The Call to Servanthood (Galatians 5:13)
This sermon explores the biblical call to servanthood, a core aspect of a believer's identity and purpose. It reveals how serving others, empowered by God's gifts, is a vital pathway for spiritual growth and preparing for future faithfulness.
Servanthood is God's purpose for every believer, a path for personal growth, and an exercise of spiritual gifts for the common good, embracing both personal involvement and preparation, even when facing conflict.
Overview
Dr. Stanley highlights "servant" as a primary biblical title for believers, emphasizing that our freedom in Christ is not an excuse for sin, but an opportunity to "through love serve one another" (Galatians 5:13). He positions Jesus Christ as the ultimate pattern for servanthood, noting that even in heaven, God's bond-servants will serve Him.
The sermon argues that serving God is integral to personal spiritual growth. God continually measures our faithfulness and diligence in our current opportunities for service, preparing us for future responsibilities. Dr. Stanley cautions against the temptation to perform poorly in smaller roles, stressing that God honors our best effort wherever we are.
Servanthood is also presented as a call to exercise our spiritual gifts. Every believer receives a unique gift, not for personal bragging, but to employ "in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10). This involves personal involvement in the lives of others, extending beyond church settings into all areas of life, such as workplaces and communities, by meeting human needs with divine resources.
Finally, Dr. Stanley explains that servanthood requires preparation, with pastors and teachers equipping believers "for the work of service" (Ephesians 4:12). He also acknowledges that service can involve conflict, whether external disagreements or internal self-doubt, but calls believers to persevere with a servant's mentality, modeling Jesus' example.
Key points
- Servanthood is a primary calling for believers, following Jesus' example and extending into eternity.
- Freedom in Christ is given for loving service to one another, not for self-indulgence.
- Serving God is a crucial part of a believer's personal spiritual growth, with God measuring us for future service.
- Every believer receives a unique spiritual gift to be employed in serving others for the common good.
- Service involves personal involvement in the lives of others, applicable in all areas of life, not just within the church.
- Preparation and equipping are essential for effective and fruitful service, a responsibility of church leadership.
- Servanthood often includes conflict, requiring perseverance and a consistent servant's mentality despite challenges.
In Charles Stanley's words
“but through love serve one another.”
“God sees that our serving Him is a part of the growing process.”
“Servanthood is all about giving ourselves away to God by giving ourselves away to other people.”
Outline
- I. Servanthood: A Primary Title for Believers
- A. Freedom in Christ is for serving, not for the flesh (Galatians 5:13)
- B. Jesus Christ is the pattern for our servanthood (John 12:26)
- C. We are called to serve God in heaven (Revelation 22:3)
- II. Servanthood is a Call to Grow in Your Personal Life
- A. Serving God is part of the spiritual growing process
- B. God measures our diligence for future service
- C. Satan tempts us to neglect small opportunities for service
- III. Servanthood is a Call to the Exercise of Our Spiritual Gifts
- A. Each believer has received a special gift for serving others (1 Peter 4:10)
- B. Gifts differ according to God's grace and purpose (Romans 12:6)
- C. Gifts are given for the "common good" of the body (1 Corinthians 12:4, 6-7)
- IV. Servanthood is a Call to Personal Involvement in Individuals' Lives
- A. Service extends beyond the church to all areas of life (business, community)
- B. Meeting human needs through divine resources is godly service
- C. A servant's mentality seeks daily ways to serve others
- V. Servanthood is a Call to Prepare for Service
- A. Pastors and teachers equip saints for the work of service (Ephesians 4:11-12)
- B. Preparation is crucial for confident and fruitful service
- C. The importance of preparing for service in eternal matters outweighs other vocations
- VI. Servanthood is a Call that Involves Conflict
- A. Disagreements and lack of appreciation are part of service
- B. Perseverance is required despite external or internal conflicts
- C. The Master (Jesus) served, and so must His followers
Scripture references
- Galatians 5
- Galatians 5:13
- John 12
- John 12:26
- Revelation 22
- Revelation 22:3
- 1 Peter 4
- 1 Peter 4:10
- Romans 12
- Romans 12:6
- 1 Corinthians 12
- 1 Corinthians 12:4
- 1 Corinthians 12:6
- 1 Corinthians 12:7
- Ephesians 4
- Ephesians 4:11
- Ephesians 4:12
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
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 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
+ 19 more verses — Read Revelation of John 22 in full context →
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Insights
Freedom in Christ means loving service, not license for self-indulgence.
God sees our serving as integral to our own spiritual growth.
Every believer is uniquely gifted by God to serve others.
Questions & answers
What is the main point of this sermon?
The sermon emphasizes that servanthood is a core identity and calling for every believer, serving as God's purpose for our lives and a means of personal spiritual growth.
How does the sermon connect freedom in Christ to service?
It explains that believers are called to freedom, not to use it as an excuse for sin, but rather "through love serve one another" as found in Galatians 5:13.
What role do spiritual gifts play in servanthood, according to the sermon?
The sermon teaches that every believer receives a special spiritual gift from God, intended to be used in serving one another for the "common good" of the entire body of Christ.
How does the sermon describe God's "measuring" of believers?
God measures our growth not by a yardstick, but by a "spiritual stick," observing our diligence and faithfulness in current service opportunities as preparation for future service.
Does the sermon suggest service is only for within the church?
No, it clarifies that service extends beyond the church, applying to all areas of life, including business, family, and community, as a Christian is always a child of God.
Why does the sermon say servanthood involves conflict?
It explains that service often includes disagreements, lack of appreciation, or internal struggles, but believers are called to persevere, remembering Jesus' example as one who served.
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