MAKE ME A SERVANT.

MARK 10: 32 – 45

 

32 ¶ And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,

 33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

 34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

 35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

 36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

 37  They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

 42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for man

 

At camp we started singing “Make Me A Servant”. Now it is in our song book.

 

John Grinnell has the trademark saying “…how may I serve you?”

 

I.                   CHRIST IS OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE.

A.   His entire life he helped others.

B.    He gave sight to the blind.

C.   Caused the lame to walk.

D.   Healed the outcast lepers.

E.    Walked with the outcast, Samaritans, publicans, and sinners.

F.    He even washed his disciples dirty feet to show them humility.

G.   Matt. 26: 37 – 47  In all of this he was willing to die for us.  The greatest sacrifice anyone has ever given for another.  He did the will of the Father.

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

47     And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Jesus is our perfect example to do the will of God in all things, both good deeds and obedience.

II.                A TRUE SERVANT.

A.               Matt. 20: 27 – 28   Jesus says he is an example of a servant.

27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

 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.

 

              B.      Mark 10:  37  James and John had not understood this.

37  They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right       hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

They were still looking for an earthly kingdom.

C.               Luke 17: 7 – 10    A true servant of Christ does not need the praise of man to grow and continue.

7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?  Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.

 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.

We often times look for to much praise from others.  I am no different from anyone else.  I like it when you say “that was a good sermon,” but  I don’t preach for the praise of men, but I preach Christ and Him crucified.  I hope I will never compromise the truth to stay with a congregation.  As Christians we must grow past the need for someone to pat us on the back to keep us motivated for the Lord.  We have to get our motivation from the word of God.  That is one reason we must study.

1.                 John 12: 42 – 43  Preachers, elders and even members must not put anyone above the word of God.

42 ¶ Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

We must never compromise the word of God to justify any one.

2.                 Rom 2: 28 – 29  Paul tells them in so many words that their circumcision was nothing if they were not obedient to God.

28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

As Christians we can continue in sin and say I am saved because I was baptized.  Baptism is of no effect if we willfully continue in sin.  A servant must serve God righteously or all his good works are void and worthless.

III.             WHO DO I SERVE?

A.   John 12: 26  Jesus tells us who and how to serve.

26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

When we serve Christ we serve God.

               B. Gal. 1: 10   Paul knew who he was to serve.

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.

               C. James 2: 15 – 16  James  tells us lip service is worthless. 

                   15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

 Are you a servant of Christ?  Matt. 12: 30  Jesus says:

30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

I can not imagine standing before Jesus in the final judgment and for him to say “You did not serve me.  You were against me.  Depart from me I never knew you.”  It will be to late to say Make me a servant, Lord make me like you.

I think it was Phil Simmons that told me there is no more chilling feeling than when the prison door closes and you are locked in.  I have experienced that as a visitor and it still gives you a chilling feeling.  Even though you know you will be released, it is that locking of that steel door.  I think the judgment day will give that hopeless feeling for those unfaithful.  Why would you want to waist your life?  Why would you want to take a chance?  Jesus died for you giving you hope of eternal life.  All you have to do is come, obey him and serve him.  Jesus says : Mt 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Will you come?