Embracing Servanthood: Following Jesus' Example of Service
Summary
### Summary
In our ongoing series on "Be," we explored the theme of being a servant like Jesus. Last week, we discussed being a friend like Jesus, emphasizing the importance of initiating conversations, showing love, and pointing people to the cross. This week, we delved into what it means to be a servant, drawing inspiration from Jesus' life and teachings.
We began by considering various images that come to mind when we think of a servant, from butlers to nurses. However, the ultimate example of servanthood is Jesus, who, despite being in the form of God, emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant, as described in Philippians 2. Jesus' life was a testament to servanthood, culminating in His sacrifice on the cross.
We then examined Mark 10:35-45, where James and John asked Jesus for positions of honor in His glory. Jesus used this moment to teach that true greatness comes from serving others, not from seeking power or position. He emphasized that even He, the Son of Man, came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
We discussed practical ways to embody this servanthood in our daily lives, from small acts of kindness to significant sacrifices. The goal is to reflect Jesus' love and humility, showing the world the transformative power of His servanthood. We are called to serve without expecting earthly rewards, to put others first, and to let God use our efforts for His glory.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus as the Ultimate Servant: Jesus, though equal with God, chose to empty Himself and take on the form of a servant. This act of humility and sacrifice is the epitome of servanthood. We are called to emulate this by laying down our lives for others, showing love and compassion in every interaction. [02:33]
2. True Greatness in Serving: In Mark 10, Jesus teaches that true greatness is not measured by how many people serve us but by how many we serve. This counter-cultural message challenges us to redefine success and greatness in terms of service and humility, rather than power and position. [08:33]
3. Practical Acts of Service: Being a servant like Jesus involves practical, everyday actions. Whether it's picking up trash, helping a neighbor, or performing menial tasks without being asked, these small acts reflect the love and humility of Christ. Our service should be natural and genuine, driven by love rather than obligation. [04:26]
4. Servanthood in Leadership: Jesus reversed the worldly notion of leadership by demonstrating that true leaders serve others. As followers of Christ, we are called to lead by example, not by lording authority over others but by serving them with humility and love. This approach transforms relationships and communities. [13:42]
5. Eternal Impact of Service: Our acts of service have a supernatural impact that we may not fully understand in this life. By serving others, we participate in God's work, and one day, we will see the eternal significance of our actions. Serving like Jesus brings glory to God and draws others to Him. [20:03]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:48] - Recap: Be a Friend Like Jesus
[01:19] - Introduction: Be a Servant Like Jesus
[01:46] - Images of Servanthood
[02:33] - Jesus as the Ultimate Servant
[03:35] - Personal Examples of Servanthood
[05:15] - Story of Uncle Tim
[06:33] - Humility in Service
[07:11] - Mark 10:35-45: The Request of James and John
[08:33] - True Greatness in Serving
[10:05] - Misunderstanding Jesus' Mission
[11:17] - The Cup of Suffering
[12:29] - The Disciples' Indignation
[13:42] - Servanthood in Leadership
[15:40] - Reversing Worldly Notions of Greatness
[17:40] - Jesus' Example of Servanthood
[19:13] - Practical Applications of Servanthood
[20:45] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Be a Servant Like Jesus
#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 2:5-7: "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
2. Mark 10:35-45: "And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, 'Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.' And he said to them, 'What do you want me to do for you?' And they said to him, 'Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.' Jesus said to them, 'You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?' And they said to him, 'We are able.' And Jesus said to them, 'The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.' And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, 'You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But 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 slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Philippians 2:5-7 tell us about Jesus' attitude towards servanthood?
