Servants

Jesus the Volunteer (The service entrance)

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments 
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:6-7 NIV

The key to successful volunteering, is to follow the example of Jesus. The Bible tells us that though Jesus was in very nature God, worshipped by angels and seated next to the Father, that He set aside His position and privileges and volunteered to be made a servant. How Jesus came, reminds me of when I worked on the estate of a very wealthy woman. Her mansion was set on the top of a small hill at the end of a long driveway. In front was a field once used by her horses as a pasture and behind were several acres of woods. Facing the main parking area for the house was a large impressive white door with columns on either side. But we who worked on the property had another entrance tucked away behind some bushes on the side. That entrance led to a small green house, a break room and a set of stairs leading up to the kitchen. Just over that doorway was a small sign with the words, “Service Entrance.” While guests gained entry through a much finer looking door, they needed to have an appointment. On arrival, they often were greeted by the housekeeper with a large guard dog (named George) who sat quietly as long as she was nearby. Only after carefully checking the visitors, did she usher them into the living room, where they waited for the lady of the house.

The same two entrances are in every human heart. There is a formal entrance in the front, but to gain entry, an appointment is required, and visitors are carefully checked over before being welcomed. But the other doorway is the doorway that Jesus chose: “The Service Entrance.” If we want to reach hearts as volunteers, let’s follow His example and come as servants. Only trusted servants may enter by the service entrance, and though it is humble, it has a stairway that leads directly to the heart!

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The Crazy Extravagant Love of God!

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He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” John 13:6 ESV

Though foot washing was a common everyday practice in the time when Jesus lived, it was the job of a servant to do that. So without one present the disciples came in and sat down at the banquet table with dirty smelly feet. Why should they be willing to take on the humbling responsibility they each thought to themselves? Luke’s gospel tells us that they were busy arguing about which of them was the most important. Then Jesus got up and walked out of the room. A silence ensued as they wondered where He had gone. Then He appeared in the doorway, with a wash basin in his hands and wearing a towel around his waist.

India and Nepal 115

I once went to India on a short term mission trip. We were visiting a village there and during a meeting they called us to sit at the front. Then the pastor’s daughter thanked us for coming and began to wash our feet. It was humbling to receive such an expression of their love.

That is how the disciples felt as Jesus began to wash their feet. We don’t know what was going through Peter’s mind at that moment but maybe embarrassment just suddenly overwhelmed him. Receiving such a crazy expression of love was more than he knew how to accept.  Jesus had taken the job that he had refused.

person plowing soil

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But the truth of the matter is that what Jesus did for Peter He has also done for all of us. He took on the job no one else wanted – He allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross to wash us from our sins. What kind of crazy extravagant love is that? That is the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Lay Ministry -Our Second Shift

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P1010821Maybe you start at four or five in the afternoon or maybe late enough for the street lights to be coming on. As lines of cars are heading home you are heading in to work for second shift. Maybe it took some adjusting or maybe you loved it from the start but you work on a path that is counter to the main stream. That setting sun heading in to work snap shot is a little snap shot of lay ministry. Your calling and your work is every bit as important as the first shift workers.

Will any one of you who has a servant[c] plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Luke 17:6-9

We are those servants. We have labored in the secular field all day yet God has a higher calling for us still. We come in from our fields and are given the immense privilege to serve Him as He sits at the table. You may serve at the table as a nurse in a free clinic, an accountant helping the pastoral staff keep their books straight or as a volunteer in day care. God’s calling is every bit as urgent, serious and with eternal rewards as when you were working on the world’s time-clock. This morning let two things bring refreshment to you as you wearily press on in fields that only the master sees.

A) Jesus knows everything we do for Him! 

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward Matthew 10:42

It will all be worth it because we have not simply done what we were expected to do. We have the honor to serve Jesus in unique ways that often only the Lord sees. He wants you to know that he sees and that in heaven awaits His reward. No we don’t do it for the reward but Jesus is saying that our simple service here on earth has eternal value to Him!

B) Lay Ministry gives us both a privilege and a power

 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.                       1 Corinthians 9:18-19

When Mary brought our her alabaster box and poured its precious contents on Jesus’ feet, she was chosen as the example to be spoken of everywhere the gospel was to be preached. She did the unexpected. She was misunderstood and criticized by everyone but Jesus. But Mary was unmoved by what others thought was appropriate for a woman of her position. She honored the master with her gift and the fragrance of her perfumed oil is still filling rooms today. What is your gift for the master? Do not be discouraged by the difficulty, harsh responses of others or the embarrassment of your position. Pour out every drop from your alabaster jar on the feet of Jesus.He is worth more than we could ever give or do or sacrifice! Then one day in Heaven we open our eyes and see a table to which we will be invited to come and sit forever with Him!