Servanthood and Sacrifice

The Service of God’s Servants

No. 241 Servanthood and Sacrifice

Matthew 20:26-28

"It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Starting Prayer

Dear Lord, help me understand the true meaning of servanthood and sacrifice as I meditate on Your Word today. Guide my heart to embrace humility and selflessness. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Background

In Matthew 20, Jesus teaches His disciples about true greatness in the kingdom of heaven. He contrasts the world's view of leadership, which is often characterized by power and authority, with His own example of servanthood. Jesus explains that greatness in His kingdom comes from serving others rather than seeking positions of honor. The selected verses highlight Jesus' call to humility and sacrificial service as the essence of Christian leadership. Today's title marks the beginning of our week focusing on the service of God's servants.

Be Encouraged

Imagine a leader who, instead of seeking recognition and privilege, willingly takes on the lowest tasks to serve those around them. Such humility and selflessness inspire and uplift others. In our own lives, whether in the church, workplace, or community, we are called to follow Jesus' example of servanthood. When we prioritize serving others above seeking personal gain, we reflect the heart of Christ and build a culture of love and compassion.

Consider the story of a mother who sacrifices her time and resources to care for her children, putting their needs above her own. Similarly, Jesus sacrificed His life to redeem humanity, setting the ultimate example of selfless service. As His followers, we are called to imitate His sacrificial love in our interactions with others, showing kindness, generosity, and grace.

Additional Verses

- Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

- Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Invitation

If you are not a member of the church of Christ, I invite you to visit and worship with us at a local church of Christ, where you can grow in your understanding of servanthood and find opportunities to serve alongside others. to embrace the example of Jesus Christ by surrendering your life to Him. Through faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31), and baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38), you can experience the joy of serving others as He did, knowing that your obedience to the Gospel saves you. If you are already a member of the church of Christ, take this lesson of humility seriously and be a true servant of God. 

Concluding Prayer

Lord, thank You for showing us the true meaning of greatness through Your example of servanthood and sacrifice. Help me to follow You with humility and selflessness in all that I do. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

May the Lord bless your day.

Theodore J. Quist

Evangelist

Church of Christ

Abokobi - Accra

Ghana

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Read Posts

Blessed is the Forgiven

Image
The Grace of God’s Forgiveness Blessed is the Forgiven Psalm 32:1 "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." Starting Prayer Heavenly Father, as I reflect on the words of Psalm 32:1 today, I humbly seek Your insight. May I understand the depth of Your forgiveness and the blessing that comes with it. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. Background The title "Blessed is the Forgiven" encapsulates the theme of Psalm 32, which explores the joy and blessing that arise from God's forgiveness. This psalm is attributed to David, expressing the joy and relief he experienced when he confessed his sins and received God's pardon. Be Encouraged Psalm 32:1 reminds believers of the blessed state of those whose sins are forgiven. Ephesians 1:7 and 1 John 1:9 reinforce the concept of God's forgiveness through the blood of Christ and the confession of sins. Today's meditation invites you to wholly surrender your life to
Read more

God's Omnipresent Joy

Image
The Joy of God ’s Presence God's Omnipresent Joy Psalm 139:7-10 "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." Starting Prayer Heavenly Father, as we contemplate the omnipresence of Your joy, grant us the wisdom to comprehend the depth of Your constant presence in our lives. May our hearts be filled with the assurance that Your joy accompanies us wherever we go. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Background The title "God's Omnipresent Joy" is derived from Psalm 139, a profound psalm attributed to David. In this chapter, David reflects on the omniscience and omnipresence of God. The selected verses, Psalm 139:7-10, beautifully articulate the inescapable nature of God's presence, emp
Read more

Anxiety and Trust

Image
The Faithfulness of God’s Provision Anxiety and Trust Philippians 4:6 (ESV) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Starting Prayer    Dear Lord, as I come before You today, I seek Your wisdom and guidance. Help me to understand the depth of Your provision and faithfulness. Grant me peace in knowing that I can trust You completely, in Jesus' name. Amen. Background *   The book of Philippians was written by the apostle Paul to the church in Philippi. In chapter 4, Paul encourages believers to rejoice in the Lord always and to pray without ceasing. Verse 6 specifically addresses the issue of anxiety, urging believers not to be anxious about anything but to bring their concerns to God through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. Be Encouraged    In Philippians 4:6, Paul provides a clear directive for dealing with anxiety: prayer and trust in God. When faced with worries and
Read more

The Eternal Word Incarnate

Image
The Power of God’s Word The Eternal Word Incarnate John 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Starting Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I reflect on the profound words of John 1:1, I seek Your divine insight. May the revelation of the eternal Word fill my heart and mind. Guide me in understanding the significance of Your Word becoming flesh. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. Background: The opening verse of the Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the Word. It signifies His eternal existence, His close relationship with God, and His divine nature. This verse sets the foundation for understanding the Incarnation, where the Word became flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14). Be Encouraged: In contemplating John 1:1, recognize that Jesus, the Word, predates time and holds divine significance. His presence in the world brings light and life. As we conclude the theme "The Power of God's Word," embrace the truth that t
Read more

