Servanthood and Wisdom: Embracing God's Call
Summary
In my recent sermon, I reflected on the essence of Christian service and leadership, drawing inspiration from the biblical narratives of Jesus, Solomon, and St. Patrick. I began by recounting the story of the mother of James and John, who approached Jesus with a request for her sons to sit at His right and left in His kingdom. This story illustrates the human tendency to seek personal advancement, even in the presence of the divine. I posed the question to the congregation: "What do you really want?" This question is crucial as it reveals our true character and spiritual maturity.
I shared about the early days of our church, TC3, and how it was a church in transition, facing many challenges. I admitted my own feelings of inadequacy and unqualification, yet I emphasized that it is God who qualifies the called. I spoke about the promises I made to the church and the commitment we shared to move forward together.
I drew parallels between our church's journey and the biblical account of Solomon's ascension to the throne after King David's death. Solomon's request for wisdom to lead God's people, as opposed to personal gain, serves as a model for Christian leadership. Our faith, I stressed, is not about personal success or comfort but about eternal significance and serving others.
I recounted the story of St. Patrick, who, despite being kidnapped and enslaved, grew closer to God and eventually returned to Ireland to spread the Christian faith. His prayer, which invokes Christ's presence in every aspect of life, exemplifies a life fully surrendered to God's will.
I reminded the congregation that our faith calls us to serve where needed, when needed, and as needed. The church's mission is to connect people to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ, and this is achieved through service and sacrifice, following the example of Jesus who came not to be served but to serve.
As we face a season of transition, I encouraged the church to seek wisdom from God, to build on the foundation already laid, and to support our new pastor, Miles, who brings a servant's heart, a passion for the lost, and a commitment to discipleship.
In conclusion, I urged the congregation to consider their own service and commitment to God's work, emphasizing that true success is measured not by what we gain but by what we give.
Key Takeaways:
- The question "What do you want?" posed by Jesus to the mother of James and John, and by God to Solomon, serves as a profound introspection for every believer. It challenges us to examine our deepest desires and align them with God's purpose. Our response to this question can be a revealing indicator of our spiritual state and our understanding of true greatness in the kingdom of God. [53:15]
- The story of Solomon's request for wisdom teaches us that true leadership in God's kingdom is characterized by servanthood and the pursuit of discernment. As leaders and members of the church, we should emulate Solomon's humility and his recognition of the weighty responsibility of guiding God's people. This perspective shifts our focus from personal ambition to the well-being and spiritual growth of the community we serve. [59:36]
- St. Patrick's life demonstrates the transformative power of adversity when met with faith. His captivity led to a deeper communion with God, which in turn fueled his mission to evangelize Ireland. This teaches us that our trials can be the very soil from which our greatest ministry grows, provided we remain connected and available to God's calling. [49:13]
- Our faith is not a path to convenience or comfort but a call to sacrificial service. It is about making a tangible difference in the world, depopulating hell and populating heaven. The measure of our faith is seen in our willingness to embrace discomfort for the sake of advancing God's kingdom. [49:55]
- As we navigate transitions within the church, it is essential to seek God's wisdom and to support one another in the shared mission. The legacy of service and sacrifice established by those who came before us must continue through our collective efforts and unwavering commitment to the cause of Christ. [01:00:16]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 20:20-28 - The request of the mother of James and John and Jesus' teaching on servanthood.
2. 1 Kings 3:5-14 - Solomon's request for wisdom.
3. St. Patrick's Breastplate - A prayer attributed to St. Patrick, reflecting his deep faith and commitment to God's presence in every aspect of life.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the request made by the mother of James and John to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond? ([53:15])
2. What did Solomon ask for when God appeared to him in a dream, and why was this significant? ([55:54])
3. How did St. Patrick's experience of captivity influence his faith and mission? ([48:33])
4. According to the sermon, what are the two main aspects of Jesus' mission as revealed in Matthew 20:28? ([52:36])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus asked the mother of James and John, "What do you want?" How does this question reveal our true character and spiritual maturity? ([53:15])
2. How does Solomon's request for wisdom instead of personal gain serve as a model for Christian leadership? ([55:54])
3. In what ways did St. Patrick's adversity lead to a deeper communion with God and a powerful ministry? ([48:33])
4. How does the concept of sacrificial service, as exemplified by Jesus, challenge our modern understanding of success and comfort? ([49:55])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the question "What do you really want?" posed by Jesus. How does your answer reveal your current spiritual state and priorities? ([53:15])
2. Solomon asked for wisdom to lead God's people. In what areas of your life do you need to seek God's wisdom, and how can you actively pursue it? ([55:54])
3. St. Patrick's life demonstrates the transformative power of adversity. Can you identify a challenging situation in your life that has drawn you closer to God? How can you use this experience to serve others? ([48:33])
4. The sermon emphasized that our faith calls us to serve where needed, when needed, and as needed. What specific opportunities for service are currently available to you, and how can you commit to them? ([50:34])
5. As the church navigates a season of transition, how can you support the new pastor and contribute to the church's mission? What practical steps can you take to build on the foundation already laid? ([01:00:16])
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of sacrificial service. Identify one area in your life where you can embrace discomfort for the sake of advancing God's kingdom. What specific actions will you take this week? ([49:55])
7. Reflect on the legacy of service and sacrifice established by those who came before us. How can you honor this legacy in your own life and within the church community? ([01:00:16])
Devotional
Day 1: Examining Our Deepest Desires
When Jesus asked, "What do you want?" He was probing the heart's true intentions. This question is not just a casual inquiry but a deep spiritual examination that reveals our character and priorities. It invites believers to introspect and consider whether their desires align with God's purpose. Reflecting on this can be uncomfortable, as it often exposes the self-centered ambitions that can easily entangle us. However, it is also an opportunity for growth, allowing us to realign our aspirations with the mission of God's kingdom. In doing so, we discover that true greatness is not found in status or power but in humble service and obedience to God's will. [53:15]
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." - Psalm 37:4-5
Reflection: What is one desire you have that might not align with God's purpose for you, and how can you begin to realign that desire with His will?
