Sermon Tone Analysis

A Servant Of God And Of The Lord Jesus Christ (James 1:1)

 

*Opening Story:*

* *

   One day the King's best personal servant was walking in a dense forest near the palace.

There he stumbled and fell down a hill.

He awakened, looked around, and found at his feet the proverbial magic cup, which, when rubbed, released a genie.

The genie said, "Your finding this cup was no accident.

You've worked hard all your life.

So you may receive one wish.

But make it carefully because you can have only one."

The man replied, "All my life I have been in positions requiring that I serve others.

In fact, I'm known as 'The Servant of the Kingdom.'

In the future, I want people to wait on me and serve me.

Yes, that's it.

I want the tables turned.

I want servants to do everything for me."

Sure enough, when the man returned to the castle, the door was opened for him.

His food was cooked, his meals were served, his dishes washed, his clothes cared for by others.

He was not allowed to perform his usual work -- everything was done for him.

For the first month, the newness of the experience amused him.

the second month, it became irritating.

During the third month, it became unbearable.

So the man returned to the forest and searched until he found the genie again.

He said, "I've discovered that having people wait on me isn't as pleasant as I'd thought.

I'd like to return to my original station and once again be 'The Servant of the Kingdom.'"

The genie replied, "I'm sorry, but I can't help you.

I had the power to grant only one wish."

The man said, "But, you don't understand.

I want to serve people.

I found it far more rewarding to do things for others than to have all those things done for me."

The genie just shook his head.

The man begged, "But you must help me.

I'd rather be in hell than not be able to serve others."

The genie said sorrowfully, "Where do you think you have been, my friend, for the last ninety days?"

-- A French fable, retold by Cavett Robert.

/Greatness is not measured by how many servants you have but by how many people you serve./

Let’s look at this idea of “servanthood.”

!

James 1:1: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”

 

 

James is not the only one who calls himself “a servant of God.”

 

·       Paul (Rom 1:1; Phil 1:1)

·       Peter (2 Pet 1:1; Jude 1)

 

Why did these men refer to themselves as “servants”?

a.

The Greek term, “/DOULUS/” literally means “a slave.”

b.

Why use such a term to describe themselves?

c.

Why should we think of ourselves as servants?

Because TRUE GREATNESS COMES FROM SERVING (Upside-down Kingdom)

 

Everyone wants to be in charge, but Jesus turns the pyramid upside down.

Do you want to be great?

Be a servant.

Do the work on the lowest end of the totem pole.

Why should we have such an attitude and consider ourselves servants?

Let’s make some observations in answering this question.

I.

JESUS HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT SERVANTHOOD AND HAS CALLED US TO BE 

    SERVANTS

 

A.

Jesus has stressed this truth on several occasions

 

            B.

While pointing out the faults of the scribes and Pharisees (Matt 23:8-12)

 

*Matthew 23:8-12*:  “But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.

And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.

Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.

The greatest among you will be your servant.

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

C.

Serving is why Jesus Came.

1.

Over and over, Jesus demonstrated that he came not to be serve, but to serve.

2.

During the Last Supper, Jesus gave a vivid demonstration of servitude (John 13:12-17; Matt 20:25-28; Phil 2:5-8)

 

*John 13:12-17*: “ When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.

"Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.

"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

*Matthew 20:25-28*:  “Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

Not so with you.

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

3.

This is staggering thought – that the God of the universe would stoop to being a servant!

 

a.

No  red carpet – no palace – no fast-track education – but a carpenter!

b.

When Jesus began His ministry, He slept on the sides of roads.

– No national headquarters.

No executive suites.

c.

Jesus was a servant and He called on His disciples – and us – to be servants, too!

 

II.

SPECIFICALLY, WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE:

 

·       God (James 1:1; Heb 9:14)

·       Jesus Christ (James 1:1; 2 Cor 4:1)

·       Righteousness (Rom 6:17-18)

·       Each Other (Gal 5:13; 1 Cor 9:19-23)

 

*Illustration*:  A hospital visitor saw a nurse tending to the sores of a leprosy patient, and said, "I'd never do that for a million dollars!"

The nurse answered, "Neither would I.

But I do it for Jesus for nothing."

*Galatians 5:13*:  “You, my brothers, were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”