Servant Leadership and Gifts of the Spirit

Servant leadership and spiritual gifts. The scriptural basis for servant leadership is found in Matthew 20 and verse 25. Let's go to Matthew 20 and verse 25. We began on this theme of Christ-centered servant leadership in the year 2000. We did a lot of work on it, and I chaired a meeting in the Council in which this was adopted by the Council that says, consent without resolution. And then others came along and said that they didn't like this, and eventually they changed the name to Godly leadership and then just sort of disappeared into nothingness.

But now we are reviving this concept, and this concept is very vital to the health of the Church, the health of each one of us individually. And I think we're going to see some interesting things here today. In Matthew 20 and verse 25, and the background of this is where the mother of James and John came to Jesus Christ and said, Grant that my two sons may sit on your left and right hand in the kingdom of God. And Christ said, This is not mine to give, but it is of the Father. And then He asked the question, Are they able to be baptized, the baptism that I'm be baptized with?

And they said, We are able, and according to tradition, all of the apostles died and martyred him. And we come down to Matthew 25. Jesus called them and said unto them, You know that the princes, the rulers of the Gentiles, exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

Of course, authority has been emphasized so very much in the Church of God for decades. Authority, authority, authority. And there must needs be authority, authority in submission. You remember about two years ago, I gave us three or four sermons on submission and authority in marriage.

But it shall not be so among you, but whosoever will be great among you, let him become your minister. This word for minister here has to do with one who runs through the desk for others. Whosoever will be chief among you, let him become your servant. Even as a son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.

In one place, Jesus Christ said that he was a servant of the Father, and he was also a servant for you and I. Servant can mean, the Greek word doulos, a bond slave, a bond servant, and you are to do what the Master commands you to do.

So here's the foundational basis from the very words of Jesus Christ. If you want to be great, become the servant. The application of this servant-centered leadership is intimately, I mean closely, and inextricably. Inextricably means you can't separate it. Inextricably linked to spiritual gifts. And really coming to understand the connection between service and spiritual gifts, I think you'll find interesting.

God has given all of us spiritual gifts. A lot of people say, well, I really don't have any gifts, but we all do have gifts. Let's turn to 1 Corinthians 12, and we'll see in 1 Corinthians 12 that spiritual gifts were given to edify the entire body of Christ, and no one person has the summation of all spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts were given to edify, build up the entire body. One of the things that the Corinthians were really hung up on, or a better word perhaps, is that they really took pride in was that they could speak in tongues.

That seemed to be the big thing in Corinth that they boasted of. And Paul writes to them and sets them straight about spiritual gifts and why spiritual gifts are given. In 1 Corinthians 12, verse 4, Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit. Now, remember now a connection between service, servant leadership, and spiritual gifts. You really can't give what you don't have, but everybody has been given something, as we shall see. So there are different gifts, the same spirit. There are different operations, different administrations, verse 5, different operations, verse 6, the same God which works all in all.

Verse 7, But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit everybody. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge, by the same spirit, to another faith, by the same spirit, to another the gifts of healing, by the same spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

But all these works that one and the self same spirit dividing to every man severally as he will.

Then Paul uses the analogy of the human body that the human body has various parts, and the various parts of the human body are to work in harmony to make the body complete. And he talks about the various parts. Some parts that don't seem to be that seemly or good-looking or handsome are necessary, because a pain in the big toe can be sometimes just as terrible as a pain in the head. So he uses that analogy that all of these things have to work in harmony to make the body complete. Then he notes that we don't all have the same gifts and functions in the body. Verse 27, now we are the body of Christ and members in particular. And once again, he's using that analogy of the human body in all its various parts. And they have different roles and functions to play. And God has set some in the church. First apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, gifts of healings, health, governments, different tongues. Are all apostles? No. Are all prophets? No. Are all teachers? No. Are all workers of miracles? No. Have all the gifts of healing? No. Do all speak with tongues? No. Do all interpret? No. So there are different gifts. As it says, there are different administrations and different operations, different gifts. And then he says, covet earnestly the best gifts, and yet I show unto you a more excellent way.

