Sermon Tone Analysis

Servant-hood and Stewardship

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.

If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.

Amen.” ()

A significant dimension of our Christian existence is that we now belong to Another: “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.

So glorify God in your body” ().

All that we are and all that we have now belong to God.

Of course, everything—our personality, intellect, gifts, abilities, opportunities, possessions—has been given to us by God anyway ()!

Conversion simply gives the believer the opportunity to offer all of this back to God for His glory and for our eternal good.

A common metaphor in Jesus’ parables is that of the servant—we are not called to be great as our culture defines greatness, but to serve faithfully.

The words we

long to hear on that final day are “Well done, good and faithful servant” (, ).

Such is the nature of the Christian life: Serving is not something we do on occasion—it is a way of life.

The Christian journey is not one of observation, but participation.

In this lesson we will explore two of the primary ways we are called to participate in this

journey: (1) Service as “Servants” and (2) Service as “Stewards” (the faithful use of our resources) within the context of the local church.

Service as “Servants”

The Christian’s Call to Be a “Servant”

There are no passive participants in the church.

Indeed, one of the express purposes of our salvation is to rescue us from an existence leading to death and to

set us free to serve God.

“how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” ()

Serving is, therefore, a God-given expectation of every Christian.

It is, however, more than merely a duty—what higher privilege is there than to give one’s life in glad service to our gracious, sovereign God who saved us?

Since our service for God is closely connected to our salvation by God, we begin our exploration of servant-hood with the greatest servant of all: Jesus Christ.

Jesus set an example as a servant

Although He was worthy of the worship and service of all creatures, He humbled Himself as a servant, and set an example for all who would follow

him.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

()

“… whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

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

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

()

Jesus called His followers to become servants

While we can do nothing to earn our salvation, our salvation nevertheless ushers us into a life of following our Master, surrendering our prerogatives

and rights.

To follow Christ is to heed His call to become servants ourselves.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

()

The Cross is our motivation to be servants

At the heart of all of our service to God stands the cross.

Because we stand forgiven, we are set free to find joy in knowing and serving God.

Because the Spirit indwells us, we find we have fresh affections for God and a new desire to glorify Him.

We do not serve in order to be forgiven or to gain God’s favor, but because we have been forgiven and have received God’s favor as a gift.

Gratitude and joy are the reason for our service to God and

others.

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

()

The Characteristics of a Christian “Servant”

The cross of Christ provides the primary basis for our service to God.

When this is the case, we will be characterized by certain qualities that reveal godly motivation for service and assure that our service is glorifying to God.

Christian service is God-centered

When we serve other people, whether fellow Christians or non-believers, we are rendering service to God Himself.

Knowing this helps to purify our motives for serving, teaching us to resist sinful pride that often comes in

the form of selfishness or a craving for other peoples’ approval.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

()

Christian service is others-focused

Grace-motivated service will not be self-serving.

Rather, it will be characterized by a genuine desire to glorify God and to meet the needs of others.

It places God’s desires and the needs of others above our own.

““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.”

()

Christian service demands humility

A servant will not demand recognition or dictate how he is to serve.

Instead, he takes delight in being used by God to meet the needs of others.

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

()

Christian service is empowered by the Holy Spirit

We labor for God by the power He provides.

Dependence upon God for our motivation, strength, and effectiveness in serving assures that He receives the glory for our service.

God gives every Christian spiritual gifts that motivate and empower us to serve for His glory and others’ good.

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.

If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.

Amen.” ()

Finding Your Place to Serve within FBCR

Where to Serve

The discipline of service is a distinct benefit and obligation for our members.

Our service will often come in two forms:

Spontaneous care

God provides an abundance of spontaneous opportunities to serve Him and others through personal care.

These situations—whether practical care or prayerful support—encourage us to depend on God’s work through us to serve others.

It is important we have eyes to see others in need, recognizing that these occasions are a God-ordained means of cultivating a servant’s heart.

Structured ministry teams

The majority of structured ministry in the church is carried out by volunteers who devote their time, gifting, and energy to serve within the context of organized ministry teams.

We expect every member to participate in at least one ministry team.

A wide variety of teams exist to utilize your God-given gifts for the benefit of others.

Begin serving as soon as possible!

It is wise to start small, desiring to serve wherever needs exist, and trusting that God will use it to help you grow in blessing others, whatever the role.

Service as “Stewards”

Stewardship involves the faithful use of resources that belong to another.

An important part of following Christ is the use of our material resources for God’s purposes and to meet the needs of others.

In fact, Scripture is clear that an authentic relationship with Christ will include the faithful use of our resources for His purposes.

This involves the use of our money and possessions for the glory of God, the work of His church, and the well being of others.

The Reality of Stewardship

The faithful use of our resources begins with the realization that God owns everything!

All that we have comes from Him, and therefore we don’t really own

anything; we are merely stewards—overseers or managers—over things that belong to God.

“For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills.