The Servant
Notes
Transcript
We are continuing our journey through discovering our Motivational gifts.
Last week we talked about the first one mentioned in Romans 12:6
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
and how that Paul told the church that the prophet even though they are able to see sin in the church and are driven to root it out, they are commanded to do it with love.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Today we are going to look at the second Motivational gift, the Servant.
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
The greek wod for ministry is diakonia the same word we get our word deacon from.
Although we are all commanded to serve one another...
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
There is a Motivational Gift of Serving.
Romans 12:10 give some guidelines for the Servant as well.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
I believe a great example of a person in the Bible with the Motivational Gift of Servant is Timothy.
Let’s look at
I. The Characteristics of the Servant
I. The Characteristics of the Servant
A. See and Meet Practical Needs
A. See and Meet Practical Needs
These practical needs that seem insignificant to other people cat the eye and attention of the server.
These are typically physical needs.
But the motivation is to bring encouragement and strength to those he/she serves.
Timothy’s serving ablilities is noted by Paul
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
B. Free Others to Achieve
B. Free Others to Achieve
The servant gets great joy in not only starting tasks, but especially knowing this would free someone else to do do what the Lord has called them to do.
Making someone else productive
Timothy served Paul so that Paul could carry out his ministry
His service was as a son with the father.
22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
C. Disregard for Weariness
C. Disregard for Weariness
The Servant will use every resource at their disposal to help someone else, disregarding their own weariness.
They will use up personal assets whether it is time, money or strength.
The focus is not on himself, but rather on the completion of the task that will help someone else.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
D. Difficulty in Saying “No”
D. Difficulty in Saying “No”
As people begin to take notice that they are willing to help with tasks, they often ask for more help, or others notice and begin to come to them for help with tasks.
To the others they may think, “well they will just tell me no if they can’t do this.”
But this is very hard for the Servant.
We are told that we should be ...
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
But there are two sides to this coin.
We need to do what we ought because the days are evil
But we should also do the right thing at the right time in order to redeem the time.
E. Alert to Likes and Dislikes
E. Alert to Likes and Dislikes
Ability and see the importance of remembering special interests and likes of people they serve.
Birthdays and anniversaries are often remembered as well as favorites like colors, types of home furnishings and activities
F. Need Approval
F. Need Approval
Appreciation is important to the servant.
It shows that the hard work that they do is necessary.
Clear directions from others is important the servant, so they know that what they are doing is what they really want.
Paul gave Timothy more praise and exact instruction than any of his other assistants.
Servers prefer working with a person rather than for a person.
G. Likes Short-range Projects
G. Likes Short-range Projects
Immediate needs that can be solved quickly are very attractive to the Servant.
Long-range planning is frustrating as well as a continuous task with no visible progress.
short-range projects allow them to help more people in an the same amount of time as one long-range project.
Timothy was urged to have endurance as a good soldier and tontinue in the calling which God had given him.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
H. Put Extra Touches to Jobs
H. Put Extra Touches to Jobs
Doing more than is expected in an attempt to delight those who they serve.
But it also shows that their heart is not even on doing it for the person but as unto the Lord.
I. Meet Needs Quickly
I. Meet Needs Quickly
IN order to complete tasks, a server will try to avoid committees and what appears to be unnecessary red tape in order to avoid delays.
The server will even use personal funds just so the project can move forward.
II. Misuses of the Gift of Service
II. Misuses of the Gift of Service
A. Giving Unrequested Help
A. Giving Unrequested Help
Sometimes the tasks are more important to the servant than the one they are trying to help.
The one that has the need may not even be aware of the need in the first place.
And it may not be important to them, or even a inconvenience to them.
Sometimes can be viewed as pushy or intrusive.
B. Letting Projects Be too Important
B. Letting Projects Be too Important
The servant will sometimes neglect their own responsibilities in order to meet the needs of others
Housework, projects around the house.
Can have a negative effect on their home life and family.
C. Working Beyond Physical Limits
C. Working Beyond Physical Limits
Physical problems and especially stomach problems can affect the servant
Result of taking on too many jobs and the worry over unfinished projects.
Timothy had physical ailments
Paul instructed him to take wine as medication.
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
Grape juice has many healing properties.
D. Neglecting God-Given Priorities
D. Neglecting God-Given Priorities
Often placed in positions of responsibilities because they are diligent workers.
Difficult for them to delegate some of the work to others.
This causes frustration when tasks aren’t getting taken care of.
E. Reacting to Overlooked Needs
E. Reacting to Overlooked Needs
Servants may react harshly to others who walk right past what they think is an obvious need.
Assumes others see what they see.
Can become resentful if they tell someone else about a need they saw and they do not follow through with their suggestion.
F. Resenting Lack of Appreciation
F. Resenting Lack of Appreciation
The pastor never thanks me for all the work I do around here!
He talked about so-n-so from the pulpit and what they did, but he’s never mentioned me!
This is usually a result in the Servant forgetting that they are doing the work for the Lord not for man, or man’s praise.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
G. Working People Around Their Schedule
G. Working People Around Their Schedule
Because of the tendency to improperly delegate tasks, the servant often develops his own time schedule and forces others to adapt to it.
H. Being Frustrated with Time Limits
H. Being Frustrated with Time Limits
A servant may react to a rigid schedule, not realizing tat it is for their own protection.
He may feel that it hinders him from the joy of additional serving.
Twice Timothy was told by Paul not to get sidetracked.
21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
I. Interfering with God’s Discipline
I. Interfering with God’s Discipline
Sometimes God uses overwhelming circumstances to get a hold of someones heart.
A Servant can sometimes swoop in and frustrate what God intended to bring them to repentance.
If a server would have met the physical needs of the prodigal son when he was in the sty, it would have hindered his return.
Over all the basic principle of authority is a protection for the server.
If they will listen to their God given authorities and seek their help in prioritizing and delegating they will be more useful in the cause of Christ and at home!
The Servants are a vital part of our church.
They can see needs that others don’t see.
But don’t forget it is not only their job to serve others!
We need to be busy finding ways to serve the Lord while serving each other!