Day 2: Humility in Leadership
Solomon's request for wisdom to govern God's people exemplifies the essence of true leadership in the kingdom of God. It is not about seeking personal gain but about serving others with discernment and humility. This kind of leadership acknowledges the weight of responsibility and the need for God's guidance. It is a leadership that prioritizes the well-being and spiritual growth of the community over personal ambition. As members of the church, we are all called to lead in various capacities, and Solomon's example challenges us to lead with a servant's heart, seeking wisdom from above to guide our actions and decisions. [59:36]
"Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?" - 1 Kings 3:9
Reflection: In what area of your life are you called to lead, and how can you incorporate Solomon's example of seeking wisdom and humility into your leadership?
Day 3: Adversity as a Catalyst for Ministry
The life of St. Patrick reminds us that our greatest trials can become the foundation for our most impactful ministry. His captivity and subsequent communion with God became the driving force behind his mission to evangelize Ireland. This narrative encourages believers to view their adversities not as setbacks but as opportunities for spiritual growth and ministry. When faced with challenges, leaning into faith and remaining open to God's calling can transform hardships into powerful testimonies and platforms for sharing the gospel. [49:13]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Reflection: What current adversity in your life can you surrender to God, asking Him to use it as a catalyst for ministry and deeper communion with Him?
Day 4: The Call to Sacrificial Service
Christianity is not a quest for convenience but a call to sacrificial service. It is about making a tangible difference in the world, reflecting Jesus' own mission to serve rather than be served. This call to service often requires embracing discomfort and self-denial for the sake of others and the advancement of God's kingdom. It is in these acts of service that believers find the true measure of their faith, not in the comforts they cling to but in the sacrifices they are willing to make. [49:55]
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45
Reflection: What is one way you can step out of your comfort zone this week to serve someone else in the name of Christ?
Day 5: Embracing Transition with Wisdom and Unity
As the church navigates seasons of transition, it is crucial to seek God's wisdom and to support one another in the shared mission. The legacy of those who have served before us must continue through collective efforts and a commitment to Christ's cause. This unity and pursuit of wisdom ensure that the church remains a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of service and sacrifice. As we support new leadership and build on the foundation laid by others, we honor God's work in and through us. [01:00:16]
"Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." - Philippians 2:2-3
Reflection: How can you actively support the transition within your church community, and what specific action can you take to contribute to unity and the pursuit of wisdom?
Quotes
"Success is Not measured in what we get in life; it's measured in what we give. Over the past 20 years, you may not have got the best results all the time from our leadership, but you did get our best effort. And what I would say is, even when you don't get the results that you want to get, knowing that you gave it your best effort is sure helpful." [46:04]
"The work of the Lord, the church in particular, doesn't move forward unless people are fully engaged. It moves forward when we dig in, dive in, and commit 100%. St. Patrick had every reason to be upset with God, but during his captivity, he didn't grow bitter; he grew closer to God, which led him to turn the eyes of Ireland back towards God." [49:13]
"This faith won't let us be selfish, self-centered, or have a half-hearted commitment. This faith is not convenient or comfortable; it's about what we can store up there. It's about eternal significance. This faith will take us to places we don't want to go and call us to do things we don't want to do to help move the mission forward." [49:55]
"Jesus says this in response to one of the worst questions he's ever asked. The mother of James and John comes to Jesus and she wants to make a request. Jesus looks at her and says, 'What is it that you want?' The answer that you give will reveal who you are and where you are in life." [53:15]
"Solomon is becoming the new king, and he's grieving the loss of his father. The big question for the nation and for us as a church is, 'What are we going to do?' Solomon asks for wisdom, realizing the responsibility he has. He describes himself as a servant, asking for a discerning heart to govern God's people." [59:36]
"As we're in this season of transition, we ask God for wisdom just like Solomon did. We pray that God would help us to reach this community more effectively, to find our way into the hearts of people whose lives have been broken by sin and devastation, to have god-honoring conversations." [01:00:16]
"I've walked with Miles for over six years, and here's what I know you're going to get from him: a servant's heart, a lifelong learner, a heart for those who do not know Christ, and a passionate walk with Jesus. He's going to give you his best effort, and what he needs from you is to have a servant's heart." [01:02:10]
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