2. In Mark 10:35-45, what request did James and John make to Jesus, and how did He respond? [07:11]
3. How did the other disciples react to James and John's request, and what lesson did Jesus teach them? [08:33]
4. According to the sermon, what are some practical examples of servanthood that were mentioned? [04:26]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is Jesus' act of emptying Himself and taking the form of a servant significant for understanding Christian servanthood? [02:33]
2. How does Jesus' teaching in Mark 10:43-45 challenge the conventional views of greatness and leadership? [08:33]
3. What does the story of Uncle Tim illustrate about the nature of true servanthood? [05:15]
4. How can the concept of "servanthood in leadership" transform relationships and communities according to the sermon? [13:42]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you served someone without expecting anything in return. How did it make you feel, and what impact did it have on the other person? [20:03]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you can practice servanthood more intentionally. What steps can you take this week to serve others in that area? [04:26]
3. Think about a leader you admire. How do they exemplify servanthood, and how can you incorporate similar qualities into your own leadership style? [13:42]
4. How can you redefine success and greatness in your life to align more closely with Jesus' teaching in Mark 10:43-45? [08:33]
5. Discuss a situation where you found it challenging to serve someone. What were the obstacles, and how can you overcome them in the future? [06:33]
6. How can you show the love and humility of Christ in your daily interactions, especially with those who may not appreciate or acknowledge your efforts? [18:30]
7. What are some small, practical acts of service you can commit to doing regularly to reflect Jesus' servanthood in your community? [04:26]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the theme of being a servant like Jesus, encouraging both reflection and practical application in their daily lives.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus as the Ultimate Servant
Jesus, though equal with God, chose to empty Himself and take on the form of a servant. This act of humility and sacrifice is the epitome of servanthood. We are called to emulate this by laying down our lives for others, showing love and compassion in every interaction. Jesus' life was a testament to servanthood, culminating in His sacrifice on the cross. By following His example, we can reflect His love and humility in our daily lives, serving others selflessly and without expecting anything in return.
In Philippians 2, we see a profound description of Jesus' humility and servanthood. Despite His divine nature, He did not cling to His status but emptied Himself, taking on human form and becoming obedient to the point of death. This ultimate act of servanthood is a model for us to follow, challenging us to put others first and serve with a heart of love and humility. [02:33]
Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV): "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can serve someone in your life today, emulating Jesus' humility and selflessness. How can you show love and compassion in this act of service?
Day 2: True Greatness in Serving
In Mark 10, Jesus teaches that true greatness is not measured by how many people serve us but by how many we serve. This counter-cultural message challenges us to redefine success and greatness in terms of service and humility, rather than power and position. Jesus used the request of James and John for positions of honor to illustrate that true greatness comes from serving others, not from seeking power or recognition.
Jesus emphasized that even He, the Son of Man, came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. This teaching calls us to a radical redefinition of greatness, where the greatest among us are those who serve the most. By adopting this mindset, we can transform our relationships and communities, leading with humility and love. [08:33]
Mark 10:43-45 (ESV): "But 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 slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection: Reflect on your current understanding of greatness. How can you shift your focus from seeking recognition to serving others? What practical steps can you take to serve those around you today?
Day 3: Practical Acts of Service
Being a servant like Jesus involves practical, everyday actions. Whether it's picking up trash, helping a neighbor, or performing menial tasks without being asked, these small acts reflect the love and humility of Christ. Our service should be natural and genuine, driven by love rather than obligation. By engaging in these acts of service, we can demonstrate the transformative power of Jesus' servanthood in our daily lives.
Jesus' life was filled with acts of service, from washing His disciples' feet to healing the sick and feeding the hungry. These actions were not grand gestures but simple, everyday acts of love and compassion. By following His example, we can make a significant impact on those around us, showing them the love of Christ through our actions. [04:26]
Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Reflection: Identify a small, practical act of service you can perform today. How can this act reflect the love and humility of Christ to those around you?
Day 4: Servanthood in Leadership
Jesus reversed the worldly notion of leadership by demonstrating that true leaders serve others. As followers of Christ, we are called to lead by example, not by lording authority over others but by serving them with humility and love. This approach transforms relationships and communities, fostering an environment of mutual respect and care.
In the Gospels, Jesus consistently modeled servant leadership, washing His disciples' feet and teaching them to serve one another. This radical approach to leadership challenges us to rethink our own leadership styles, prioritizing the needs of others and leading with a heart of service. By doing so, we can create a culture of servanthood that reflects the kingdom of God. [13:42]
Matthew 20:26-28 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Consider your role as a leader in your family, workplace, or community. How can you lead with a heart of service and humility? What specific actions can you take to serve those you lead?
Day 5: Eternal Impact of Service
Our acts of service have a supernatural impact that we may not fully understand in this life. By serving others, we participate in God's work, and one day, we will see the eternal significance of our actions. Serving like Jesus brings glory to God and draws others to Him. This perspective encourages us to serve faithfully, knowing that our efforts have lasting value in God's kingdom.