So in this chapter, Paul explains that while we are brethren in the spiritual sense of the Word, we have different functions and responsibilities and activities, roles to play, based on the gifts and God-given abilities. And this includes men and women. It's everybody. We all have different roles to play. Now there is no competition in this structure, and there are no degrees of autocracy, or of one person being superior to another.

But for some reason, somehow, we have not been able to come to grips with understanding the importance of each role. Now the understanding of this is one of the most critical truths that we can possibly come to understand. Just as each member of the human body functions for the benefit of the whole body, everything from the big toe to the brain, each member of the body of Christ functions according to the gifts that God has bestowed upon him or her to edify the whole body. If we could get that and really internalize it. And we'll talk about what one of the main stumbling blocks has been.

One of the main stumbling blocks that has prevented this in some cases. So taking care of the different needs of the body of Christ requires multiple abilities and gifts never fully found in one individual. These verses highlight the spiritual equality and individual dignity and value of each person God has called into his fellowship. There's no inferior superior with God and Christ. You notice in verse 25, verse 26, there should be no schism in the body, but the members should have the same care for one another.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it. Or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. And if your big toe hurts, you hurt basically all over. Or if your head hurts, and you could go with any part of the body.

So each person is supposed to function according to the gifts that God has bestowed upon him or her. And thus, one function is just as important in the sight of God as the other. And this shows that God is not a respecter of persons. You know, remember the Scripture, and I'm just going to quote this.

This is Luke 19, 17. And he said unto them, Well done, you good servant, because you've been faithful over a very little, a very little in the eyes of the world, or maybe in the eyes of members of the congregation, have you authority over ten cities. Then, in chapter 13 here, Paul explains that chapter 13 is an inset chapter between 12 and 14. 12 and 14 deals with spiritual gifts. Now, chapter 13 is an inset chapter, and read once again verse 31.

Covet earnestly the best gifts, and yet I show unto you a more excellent way. What is the more excellent way? The meaning of the more excellent way is explained in chapter 13. And the meaning of this chapter is not understood by many people. 1 Corinthians 13 is given to show us that you could have all the spiritual gifts, and do all the service in the world, including giving your body to be burned, and yet you could miss out on the kingdom of God if you're not becoming love, as God is love.

So the first three verses here, though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and it's interesting, he started off with the gift of tongues, and that's what the Corinthians boasted of, and have not charity, agape, if I'm not becoming as God is, God is love, I am become a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and that's what so many people want, and of course there are two aspects of prophecy. Fourth, telling, that is to tell the meaning of inspired preaching and teaching, and foretelling, to be able to prophesy, predict the future.

Prophecy is not really prediction in the sense of a fortune teller, it is what the Word of God says. And though I have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing. So once again, you could have all the gifts in the world, you could serve till kingdom come as it say, or till you turn blue in the face, whatever figure of speech that you want to use.

But if you're not becoming love as God is love, then it profits nothing. So what does this mean? It means that God is more interested in what you're becoming than He is interested in what you're doing. I mean, if you're setting up chairs, or if you're giving special music-leading songs, directing the choir, singing in the choir, cleaning up whatever it is, setting up for the kitchen, cooking for the kitchen, doing this, doing that, or giving a sermon, whatever it is.

If it's not for the right reason and the right motive, and if you're not becoming as God is, that profits you nothing. And really what we're here for, we're seeking glory, honor, and immortality in eternal life in the kingdom of God.

You could be the greatest preacher, teacher, and faith healer, and miss out on the kingdom of God if you're not becoming as God is, and God is love.

And of course, the commandments of God, as we talked about last week, define what love is. For this is the love of God, that you keep His commandments, and the commandments are not grievance. 1 John 5.3, 1 John 2.4. He that says, He knows me, and keeps not my commandments as a liar, and the truth is not in Him.

So we know that love, as we saw last week, is intimately and inexorably linked to the commandments.

In fact, there may be more prayer of warrior widows.

I call them prayer of warrior widows in the kingdom of God than ministers.

They never gave a sermon. They never taught a class.

They never gave special music. They never led singing.

They never sang in the choir.

And you could go on with what they never did.

But one thing they did do, they served God day and night with fasting, prayers, supplications for the body of Christ.

They are true spiritual warriors.

Now, when and if we can ever come to this understanding of the church, we might begin to really achieve unity, go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation.

See, once again at this conference, we talk about laying the foundation.

