SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20:20-28
TEXT: Philippians 2:5-11
Opening: Last Sunday we started a 3-part series on 3 S’s of the KINGDOM. We studied the first S last Sunday, “SON” . As we saw in the scripture , until we know who we are “In CHRIST” (redeemed, adopted, joint-heirs with Christ) we will never be able to fulfill our God-Given purposes for we will always be trying to measure up (fear) instead of walking in FAITH. Do you feel you have commandments to obey (Law) or Truth to believe (Grace)?
Until we know our Son-relationship in it’s fullness, we will never be able to be a good servant. This is like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:17) who “came to his senses”. There are some sons and daughters today who still have not come to their senses, still searching in all the wrong places.
SERVANT
Christ was our example of a Servant (Mark 10:45). The key word is “Even.” Paul addresses the issue of servant in Philippians 2. We see 3 points about being a servant that we want to look at:
1) TRUTH (Our Mind is set on Truth): Let this mind be in you which was also in CHRIST JESUS , who being in the form of GOD, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, “taking the form of a bond-servant”. What reputation are you trying to build?
Jesus knew the truth, who He was, whose He was, what He was here for, where He was going, and what power and authority He had. What truth do you believe? Do you know who you are in Christ Jesus? You will never be able to genuinely serve until you know who you are in CHRIST. Many serve out of a works-based belief instead of being “Love Motivated”! (I have to serve instead of I want to serve)
We have a serious “truth” problem in the church today because we have allowed “Another Gospel” to come in just as the church in Corinth did. Paul deals with it in 2 Cor. 11:1-4: “Being deceived in your mind of the simplicity that is in Christ”.
Jesus plus Nothing equals Everything! You can’t add anything to His finished work, He is the Author and Finisher
2) GRACE (Focusing on Grace keeps you humble):
Let’s ask a question: Why do you serve, obligation or obedience? Grace and genuine humility are Siamese twins, it is hard to tell them apart.
“He humbled Himself.” He could because He knew whose He was.
He gave His Father all the glory! Who is the center of your conversation?
GRACE (Love In Action) empowers us to serve.
3) FAITH: Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God!
Jesus didn’t just walk around doing what He wanted to do! He said in John 5:16- 30 “I can of my self do nothing”!!!!
John 12:49-50: “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father, who has sent me, gave me a command what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak just as the Father has told me, so I speak”!
CLOSING:
What are you listening to? We will never be good servants until we stand on the Truth. Walk in His Grace. Listen to His Word.