Jesus the Servant

Series:  WHO IS JESUS?

Message:  Jesus the Servant

Text:  Acts 16:35-39, Phil. 2:1-11

Pastor Tom Cogle

Sunday, March 20, 2016

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I want to talk to you today about the quality of true servanthood that Jesus demonstrated that literally changed the course of human history.  The key characteristic of being a servant – as Jesus was – is Humility!

1.         Jesus Redefined Status

            It’s the quality of your character that attracts other        people and humility is at the top of the list.  If you      don’t feel the need to impress others, then you are      free to serve them instead.

            

2.         Jesus Demonstrated Selflessness

            Phil. 2:7  he made himself

            

3.         Jesus Embraces Submission

            Humility is serving others – it’s not a sign of  weakness, but rather of strength.

Because Jesus totally submitted to His Father’s will and plan for Him to suffer He can say to you today:

“No matter what you are going thru, I have been there.”

“I know what you are going thru.”

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Acts 16:35-39

When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”

37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”

38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.

Philippians 2:5-7

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,

    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing

    by taking the very nature of a servant,

          being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

    he humbled himself

    by becoming obedient to death—

        even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:8-11

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

    and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father.

Phil. 2:1-4    

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Mark 10:42-45

42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 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.”

John 13:3-5

3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.