To Serve with Love - Mark 10:45
"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."
1. To serve with love requires transparent humanity. (1 Cor 2:1-3)
- Weakness, Fear, Trembling
2. To serve with love requires genuine humility. (1 Cor 2:4-6)
- But, Demonstration, God's Power
3. To serve with love requires absolute honesty. (2 Cor 4:1-2)
- Renounce, Truth
This teaching is in direct conflict with our natural desires. For even the Son of Man, Jesus, Son of God, our Savior...did not come to be served, but to given his life a ransom for many.
Servants and givers...this is Chuck's desire for us as a church. Why is this rare? Because we are selfish. We come into the world a sinner, with a sin nature, we come into the world wanting to be served. Not too many givers. (Romans 8:28-29) God's will for His people is that we will be conformed to the image of His Son. We are to become more and more like Jesus...become servants and givers.
The self test is to ask ourselves...what would Jesus do or say? How many of you have ever thought that it would be easier to walk like Jesus if you had lived when Jesus did?
Matthew 20:20-21 is the earlier version of the parents who want to elevate their children...for example today in sports. Matt 20:24...the others became indignant. Indignant ...used here means an increasing willingness to come to physical blows. Matt 20:22-23...you don't know what you are asking. God's systems contradicts the world...it works different in God's kingdom. Jesus responded..."This is not so among you." You want greatness...serve!
Col 1:15-17...Jesus is first...first place in everything...Creator, Savior, He is the Head...Jesus alone. 3 John 1:9...is a picture of someone who loves to be first. You can't love and be a servant if you want to be first.
Even in leadership you must have a servant's heart and to be a giver. Lead by Biblical example.
Paul was a in a leadership position. Anyone that loved Jesus...he ran them over. He stood in hearty approval of the stoning of Stephen. He had the attitude that if you don't see it my way...I'll help you to see it my way. So what happened? Jesus happened.
After Jesus...he had a new nature. Saw the resurrected Savior and came to faith in Him. A servants heart. A bond servant...the lowest man on the totem pole. Knocked off his donkey and and knocked to the ground...looked up and saw Jesus. He realized this is the safest position to be in.
Some of us think more highly of ourselves than we out to ...and it effecting our relationships. Chuck challenged each of us to be servants and not celebrities, givers...not takers, be gentle and humble...and not run people over to get what we want.
We need to be transparent humanity. Real, open and transparent, what you see is what you get. Chuck reminded us that it's not about us...but all about Jesus. Come in weakness, knowing we are not perfect, and accepting our weakness and humanity.
Chuck desires that people see Jesus and His strength...in his own weakness and illness. He desires that all the credit goes to Jesus. He doesn't want any credit that is due Christ.
Are your eyes on Jesus? Do you see and receive strength and power through Him? Are your eyes on Jesus...and Him alone?
We can see a demonstration of the power of God. Our faith must rest on God alone and His power. Why? Because man can not save anyone. John 13:1-14...we should be humble before God. He alone has the power to raise the dead, to forgive sin.
Know your place in the universe. Know that He is God...and you are not.
Quote from James Irwin...former astronaut. "I am a servant and not a celebrity. As I return to earth, I realize I am a servant, to share with others what I experienced, so that others might know the glory of God."
We are to be absolutely honest with those with whom we share. We are to renounce those things that are not of God. We want to know...but don't know all the answers. Chuck acknowledged that he doesn't know all the reasons God has allowed him to have cancer. He knows that God has a purpose and a plan behind it. He doesn't know...but he does accept it.
We are to be servants and givers. Real, open, honest and transparent.
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