JESUS AS SERVANT
Mark 10:45 (NLT) -For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
If your life does not make a difference, your absence won’t either-Charlie jones
Let us look again the life of Jesus and learn how we can be more effective in ministry.
JESUS’ MINISTRY WAS INTENTIONAL –MARK 10:45
Example:- Luke 19:5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house …
This event occurred just before the passion week. Jesus probably had a lot in His mind. Yet, He takes time from His busy schedule to seek out one person from the large crowds that followed Him. Jesus knew He alone could meet some needs of this tax collector.
When we look at the events in the life of Jesus, we find that Jesus was never in any of those place by accident. Jesus never waited Zachy nor the samaritan lady to come to Him.
When we are intentional in ministry we will not live life aimlessly, ministering here and there whenever it is convenient for us. Instead we will see people as divine appointments to whom we must minister
JESUS’ MINISTRY WAS UNCONDITIONAL –Luke 5:30,31 NLT
But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum ? Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.
Jesus didn’t just minister to those who were deserving.
In Zachy’ story we saw how, out of all the people in the crowd, Jesus chose to minister to someone that most people would have considered one of the worst sinners arround.
Jesus ministered to tax collectors, Nicodemus, samaritan lady, sinful lady, mad man in cemetry etc.
Jesus never limited His ministry to those that would have been deserving in the eyes of most people. Jesus was always available for the needy because He was full of grace
Jesus didn’t just minister to those who could give back
Today many people do ministry only with those who have influence and money, because those people will have something to offer back. They look for fish with the gold coin. In early church James observed the same problem and he wrote not to show favoritism in the church.Jesus almost always took the opposite approach to His times. He chose to minister to the poor, the neglected and the despised. Those people like mad man had nothing to offer to Jesus.They are not going to help Him to get rich or famous.
We should never serve others with wrong motives. Our motivation ministry should be what is good for others. Ministry should be done to get things out of others.
JESUS’ MINISTRY WAS RELATIONAL 1JOHN 3:16-18
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
The people who have made a difference in our lives are the people who took the time to get involved in our lives. Jesus stayed in Zachy’ house. He stayed in the samaritan village. John and andrew stayed with Jesus. Jesus was an approachable person. Before ministering the personal issues of people Jesus developed a personal relationship with them.
We can minister to people without developing a closer relationship. Greater impact in ministry comes when we personally relate to people.
JESUS WAS AVAILABLE IN MINISTRY MATTHEW 20:32
Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
Jesus was on the way from Jericho, but still He stopped to help those two blind men.
If we want to be used of God, we must be available. We must be willing to be interrupted. We must be open to the times when HOLY SPIRIT will tap us on the shoulder and tell us to stop what we are doing and help someone in need. Ex; Philip
Being a servant means giving up the right to control our schedule and allowing God to interrupt it any time HE needs to- Rick warren
Most of Jesus’ miracles were the result of interruptions. His first miracle was an interruption. Second was also another interruption on the way to Galilee. Our LORD was always interruptible. He was always willing to stop and help someone in need.
3 barriers for availability
Self centeredness- Philippians 2:4 MSG Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand
Materialism- Luke 16:10-13 MSG Jesus went on to make these comments: If you're honest in small things, you'll be honest in big things; If you're a crook in small things, you'll be a crook in big things. If you're not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? 13 No worker can serve two bosses: He'll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can't serve both God and the Bank.
Perfectionism- 1corinthians 1:27; 2corinthians 4:7 NLT Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.
JESUS WAS FAITHFUL IN MINISTRY. HEBREWS 3:1-6
1Corinthians 4:2-Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
Jesus was always reliable John 17:4 MSG I glorified you on earth By completing down to the last detail What you assigned me to do.
What motivates us to be faithful in ministry?
2corinthains 5:14 MSG Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do.
Our ministry should be a greatful response to God’ love
The faithful will be rewarded Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
1corinthians 15:58 NLT So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Mark 9:41NLT If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded
Even the small, seemingly insignificant thing we do to serve others in Jesus’ name matters. Why? Because in God’ book of remembrance there is no little service.
We must know the difference between prominence and significant. Prominence refers to easily seen things while significant signifies the vital. We should become vital in the community. The stuff which is unseen or behind the seen Is actually the most important. This is hard for us to understand because with the limited perspective we cant see how are small acts makes the big difference. When we are aware whatever we do in Jesus’ name has eternal implications then we will do everything with equal dedication.
