Who and How We are to Serve
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How I Chose this Topic and Passage
Matthew 20:20-28
I wanted to start off telling about how I picked the topic and passage for our message today. I had originally planed on taking you through 1 Samuel 12 particularly the last verses and giving a message on doing what’s Godly when the world is telling you what is right is wrong. I had all of the outline done and most of what I wanted to say laid out in my head, until one Sunday morning I woke up at the extremely unreasonable hour of 3 am with a thought in my head. I lay awake thinking about it and saying it would make a good topic for a sermon but I was good and I had one picked out for today. But I could not get back to sleep and this verse kept rolling around in my sleep deprived brain.
Matthew 20:28 “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
When our alarms went off I got up and got ready to come to church, I prayed about it and thought if that’s what God want’s me to talk about then He’ll let me know. That Sunday morning I think I heard three or four people mention serving, in a prayer, just talking to me, and Pastor Isaac said something about it in his message that Sunday. I had my answer and if I get another opportunity to bring a message to you I already have a topic and a good outline.
Definition and Origin of Serve
Before we answer who’s and how’s of service lets define the word.
The Greek word translated in the passage we are looking at, the verb serve, is Diakoneō. Its root word is Diakonos, which is the noun form translated as servant or minister in the Bible. Another noun form of Diakonos is Diakonia, translated service or ministry, the former being the person and the latter being the office or position. All three forms of Diakonos appears 100 times in the new testament. Diakonos 29 times, Diakonoia 24 times and Diakoneo 37 times.
In the ESV translation Diakoneo it is mostly translated as serve, 24 times out of the 37 times. The second most common translation is minister, 6 times. In the King James Bible this is almost completely reversed, Diakoneo is translated as minister 23 times and as serve 8. The other translations in ESV are all once each: provided, helpers, bringing, delivered, administered, rendered, and ‘as you still do’, which seems to be an odd translation but it is referring back to a previous mention of Diakoneo in the same sentence translated as serving. One is in the past tense and one is the present progressive tense, which means it is occurring and is ongoing.
Heb 6:10 “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving (Diakoneo in the past tense) in serving the saints, as you still do.(Diakoneo in the present progressive tense, occuring now and ongoing in the future)”
The English word serve, according to the Google dictionary has seven definitions. Definition seven, a military term to operate a gun. I have to say I did not know this usage of the word serve and that is not what we are talking about. 6, a nautical term to bind a rope with a thin cord to protect or strengthen it, did not know that one either. 5, in tennis and other racket sports to hit the ball and begin play, I did know that one. 4, be of use in achieving or satisfying, were getting closer but this definition is referring to an inanimate object like “this book will serve a useful purpose”. 3, a legal usage meaning to deliver a document in a formal manner to the person whom it is addressed. 2, present food or drink to someone, while this can be part of what we do for one another this is not what I wanted to talk about today. The meaning of serve I wanted to present to you is this, perform duties or services for a person or organization. Serve is a Middle English word that is derived from the old French word servir, servir is derived from the Latin word servire and finally servire is from the Latin root word of servus which means slave.
Our Passage
Matthew 20:20-28
Our passage comes at the end of a section where the mother of two of Jesus’ disciples, James and John, makes a request of Jesus. Salome, James and John’s mothers, asks Jesus to seat her sons at his right hand and left hand in Jesus’ kingdom.
Matthew 20:20-21 “Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.””
Now at this point everyone that was following Jesus believed that he was there to overthrow the Romans and establish a temporal or earthly kingdom. She is asking Jesus to place James and John at his right and left when he literally is seated on the throne of David. Being the nearest to him on his right and left signifies to be nearest to him in power and authority. But an earthly kingdom was not the purpose of Jesus’ first coming.
Matthew 20:22 “Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.””
James and John show here that they do not understand what Jesus is telling them. His cup is the coming suffering, torture, and the pouring out of God’s wrath upon Jesus. But Jesus knows they do not understand the full meaning of what he is telling them.
Matthew 20:23 “He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.””
Jesus tells them that indeed they will suffer for him, as James is later beheaded and John is tortured and exiled to the island of Patmos. Furthermore it is not for him give, knowing that they were seeking worldly power and authority and his kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and that eternal life is granted from the father, prepared by him before the foundations of the world. Now the ten other Apostles overheard this conversation between Jesus, James, John, and Salome and they were jealous, as they also desired to be prominent in power in what they also thought was going to be Jesus’ earthly kingdom. Jesus then gives them a very telling and deep correction in their thinking, telling them they will not be seekers of power, holding their positions over others as the Romans brutally do.
