Chico Alliance Church
“Faithful Servants”
This week we shift to Paul’s admonition concerning slaves and masters. Lest we dismiss the principles here because we are not slaves or masters or employees or employers we should step back and look more carefully at the principle. Yes these verses were originally addressed to those who were slaves and masters. There are some things that apply to employees and employers. We should not get bogged down in the original specific application to the neglect of the present day application to all of us. The fact is, ALL of us are called to be slaves first of Jesus Christ and then we are called to be servants to each other. Beyond that, there will always be relationships of authority in this world to which these principles apply clearly. With that in mind, let us once again reflect on the Biblical perspective concerning service. Paul reveals how a heavenly kingdom kid should approach serving others. All of us serve someone, here is how it is to be approached.
The key to faithful service is that you work to benefit someone else.
What you do somehow helps the one you serve in some way.
BASIC FACTS REGARDING FAITHFUL SERVICE
* The world is made up of varying relationships of service and accountability. Matt 8:5-13
* You can’t effectively lead unless you practice effective service Mt 20:20-27
* Leadership is more than appointment, it involves serving others.
* We are all slaves of Christ yet also considered sons. 1 Cor 7:21-23; Gal 4:7 & John 15:15
* Faithful service requires consistent fruit Mat 25
* Greater faithfulness yields greater resources Matt 25
* Serving people IS serving Christ! Matt 25
Matthew 25:45
"Then He will answer them, saying, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'
Worshipping God is the chief end of man.
Worship includes acts of service to Christ.
Serving people is serving Christ!
Serving people and serving Christ is an act of worship.
Now that we understand that we are all servants to one another and that serving others is serving Christ, what kind of service pleases God and others? The principles in these passages regarding slave’s response to masters applies to all of us. We all serve one another and are called to serve one another at one time or another. Paul outlines for us here, and there are other passages as well, the attitudes behind our service and the perspective that we are to carry in that service.
THE FAITHFUL SERVANT
Using the Colossians passage as a base, and the Ephesians passage as supplementary, let's see what the Lord has to say about faithful service this morning.
“slaves obey”
“Slaves, be obedient”
When it comes to faithful service, the action called for is obedience.
1. Obey, hear
‘OBEY” hupakouo AV - obey 18, be obedient to 2, hearken 1; 21 GK - 5634
“huper”= under “akouo” = to hear
1)to listen, to harken of one who on the knock at the door comes to listen who it is, (the duty of a porter)
2)to harken to a command, to obey, be obedient to, submit to
The emphasis of this word for obedience is in the hearing. Hearing must precede doing. Even though the ultimate objective is the doing, without the hearing, you have no doing. The action Paul calls for here relates to a readiness and willingness to respond to the needs of the one we are serving. Remember, anytime we submit ourselves to the needs of another we become, at that moment, their servant and these principles aptly apply. So whether we're responding to our wife's honey-do list or whether we are responding to our customer’s request, or our boss’s order, or it be a response to the need of one in the church family, our attitude is to carefully and to efficiently give out attention to the task at hand. The faithful servant not only hears the actual words spoken by the one they serve but they seek to hear and respond to even the unspoken request.
When it comes to serving others the fall seems to have effected the hearing of mankind. We have difficulty giving ourselves to the needs of others. Serving others requires us to put our needs aside. Serving others often requires us to lay aside our personal agendas and submit to the needs of other people. That is not a natural response or inclination of the flesh.
Denying the flesh and releasing the desires of the spirit is what Colossians is all about.
So Paul instructs those who serve others to do it in such a way that reflects the very nature of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The basic action that Paul calls us to give our attention is to tend to the desires of the ones we serve. Now because we have a tendency to be legal estate about trying to appear spiritual by our external actions, Paul amplifies this command by several phrases that focuses on the heart of the faithful servant.
“Those who are your masters on earth"
“those who are your masters according to the flesh"
Paul identifies hear the object of hearing and doing. As we said before, anytime we submit ourselves to meet needs of others, that person, at that point in time, becomes our master. The primary application was to slaves who are actually owned by Masters. The Bible does not have a whole lot to say about the abolition of slavery but here is a specific passage relating to the regulation slavery. The passage in first Peter dedicated to demonstrating the difference Christ makes in one's life, Paul identifies masters and calls for this same response even to masters who may be unreasonable.
1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.
Sometimes we are asked to do things by people who are not, from our perspective, even reasonable. It may be the boss, our children, our wife, our customers, our neighbors or friends. Even though we may have no legal obligation to hear and do, as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, and servants of the most high we are commissioned to serve others. We are called to properly respond to the authority structures of this earth in a way that pleases God.
Paul proceeds now to explain to us the attitudes and actions that actually do please God.