Jesus' life and teachings remind us that our service is not in vain. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, contributes to God's redemptive work in the world. By serving others, we become instruments of His grace and love, impacting lives in ways we may never fully comprehend. This eternal perspective motivates us to serve with joy and dedication, trusting that God will use our efforts for His glory. [20:03]
1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
Reflection: Reflect on the eternal significance of your acts of service. How does knowing that your service has lasting value in God's kingdom motivate you to serve others today? What specific act of service can you commit to this week, trusting that God will use it for His glory?
Quotes
1. "Be a friend that shows love of God. Be a friend who comforts those through tough times. And lastly, we talked about being a friend who sees your relationships or your friendships as means to point people to the cross. And to point people to Jesus. So, I mean, that's why you have the person beside you. Yes, because they're beautiful and whatever. But also to encourage you. You be encouraging to them. And to befriend them. And to help them through life. More importantly. And especially if you're a Christian. But if they're not a Christian, to talk to them about the Lord." [00:48] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus. God himself coming into the form of a man and emptied himself of that and taking on humanity and exemplified what it means to be a servant because he laid down his life for you and for you and for you and for us. Perfect example of servant. So. We're going to walk a little bit more through that and I was thinking through it and I asked you the question, who do you, what kind of occupation do you think of? But when you think about a servant, individual servant, do you have a name or a person that pops in your head?" [02:58] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Don't you want to be a servant? Don't you want to be known to be a servant of the Most High God? I hope so, I do. I remember when I first talked to my dad about, who's also with Jesus, by the way, I'm jealous. I can't wait to go to heaven, by the way, I'm just saying. But anyway, he told me when I first came to him as a dad, I've been struggling with calling on my life to preach, and I don't want to. I'm not, I just can't do it. I stutter, I talk fast, I just, I don't know the Bible like I should. I can't do that, Dad. And we talked through that, and I'll never forget this." [05:54] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Serve because it's who we are as believers, as Christians, and Christ set that example for us. Now, here we go in Mark chapter 10. This should be a familiar passage to you. Especially the last verse, but let's read Mark 10, starting reading at verse 35 through 45, and I'm going to try to read this pretty quickly. So, and James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him. I'm sorry. Here's some papers wrestling. Y'all ready? Verse 35. I love hearing that noise. Verse 35. You ready? And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him. Who's him? Jesus. And said to him, teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." [07:11] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus reversed that kind of thinking and teaches that true greatness. Listen, true greatness is shown not by how many serve you, but by how many you serve. Let me read that again. Jesus reversed this mentality and was trying to with the disciples. He was trying to teach us that true greatness is shown not by how many people serve you, but by how many people you serve. He goes on to add again right there. Don't be like those who consider who are considered great ones. Those those exercise authority over them." [15:40] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And the world sees us serving, the world sees us giving, the world sees us helping, world sees us lending a hand. World sees us. World sees us giving and picking up and and loving and embracing and and being a friend to to people that aren't friendly or don't or that need a friend. They see the love. They see the kindness. They see the mercy of God in our lives because it's the kindness and the mercy of God that leads to repentance. It leads people to the fact that they need Jesus. And we if you're a Christian, you're called to be a servant. You're called to be loved. You're called to be compassion. You're called to be a slave and servant of all of finish up if you look at the bottom of your page there." [19:13] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Be a servant without expecting earthly payment or power. Not don't don't serve because you get paid for it. If you have a job, OK, but even if you're getting paid at a job to serve, go the extra mile. But don't serve others and your friends and your family because you want to be paid back something or you or some type of power or to be a servant by putting others first before yourself. That's hard. It's not always easy, but it's what we're called to put other people's desires and needs and above your own, not to be self deprecating and woes me and I'm a loser, I'm scum on the bottom of my shoe. But but to show people the first is last and last is first, thirdly, be a servant by letting God supernaturally use your efforts of service." [20:03] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Be a servant who shows or exemplifies how Jesus served, like how he did it, when he did it, you know, the place that he did it always the world lost people. They take note of it. They see the service and lastly, be a servant who humbly obeys, pleases and honors the Lord. What a better way to to live. 00 I mean, what? I mean, there isn't a better way. I mean, but I mean, to be like Jesus, to serve like Jesus, to give like Jesus, to humbly obey like Jesus and so that people can see that you're you're not out there to gain a buck or to to be on top of the of the food chain. You're out there to be like Christ and to serve others like Jesus." [20:45] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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