Matthew 20:24-26 “And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,”
Jesus tell his disciples that to be great in his eternal holy kingdom they must humble themselves and be each others servant. This is one of the 29 occurences of Diakonos. Jesus then further emphasizes how his followers should act and be to one another.
Matthew 20:27 “and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,”
The Greek word here is Doulos, this is often translated as “slave”, however it actually covers a range of relationships that requires a range of translations—“slave,” “bondservant,” or “servant”—depending on the context.
Jesus surely then blows their minds when he says that even he came to serve and to give his life as a payment or ransom for all who would believe on him.
Matthew 20:28 “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
Imagine for a moment that you have been granted the knowledge of when you are going to die, you know the place and the time and even the manner of your death. I personally would not want this knowledge but lets say you have this gift or curse, however you feel about that. What would you do on your last day here on Earth? Would you spend the day doing whatever you wanted, eating all of the foods that you love, indulging in all the things you want? Would you run away and try to fight your end, trying to hang on to this life and mortal existence? How did Jesus spend some of the last moments before his crucifixion? He spends some time with his followers eating, fellow-shipping with them, teaching them, and serving them.
John 13:3-5 “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,”
Jesus has this knowledge and knows his time has come to die for God’s plan and all of scripture to be fulfilled.
John 13:3-5 “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
This is a beautiful example of Jesus’s service to his disciples that they did not even understand at the time, Peter even refusing to let Jesus wash his feet and after telling him that if he does not then he will have no share with him. Then Peter is all gung-ho and wants to be washed from head to foot.
John 13:10-11 “Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.””
He continues to serve and teach all the way to the end. And after Jesus finishes washing their feet he explains to them what he as done.
John 13:12-17 “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 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 also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Since Jesus clearly put a very large emphasis on serving being an integral qualification for his disciples and how he describes himself during his first coming lets ask some questions about biblical christian service.
Who Are We to Serve
At the core of this question there really can only be two answers to whom we serve. Either we can serve the prince of the power of the air and live for this world, this world that will pass away and when we die. Then we will spend all eternity in Hell receiving our rightful punishment of God’s wrath forever.
Eph 2:1-2 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—”
Matthew 13:40-42 “Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Rev 20:14-15 “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
This is the fate and the rightful, just punishment that we all deserve as sinners before our holy God.
Or we serve God, who in his infinite wisdom, and displaying his undeserved and abundant grace, before he created the heavens and the earth and all of everything chose us to redeem. But being a just and holy God and our transgressions being so unjust and unholy sent his own son, one third of trinity to come and be the propitiation for our sins. To humble himself down to live with the unclean created beings and be a perfect shining example, to be the true and better Adam, never once succumbing to temptation so he could be betrayed by his own people, betrayed by one of his own disciples for a handful of silver coins. To be beaten, spit upon, whipped and scourged nearly to death, ridiculed, and crucified on the cross, and all of that not even being the worst of it. Our Lord Jesus Christ willfully, submitted to the Fathers will and drank the bitter cup, endured God’s wrath poured out on him, the wrath that was ours, Jesus paid that price so we could be once again right with God. Not only right meaning our debt is paid and we are now even, zero sum owed, but righteous so when God looks upon us he doesn’t see a redeemed wretch but sees the righteousness of Jesus’s perfect service, adopting us as sons and daughters so that we have everlasting life, basking in the glory and light of God in heaven forever. Where there will be no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears, heartache, fear, loneliness, no more sorrows of any kind. Good news indeed.
Deut 10:12 ““And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,”
Joshua 24:15 “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.””
Luke 4:8 “And Jesus answered him,”
(Him here being the Devil who was attempting to tempt Jesus, after his baptism and 40 days in the wilderness, tempt him with authority over all of the nations)
“And Jesus answered him,” “It is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’ ””
But we don’t just stop at serving Christ, we are to follow in his steps and just as he came to be a servant to his people we are to be a servant to all. We are to serve other brothers and sisters in Christ, just at verses 26 and 27 say, but also to all of the unbelievers who are still in the world.
1 John 2:6 “whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
1 Peter 2:21 “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”
We are to be servants to Christ, servants to Christians, and servants to the whole world.
How are We to Serve
How are we to serve God?
As in all things scripture tells us how we are to serve God.
Deuteronomy 10:12 ““And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,”
Mark 12:29-30 “Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”
We are to love God above all. He is to come first in our minds, first in our love, first in everything we do.
1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
We serve God by obeying his commandments, loving Him above all things, and trusting God for all our needs. We also serve God by serving others, just as in his first coming he came to serve us.
How are we to serve fellow believers?
