Habits of Effective Disciples: Service

Disciples follow the example of Jesus in serving others.

Am I following His example?

Jesus taught His disciples that being a servant was the most important thing a Christian can do as his life's work for the Lord.

What is our great goal in life?

At the end of 2015 there was a large survey done of 18-22 year old college students to determine their life goals. Here is the results:

• BE RICH 81%

• BE FAMOUS 51%

• HELP PEOPLE IN NEED 30%

• BE A COMMUNITY LEADER 22%

• BECOME MORE SPIRITUAL 10%

Jesus took His disciple's ongoing argument about greatness seriously. Some of the disciples had come from the fishing boats and at least one came from tax collecting. But we see their inner desire when they contended with each other to be seen as the greatest of the chosen group.

GREATNESS THROUGH SERVICE

Mark 10:30-42

After three years of ministry alongside Jesus, the disciples had not been fully sanctified. They wanted to be great and thought that greatness was found in ruling over others from high positions. Jesus showed them a different way because he taught them that greatness is found in service.

Are we servants? If we are going to live the way that Jesus lived and taught we must serve. When we serve we find the greatness that Jesus wanted us to have as disciples. Christ's call to serve helps us to examine not only what we do but why we do it. As we serve each other, we are serving Christ. and John are trying to become the greatest among the disciples.

In Mark 8 & 9 & 10 Jesus speaks to His disciples concerning His going to the cross and he invites them to service. Amazingly, while Jesus is preparing to die, James and John are trying to become the greatest among the disciples.

In Matthew 20:20-28 we are told that they even used their mother to make the request that they might be the greatest among the chosen group. What did they really want?

They wanted to be placed at each side of the Lord when he came into His glory.

These two men were in the top three inner group already and had been chosen to be allowed to see the transfiguration (along with Peter) but that was not enough. They were not satisfied with being in the top three, and both wanted to be seen as number one.

At this point Jesus called a team meeting of the Apostles and spelled it out. There are basically two ways to live: the way of the world and the way of the Word. Jesus taught them that Gentile rulers "lorded" over their subjects as they exercised authority. Now Jesus teaches His own that greatness arrives in becoming a servant. The one who wants to be first needs to be slave of all. Jesus literally wanted them to love and serve

each other and their fellow man.

There is no way to become truly great as a Christian disciple apart from a willingness to serve. Why would we do this? Because we follow the one who did not come to be serve but to serve and in that service to give His life as a ransom for many. What did Jesus mean in this teaching? Christians were sold into slavery of sin. Jesus paid the ransom to set us free from that captivity.

IMPROVING OUR SERVICE

John 13

Jesus practiced what he preached. On the night before His crucifixion, His disciples were still debating who among them was greatest. So Jesus gave them an object lesson by washing their feet. Then He told them to do the same for each other by service.

Why do we serve? We serve because we are secure in God's love. More than any other Gospel, John shows us all that Jesus knew. He knew Nathaniel was under the tree (1:47-48). He knew He was going to multiply the loaves and fishes (6:13).

John teaches that Jesus knew three important things.

First, He knew the time of God's plan and purpose. He said to His own mother that His time had not yet come in chapter two and in chapter twelve said His hour had come.

Second, He knew he was guarded by God's power as seen in chapter thirteen, and He knew He would be betrayed. He knew all this and yet He served. He served not because He was powerless but because He was powerful. The things that He knew led him to do!

Third, He knew not only that He would be betrayed but who would betray Him, (13:11), yet He washed the feet of that one who sold Him to the chief priests and Pharisees.

The lesson was clear and direct. Greatness was shown by serving. Greatness is still shown by serving and we become more effective disciples as we serve.

Servants absolutely give up their rights. If anyone had the right to be served it was Jesus. He was the Son of God. Yet He said that he came not to be served but to serve. He gave up His life for His chosen disciples and every believer who would become a disciple through their words (John 17). This means us!

The disciple's debate was who among them would be seen as greatest. They wanted personal greatness but Jesus taught them that their greatest need was to serve others and that through that service, greatness would come. He was saying that greatness and true love is manifested in being a servant. Those who humbly lower themselves to serve in this life will be seen as first in the life to come.

FAITH WORKS

James 2:14-17

James provides the summary of putting faith into action by service. He teaches that faith works. James asks two questions of us all. What good is it if a man claims to have faith yet has no deeds of service? Once we are saved, what role do works play in the continuing process of being a disciple?

Paul was very clear in Ephesians 2 that we are NOT saved by works. Salvation is by grace through faith (both gifts of God).

But Paul does not end the lesson there. He continues to teach that we are the workmanship of God to do good works that have been ordained before we were saved.

We are saved by grace alone through faith alone but not by faith that is alone. Faith without works is indeed dead. Real faith works!

What are we doing to serve that shows our faith is alive?

THE NEED FOR SERVICE

JESUS SAYS IN JOHN 4:35 THAT THE HARVEST IS GREAT BUT THE

LABORERS ARE FEW.

GOD'S APPEAL FOR SERVICE

ISAIAH 6:8 GOD ASKS WHO WILL GO FOR US, AND THE PROPHET

ANSWERS "HERE AM I, SEND ME".

CALLED DIRECTLY INTO SERVICE

MATT 4: 19-20 FOLLOW ME AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF

MEN & THEY LEFT THEIR NETS AND FOLLOWED HIM.

VOLUNTEERING FOR SERVICE

SAUL (SOON TO BE PAUL) RESPONDS TO JESUS IN ACTS 9:6 􀅌

WHAT WILL YOU HAVE ME DO?

.

THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE

PSALM 100:2 SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS.

SERVICE BRINGS ABOUT LOVE

1ST COR 13:3 PAUL SAYS IF HE GAVE ALL HIS GOODS TO FEED

THE POOR BUT HAS NOT LOVE, IT PROFITS HIM NOTHING.

GREATNESS IS MEASURED BY SERVICE

MATT 20:26--28 JESUS TEACHES THAT WHOEVER WILL BE GREAT

MUST BE A SERVANT.

SERVICE ARRANGED BY JESUS

MATT 25:35-40 IF YOU HAVE DONE IT TO THE LEAST OF THEM,

YOU HAVE DONE IT TO ME.

MATT 9:41 EVEN THE GIVING OF A DRINK OF WATER WILL BE REMEMBERED AS SERVICE WHEN WE RECEIVE OUR REWARD.

FAITHFUL SERVICE IS REWARDED

MATT 25:21 BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL OVER SMALL THINGS I WILL MAKE YOU A RULER OVER MANY THINGS.