Jesus himself took up the title of "servant". Isaiah 52:13 through 53:12 shows Christ as a suffering servant. We read in the New Testament Jesus fulfilling his role as God's servant. He loved at all times, he walked in wisdom, he lived his life to please his Father, he sought every opportunity to do good, and was obedient even to the point of death, thus fulfilling his Father's mission of redemption. 

   Jesus left this example of servitude for us to follow (John 13:13-17); that we too may live our lives as servants of God. It is interesting to note that after Isaiah 53, the word "servant" is never used in its singular. From this point on, Isaiah speaks of the blessings that the Servant's followers will receive, calling them "the servants of the Lord" (Isaiah 54:17); "his servants" (66:14); and "my servants" (65:8,9). Have you seen yourself as a bondservant of Jesus? Have you given up all your rights and placed yourself under the full control of Christ? Just as Christ came to serve, we too ought to serve rather than to be served. Seek to please God in every matter; seek every opportunity to serve. These are the kind of people Christ died for--people who are eager to do what is good! (Titus 2:14)

Key Text:               Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Theme:

When Jesus came to earth, He came as a servant. He was a servant who would suffer and die for our redemption, as Isaiah clearly predicted (Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Mark 10:45). Even after His resurrection and ascension to heaven, Jesus still serves those who are His. Hebrews 7:25 says that Christ lives to intercede for us. We need to follow our Master’s example, no matter how lacking in glamour it may seem. Just Jesus has taught us, the road to greatness is the road to servitude (Mt 23:11-12).

Application:

Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Help out in the services: help with the

    chairs, songbooks, clean up, nursery,

    etc.

2. Whenever you see a brother or a sister

     in need, offer to help. Contribute to

     others’ needs (Rom.12:13).

3.  Have the same focus as Christ. He

   came to serve, not to be served (Mk

   10:45).

4. Seek every opportunity to do good.

        Always ask yourself, “What can I do to

    please the Lord?”

5. When you serve, do it with a willing

     spirit and a smile.

May the Lord richly bless you!

The Servant of The Lord

I. Christ the Servant
  

 A. The Attributes of the Servant
  1. Isaiah 42:1-4
      a. He is God's servant
         God gave him the Holy Spirit to enable
         him to the task set before him
         (Isa. 61:1)

      b. Goal: To bring justice to the nations
         -- He will accomplish God's work
            faithfully and without faltering:

      c. The Manner: In mildness
           1. He will not shout or cry out
           2. He will mend broken lives 
              (Isaiah 61:3)
              --although he will expose sin, he
                will give them space to repent
           3. This is being fulfilled in Matthew
              12:13-21

      d. Steadfastness: He won't give up until
               his assigned work is done 
	       (Is 61:4)
               --it was done at the cross
                 (John 19:30)
            2. Jesus fulfilled all that 
               was written of Him in OT 
               (Lk. 24:44)
            3. By his death, we are saved.
               (Col. 2:11-15; 1 Pt 2:24)

II. Conclusion

  1. Luke 6:40--Like teacher, like student
      a. Just as Christ was a servant of God,
          we too are to be servants of God
      b. Like our Master, we must live a life
          of labor and self-denial
      c. Fulfill the goal set before us:
         1. Serve to win the lost
             (1 Cor 9:19)
  2. Serve to edify the church
             (Rom 14:19)

Warm-up:

How does the business world define the term supervisor? How do people in authoritative positions usually act?

See To It                               Matthew 20:25-28

1. What is the way of the Gentile rulers?

2. How do these rulers view themselves as?

3. What is Christ’s description of a true

    supervisor?

4. How is this different from the world’s view of

    leadership?

5. Read 1 Peter 5:1-4. What are those in

    leadership supposed to be?

6. Christ is given the title Chief Shepherd. How

   did he receive this title? Support your answer

   with Scripture.

Seeing It Closer:

1. What ought to be our roles as disciples of

    Christ?

2. What does it mean to be a bondservant?

    Describe what it means to be a slave.

3. What is the purpose for serving one another?

     How does this benefit the kingdom?

Getting To It:

Pray for one another that we may truly be servants of the Lord and that each of us may place ourselves last and seek to serve rather than to be served.