2. Serves completely not partially
“in all things”
So often we are willing to give ourselves to the service of others only in the areas in which we feel comfortable. Paul instructs slaves to hear and do "in all things". This appears to be an indication that one is willing to give his entire self to the service of another. It is not partial service but complete and unreserved service to the needs of the one served.
3. Serves with fear and trembling NOT with indifference
“Fearing the Lord”
“with fear and trembling”
“FEAR” phobos from a primary phebomai (to be put in fear); AV - fear 41, terror 3, misc 3; 47 GK - 5832 { 1)fear, dread, terror, that which strikes terror, reverence
“TREMBLING” tromos AV - trembling 4, tremble 1; 5 GK - 5571
1) a trembling or quaking with fear
Paul, who was not afraid of anyone, used this phrase several times (1 Cor 2:3; 2 Cor 7:15; Phil 2:12) to indicate a sense of heavy responsibility to properly represent the gospel of a changed life. Not only by his words as he preached the Gospel but by the testimony of his life. In our service to others, there ought to be this heavy sense of responsibility that we are representing the gospel, we are representing God to others as well as the sheer fact that what we are doing is ACTUAL service to God and should reflect appropriate magnitude. Paul calls for an attitude here that reflects proper response to both to God and the task at hand. When we give ourselves to serve another it ought to be with a deep inner sense of the importance of what we're doing and who we are representing by our actions. The passage in 1 Peter refers to a respect for those we serve. 1 Peter 2:18 We all know that actions speak louder than words. So when we give ourselves to serve others, it ought to be with a great sense of urgency and intensity and importance.
4. Serves in sincerity of heart NOT with duplicity
“but with sincerity of heart”
“in the sincerity of your heart”
“SINCERITY” haplotes AV - simplicity 3, singleness 2, liberality 1, bountifulness 1, liberty 1; 8 GK - 605 {
1) singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honest, the virtue of one who is free from pretense and hypocrisy
2) not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity
Often times we serve others for what we get out of it in the here and now. We think about how they might respond that will benefit us. We do it so that we will feel good about ourselves. We serve so that others will like us. How many times do we serve our family or our wife is to keep peace or because we want something? How many times do we do something for someone else for the simple reason that if we don't, they will feel less about us? This is not service based on sincerity of heart were simplicity. This is self-serving service in the guise of selfless service to. Our motive for service should simply be to effectively demonstrate the love of Christ to them. Our motive should work be because we truly believe that in serving others, we actually serve Christ. Because the flesh is so tricky and self-serving, we must be continually aware of the need to monitor our motives. In our service, Paul calls for a singleness of heart, pure motivation. Genuine service, the service that reflects the nature of God and the transformed life, is service that serves with sincerity of heart.
5. Serves as if serving Christ NOT men or self
“it is the Lord Christ whom you serve”
“as for to the Lord rather than for men”
“as to Christ”
“as slaves of Christ”
“as to the Lord and not to men”
If Jesus were to walk in here today, we would all rush to meet his every need. The fact is, Jesus is here and we have abundant opportunity to serve Him by serving one another. I think if we could get a grip on this one truth our whole perspective on ministry would take on a life changing dimensions. He refers to it twice here in Colossians. It is so important, that Paul runs it by their ears three times in Ephesians. It is an important principle in all relationships. He appealed to it for wives and husbands and children. Do we want to serve Christ? We do it by serving others. When we give ourselves to the service of others, we are serving Christ. You ask say, "how can I serve Jesus when I don't see him?" Jesus himself said that as much as we do it to the least of these we do it to him. He also said that when we neglect to serve those in need it is the same as neglecting him. I don't know why it is so hard to get this concept as a reality in our heart. Because if we could, it would transform how we function around at home and around here.
If we could view every service, every act of kindness, every encounter with people as an opportunity to serve Jesus himself as if he were here in the flesh, how much different would our attitudes and our actions be. How reluctant we would be to use some of the same excuses we use now for not serving people.
Jesus is hungry. Jesus needs his garden weeded. Jesus would like to talk to you. Jesus needs your support. Jesus has some kids for you to teach. Jesus needs some rest. You get the point! I'm too tired. I'm too busy. I don't know how. I've put in my time. I have different priorities. I'm retired.
I am certain that if Jesus were here in the flesh, we would, like Matthew and the disciples, drop everything and hear and do anything he asked us to do. The faithful servant of Christ give us of himself to the service of others as if he were serving Christ himself. This service is not just for the eye but from the heart. We are not to serve in order to get people to notice us. We are to serve because it is out of our heart
6. Serve fervently and efficiently NOT slothfully
“Not with external service as those who please men”
“Not by way of eyeservice as men-pleasers”
“EYESERVICE” ophthalmodouleia AV - eyeservice 2; 2 GK - 4056
ophthlmo=eye douleia=service
service performed [only] under the master’s eyes for the master’s eye usually stimulates to greater diligence. His absence, on the other hand, renders sluggish
It has been said that character is what we do and who we are when no one is looking. A faithful servant is able to serve even when he is not noticed or credit given. The full-service is for God’s eyes. Faithful service is to accomplish the goals of the master whether he is present or not. Mark 13:34-37 Matthew 24:45-51
A slothful servant is one who only works when someone is looking, or threatening, or standing over them. A faithful servant serves out of the integrity of their heart.
