Servant Leadership

Servant  Leadership 

More of God means less of you. Something will need to be given up or over, what do you have to give up? 

Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of God? 

Matthew 20:20-28 NKJV

Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. [21] And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom." [22] But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." [23] So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father." [24] And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. [25] But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. [26] Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. [27] And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave- [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Mark 10:42-45 NKJV

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. [43] Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. [44] And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. [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."

In the church is where we bring our gifts, and serve Jesus… we bring to the members our gifts and talents where we are tested proved and fashioned into His body.. 

Servant leadership 

John 12:24-26 NKJV

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. [25] He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NKJV

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. [13] For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. [14] For in fact the body is not one member but many.

Hands, feet, ears, limbs do not live by themselves …. We are connected .. 

1 Corinthians 12:15-28 NKJV

If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? [16] And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? [18] But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. [19] And if they were all one member, where would the body be? [20] But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. [21] And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." [22] No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. [23] And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, [24] but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, [25] that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. [26] And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. [27] Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. [28] And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Don’t be a spiritual gypsy … be planted .. 

Jesus sets you in the body 

1 Corinthians 12:18 NKJV

But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

There needs to be a an awakening… let the Spirit blow in motives, and purify His Body.. too much transfer and not enough planting and new salvations. 

Church’s are starting up with members from other church’s .. just because you move a cupboard to one bedroom from another doesn’t mean there’s growth. 

Increase comes when souls are saved, planted, and discipled.  When there is cupboards in both rooms increase has manifested. 

Serving is required for the growth of the body.. serving His way will cause increase.. not just in the server but to the whole body. 

What if you don’t like who you’re serving ??   That is the whole reason He has planted you there… to form you into His image by helping you die to yourself. 

Galatians 5:7-10 NKJV

You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? [8] This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. [9] A little leaven leavens the whole lump. [10] I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

You have been called to serve Him, to bring your talents.. 

Galatians 5:13-15 NKJV

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. [14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [15] But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Being a person who turns up late and leaves early to church is not serving. Turning up to church is not serving. 

Brining your talents to be used during the service is what serving is.. 

Making coffee, greeting the people, leading in songs, praying for each other, teaching the kids, cleaning the toilets, and bringing food. Join the midweek prayer and labour there. Go out on the streets to evangelise with the team. 

There is so many areas you can apply your gifts to serve each other. 

What does it take ??

Be willing.. be available.. be faithful in the small things.. 

Increase comes from being faithful. Week after week.. the problem is many give up the race before the breakthrough.. stay the course. Not just 1 year or 2, how about 10 years, or like Abraham 20-30 years before he received his promise. 

The flesh profits nothing… carnal living brings no lasting joy.. 

To be placed in a position of greatness in His church you must be faithful, and tested. 

1 Timothy 3:6-7 NKJV

not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. [7] Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Tested… 

1 Timothy 3:8-10 NKJV

Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, [9] holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. [10] But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.

Don’t drink wine, don’t love money, be blameless with those outside the church. 

Life is a test. 

1 Timothy 3:13 NKJV

For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

I pray you obtain great boldness in the faith today ..