Leadership and Service
Service in a world
that looks after number one
Introduction
The
theme of the recent series of sermons is “Distinctives”
based on the book by Vaughen Roberts. Its primary
thrust is to point out the various ways in which the Christian life is to be
distinctive from the principles which mark the world.
The
subject for this evening is Service as linked with leadership. Robert Vaughan
gives it the title “Service in a world that looks after number one”
In
1John 2, John
exhorts his readers not to love the world or the things in the world. In the
consumer driven society in which we live, the principles which John warns
against govern.
Cravings
–
lust –
boasting.
If
something seems natural, then it is all right.
Popular singers have expressed their view:
Frank
Sinatra – I did it my way
Gloria Gaynor – I will survive
Edith Piaf _ Non, je ne regrette rien
People have become obsessed with “rights”
To dignity
and respect
To make
decisions based on my feelings, my judgment or any other reason I chose
To be
happy
In some
circumstances we can understand this but in recent case young people have used
this as a reason for violence which ended up in murder. It illustrates the
depravity of the human heart.
The
scripture we read in Phil shows a completely different attitude and it is to
this that Paul draws our attention - Let this mind be in you etc.
From
being equal with God in Paul’s view, Jesus took the position of a servant. Obedient even to death – and that the violent and disgraceful death
of crucifixion. Remember this was written in Roman times
when crucifixion was still being practiced by the Romans. It was a death for
criminals, slaves and non-Romans.
Paul
gives the contrast. The humble, serving Messiah has become the ruler of the universe.
Became man
Appearance of man
Nature of a servant
Human likeness
Made himself nothing
Reward
is:
Exalted
Highest place
Every knee to bow, heaven, earth, under the earth
Every tongue confess that he is Lord
Let’s
now look into Mark .
All the
gospel writers have a style and Mark always seems to be hurrying along. In the
authorised version, nearly every sentence begins with “and”.
Chapter
8 after Peter’s confession, he immediately begins to tell them about his
sufferings – a different sort of Messiah!
Peter takes him to task and rebukes him
Jesus gives the strongest rebuke imaginable – it was Satan
saying this
He then teaches the crowds that following him means
suffering, even taking up a cross
What shall a man gain if he gets the whole world but loses
his soul?
Chapter
9
Message repeated after the transfiguration
Son of Man will be betrayed, killed and rise again
The disciples begin to argue about who would be the
greatest
Jesus teaches that the first will be last and the last
first – the leader is the servant of all
He gives the example of the child – we accept such and
become like such because they are dependent – if we offend them or cause them to sin, then it is better we are thrown into
the sea – very strong epression
Chap 10
as a series of issues – divorce- children-the rich – the reward- heading to
Context
is getting close to
Now
let’s look at the passage we actually read:
VV
35-39
Vv
41-45
Conclusion
and Summary
Let this mind be in you which was also in
Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal
with God but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a
servant and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a
man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which
is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things
in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth, and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.