Jesus became a servant, giving His life to save us and setting an example for us to follow (Mark 10:45). We will see from the scriptures that God puts a high value on serving others, and He encourages us to use the gifts that He has given us to serve God and people.<\/p>\n
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.\u201d
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In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
\nWho, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
\nrather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
\nAnd being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death\u2014 even death on a cross!
\nTherefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
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Why did Jesus come to earth?<\/p>\n
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
\nThe evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
\nJesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
\nso he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
\nAfter that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples\u2019 feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
\nHe came to Simon Peter, who said to him, \u201cLord, are you going to wash my feet?\u201d
\nJesus replied, \u201cYou do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.\u201d
\n\u201cNo,\u201d said Peter, \u201cyou shall never wash my feet.\u201d Jesus answered, \u201cUnless I wash you, you have no part with me.\u201d
\n\u201cThen, Lord,\u201d Simon Peter replied, \u201cnot just my feet but my hands and my head as well!\u201d
\nJesus answered, \u201cThose who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.\u201d
\nFor he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
\nWhen he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. \u201cDo you understand what I have done for you?\u201d he asked them.
\n\u201cYou call me \u2018Teacher\u2019 and \u2018Lord,\u2019 and rightly so, for that is what I am.
\nNow that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another\u2019s feet.
\nI have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
\nVery truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
\nNow that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
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How did Jesus serve the disciples?<\/p>\n
Why is this an example he wants his disciples to follow?<\/p>\n
Acts 6:2-3 (NIV)<\/strong> <\/p>\n Acts 6:5-7 (NIV)<\/strong> <\/p>\n Colossians 3:24 (NIV)<\/strong> Jesus called them together and said, \u201cYou know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Do good servants make good leaders?<\/p>\n GOD<\/p>\n Mark12:30 (NIV)<\/strong> <\/p>\n Ephesians 3:7 (NIV)<\/strong> <\/p>\n Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)<\/strong> PEOPLE<\/p>\n
\nSo the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, \u201cIt would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
\nBrothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them<\/p>\n
\nThis proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
\nThey presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
\nSo the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.<\/p>\n
\nsince you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
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\nNot so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
\nand whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
\nFor even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.\u201d
\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\nHow Can We Serve?<\/h2>\n
\nLove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.\u2019<\/p>\n
\nI became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God\u2019s grace given me through the working of his power.<\/p>\n
\nWhatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
\nsince you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
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