Purpose Driven Life Day 33: How Real Servants Act

Mark 10:43-44

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servants and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

Matthew 7:16

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

We serve God by serving others.

The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige and position. If you can demand service from others, you've arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is nit a popular concept.

Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines our greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. While knowing our shape is important for serving God, having the heart of a servant is even more important. For God shaped us for service, not for self-centeredness. God often tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we're not shaped! While we may not be gifted for a particular task, we may be called to do it if no one gifted at it is around. Our primary ministry should be in the area of our shape, but our secondary service is whenever we're needed at the moment. Our shape reveals our ministry, but our servant's heart will reveal our maturity.

1. Real servants make themselves available to serve

2 Timothy 2:4

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

If you only serve when it's convenient for you, you're not a real servant. Real servants do what's needed, even when it's inconvenient. Can God mess up your plans without you becoming resentful?

If you will remind yourself at the start of everyday that you are God's servant, interruptions won't frustrate you as much, because your agenda will be whatever God wants to bring into your life. Servants see interruptions as divine appointments for ministry and are happy for the opportunity to practice serving.

2. Real servants pay attention to needs

Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

When God puts someone in need right in front of you, He is giving you the opportunity to grow in servanthood. Notice that God says the needs of the church family are to be given preference, not put at the bottom of 'things to do' list. We may only get one chance to serve a person, so take advantage of the moment!

Proverbs 3:27

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

when it is in your power to act.

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can." - John Wesley -

3. Real servants do their best with what they have
Servants don't make excuses, procrastinate, or wait for better circumstances. 

Ecclesiastes 11:4

Whoever watches the wind will not plant;

whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

It doesn't have to be perfect for God to use and bless us. It's better to involve thousands of regular folks in ministry than have a perfect church run by a few elites.

4. Real servants do every task with equal dedication

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Galatians 6:3 (NLT)

If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.

God will never exempt you from the mundane. It is in these small services that we grow like Christ.

Jesus specialized in menial tasks that everyone else tried to avoid: washing feet, helping children, fixing breakfast and serving lepers. Nothing was beneath Him, because He came to serve. Small tasks often show a big heart.

Great opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks. The little things in life determine the big things. You develop a servant's heart when you're willing to do anything needed.

5. Real servants are faithful to their ministry 
Servants finish their tasks, fulfill their responsibilities, keep their promises and complete their commitments. They don't leave a job half undone, and they don't quit when they get discouraged. They are trustworthy and dependable.

Are there promises you need to keep, vows you need to fulfill, or commitments you need to honor? This is a test. God is testing your faithfulness. Imagine what it will feel like one day to have God say to you,

'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:23

By ther way, faithful servants never retire. They serve faithfully as long as they're alive. You can retire from your career but you'll never retire from serving God.

6. Real servants maintain a low profile
Servants don't promote or call attention to themselves. 

Matthew 6:1

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

Self promotion and servanthood don't mix. Real servants don't serve for the approval or applause of others. They live for an audience of one. You won't find many real servants in the limelight; in fact, they avoid it when possible. They are content with quietly serving in the shadows.

Unfortunately, many leaders today start off as servants but end up as celebrities. They become addicted to attention, unaware that always being in the spotlight blinds you.

You may be serving in obscuriy in some small place, feeling unknown and unappreciated. Listen: God put you where you are for a purpose! He will let you know if He wants you somewhere else. Your ministry matters to the kingdom of God.

Colossians 3:4

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.

The most significant service is often the service that is unseen. Knowing this, don't be discouraged when your service is unnoticed or taken for granted. Keep on serving God!

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work if the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Even the smallest service is noticed by God and will be rewarded. Remember the words of Jesus. 

Matthew 10:42

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because He is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his rewards.

Points to ponder: I serve God by serving others.

Verse to remember: Matthew 10:42

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because He is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his rewards.

Question to consider: Which of the 6 characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenge to me?

Summary of the 6 characteristics of real servants:
1. Real servants make themselves available to serve. 
2. Real servants pay attention to needs. 
3. Real servants do their best with what they have. 
4. Real servants do every task with equal dedication. 
5. Real servants are faithful to their ministry. 
6. Real servants maintain a low profile.