What other foundation can be laid than that which is laid and that is Christ?

But once again, we talk about, well, we've got to build on the right foundation.

And so we do.

One aspect of that foundation, which another minister and myself spoke of, has to do, which we'll talk about a little later, that foundation of doing the first works of exercising judgment, mercy, and faith before God and Christ and with each member of the body of Christ.

See, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead work. So one of the big themes, one of the things talked about in the conference was repentance.

We've all sinned.

What is the reason why we are where we are? Because of sin.

We've all transgressed the law of God. We have all fallen short.

And if we had handled everything as Christ gave commandment, we wouldn't have 80 or 90 sitting here this afternoon and 80 or 90 or however number you want to name sitting somewhere else.

It just wouldn't be.

It would not be.

In 1 Corinthians 14, after covering the necessity of love the more excellent way and if you're not becoming as God is, Paul returns to spiritual gifts in chapter 14.

Follow after charity. I mean, that's the big thing. Becoming as God is.

And desire spiritual gifts.

But rather that you may prophesy inspired preaching and teaching so what it's understood is more important than just speaking in tongues.

For he that speaks in a tongue speaks not unto men but unto God for no man understands him. How be it in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. So he's just talking to himself. That's what he's saying.

Unless there's somebody there to interpret it. Now this is the key verse in verse 3.

But he that prophesies speaks unto men to edification, building up exhortation that is, exhortation can involve encouragement and correction and comfort.

With God, motive means just about everything.

What is the motive?

We've even had in the church through the years the like client the latter.

You know, I want to become a deacon. Well, after I become a deacon, well, that's, you know, I want to be an elder.

So what do I have to do to be an elder?

As if going from office to office was like climbing the stairway to heaven.

As the world might think of it, we would say climbing the stairway or treading the path to the Kingdom of God.

Notice 1 Peter 1, verse 22.

The service that God is well pleased with, the service that we render, 1 Peter 1, verse 22.

Remember, I prefaced this with God, motive is everything.

Why do you do what you do?

Do you do it to be seen of men?

Or do you do it because you love God and you love the brethren?

1 Peter 1, 22. Seeing you have purified your souls and obeying the truth through the Spirit.

So that's how you purify your life, your being, obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love.

Unfain love means that you're not expecting anything in return.

You're not doing it to climb any ladder.

You're not doing it to look good in the eyes of men.

You're doing it because that's the way you are.

God does what He does because that's the way He is.

God is love.

And remember the 1 Corinthians 13.

Unless I have charity, unless I'm becoming as God is, it profits me nothing. Unfain love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently. Not lukewarm, fervently has to do with heat height.

Now also in Matthew 6, Matthew 6, we're talking about motive here. What is a motive?

With God, motive means so much.

It's difficult in a sense to explain and also to internalize and come to understand a state of being as opposed to a state of doing.

Now there is a relationship because to a large degree, you come to be whatever you are through doing the right thing.

Even research shows that people come to internalize what they practice.

In Matthew 6, verse 1, Take heed that you do not your alms, your service, before men, to be seen of them, otherwise you have no reward of your Father who is in heaven.

Therefore, when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory if men, verily I say unto you, they have their reward.

But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does.

That your alms may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret himself, shall reward you openly. And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men, verily I say unto you, they have their reward. You could go to the Wailing Wall today, the city of Jerusalem, on the west side there, and you'll see children and women and then a rope, and then the men.

They'll have little books or little pieces of paper, and they'll be bombing up and down, and they'll be saying their prayers. Men are closer to the tunnel that goes underneath the temple mount, because they are thought to be above the women and the children. Of course, you know what Paul says in Galatians, that there is neither bond or free, there's neither male nor female.

We are all one in Christ.

So we see here about motive, and with God, motive means so much.

The Bible provides us with two basic types of service.

So let's go to Acts chapter 6 and note this.

And the understanding of this also, I think, is so vital with regard to how we approach things and how we view one another in Acts chapter 6, verse 1. And in those days when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians, or the Helens, those who spoke Greek, against the Hebrews, those who spoke Aramaic or derivation of Hebrew, because their widows, that is, the Grecian's widows, those who spoke Greek, were neglected in the daily ministration.

Then the twelve called a multitude of the disciples unto them and said, it is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables.

