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By now, if you follow me, you understand my passion to encourage. Like many, when I was growing up in church, those in leadership positions were pressed to serve. Serve the church and serve others in the community. The definition of a church leader was service. Church members voted for different positions. Authorization came from them. The words, “Enter to worship, Depart to Serve,” were often stressed at the end of each worship service. Decades later, those words were also inscribed on the church bulletin. In ministry, I still meet people today with similar backgrounds from different countries with that definition of servant. The ideal servant leader will meet the need.
Servant Leaders Meet the Need
Apostle, Bishop, Pastor, Elder, Minister – The most important title you will have been “Servant.”
In spite of opinions in the courtroom, facts matter. Consequently, the goal of courtroom proceedings is to serve equal justice. Human justice, of course, is flawed. Because humans are flawed. Although many people do not always recognize it, God’s system is at work every day. Every day, God extends new mercy. And he loves justice. For it is written in Isaiah 61:8: “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity and Psalm 11:7: “The Lord is righteous, he loves justice.”
The Job of a Servant Leader
The job is to serve the needs of others. If you need food and I am able to support the need, and I refuse, then I haven’t served you effectively. Jesus came because we had a need for salvation. It is out of the need to save us, to give salvation, that Jesus gave his service. He spoke about needs by teaching parables (Matthew 25). The hierarchy of needs consists of both physical and spiritual. If we are not serving the NEED(s) of people, we are not on God’s agenda.
What Becomes of the Servant?
There is an appointed time of judgment in God’s court. What did the servant do on earth? The servant saw hunger, sickness, and more. The Lord’s reply was this, “Whenever you saw such, you did something about it (Matthew 25:35-40). In the final judgement, God will NOT ask about earthly titles. Thereupon, there will be order in His court. He will judge each by His merits. In His court, only the title of Servant will matter.
Therefore, one day, God will hold a great court session. Facts matter, not opinion, in His court. God knows all the facts. Each of us will stand before that Great Judge. Now, as a servant today, be reminded of 1 John 5:21, which tells us to keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your heart. For the words you want to hear are, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord, Matthew 25:21.”
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