“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” Mark 10:45 NLT
God’s very nature and character are to be seen in us, His children.
“He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,” Hebrews 1:3 AMPC
- As new creations, we are to renew our minds, and not conform to this world, but become as He is (Eph 5:1, Rom. 12:2, eph 4:23)
- One characteristic of our Lord is His servant heart
“These are the names of David’s mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three —the three mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle. Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder! Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory. Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there. David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem. David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. “The Lord forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.” 2 Samuel 23:8-17 NLT
Serving is a quality of the heart – we don’t pretend or put on an act.
The same way as faith, honour and love is of the heart, serving is about our heart attitude.
We don’t do things for a show or to be seen and impress a man.
It is a quality of the heart, being expressed through our actions, and words.
NOT EVERYTHING THAT LOOKS LIKE HUMILITY IS HUMILITY! And not everything that may seem to be pride is pride. Don’t mistake confidence with arrogance, and lack of fruit as humble life!
David inspired the mighty men!
“Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 AMPC
- His example and heart could be seen in the men who followed Him
Serving makes a difference!
- In humility, in dependence on God, and in developing faithfulness
- All key elements to take you further, and keep you established.
David’s mighty men were CHAMPIONS!
- True performers and men who accomplished amazing things with the Lord’s help.
- They still were willing to serve with pure hearts (no motives), not to “volunteer” or to cover a need, but in total dedication.
- As you take ground, and advance the Kingdom of God you will never lose the heart of a servant.
WE ARE CHAMPIONS IN CHRIST!