Portraits of Jesus Christ - His ‘Servanthood’    Philippians 2:1-11

Servanthood - “the act of serving others with humility and selflessness.”

What comes to mind when you think of servanthood?  Those that serve others?  Maybe a waiter/waitress; those in the medical field; emergency responders; police officers; military; Government officials; pastors; those providing a service to help others; etc.,…

Some acts of service are recognized and up front, while others are unnoticed and behind the scenes.  Some acts of service are carried out just to make a living.  Some are for personal gain and recognition, while others are genuinely from a servants heart for others.  Putting the needs of others before oneself is a core principle of the CHRISTian faith modeled after Jesus Christ.  Jesus Himself said that He came “not to be served but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many.”

Its okay to make a living at serving (have to pay the bills) but the true blessing of God comes with our attitude towards serving. The bible reminds us, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col.3:17).  Jesus Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).  Servant is used (depending on translation) in the Bible approximately 900 times, emphasizing the importance.  We serve God by serving others.  The word ‘servant’ in this ‘consumer’ post-modern society may not be well received nor politically correct but it is biblically correct! There is no greater act of serving than giving of your time and doing it as unto the Lord.  Sometimes we may grow weary and get tired of ‘doing’ and thats okay, you might just need to take a pause and refresh yourself, or you may need to slow down and spend more time at Jesus’ feet via His word, prayer and assembling yourself at the house of God.  We have to take care of ourselves before we can care for others.  Jesus often went off alone to pray, refresh, and recharge for the task at hand, “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men…humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2: 7-8).  What a savior we have in Jesus! The price of salvation has been paid in full!  Jesus now is sending you and I out to serve others so that they might come to know Him as their personal savior and Lord.

It there not a cause church?!  This advent Sunday’s theme is ‘peace.’ There is no true peace apart from knowing Jesus Christ.  There is no greater joy and purpose than glorifying God through serving others. We are to be Jesus’ feet, hands and voice to a world that desperately needs Him, “and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil.2: 11).

Pastor Rodney