Sermon Central
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Make Me A Servant
Contributed by Timothy Finch on Mar 13, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: Paul refers to himslf as a servant or slave to the Gospel. This is an analysis of that comparison.
Make Me A Servant
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me ’Teacher’ and ’Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. (NIV)
I. A slave is responsible to his master.
A. Slaves were attained in many ways.
1. Captured in war.
2. Default on a debt.
3. Sold as a child by parents unable to care for the child.
4. Convicted of a crime.
5. Kidnaped.
B. They worked the task that the master gave them.
II. A slave is dependent upon his master.
A. Most slaves were better off than the free.
1. Food.
2. Clothing.
3. Housing.
B. Many became as family members.
III. The world is dependent on the slave.
A. The economy of the world was dependent upon slaves.
1. One in three in Italy was a slave.
2. One in five world-wide was a slave.
B. God’s kingdom is dependent upon slaves!
