Serving Humbly
Matthew 23.1-12
Serving the LORD is a wonderful thing. Jesus set the example for us throughout His life. He said that He did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as ransom for many.
Serving the LORD has inherent rewards. Being a joint partner with the Holy Spirit and seeing God’s kingdom grow is wonderful indeed. The joy that comes from serving the LORD is a tremendous thing. To think that I could bring glory to God is an incredible thought.
Serving the LORD is a wonderful way to live. It is selfless. What a privilege to be part of His Kingdom!
Yet when it comes to serving we need to be careful to not let the flesh or the sinful nature mess us up. It goes against serving. It wants to be served and gratified. Jesus is giving us insight into others’ motives and even our own on how to avoid these pit traps and serve Him with goodness and grace out of a pure heart.
1. Serve! 1-4
Some have used the hypocrisy that exists in the church as a means of being exempt from service.
Christ expects us to serve Him.
In Israel at this time the Pharisees and teachers of the law were not living correctly but that didn’t invalidate the Word of God. Paul asks in Romans 3.3-4 " What if some did not have faith? Does their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!"
Not giving or serving or obeying Jesus because of what some phonies and rotten leaders do is not legitimate. My nephew, who has been reading his Bible, told me the other day about a so called minister of the Gospel who said, "Jesus died so you could be healthy and wealthy and successful." Because some go against the Word of God doesn’t exempt us from serving the LORD.
In these opening verses Jesus is pointing out the Pharisees as an example of how not to serve. We don’t have Pharisees today... or do we? There are those who do not practice what they preach, who require more of their hearers than they are willing to do, who do their acts of righteousness to be seen by men and who are interested in honor. There are people like that even in the church. We still must serve.
E. Stanley Jones, "The church with all its faults is still the best serving organization on earth. So get into it and serve!"
2. Do Your Best Not to be Seen By Men. v.5-8
It has to do with motive.
People will see you. This doesn’t mean that we should not be seen at all. If we serve we are bound to be seen eventually.
Try to avoid being seen. You can keep secrets if you want. We surprised my mom last week. It wasn’t easy but we did it. One of my nieces said, "Next time don’t tell me about the surprise. I don’t want to have to worry about keeping quiet." It isn’t easy but it is possible. Aim for this. A person, now in heaven, gave me $1,000 to pass onto someone in need. They asked me to make sure they didn’t know who was giving it. I kept my word.
Do things not to be seen by men but to be seen by God.
Don’t broadcast what you do. I have heard some people speak recently about their prayer time and their fasting. This is broadcasting. Jesus spoke against this.
When they see you, deflect praise.
"... Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father Who is in heaven." Matthew 5.16
Even when seen our goal is to bring glory to our Father in heaven. If people say, "You are doing wonderful things," give the glory to God. Praise His Name.
Don’t allow the praise to go you. You are a servant. You should seek to be a humble servant. Quietly go about your work for the LORD, knowing He sees what is done in secret and He will reward you.
3. Greatness is serving. v. 9-11
The greatest among you will be your servant. Get yourself in that servant position. That is where greatness in the kingdom of God lies. Serve the Body of Christ.
Serve Him Fully and Wholeheartedly
Don’t go for titles: Rabbi, Father, Teacher... all these were titles of respect. Jesus is saying I am the Master Teacher. Don’t let anyone call you that. We are all His students, His disciples, brothers and sisters. We are not above anyone else and no one should be above us. In the Eastern culture it is common to call a person by his title: "Teacher"... sister, brother, etc. Christ is our teacher
Serve Him with all your abilities and talents.
My heart aches when I think of all the gifts God has given people and how many squander them or waste them on pursuits that do not count for eternity.
Some of the most talented people I have met have struggled with their service to God and offering their God given abilities to Him. Don’t be among those!
Always give yourself fully to the work of the LORD! (I Corinthians 15.58)
4. Humble Yourselves v. 12
This means to behave in an unassuming manner.
It means to be ranked below those who are honored and rewarded. This goes against the flesh. How we love recognition. May that be put to death in all of us!
It means to be assigned to a lower rank or place. Our way up is down. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. This was a task assigned to the lowest servant in the household. Jesus filled it gladly. May we do the same.
When I worked in the grocery store the bottom shelves needed to be cleaned every once in a while. Back then we were required to wear ties and a white jacket as we worked. My first night on the job I was given steel wool pads and 409 and told to clean all the bottom shelves . I never realized how dirty they were. It was humbling as people I knew came in and saw me with my hands all greasy and dirty cleaning off these shelves. That was good for me!
Humble yourself to a position of serving in God’s Kingdom. Get down where Jesus is! He is with the children. He is with the weak. He is with those in nursing homes and hospitals. Matthew 20.25-28
Humble yourself to serve without recognition of anyone but God Himself. Some of the finest work we do is seen only by the LORD and the people we are serving. Jesus spent time alone in prayer... He often withdrew to lonely places where He prayed. He downplayed His popularity. How we need to follow His example!
If there is any "promoting" let God do it. There is no promotion from serving!
Micah 6.8
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
I Corinthians 15.58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Make Me A Servant
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