’t return your love and concern? Your honest answer to that question will give you a good idea of your real greatness.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of servanthood, that I may serve You, and others selflessly, and when the Chief Shepherd appears, I will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!