Today we explore simple steps you can take to serve Jesus today and to develop a servant heart.
The early church fathers, those directly discipled by the Apostles, measured the growth of believers by the level of relationship they had with God. The five levels of maturity, from lowest to highest, are, 1. Believer, 2. Disciple, 3. Servant, 4. Friend, and 5. Son or Daughter of God.
I explained these five levels in: “Finally, a Way to Measure Your Relationship With Jesus” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okqJb3qPuCo&t=1s
Key Scripture: Luke 22:24-27 TPT
24 The disciples bickered over which one of them would be considered the greatest in the kingdom. 25 Jesus interrupted their argument, saying, “The kings and men of authority in this world rule oppressively over their subjects, claiming that they do it for the good of the people. They are obsessed with how others see them.
26 But this is not your calling. You will lead by a different model. The greatest one among you will live as one called to serve others without honor. The greatest honor and authority is reserved for the one who has a servant heart.
27The leaders who are served are the most important in your eyes, but in the kingdom, it is the servants who lead. Am I not here with you as one who serves?
Jesus showed us how to serve people “from love.”
JESUS WAS INTERRUPTIBLE.
This is the true test of a “servant heart.” Jesus had places he wanted to go and things he wanted to do, but he dropped everything when Holy Spirit interrupted Him with an opportunity to love someone.
Jesus was in an important discussion with John’s disciples when a ruler of the synagogue interrupted Jesus while He was speaking. Rather rude, don’t you think?
Matthew 9:18-19:
While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
Jesus went with him and brought the girl back to life.
Crowds followed Jesus everywhere, constantly making demands on Him. There are many examples in scripture.
As Our Love for God Grows so Will our Love for People
1 John 4:7-8 NLT
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Matthew 25:40 EXB
‘I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my ·people here [L brothers (and sisters)], you also did for me.’
(Read Mat 25:31-40 – the context is meeting people’s needs.)
A servant will be so full of God’s love that He will see the needs of others as more important than his own agenda or needs.
Philippians 2:3 NLV
Nothing should be done because of pride or thinking about yourself. Think of other people as more important than yourself.
*This is where self dies. Serving others. Putting them first. Thinking of their needs and desires as more important than yourself.
*Character flaws are revealed here.
*Soul Wounds that keep us from trusting and truly loving others come to light.
Yet, through it all, Holy Spirit works in us the desire to serve, then He empowers our service.
Philippians 2:13 NLT
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
ACTIVATION
1. Ask God to give you a servant heart, a heart to serve people as Jesus did.
2. Practical Steps:
Daily Pray “Father, make me a blessing to someone today.”
As you go about your day, look for people who need help. Stop and help them.
WAYS TO SERVE
*meet a need – open a door, carry something for someone,
*give love – notice people – waiter, homeless, store clerk,
old man in the park, your neighbor
*acknowledge them
*show interest – greet them,
*ask a question and mean it – wait for the answer
*Listen – really listen to them
*Begin with simple acts of lovingkindness
*Thank people
*Smile at them
Pray – intercede for someone who is in trouble, needs help
Give: time, understanding, forgiveness, money, effort
As you begin to pay attention to people, looking for ways to serve them, Holy Spirit will give you specific things to do – just as He did Jesus.
Holy Spirit won’t care that you are late for a dentist appointment or that you are dog tired or so hungry you could eat a bear. He will highlight a person in front of you. And tell you how to serve that person a portion of God’s love. Do it.
Consider that person greater than yourself, your energy level, or your growling stomach.
PRACTICE BEING INTERRUPTIBLE
Make it a lifestyle. As you faithfully do small assignments, Holy Spirit will give you greater things to do. Your “servant heart” adventure has begun. The world will be a better place tomorrow because you are in it.