The Path to Spiritual Growth Meditation Prayer Fasting Study Simplicity Worship Service

The purpose of Spiritual Disciplines is the total transformation of the person by replacing old destructive habits of thought with new life-giving habits.

Matt. 20: ” But Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. 26 It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”

 The spiritual authority of Jesus is an authority not found in a position or a title, but in who he was.  Jesus is turning the Disciplines’ view of greatness upside down.  Jesus is not criticizing authority or hierarchical structure – but the proud.  Jesus compared the humility to that of a servant or a slave  Jesus is the ultimate model

 1 Self-righteous Service Versus True Service:  Self-righteous Service: Comes from human effort  True Service: Comes from a relationship with Jesus Comes from divine urgings and whispered promptings Comes from energy expended but not the frantic energy of the flesh

 2 Self-righteous Service Versus True Service:  Self-righteous Service: Is impressed with the “Big Deal” Is more concerned with impressive gains  True Service: Finds it impossible to distinguish the small from the large service Welcomes all opportunities to serve

 3 Self-righteous Service Versus True Service:  Self-righteous Service: Requires external rewards Seeks human applause  True Service: Rest content in obscurity Requires only the divine nod of approval

 4 Self-righteous Service Versus True Service:  Self-righteous Service: Picks and chooses whom to service  True Service: Is indiscriminate in its ministry Has heard the call to be the “servant of all” (Mark 9:35)

 5 Self-righteous Service Versus True Service:  Self-righteous Service: Is affected by moods and whims  True Service: Ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need

 Just the Facts:  When we choose to be a servant, we give up the right to be in charge. There is great freedom in this.  When we choose to be a servant, we surrender the right to decide who and when we will serve.  We become available and vulnerable.  The spiritual discipline of service is the most conducive to the growth of humility.  It is one thing to act like a servant; it is quite another to be a servant.

 Take away:  True service is about having the right heart  True service is about having an attitude of humility  True service contains a Kingdom mentality