Are YOU God's Servant?
by Roy L. Henderson
First published in ACTS magazine April 1980
Recently I attended a seminar about servants for God. Some of the principles brought out were strictly for pastors, yet some were for any servant of God. I would like to share some of those principles with you, and also some things God has quickened to my mind and spirit. I hope and pray that you will really look at yourself and determine whether you are God's servant, whether you want to be, or whether you are going to be.
In 1 Corinthians 3:5-8 (KJV) we read it makes no difference who sows the seed, it makes no difference who waters the seed, it is God who causes the growth. If it were not for the fact that God causes the increase, I would tremble at the thought of doing it alone. Let's look closely at these verses and the principles contained within them.
The "How To" Books
The day and society in which we live gives us all kinds of formulas and all kinds of methods on how to do good things - all kinds of recipes and all kinds of directions. We have all kinds of people that have experienced all kinds of things. I am glad that they have experienced these things and that they have written books, pamphlets, brochures and portfolios of what they have gone through so that it would be easier for you and me.
I'm glad for all of these helps, but just because we have all of these formulas, we think, "Well, I've got to try it!" Yet, if we try it doesn't work, we feel like we are a flop! We fee a failure! We have done something wrong! Sometime we spend so much time trying to find out the “formula” for church growth, self-growth, or family growth that we don't have time to actually grow. We spend so much time on how to do it that we don't have time to do it.
In the book of Acts, the beginning chapters, we read about the day of Pentecost. After the day of Pentecost Peter gave a message. That message was filled with power, "God's Power", and because of that message and the outpouring of God's Spirit, the Bible says that about 3,000 souls were saved! You know What?! Peter did not write a book, saying "This is how you add 3,000 people to your church!"
Have you read 1 and 2 Peter? In the two books that Peter did write, he talked about the suffering of Christ, and he talked about the growth that you and I should have as Christians. He also talks about the trials we are going to have to go through and how it isn't a "bed of roses" in this life. He did not write a book on, "How to Preach a Message!", or "How to Start a Program to Get People Into Your Church!"
Life is not stereotyped, it is not always straight, it isn't always level, and it isn't always under ideal conditions. So when we embark upon seeking how we can improve our servitude to God, let's keep this in mind.
Maybe you are interested in church growth. Maybe you're interested in improving your family situation, to witness better and more effectively, or maybe you're interested in another work that you feel God wants you to do. As you look for the way, the right way, to do it remember that it is God who has the final say in what is going to happen in that situation. He is the one who causes things to happen within your family and within your church. There is no easy way, no quick way, guaranteed way of success for being a servant of God other than really getting down and seeking God for what He has for your life.
It has been said that "A right heart is better than the right method." If you've ever tried a family worship service, a family devotion, and you say, “Well, I’m going to spend this much time, and I’m going to use this particular book,” and you think that is going to solve all your family problems, you are mistaken. I say this because I know from experience. A right heart is better than the right method.
Personalized Application
Sometimes we are concerned about what God is doing for someone else. We see someone else being what we consider successful, and say, “WOW! that person or that church is really growing! God is really using them! Why can’t we be like that?” Well, maybe God doesn’t want us to be just like that! I would like you to consider three important points when thinking about being a servant of God, as we have gone over.
1. We must realize that we are a "God-governed" people. If we are a servant of God, we are "God-governed." We cannot live our own life and be a real servant of God.
2. We must realize that we have "God-given" opportunities. The things that come into our lives happen to us because GOD gives us opportunities to prove ourselves to Him!
3. We should also realize that God is the One Who grants us the success. Whatever level of success that we attain it is "God-granted." It comes from God! In realizing this, let's not be lazy. Let's not say, "Whatever will be, will be." Let's realize that, Yes! God does have things in control, so I need to really seek for what God's purpose is—in my life!"
If you have a book that could help in your marriage, raising your children, teaching, or whatever you need help with, glean points from that book and get down on your knees and say: “God, You show me what You want me to do!” You are not like that other person and that other person is not like You. Search out God's purpose and plan for your life, because you're responsible for your opportunities.
Your Responsibilities
I would like us to notice three verses that deal directly with God's servants.
In 1 Timothy 4:16 (KJV) Paul is speaking to Timothy, but I believe that if we are God's servants, Paul is also speaking to us. “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” If you are a servant of God, and you want God's will, want to help other people, and want success in your own life, don't forget this verse.
Don't ever forget about who you are, what you are, and where you're headed! Don't forget about the things that you believe in, and if you're not sure about the things you believe in, find out. Know what you think you know! "Take heed to yourself," and Paul says you're going to be saved and so are those that you minister to! Paul isn’t limiting this to only preaching a sermon, or just to a certain age group.
In Acts 20:28 (KJV), Paul is speaking to the Ephesian Elders. All who are leaders of a Church or who think that God is calling them to that position, consider this verse. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with his own blood."
