THE SERVANT OF GOD


A. "BEHOLD, MY SERVANT SHALL DEAL PRUDENTLY, HE SHALL BE EXALTED AND EXTOLLED, AND BE VERY HIGH." Isa. 52:13
  1. It may be said that the title "servant" is the title in the light of which all other titles of Jesus must be seen:
    1. This title has a great history - EXAMPLES -
      1. Abraham, Moses, and other distinguished persons are called "servants of the Lord" - Ex. 14:31; Num. 12:7; Deut. 34:5; Josh. 1:1, 15; 8:21, 22; 18:7
    2. This title was not given only to individuals, but to the nation as well - Isa. 41:8-10; 44:21; 48:20; 49:3
  2. The title "servant" associates Jesus with all other servants of God; it makes Him an Elder Brother: Heb. 2:11; Rom. 8:29
B. LET US TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE SERVANT OF GOD
  1. It indicates His mission in this world:
    1. To make known to men our heavenly Father and His love for man - John 1:18; Matt. 11:27; 17:1-23
    2. To magnify God's law and make it honorable - Isa. 42:19-21; Ps. 40:6-8; Matt. 5:17-20
    3. To seek and to save that which was lost - Matt. 18:11; Luke 19:10
    4. To unify and bring back to men heavenly harmony - Eph. 1:1-12; John 17:21-23
  2. It indicates His attitude:
    1. He was meek and lowly -- a servant - Matt. 11:28- 30; Phil. 2:6-11
    2. He obeyed His Father because He loved Him - John 4:34; 6:38; Luke 22:42
    3. He willingly sacrificed heaven and His life to save sinners - Isa. 53:1-12
    4. He came to minister and not to be ministered unto - Matt. 20:28
    5. He gave dignity to service, which it had lost through the selfishness of men.
    6. He gave us an example, that we should be like minded - Mark 9:34; Luke 9:46-48
  3. Because of His suffering, four songs in the book of Isaiah portray the suffering servant:
    1. Isa. 42:1-4
    2. Isa. 49:1-6
    3. Isa. 50:4-9
    4. Isa. 52:13 and 53:12
  4. Because He has faithfully and successfully accomplished his assignment:
    1. He wasted no time - John 9:4, 5
    2. He closed His earthly ministry with the words, "It is finished" - John 19:30
C. WHAT A TIMELY LESSON FOR US TODAY
  1. Christ's title is "Servant of God":
    1. He was fully qualified to bear this title, which sums up his ministry on earth, and includes his work as our High Priest in heaven.
    2. His life, his ministry, and sacrifice gave dignity to living and serving God and men.
    3. His life is summed up in these inspired words, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the evil; for God was with him." - Acts 10:38
  2. In serving others and us, Christ gave us an example to:
    1. Live not unto ourselves, but unto God and His cause - Rom. 14:7; Gal. 2:20
    2. We, too, have to become servants of God - 1 Pet. 2:16; Rom. 6:16, 17; Acts 1:8, 9; 1 Pet. 2:9-11
    3. Just do as He did - John 13:1-17; 1 Pet. 2:21
    4. He says, "Follow me" - Matt. 11:28-30
    5. He was faithful - Rev. 1:5; 3:14; 19:11
    6. Are we God's faithful servants? - Matt. 25:31-42
    7. Can we say with Paul, "I have finished my course?" - 2 Tim. 4:7, 8
    8. Can heaven count on us, our loyalty, and our perseverance?
    9. Let us think of the blessedness of serving God and humanity faithfully.


Design © John Bryant 2011