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily”
“doing the will of God from the heart”
What Paul says hear in Colossians is to serve heartily or from the soul. Ephesians refers to service as a slave as "doing the will of God". We get so hung up on the will God for life as something unattainable or mysterious that we missed the simplicity of the will of God in our everyday life and service to one another. Daily fulfillment of one's beauty as a slave is considered by God as doing the will God. Paul simply asks hear the slave do his duty to his master thus his duty to God from heart. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul. We are to serve God by serving others with all our heart and soul.
not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; Romans 12:11
and we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrew 6:11
How is your fervency quotient at work, family, friends, church?? The Ephesians passage adds another qualifying phrase that completes this principle.
“with good will render service”
V - benevolence 1, good will 1; 2 GK - 2334
1) good will, kindness
A to the V - agree 1; 1 GK - 2333
1) to wish (one) well
2) to be well disposed, of a peaceable spirit
?? AV - well 3, well done 2, good 1; 6 GK - 2292
1) to be well off, fare well, prosper
2) acting well
mind 21, understanding 3; 24 GK - 3808
1) the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining, the intellectual faculty, the understanding, reason in the narrower sense, as the capacity for spiritual truth, the higher powers of the soul, the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognizing, goodness and of hating evil, the power of considering and judging soberly, calmly and impartially
2) a particular mode of thinking and judging, i.e. thoughts, feelings, purposes, desires
Our service should be done efficiently using the skills God gives us to serve the one’s to whom God sends us. The Scripture speaks of David's service to the nation.
So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,
And guided them with his skillful hands.
David had to both sincerity of heart and the skillful hands or in Paul's words, he served with good mind. In Matthew 25:14-28 the parable of the talents, Christ teaches us to fully utilize the talents and skills given to us by God in service of him. If Christ were here, we would give him our very best. Since serving others is equaled to serving Christ we cannot do less than our best when it comes to serving one another.
7. Realizes that God is the foremost rewarder of faithful service
"knowing that from the lord you will receive the rewards of the inheritance"
"knowing that whatever good each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free"
This is a needed reminder for such a heavy topic. We must remember that the reward we receive for service rendered is not down here. It is interesting to note that Paul jumps from addressing slaves to applying these principles to all in whether slave or free. God, who rewards for the right reasons, promises that nothing we do down here will go unnoticed.
Matthew 10:42 "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you he shall not lose his reward."
Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. Heb 6:10
Paul urges us to serve one another with great diligence by realizing our ultimate boss. When we fully understand we really work for, reward on this earth is less important. God alone can properly reward faithful service.
Titus 2:9-13 lists several other points in regard to faithful service.
8. Is well-pleasing not disappointing
9. Is cooperative/responsive NOT argumentative
10. Is trustworthy NOT pilfering
11. Serves Christians more diligently. 1 Tim 6:1-2
12. Serves other’s needs first BEFORE his own
Luke 17:5-10 Romans 15:1-13 1 Cor. 10:24 Philip. 2:3-11
DEFINITION
A faithful servant fervently and consistently hears and serves the needs and desires of the one served, no matter how small or large, using his God-given resources to their full capacity without the need for continual external controls or compliments or the need for immediate reward realizing his service is to Christ and Christ is the ultimate rewarder of our service.
In this Colossians passage Paul concludes with the warning.
"For he who does wrong (in regard to proper service) will receive the consequences of the wrong which he is done, and that without personality."
CONCLUSION
1 Cor. 4:1-2 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.
Jesus again stands as the ultimate example of a servant.
Hebrews 3:1-6 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.
It is our selfless, faithful service that becomes the music for the words of life. It is as we serve one another that we ourselves experience in time and space the full dimensions of Christ’s love for us and through us. Do you really want to know God?
The fullness of God is experience through experiencing His love for us and through us.
Do you see your service to your employer as service to Christ?
Do you see your service to your customers as service to Christ?
Do you see your service to your children as service to Christ?
Do you see your service to your spouse as service to Christ?
You see your service to your neighbors and friends and fellow workers as service to Christ?
Do you see your service to the Chico family as service to Christ?
I urge you to go back through this list of 12 characteristics of a faithful servant and ask God to make it so in your life.
Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord
It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