In Colossians 4:17 (KJV), Paul says to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.” Now you say, “I’m not a minister of God!” Oh, you aren't? Has God called you to do nothing? What does it mean to minister? It means to serve other people, and you can serve other people without speaking to other people. You can serve other people by doing a manual task, such as playing a musical instrument, teaching a class, singing a song, even by typing something that God can use. You can minister in a lot of ways, in whatever God has given you to do. If you can do it, and are called upon to do it, "Take heed" unto the ministry that God has given you, that you shirk it not—that ye fulfill it. If you do fulfill it you are going to feel good, you are going to feel satisfied, you are going to feel that you have accomplished something important!
Now read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-13 (KJV), I believe that the three things we have just talked about, (1) Taking heed to yourself and to the doctrine, (2) Taking heed to the flock, and (3) Taking heed to the ministry, are all here in this text. I would like for us to read it again to realize what it is saying, because it is powerful and mighty! If you want to become a servant of God don't forget these 13 verses.
1 Thessalonians 2:
1. “For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2. “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
3. “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4. “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” (KJV)
Stumblingblocks to Being a Good Servant
Now, as we go through this portion of Scripture I want us to realize that there are really 3 main areas of our lives in which we can experience a bad fall, spiritually! There have been people that I felt physically, and mentally, and perhaps even spiritually, were head and shoulders above me. I would have felt very grateful to assist them, or be by their side, or to learn from them. Some of them have fallen, because of one or more of these 3 areas. In verse 3, Paul says He did not come in uncleanness, or in guile, or deceit. Impurity in the life of a servant can cause a failure, a fall. It doesn't mean that you have to stay down, but you can really be scarred for life.
1 Thessalonians 2:
5. “For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:” (KJV)
Some people enter into a ministry, or they try to excel at what they are doing, because they are trying to make themselves a reputation. Paul says He did not come because He wanted to make a reputation for himself, nor because of personal gain. One translation says, "We never came with...a pretext for greed" (NASB 1977). Paul stayed away from these three areas: impurity, reputation, and personal gain (greed). Those weren't the reasons that he was being God's servant, and being used.
1 Thessalonians 2:
6. “Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7. “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cheriseth her children:
8. “So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
9. “For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
10. “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11. “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12. “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory,
13. “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” (KJV)
Effective Vs. Efficient
Before we go into these verses I want you to realize that in verse 13 Paul is saying we have done all this, so that what we have told you what will work in your lives. Paul wasn't just after a message to speak, he wasn't after people to listen and cheer him on, he wasn't after having a real good spiritual experience, or an emotional high! He wanted the things that he was bringing to the people to work in their lives! There is a difference between being effective and efficient. I believe Paul wanted his efforts to be effective. To be effective means that you are actually living the purpose that God has for your life! Sometimes we can be so efficient that we are not effective, whether it be in a church service, or in our personal life. The real purpose is not there, and the purpose then is centered on how to do it, not on what we are doing!
If you are placed in a position to witness to somebody, don't just do all the right motions. Witness to them so that they know that you have someone inside you that you want to share! That's being effective! If you want church growth, don't always be concentrating on how we are going to do it. SET a goal and go to it. That's being effective!
Paul says in verse 7, “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children’” (KJV). Another translation says as a "nursing mother." Can anyone have any more love than that? Paul says that is the way he felt towards others. We have to realize to be a servant we can't just tell somebody something, and say "There it is!" If you are not sincere and interested in them, they are going to know it. Paul was genuinely interested in those he was in service for!
I wonder, sometimes, if we feel the fullness, and, yes, the weight of the responsibility that we have as a servant of God! Paul said he was willing to work night and day to give himself completely to help others walk worthy of that kingdom that we are called to enter into.
Gospel Not Meant to be Entertaining
The world has a game that it likes to play. It's Entertainment! The world likes to get people's attention, and it does, because it gives them excitement and feeling, even if it is temporary. As a servant of God it is not our business to entertain! The gospel was never made to be entertaining! A famous preacher was once asked, "Why don't you bring more humor to the pulpit?" He said, "I don't find anything funny about it!" I am not talking against humor. Humor in an appropriate place can be used effectively, but I don't believe the pulpit is the place for it. The gospel is sad! I'm not saying that the message of eternal life through Jesus is a sad message. But, if you are a servant of God, you are going to feel some weight because you are going to realize that the people that you are around, even brothers and sisters, have needs in their lives; and you are going to realize that there are a lot of people that have rejected that message! In this respect, the Gospel is sad, it is weighty, and it is obligating. Do you want to be a servant of God?