So, wherefore, brethren, look you out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom you may appoint over this business.

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. So, the service of the Word. You have two different kinds of service here.

One is more a physical type of service, and the other is more what we would call a spiritual type of service. But both kinds are necessary that the body of Christ be ministered to in the right way. So, they did that, and they searched out men of good report, and they brought them before the apostles. Seven of them, they're listed here, succeeding verses, they laid their hands upon them, and they were the first deacons in the church. The derivation of the Word deacons can be related directly to service. Now, one of these deacons, in fact, two of these deacons, Stephen and Philip, became powerful preachers. The last part of this chapter begins to talk about Stephen, and the whole chapter seven is taken up with Stephen in his great sermon. Then he was stoned to death. Then chapter eight is taken up mainly with Philip.

But after the dispersion in Jerusalem, because of the great persecution, to a large degree led by the Apostle Paul, the church was scattered abroad, and Philip went out preaching. And many people were turned to God through the preaching of Philip. So we see, though, this division of service, and to some degree, I think this has been misunderstood in the church. It needs to be understood. Once again, our service to a large degree should be fundamentally based on spiritual gifts. What can we do? We can't all be preachers, and we can't all be teachers. Servant leadership is a fulfillment of being a living sacrifice. Now we go to Romans 12. Romans 12—listen carefully—Romans 12 gives you, explains to us, how we can be living sacrifices. Romans 12 explains to us how we can be living sacrifices. And if we are living sacrifices, then we are serving God in Christ and each mirror of the body of Christ.

Romans 12, 1, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice. Not a dead sacrifice, living. This is why you live.

Holy. Acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind.

And our mind is renewed. In fact, we're to become new creations, and we are new creations, in that we have the Holy Spirit of God in us and the Word of God in us, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. And so, he's going to tell us shortly that each one of us has certain gifts and abilities, then we're to use these gifts and abilities to serve in the body of Christ. Verse 4. For as we have many members in one body, just like with the human body in Paul's analogy in 1 Corinthians 12, and all members have not the same office. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Just like the human body, my little finger is a part, it's a member of my body. And in the body of Christ, we are all members one of another.

In the human body, we're all joined together, and my little finger is joined through flesh, and the rest of me is flesh. In the spiritual body, we're all joined together by the Spirit of God. The very essence of God in Christ is in us.

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another, having then gifts differing according to the grace, the divine favor. To a large degree, our gifts to some degree are compatible with our innate abilities. Do you know that in the realm of men, and I don't think anyone really has an exact explanation for this, the psychologists are sort of able to measure it and to categorize that there are three basic types of personalities. Of course, some divided into six and all kinds of things, but with regard to dominance.

Basically, five percent of the population is what is called dominant personalities.

From dominant personalities, you get generally your leaders in politics, religion, education, military, and so on. The Germans in World War II came to understand that if they could separate the dominant ones from the rest of the people, they were almost assured there would be no attempts to escape. Then you have what's called the mid-dominant people, and maybe 30-40 percent, and then you have the rest of the people being low dominance.

Generally, the high-dominance people oftentimes have more problems because with all of us, our strongest point is potentially our weakest point. So if you're really a dominant kind of personality, you wind up being so dominant, so overbearing, so authoritarian, and on and on it goes that you really can't get along with anybody else. On the other end of the spectrum, you could be so low dominance that you are Wally Wallflower, and everybody runs over you. Or a Harvey Milk Toast, or whatever the other figures of speech or metaphors they use for a low dominance personality.

So we all have different personalities. We all have different gifts. But notice what he says here about this.

Verse 6, "...having then gifts differing according to the grace, the divine favor that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith." If that is your gift, inspired preaching, teaching, that kind of thing, we'll do it.

Or ministry, that is service or servant, let us wait on our ministry. Or he that teaches on teaching, or he that exhorts on exhortation. There are just some people who are so much more encouraging than others. You know, I wish we all had that gift. I wish I had more of that gift of exhortation, being encouraging to other people. He that gives, let him do it with simplicity. Some people are just seemingly by nature generous. He that rules with diligence. He that shows mercy with cheerfulness.

Let love be without dissimulation. And abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good.