One of the most powerful and helpful ways to serve our fellow believers is to pray for them. This is something we can do at anytime, not just in our prayer meetings and at regular services. As we go through our daily lives and we think about a fellow believer, stop and say a quick prayer for them. Keep a list on your phone of some of the prayer requests we hear right here, take a few minutes and pull out that list and spend some time talking with God for your fellow Christian. Real Christian prayer has real power and serves the whole body of Christ.
1 Thes 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
We can pray for each other in the generalist of ways, prayer for health, safety, spiritual growth, and continuing sanctification in our walk with Christ. This is a good and wonderful thing to do but another way we can serve each other and be able to give detailed and targeted prayer for our brothers and sisters is to fellowship with one another. How can we know what each others needs are, physically and spiritually if we don’t get to know one another. Share our burdens, our joys, and our needs with each other. Being around other faithful and good servants of our Lord Jesus not only helps and strengthens each other but also strengthens our own closeness with God.
After Peter’s sermon at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and the followers and three thousand were saved, what did those new believers do?
Acts 2:42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
They all spent time with each other learning from the Apostles, being with other believers, breaking bread, and praying.
We have a bible study here almost every Sunday night, we try and read through one chapter every week and study the word, but that is only one portion of our time spent together. We also fellowship with each other and go around the room with whomever is there and talk about our needs for prayer and pray. It is a joy and privilege to be able to share with those that are there and also a joy to receive one another’s needs, burdens and praises for all the good things that we have from God.
The more we get to know each other the more we can grow with each other, iron sharpening iron. Welcoming in new believers and strengthening bonds with old friends, becoming a family, all brothers and sisters under God.
But as anyone who has a brother or sister knows, sometimes we might get on each others nerves and cause ill feelings for each other. Sometimes one of the hardest ways to serve each other is to forgive and have patience one for another. One day one of us may be stressed or having a particularly bad day and out of no malice or intention of harm be short with someone else and hurt their feelings. It would be all to easy for us to fall back to our sinful ways and become angry and just say to ourselves, well I’m not going to talk to them anymore. But it would be of great service to forgive, and not only to forgive but serve that person more by trying to understand what is going on and if that person has a need that is not being met that you may help him or her.
Strife and division in the church at Corinth led Paul to advise the church several times in the two letters he wrote to them.
1 Cor 1:10 “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”
1 Cor 3:2-3 “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”
2 Cor 2:7-8 “so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.”
Jealousy and strife among brothers and sisters in Christ is a remnant of our sinful flesh that we must fight and battle against for as long as we are being sanctified by the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in us.
We are to follow Christ’s example for our lives and some of his excellent examples are his prayer, his service, and his undeserved perfect forgiveness for all that call him Lord.
How are we to serve the unsaved world?
One of the last things Jesus tells his disciples to do before he ascended back to Heaven to be at the right hand of God was what we now call the great commission and what is the great commission but a command to serve all the unbelievers of the whole world.
Mark 16:15 “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
We serve by giving the Gospel to all peoples. You are called and commanded to be Gospel missionaries, to go out and proclaim the Gospel. Do you have to learn a different language and go to another country to do this? No, but the ones who are called by God to give up so much and spread the good news in the face of danger and persecution, where other religions and governments do not want the truth of God’s holy plan and abundant grace to be preached are precious and need our support and our service. All of us that are not called to be foreign missionaries are still called to be missionaries here at home. We are to give the gospel to the whole creation, including everyone here locally. If we are gifted with the blessing of children it should be our joy and duty to give the gospel to them constantly.
John 10:16 “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
How we live our lives and how we interact with unsaved peoples can be a type of christian service, for good and ill. If we openly proclaim our faith and make it well know to those around us, yet we do not act in a Christ like manner what message does that give to others? Let our whole demeanor and all of our actions be a service to God for all the world to see, not in a boastful manner, but letting them see our joy, kindness, and our peace we have as hosts of the Holy Spirit who helps us in all things.
1 Cor 4:1 “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
Just like we can serve the believer with prayer, we also can serve the unbeliever with prayer. We can serve the whole world with prayer for all of the lost, whether they are family, friend, known acquaintances or total strangers. Always be in prayer for all of God’s glorious creation.
So to sum up all of this, what is Christian service if not the display of the external fruits of our love for God, our love for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, our love for all of God’s creation, and our love for the holy plan of God with our efforts to spread his gospel and good news to all of the world.
So if service is a result and an outpouring of our love that comes with salvation and Jesus is the perfect representation of what is perfect love then what does Jesus have to say about love.
Matthew 22:37-40 “And he said to him,
Him referring to the Pharisee that asked Jesus which is the great commandment trying to test him.
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.””
John 15:12 ““This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Love God, serve God, love the other believers, serve the other believers, love all the unsaved, serve all the unsaved.
I will close with one more passage in Psalms.
Psalm 100:1-3 “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”