The High and Lowly One

Image
The Holiness of God’s Name The High and Lowly One Isaiah 57:15 (ESV) "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" Starting Prayer Lord, I come before you today seeking insight into the holiness of Your name. Help me to understand Your greatness and Your willingness to dwell with those who are humble and contrite in heart. In Jesus' name. Amen. Background Isaiah 57 addresses the sins of Israel and the promise of restoration for the humble and repentant. In verse 15, God reveals His transcendence as "the One who is high and lifted up," dwelling in eternity, and whose name is Holy. Despite His exalted nature, He promises to dwell with the lowly and contrite, reviving their spirits. Be Encouraged God's holiness is not only displayed in H
Read more

In His Love We Find Refuge

Image
The Assurance of God’s Love In His Love We Find Refuge Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." Starting Prayer Heavenly Father, as we delve into the assurance of Your love today, grant us the wisdom to understand the depth of Your joy and the peace that comes from being embraced by Your love. May Your Word enlighten our hearts and minds. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. Background In Zephaniah chapter 3, the prophet addresses the people of Jerusalem, conveying both a message of warning and a promise of hope. Despite the impending judgment, there is a glimpse of God's love and compassion. In verse 17, we find a beautiful depiction of God's character – a mighty Savior who rejoices over His people with gladness, quiets them with His love, and celebrates them with joyful singing. Be Encouraged In the
Read more

Forgiveness: A Blessing in Disguise

Image
Forgiveness Forgiveness: A Blessing in Disguise Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven." Background : In Luke 6:37, Jesus imparts a profound lesson about forgiveness. He challenges us to refrain from judgment and condemnation, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of forgiveness. The act of forgiving, Jesus affirms, opens the door to receiving forgiveness. It is a powerful reminder that forgiveness is not only a selfless act but also a blessing that returns to the forgiver in ways beyond comprehension. Be Encouraged Embracing a forgiving heart is a transformative journey. When we release the burden of resentment and judgment, we experience a sense of liberation that can only be described as a blessing in disguise. Forgiveness is not weakness; it is a courageous choice that brings healing to wounded hearts. As we extend forgiveness, we create space for God's grace to work in o
Read more

Cleansed and Set Free

Image
The Grace of God ’s Forgiveness Cleansed and Set Free Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." Starting Prayer Heavenly Father, I seek insight into the profound truth of Your forgiveness. May Your grace and mercy be evident in my heart as I understand the depth of Your love. In Jesus' name. Amen. Background The title "Cleansed and Set Free" captures the essence of Psalm 103:12, where the psalmist marvels at the vast distance God places between our sins and His forgiveness. This verse reassures us of the completeness of God's forgiveness, removing our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. Be Encouraged Psalm 103:12 marks the beginning of the theme "The Grace of God’s Forgiveness" for this week. The imagery of the east and the west highlights the infinite nature of God's forgiveness. Micah 7:19 complements this idea, emphasizing God's ability to cast
Read more

Patiently Awaiting the Unseen

Image
The Hope of God’s Salvation Patiently Awaiting the Unseen Romans 8:24-25 (ESV) "For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Starting Prayer Dear Lord, as I delve into Romans 8:24-25 today, grant me insight. Help me understand the beauty of patiently waiting for the unseen hope that comes from salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen. Background Romans 8 is a chapter rich in the assurance of salvation and the hope found in Christ. In verses 24-25, the Apostle Paul reflects on the nature of hope, emphasizing that true hope is found in patiently waiting for what is unseen. Be Encouraged Consider a farmer planting seeds with the hope of a future harvest. He cannot see the full growth at the moment of planting, but his patient anticipation is fueled by the promise of a fruitful outcome. Similarly, our hope in God's salvation is unseen, yet we wait with patien
Read more

Proclaiming the Good News

Image
The Call of God’s Mission Proclaiming the Good News Mark 16:15 (ESV) "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" Starting Prayer Dear Lord, as I explore Mark 16:15, grant me wisdom to understand the call to proclaim the good news as part of Your mission. May my heart be open to embracing this calling and may I find courage to share the gospel with others. In Jesus' name. Amen. Background Mark 16 concludes with Jesus instructing His disciples to go into the world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. This command signifies the universal scope of God's mission, calling believers to share the good news of salvation with all people. The call to proclaim the gospel extends to every corner of creation. Be Encouraged    Imagine being entrusted with a message so powerful that it can transform lives. In Mark 16:15, Jesus instructs us to take the gospel to every corner of creation, sharing the good news with everyon
Read more