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 Servant – a person who performs duties for others, especially a person employed in a house on domestic duties or a personal attendant.  Our concern is one who serves others

 Servant in the New Testament  δο ῦ λος (doulos) – a slave or servant of another.  διάκονος (diakonos) – one who serves others, minister, “deacon”.  Steward – a servant entrusted with greater responsibilities. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2  Serve – to help or be useful to another. Looking out for the well being of others

 The heart of a servant - while the expression is not found in scripture, but the attitude of a servant is determined by his heart  1 Kings 3:9, “give your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people,…”

 Leadership – best when one is a servant  But such is not typical!  The Bible calls for leaders to be servants Ministers – 1 Timothy 4:6 Elders – Titus 1:7, Heb. 13:17, 1 Peter 5:2-3 Deacons – 1 Tim. 3:8

 Phoebe – Romans 16:1, Simply a servant of the church in Cencrea (do NOT read more into this than it says ( cf. 1 Tim. 2:11-15, 1 Cor. 15:34-35 )  Dorcas – Acts 9:36-39  Paul – 1 Corinthians 9:19-22  The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:33-36 Jesus, the ultimate example of a servant! Matthew 20:28 (Next week)

 To serve others, we must FIRST be a servant of God  Psalm 2:11, “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”  Romans 12:1, present your bodies a living sacrifice which is your reasonable service  Romans 6:17, 18, slaves of righteousness  Matthew 6:24, You cannot serve two masters…

 God has always demanded service!  The Levitical priesthood – Mal. 2:7- 9, Jer. 5:30-31, Ezek. 22:26 1 Samuel 2:12-17  Israel continually condemned for not caring for the poor Amos 5:11- 12, Isaiah 1:23, Jeremiah 5:28

 We are to care for (serve) the needy  James 1:27  Matthew 25:40,  Galatians 2:10  Galatians 6:10  1 John 3:17-18

 Passages that call for us, or imply that we should serve  Ephesians 2:10 - created for good works  Matthew 20:26 – great among you, let him be your servant  Titus 2:14 – zealous for good works

 Passages that call for us, or imply that we should serve  James 2:14-17 – faith without works is dead. Show me your faith!  Galatians 5:13 – through love serve one another  1 Corinthians 4:1-2 – stewards to be found faithful

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