Don't Neglect Those Close to You
I want to share just a few final thoughts with you. So many times, we, as God's servants, can get so caught up in helping other people that we neglect those that are really close to us. A successful pastor, for 27 or 28 years, recently shared that he was sorrowful because some of his children had been neglected by him. He now realizes that it is not just the amount of time spent with children or others in the family. There are people who, because of their occupation, are away from home for months at a time, and yet don't neglect their families. Why? It goes back to what Paul is saying in 1 Thessalonians 2:8. When you have those times with your family and loved ones, even just a few moments, share yourself! Share who you are! This pastor shared that there had been times when he was home, and yet he wasn't there. He was preoccupied with something else, thinking about something else, thinking that people were demanding things of him, when really they weren't. We, too, can be there, and not be there. Share yourself!
Analyze Yourself
All of us are made individually and uniquely. All of us have strengths and weaknesses. Analyze your strengths! Find out what they are. If you don't know, ask others to help you. You'll be surprised what others see in you! Remember, God sees you, not only as what you are now, but what you can be! Get down on your knees and ask God to reveal to you the areas he wants to use you in. To channel what you can do, into His ministry, into being a real servant of His. Also, ask God to help you with your weaknesses, and to overcome your problems, but don't forget your strengths, and you can be effective for God! Sometimes we look at ourselves and put ourselves so far down that we can't get up because we are always concentrating on the things we can't do!
In John 15:2-6 we read about bearing fruit as a branch. The branch that doesn't bear fruit is going to be pruned, and if it still doesn't bring forth good fruit, it is going to be cast into the fire.
In Matthew 25:14-30 we have the parable of the talents. We read about those who do something with what God has given them (remember we talked about opportunities). It also tells about those who don't (maybe busy looking at somebody else). In verse 30 it says, “cast...the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Are you a profitable servant of God?
In Matthew 25:23 we read, “His Lord said unto him, well done, good and faithful servant: Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
Analyze your life. Are you really a servant of God? Do you want to be a servant of God?
I don't want to be a servant who is left on the outside, cast out, weeping, wailing, and gnashing my teeth, knowing that I have "blown it!" I have tried-something so hard yet missed the whole point!—working in all kinds of vineyards and leaving my own neglected. I want to be the servant that hears my Lord say, “Well done! Because you have been a good and faithful servant, and you have been faithful over the few things that I've put you over, enter into the joy of thy Lord!”
We all have that choice! I hope that, in some way, these few words may help someone be the servant of God that God wants them—wants all of us—to be!
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I KNOW “CHURCH” PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT ON THE STREETS, IN THE “DRUG” AREAS OF THEIR TOWN, IN THE POOR AREAS OF THEIR CITY; THEY ARE OUT TO “SAVE SOULS”—— THEY ARE OUT TO GET PEOPLE TO ACCEPT JESUS AS SAVIOR—— SOMETIMES SOME DO SAY, “YES I’LL LET JESUS COME INTO MY HEART.” BUT VERY VERY SELDOM DO I HEAR THEM SAY, “I ALWAYS STUDY THE WORD OF GOD WITH THEM; READING WITH THEM WHAT JESUS TAUGHT AND PREACHED. I MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE DEFINES AS SIN AND RIGHTEOUSNESS; I MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND REPENTANCE, FAITH, AND BAPTISM; I SHOW THEM THE PASSAGES THAT TEACH US HOW WE ARE TO LIVE AS CHRISTIANS.
SOME CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS DO THE ABOVE, BUT THERE ARE MANY INDIVIDUALS, TRYING TO GET PEOPLE “SAVED,” THAT DO NOT FOLLOW UP WITH BIBLE STUDIES, TO MAKE SURE NEARLY-NEW CHRISTIANS UNDERSTAND WHAT IT ALL MEANS TO BE A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST, AND A SON OR DAUGHTER OF GOD THE FATHER.
ALL WHO MINISTER TO THE UN-SAVED FOR SALVATION, NEED TO KEEP IN MIND WHAT JESUS TAUGHT IN MATTHEW 7: 21-27.
SAYING WORDS WITH YOUR MOUTH ONLY, AND NOT YOUR HEART AND MIND AND YOUR WALK IN THE LORD, WILL NOT EVEN GET YOU ON THE STARTING LINE FOR GOD’S ETERNAL KINGDOM.
AND AS THIS ARTICLE POINTS OUT THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO BE A SERVANT OF GOD, TO USE WHAT THE FATHER HAS GIVEN YOU TO USE TOWARDS OTHERS. AS JESUS TAUGHT, LET YOUR GOOD WORKS SHINE FORTH THAT THEY MAY GLORIFY GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND IN THE DAY OF THEIR VISITATION. FOR IT IS WRITTEN ALL SHALL BE TAUGHT THE WAYS OF GOD, ALL IN DUE SEASON, AS THE PLAN OF SALVATION UNFOLDS FOR ALL PEOPLE THAT HAVE EVER BEEN FROM THE BEGINNING.
Keith Hunt
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