A Servant Of GodJames 1:1
INTRODUCTION:
A man went to the doctor after weeks of symptoms. The doctor examined
him carefully, then called the patient’s wife into his office. “Your husband is
suffering from a rare form of anemia. Without treatment, he’ll be dead in a few
weeks. The good news is, it can be treated with proper nutrition.” “You will need to get up early every morning
and fix your husband a hot breakfast—pancakes, bacon and eggs, the works. He’ll
need a home-cooked lunch every day, and then an old-fashioned meat-and-potato
dinner every evening. It would be especially helpful if you could bake
frequently. Cakes, pies, homemade bread—these are the things that will allow
your husband to live. “One more thing. His immune system is weak,
so it’s important that your home be kept spotless at all times. Do you have any
questions?” The wife had none. “Do you want to break the news, or shall I?”
asked the doctor. “I will,” the wife replied. She walked into the exam room. The husband,
sensing the seriousness of his illness, asked her, “It’s bad, isn’t it?” She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.
“What’s going to happen to me?” he asked. With a sob, the wife blurted out, “The doctor
says you’re gonna die!” Today we are going to examine what the
scriptures have to say about believers in the Lord Jesus Christ being
servants. 1. In our introductory study, we concluded
that James, the Lord's brother, was most likely the author 2. If this is so, then it is interesting that
James does not identify himself as such, but rather as simply "a servant of God and of the
Lord Jesus Christ" (1:1) 3. Perhaps it was a case of humility; yet,
calling himself a "servant" was not peculiar to James a.
Paul described himself as such as well - Ro 1:1; Ph 1:1 b.
So did Peter (2 Pe 1:1) and Jude (Ju 1) 4. Why did these men refer to themselves as
"servants"? a.
The Greek term (DOULOS) literally means "a slave" b.
Why use such a term to describe themselves? c.
And why should WE think of ourselves as "servants"? 5. In this message, I shall explain why, and
make some other observations concerning the idea of being a servant. God wants us to understand this aspect of
who we are as believers, and then put it to practice in our lives. I. BEING A
SERVANT IS "WHAT A DISCIPLE OF JESUS IS CALLED TO BE" A. JESUS
STRESSED THIS TRUTH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS... 1. While pointing out the faults of the
scribes and Pharisees - Mt 23:8-12 2. During the Last Supper, with a vivid
demonstration of servitude - Jn 13:12-17 (foot washing by Jesus) 3. Even by His own example, as He came to
serve - Mt 20:25-28 But Jesus called them unto him, and said,
Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they
that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you:
but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever
will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came
not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for
many.; Ph 2:5-8 B.
SPECIFICALLY, WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE... 1. God - Ja 1:1; He 9:14 How much more shall the
blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to
God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 2. Jesus Christ - Ja 1:1; 1 Cor. 4:1 3. Righteousness - Ro 6:17-18 But God be thanked, that
ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of
doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became
the servants of righteousness. 4. Each other - Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have
been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh,
but by love serve one another.; 1 Cor 9:19-23 READ II. BEING A
SERVANT IS "A MARK OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY" A. AN
IMMATURE PERSON IS USUALLY VERY SELFISH... 1. For example, newborn babies are very
ego-centrical 2. Normally, as people grow older, they begin
to concern themselves with the needs of others a.
If they do, they are becoming mature b.
If they remain selfish, it is an indication of immaturity B. A PERSON
WHO SERVES GOD AND OTHERS... 1. Is certainly not selfish, but concerned
with the needs of others 2. And thereby demonstrates mature behavior C. JAMES'
DESCRIPTION OF HIMSELF FITS IN VERY WELL WITH THE "THEME" OF HIS
EPISTLE... 1. Remember, the theme is: MARKS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY 2. By being a servant, James is demonstrating
his own spiritual maturity 3. And we can make the point that one of the
marks of spiritual maturity is truly being "a servant of God and of the
Lord Jesus Christ"! III. BEING
A SERVANT HAS SEVERAL "IMPLICATIONS" A. IT
IMPLIES "ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE"... 1. In a slave-master relationship... a.
The slave knows no law but his master's word b.
He has no rights of his own c.
He is the absolute possession of his master d.
He is bound to give his master unquestioning obedience 2. Does this describe our relationship to
Christ? a.
It should, especially in light of 1 Co 6:19-20 What? know ye not that
your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of
God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify
God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. b.
We have to come to Jesus on HIS terms, not our own - Lk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord,
Lord, and do not the things which I say? B. IT IMPLIES
"ABSOLUTE HUMILITY"... 1. Otherwise, absolute obedience is not
possible a.
When we have a humble opinion of ourselves, we are receptive to the idea of
complete obedience b.
For example, consider Paul's self-estimation - 1 Co 15:9-10 For I am the least of the
apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the
church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was
bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all:
yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.; 1 Ti 1:15 This is a faithful
saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners; of whom I am chief. 2. Does this describe our relationship to
Christ and His Will? a.
Jesus said it should! - Lk 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all
those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we
have done that which was our duty to do. b.
But if we murmur or complain about what Jesus tells us to do, can we really be
considered "servants"? C. IT
IMPLIES "ABSOLUTE LOYALTY"... 1. Since we become servants FREELY, it should
be expected that we: a.
Are to be loyal to Him first - cf. Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I
seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of
Christ. b.
Do not consider our own profit or preference important, but that of the One we
freely serve! 2. But it is amazing how anyone can claim to
be servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, while: a.
Complaining about having to do the will of God, OR... b.
Being negligent or slothful in carrying out His will 3. God by His grace has offered salvation,
and how dare we ever grumble or complain that He calls us to a life of service.
We should do so in grateful appreciation! IV. BEING A
SERVANT IS "A GREAT HONOR" A. FAR FROM
BEING A TITLE OF DISHONOR, IT WAS THE TITLE BY WHICH THE GREATEST MEN OF THE
OLD TESTAMENT WERE KNOWN... 1. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob - Deut 9:27
("Thy servants") 2. Moses - 1 Kings 8:53 ("Thy
servant") 3. Joshua - Josh 24:29 ("Servant of the
Lord") 4. Caleb - Num 14:24 ("My servant") 5. Job - Job 1:8 ("My servant") 6. Isaiah - Isa 20:3 ("My servant") 7. The prophets - Jer 7:25 ("My
servants") B. HOW
WONDERFUL IT WOULD BE IF GOD LOOKED UPON US AS COMPANIONS OF THESE GREAT MEN... 1. Who found freedom, peace, and glory! 2. Who found it in perfect submission to the
Will of God! 3. Who did not think it a small thing to be
called a “Servant Of God.” CONCLUSION: One of the main marks of Spiritual Maturity
is being a servant to others. John Stott
put it this way: A Servant Attitude
John R. W. Stott, The Preacher’s Portrait,
Some New Testament Word Studies, (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publ. Co.,
1961), pp. 100ff 1. God will look upon us as His servants, IF
we are willing to accept the call to serve Him and His Son Jesus Christ with... a.
Absolute obedience b. Absolute humility c.
Absolute loyalty 2. And when we are serving God, His Son Jesus
Christ, and even each other in this manner, we are making great strides towards
SPIRITUAL MATURITY! "...a servant of God and of the Lord
Jesus Christ" - can this be said of us? 
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