SERVICE TO GOD/SERVICE TO THE CREATOR PRESENTED BY STEVEN SCHILLER

                                             INTRODUCTION

We as Christians, come in the name of GOD,are blessed...Mat 23:39

"A person reborn", he is provided the opportunity to live a new life

"Belonging to the Lord", he is God's special child

"Living by faith", he walks with God

"Consecrated to God", he has been set apart to live a holy life

"Guarded by the power of God", he is not alone in his struggle against the powers of Satan and the evil world in which we live

But with blessings come responsibilities...

There are obligations that come with our new opportunities

There are duties that come with our new calling

Indeed, the Christian has been called to serve God...

We have been "Saved To Serve" - . Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 

It is only "reasonable" we be expected to serve God - Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

Each person has a ministry (service) we are expected to fulfill - Col 4:17  And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. 2Ti 4:5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 

Thus the concept of "servitude" or "servanthood" is a significant part of what it means to be a Christian. That our service to God might be more acceptable and fruitful, consider...

THE GREATNESS OF SERVANTHOOD

BEING A SERVANT OF GOD IS A GREAT HONOR...

The title of "servant" was what many great men in the O.T. were called

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob - Deu 9:27  Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin:  "Thy servants"

Moses - 1Ki 8:53  For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.  "Thy servant"

Joshua - Jos 24:29  And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.  "Servant of the Lord"

Caleb - Num 14:24  But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.  "My servant"

Job 1:8  And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?  "My servant"

Isaiah - Isa 20:3  And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;  "My servant"

The prophets - Jer 7:25  Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:  "My servants"

New Testament writers referred to themselves as "servants"...

James - Jas 1:1  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 

Paul -Rom 1:1  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Php 1:1  Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 

Peter - 2Pe 1:1  Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 

Jude Jud 1:1  Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: 

John - Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 

JESUS CAME TO SERVE...

He was foretold to come as the "Suffering Servant" - Isa Isa 52:13  Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. 

Isa 52:14  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: 

Isa 52:15  So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. 

Isa 53:12  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 

He "did not come to be served, but to serve" - Mat 20:28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 

Even as our Lord and Master, He exemplified the servitude He desires of His disciples - Joh 13:12  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 

Joh 13:13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 

Joh 13:14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 

Joh 13:15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 

Joh 13:16  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 

Joh 13:17  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. 

What an honor, if God were to look upon us as "His servants" as He did these great men, including His own Son, Jesus Christ! He will, if we put into practice...

THE CONCEPTS OF SERVANTHOOD

IT INVOLVES ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE...

In a slave-master relationship...

The slave knows no law but his master's word

He has no rights of his own

He is the absolute possession of his master

He is bound to give his master unquestioning obedience

Does this describe our relationship to Christ?

It should, especially in light of 1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 

1Co 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 

We have to come to Jesus on HIS terms, not our own - Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

IT INVOLVES ABSOLUTE HUMILITY...

Otherwise, absolute obedience is not possible

When we have a humble opinion of ourselves, we are receptive to the idea of complete obedience

For example, consider Paul's self-estimation - 1Co 15:9  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 

1Co 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Eph 3:8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ1Ti 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 

Does this describe our relationship to Christ and His Will?

Jesus said it should! -Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. 

But if we murmur or complain about what Jesus tells us to do, can we really be considered "servants"?

IT INVOLVES ABSOLUTE LOYALTY...

Since we become servants FREELY, it should be expected that we:

Are to be loyal to Him first -Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 

Do not consider our own profit or preference important, but that of the One we freely serve!

It is amazing how any can claim to be servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, while:

Complaining about having to do the will of God, OR...

Being negligent or slothful in carrying out His will

Yet some act as though they are being forced against their own will!

They don't "have to" serve the Lord Jesus...

Of course, the alternative is not very inviting

If we don't serve Jesus, by default we serve Satan, and are destined for hell!

But God by His grace has offered salvation, and how dare we ever grumble or complain that He calls us to life of service in grateful appreciation!

That we not be negligent in our service, be aware of some...

HINDRANCES TO SERVANTHOOD

SERVICE TO THE WRONG MASTER...

Jesus warned we cannot serve both God and Mammon Mat 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 

Serving the wrong things will render us fruitless -Luk 8:14  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 

Paul illustrated we can only serve the one we obey - Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

PLACING LIMITATIONS ON OUR SERVICE...

Some limit how, where, and when they will serve

As Moses tried to do -Exo 3:10  Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. 

Exo 3:11  And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Many will serve God, but only when convenient

Some limit who they will serve

As Jonah tried to do -Jon 1:1  Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 

Jon 1:2  Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. 

Jon 1:3  But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. 

Many will serve God, but not when it means serving others especially people we don't like

POSSESSING CERTAIN ATTITUDES...

Such as sluggishness and laziness -Heb 6:11  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 

Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.Mat 25:26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 

Such as ingratitude - 2Co 8:9  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 

Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 

Which often comes when we forget how graciously we have been served

We like service with a smile; are we willing to give service with a smile?

Such as pride or self-centeredness

As when self-pity affected Elijah -1Ki 19:13  And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 

1Ki 19:14  And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 

1Ki 19:15  And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 

1Ki 19:16  And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 

1Ki 19:17  And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 

1Ki 19:18  Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. 

As when some preached Christ out of envy - Php 1:15  Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 

Php 1:16  The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 

Php 1:17  But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 

To Live Is Christ

Php 1:18  What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 

As when some seek for recognition, praise - Mat 6:1  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 

Mat 6:2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 

Mat 6:3  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 

Mat 6:4  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 

-- Humility and unselfishness are basic prerequisites for servanthood - Act 20:19  Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: Php 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 

Php 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 

CONCLUSION

The Christian has been "Saved To Serve"...

Called to serve God and the Lord Jesus Christ

Called to serve his brethren and those in the world

-- It is a noble calling, one that we should accept with humility and gratitude

If one chooses not to serve God...

Then they remain a slave to sin - Rom 16:16  Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 

And the end of such slavery is eternal death -Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 

But when one chooses to serve God...

Their servitude leads to righteousness - Rom 16:16  Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 

And the end of such service is eternal life - Ro 6:22 Rom 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 

May what the apostle Paul wrote of the brethren in Rome be true of all of us today...

"But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness."Rom 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 

Rom 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 

Have you been set free from sin, that you might serve Jesus Christ? -

Rom 6:1  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 

Rom 6:2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 

Rom 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 

Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

Rom 6:5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 

Rom 6:6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 

Rom 6:7  For he that is dead is freed from sin. 

OBEY THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

HEAR

BELIEVE

REPENT

CONFESS

BE BAPTIZED

LIVE FAITHFULLY

WE COME IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST Mat 23:39  For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.