JOY in Servanthood

Prayer:  The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake (Psalms 23:1-3).

Lord, help us to better understand your plan for our lives as a servant.  Guide us as we learn to walk in your example.  Give us opportunities today to serve you and others.  Amen.

Main Scripture:

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:1-5).

Associated Scriptures:

James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ (James 1:1, NASB).

Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10, NKJV).

Correlative Quotes:

The passion of Christianity comes from deliberately signing away my own rights and becoming a bondservant of Jesus Christ. Until I do that, I will not begin to be a saint.[1] – Oswald Chambers

Now, when you’re coming to James and Jude and the Apostle Paul and we could include our beloved Peter, 2 Peter 1, Simon Peter, a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ, you’re talking about the elite. You’re talking about those at the top of the spiritual list and they happily and gladly and joyfully identified themselves as slaves of Christ and slaves of God.[2] – John MacArthur

Study:

INTRODUCTION

Paul was the quintessential servant.  He served God and was a servant to others in a humble and loving way. Yet Paul never hesitated to speak the truth in love to others in any circumstance (Romans 1:16). 

As far as we can understand from the Bible, there is no other minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ who has made a greater impact than Paul.  He understood his calling to the gentiles and was obedient to it.  He carried out that calling with relentless passion and persistence.  In addition, Paul continued his work for God in spite of the obstacles that were laid before him.  He was a slave to the spreading of the Gospel.  Finally, Paul continually referred to himself as a bondservant of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1, Galatians 1:10, Philippians 2:7, and Titus 1:1). 

The Greek word, in the New Testament and the Hebrew word in the Old Testament have similar meanings.  Translated as bondservant, servant, or slave as used in both testaments.  The word bondservant often refers to a person who chooses to be slave and in love binds himself to his master for life.[3]

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A BONDSERVANT OF CHRIST? 

1. The Basis for Servanthood (Philippians 1:1):

• They are obedient to Jesus: “Therefore do not let sin reignin your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” (Romans 6:12).  The apostle Paul adds: “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” (Romans 12:2).
• They take action for Jesus: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
• They are Dependent on Jesus: emphasizes that our dependent position is based on Christ’s understanding of our condition. God says, “Therefore, since we have a great high priestwho has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:14-15).

2. The Benefits of Servanthood (Philippians 1:2-5):

• They are granted grace from God (vs. 2): Grace to you
• They have peace with God (vs. 2): peace from God
• They receive special blessings from God (vs. 3): every remembrance of you
• Their ministry brings the joy of God at all times (vs. 4): making request for you all with joy
• They are joint heirs with God and those who they serve (vs. 5): your fellowship in the gospel

3. The Blessings of Servanthood:

God has promised us that He will finish the work that He has begun in you (vs. 6).  We will receive eternal life when we have finished this race on earth.  As a result of this promise in vs. 5 we have:

• A closer personal relationship with God: “Therefore, since we have a great high priestwho has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet he did not sin.” (Colossians 3:23-24).
• Unity within the fellowship: “therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3 I).
• A more effective relationship with others: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful” (Colossians 3:14-15).

Summary Statement:

Being God’s servant is a natural outcome of living a life that is Spirit filled.  If we are led by the spirit then we will be obedient, take positive action, and be dependent on Jesus.  When we walk with Christ we will receive the benefits and experience the blessings of Servanthood.  The Holy Spirit is the giver of Joy.  Obedience to God is a catalyst to increasing joy.  The power is ours through the Holy Spirit. The choice is ours through the Grace of God.

Lessons within the Lesson:

How do we become God’s servant?

What are the requirements for servanthood?

What is an example of a time that you acted as God’s servant?

What was the impact on you?  How the one served impacted?

[1] Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, utmost.org/a-bondservant-of-jesus/, November 3, 2015

[2] John MacArthur, Unleashing God's Truth, One Verse at a Time, copyright 2015 Grace to You.

[3]   Adapted from the following articles and books:

1. Jack Kelley, The Bond Servant, Christian Life, April 18th, 2015
2. Bondservant, compellingtruth.org/bondservant.html
3. Servant, Smith's Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database, ©2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.
4. Bondservant, christsbondservants.org/Home_Files/Bondservant.html,
5. Bondservant, bondservant.wordpress.com/a-bondservant/