So in the first eight verses here, it shows you how to become a living sacrifice. And then the rest of the chapter here describes the state of mind that should accompany our use of spiritual gifts. So the first eight verses do this. Become a living sacrifice and use these gifts. Now, beginning in verse 9, all the way to the end of the chapter, it's the state of mind that you have in doing this. So let's notice that. Let love be without dissimulation. It's like the verse we read from 1 Peter 1.22. Unfain love. Abhoor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good.

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love and honor preferring one another.

Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation. We know that we are in a period of tough, transitional times. We are in a period of trying times. We are in a period of critical, crucial times on the world scene. Patient in tribulation. You know, James says, let patience have her perfect work that you may be whole, entire, wanting nothing. That's James 1.3. What does that mean?

That means that you know and you know that you know that no matter what happens in our lives, that God will deliver. Let patience have her perfect work that you may be whole, entire, wanting nothing. So if you come to that state, you have come to a more complete faith in God and Christ. Patient in tribulation. Verse 12, continuing instant in prayer, distributing to the necessity of saints given to hospitality. Bless them who persecute you. Bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another, mind not high things but condescend to men of low estate.

Don't go around with an error that you're better than somebody else. Be not wise in your own conceits. A little more about that in a moment. Recipit snowman evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves but rather give place under wrath for it is written, vengeance is mine. I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore, if your enemy hunger, feed him.

If he thirst, give him drink. For in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good. You could study chapter 12 every day and you could glean and squeeze more out of it. It's how to become a living sacrifice.

And the state and attitude frame of mind and heart that you're to do it with.

For decades in the church, we have basically focused on developing the gifts that have to do with ministerial type leadership. That is, speaking, teaching, directing, organizing.

In a sense, we've tried to make everybody into a preacher teacher because that's what everybody thinks they want to be. I want to be a preacher teacher. I want to be out front.

I want to be some kind of executive. Some members came to resent the ministry and some ministers lowered their position over others. Some ministers gave the impression that they were above physical service. Now, remember the dichotomy that we saw in Acts chapter 6. The apostles, and of course none of us are apostles, said we need to give ourselves to the word and to prayer and spiritual duties and appoint someone else to take care of some of these other duties.

Some brethren couldn't wait to level the ministry. That's one of the main things that happened with the advent of United. Level the ministry. A lot of them needed leveling. But, once again, you can go. The tendency of human beings is to go from one ditch over into the other.

They couldn't wait to level the ministry since some seemed to take on an air of elitism and arrogance toward their office and responsibilities. So, let's return again to 1 Corinthians 12.27. Just once again to show that we have different gifts and different responsibilities in the body of Christ, but it's all given. It's all for the purpose of edifying the body.

So, verse 29, are all apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, and so on. Well, no. But we clearly see that there are different gifts. We cannot all be preachers and teachers.

We cannot all lead songs. We cannot all accompany hymns. We cannot all give special music.

I can't lead songs correctly. I tried. I can't do the one, two, three, four thing. I get all mixed up.

I think I was meant to be left-handed and I don't know. I'm sort of ambidextrous.

I bat left-handed, kick left-footed, right right-handed, throw right-handed, part my hair left-handed, and so on it goes. But I think somewhere in there I lost rhythm.

I can't lead songs correctly. I cannot give quality special music. Oh, I could give it a stab.

I cannot accompany hymns. I cannot serve in many ways that you can.

But God has given me spiritual gifts in different areas and we all have gifts that can be used to edify and serve the body of Christ. I've cleaned septic tanks and some of the things that I have done I don't want to tell you because you would throw up. I've cleaned septic tanks. I've dug ditches. I've done all kinds of physical jobs. I grew up on a farm. I know what it is to clean out the stable. I've changed dirty diapers, cleaned up some of the most unbelievable messes you can imagine. However, these are not necessarily my gifts whereby I can best serve the body of Christ. Sometimes I'm working on a sermon to the last minute before leaving for services. Some have presented the ministry for some petty things, for example, having a parking place reserved. We don't have any problem here. We have plenty of parking places or even having a seat reserved. We used to have ministerial sections at the feast in ministerial parking, but that has been eliminated since some were offended by this.

So I don't consider myself too good to do the most menial job you can name.

And some jobs I just can't physically do anymore until I get a few new body parts.

