Serving Wholeheartedly Alastair Barnett – Witney 26.4.15

4 things that are wrong with serving! Servants are low in status Servants are bottom of the power hierarchy Servants cannot please themselves Servants lose their rights

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

A Christ-centred vision for serving Philippians 2: 3-11 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

A Christ-centred vision for serving Philippians 2: 3-11 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mind-set as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God,     did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing     by taking the very nature of a servant,     being made in human likeness.

A Christ-centred vision for serving Philippians 2: 3-11 8 And being found in appearance as a man,     he humbled himself     by becoming obedient to death—         even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place     and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,     in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,     to the glory of God the Father.

‘Jesus was in very nature God’ Answerable to no one; Sovereign ruler Psalm 2 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth rise up against the Lord and against his anointed, …. 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” So ….. In nature and essence - NOT a servant!

‘Who, being in very nature God,     did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing     by taking the very nature of a servant,     being made in human likeness. Jesus CHOSE to take the role of servant

‘And being found in appearance as a man,     he humbled himself     by becoming obedient to death—         even death on a cross!’ Jesus became a SERVANT in order to achieve SALVATION In NATURE, the LORD – in LOVE, a SERVANT

Mark 10:42-45  Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place Therefore God exalted him to the highest place      and gave him the name that is above every name, 10  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,      In heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,      to the glory of God the Father. The Kingdom came through the cross And because of this salvation came to the world SERVING brings SALVATION!

Walk in his shoes! John 13:1-17 Jesus served out of security in who he was 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; Jesus served to set us an example to follow 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Servants, slaves, friends or sons? Who are we?! We are FRIENDS of God ‘I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.’ (John 15:15) We are SONS and HEIRS of God For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…’ (Rom 8:14-17)

Galatians 5:3

In conclusion! Serving is not about status, it’s about LOVE Serving is not an obligation, it’s a CHOICE Through serving comes SALVATION Through serving, we FOLLOW CHRIST ‘have the same mindset as Christ Jesus’ (Phil 2:5)