Now, somehow we've gotten the idea that God rewards us according to what gifts He gave us. However, the truth is, God rewards us based on what we do with what we have to do with.

And we all have something that we can serve with. And as we read from Romans 12, we should minister or serve according to the gifts that God has given us. I think one of the greatest services that can be given is the offering of intercessory prayer for others. Let's go to 1 Thessalonians 5.

1 Thessalonians 5 and verse 25.

1 Thessalonians 5 and verse 25.

2 Thessalonians 3 and verse 25.

Paul says here simply four words. Brethren, pray for us. That's intercessory prayer when you pray for somebody else. Brethren, pray for us. 2 Thessalonians 3 and verse 1. Finally, brethren, pray for us.

3 Pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you.

In Hebrews 13 verse 18. Hebrews 13 verse 18.

I think sometimes we underestimate the power of prayer and especially intercessory prayer.

Hebrews 13 verse 18. Pray for us. Pray for us, for we trust we have a good conscience in all things willing to live honestly.

Pray for us. So we see that three times here.

Now, in Ephesians, back a few pages, Ephesians 6 and verse 18.

Ephesians 6 describes the various parts of the armor of God that was told to put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

In Ephesians 6, 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. So here Paul goes from praying for us for all saints, for the brethren, and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds, that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.

You see, there is no one that can keep you or prevent you from serving. Notice in Luke 2, verse 36. Remember earlier that I mentioned the prayer warriors, especially widows, and others that really that's about all they can do.

And I have some dear friends in various parts of the world, especially up in Big Sand in different areas.

And I'm sure what I do in this area too, and you do too, that pray for you, and they're just continually praying and making supplication for all saints. And here we have the example of Anna. In Luke 2, in verse 36. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, one daughter of Fanul of the tribe of Asher.

She was of great age and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.

And she was a widow of about 84 years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

You talk about service. She had no office.

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord and spoke of Him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

So once again, there's no one that can prevent you or I from serving. You don't have to have an office.

You don't even have to have any certain responsibility assigned to you.

We can all serve, minister to God's people according to the gifts He is so generously bestowed upon us. Never sell yourself short. If you sell yourself short, you're selling God short. We are created in His image.

The challenge is for us to change our church culture to a foundation that is based on the weightier matters of the law. And if we do that, we can ensure unity and that we will have the same love, care, and concern for one another. Cultural change can only be affected through a combination of biblical and right teaching principles, coupled with a change in behavior. So you have to have the right theological, theoretical foundation coupled with an actual putting it into practice, a change in behavior.

As I've already mentioned, people come to believe what they practice. In the church culture, we have to have a change in behavior. In the church, the brethren have practiced servant leadership in many forms. The brethren, through the years, have served one another quite well. The problem really has been in the leadership. As we've already noted, oftentimes the leadership took on an air, an attitude of entitlement, thought of themselves as some kind of royalty instead of servants of the Most High God.

The great conflicts and splits in the church basically stem from the refusal of the leadership to do the first works and humble themselves under the mighty hand of God. Notice 1 Peter 5. Humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and do the first works. Because, as we shall see, if you do the first works, if you do the first works, you will walk in a reconciled position with God and Christ and each member of the body of Christ continually. 1 Peter 5 verse 5 Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.

Yes, all of you, be subject one to another and be clothed with humility. Put it on like a garment. For God resists the proud, gives grace, divine favor to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore unto the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time.

That verse so easy to read. Humble yourself therefore unto the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. So we are reminded, once again, I want to remind all of us of the first works. Go to Revelation chapter 2. Revelation chapter 2 verse 1 begins with the message to the seven churches in the first church that is mentioned here is the church at Ephesus, which to a large degree describes what we have been through in recent times in the church.

Especially going back to circa 1980, 1986 forward, basically 86 forward. Under the angel of the church, the Angelos, the messenger of the church of Ephesus, write, these things says he that holds his seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, I know your works and your labor, your patience, and how you cannot bear them, which are evil. You've tried them, which say they are apostles and are not, and found them to be liars.

You're born, you've had patience from a namesake, and have labored and have not fainted. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love. Now, this is far more serious than just having that first flush of excitement and all of that when you first came in in the knowledge of the truth. It's way beyond that. Remember therefore from whence you are fallen and repent. So you repent of sin. So whatever it is, is sin. And do the first works. And first works seems to be equated with first love or else. I will come unto you quickly.

We'll remove your candlestick out of its place. Except you repent. That's how serious it is. Now to Matthew 23, 23. See, this foundation of the way of your matters of the law, if the way of your matters of the law and doing the first works are implemented, you're going to have unity. You're going to be reconciled to God and Christ in each member of the body of Christ. Matthew 23, 23. In Matthew 23, Jesus Christ takes the task, describes the Pharisees, the hypocrites, those who say and don't do, those who pretend to be but are not, who appear to be religious but are not becoming as God is, that is love.

Matthew 23, 23. Worn to you scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites, you pay tithe of the men, anise, and coming. See, if you've done the physical things, the outward things, the things that maybe make them look good but have omitted the way of your matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith, these ought you to have done and not to leave the other undone.

Quickly, how do you do that? With God and Christ, how do you exercise judgment, mercy, and faith with God and Christ? Judgment. See, these things stem from the law. How do you make a judgment? You make a judgment based on the law. You realize, I have sinned. So you go before God and Christ and said, Father in heaven, I have sinned and I am asking you for your forgiveness.

And if you are contrite, humbled, and have a heart of repentance, he says, I'll have mercy on you. Go and sin no more. Go walk in faith.

Same thing with your neighbor. If your neighbor has ought against you or you think he has ought against you, go be reconciled to your neighbor. Go to him, a judgment. I have sinned or I think you've done this to me. And you ask each other for forgiveness and you go walk in faith.

Reconcile. Remember, we read from Romans 12, so much as lies within you live peaceably with all men.

So, brethren, here we are. We're in search of immortality, glory, honor, and the Kingdom of God.

So, let us dedicate ourselves to serving God and our fellow man as Christ gave commandment, and set the example that we should follow in these steps.

And I have another one more important point here. It takes three or four minutes to see if you get this connection. In John 15 and verse 9.

Remember, all of these words here in the last part of John from chapter 13 on were spoken by Jesus, chapters 13 through 17, before he was betrayed and tried, mocked trial, and then crucified the next day. John 15 verse 9.

As the Father loved me, so have I loved you.

Continue you in my love. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love.

These things have spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full.

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I loved you.

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. So we talk about that living sacrifice kind of love in Romans 12.

How to be living sacrifices.

You are my friends if you do whatsoever I've commanded you.

Henceforth, so we've been talking about servant leadership and spiritual gifts, but see, you can move to another category, as it were.

You still have to serve and you still have to use your spiritual gifts, but notice how the relationship between you and Christ changes.

Maybe you've never looked at it, and we'll also turn to a couple of other places to show this.

Henceforth, I call you not servants, for the servant knows not what his Lord does, but I have called you friends.

For all things that I've heard of my Father, I've made known unto you.

Now we go to Hebrews 2 and verse 8, and notice how this relationship is described between Christ and all of his disciples, all of those that have his Spirit, same spirits that God is in Christ as in us. So notice this.

Hebrews chapter 2, verse 8, You put all things in subjection under his feet, speaking of Christ, wherein that he put all things in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him, talking about the Father and Christ, but now you see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who's made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, and bringing many sons unto glory to make the capital of their salvation perfect through suffering, for both he that sanctifies, and they who are sanctified, are all of one, where all of that same spiritual essence, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.

See, no longer do I call you servants, I call you friends. He's not ashamed to call them brethren, because we are all of one. And then finally, in Romans chapter 8, Romans chapter 8, verse 14, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

For you not receive the Spirit of bondage again to fear, but you receive the Spirit of sonship, whereby we cry, Abba, Father, the Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children then heirs, heirs of God, we inherit what he is. God is spirit. And joint heirs with Christ. Remember, he's not ashamed to call them brethren. Joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Through Christ-centered servant leadership, spiritual gifts, service to God and Christ as a brethren, we move from servant status to being brethren of Christ and heir of God, a joint heir with Jesus Christ.

It does not yet appear what we shall be, but when he comes and we're resurrected, we're going to be as he is. And his name is going to be on our foreheads, and we shall look upon his face. So brethren, let's rededicate ourselves to becoming like God and Christ.