A Fresh Perspective on Servanthood

Please note: This transcript is provided as close to verbatim record of the sermon.

Introduction

A very good morning, brothers and sisters. It’s good to be here with you on this first Lord’s Day of 2025. First of all, let me wish you a very happy and blessed new year.

I want to thank all of you who have texted me or spoken to me to say you’re remembering me in prayer for the ministry. This morning, the responsibility falls on me to introduce our theme for 2025: Servanthood.

It’s not an easy task—especially coming right after the rich summary from yesterday’s church retreat and the feedback we discussed there. But I believe the Lord will help us as we turn to His Word.

We will look together at a few key passages of Scripture, reading them in a moment. These will give us lessons for this year’s theme, and we’ll refer to other Scriptures as well.

Before we begin, a few quick notes:

1. There are no slides this morning.
2. A summary of the 10-week series will appear in the church newsletter. Please read it when it comes out.
3. If you’d like a copy of my sermon notes, please reach out to me. I’m happy to share them.

For those taking notes—which I strongly encourage—I’ll give you three placeholders:

1. An overview of servanthood and the 10-week series.
2. The who, what, and how of servanthood.
3. The why of servanthood.

Let’s pray before we turn to Scripture.

 

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for bringing us together at the turn of this new year to remember the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank You that in a world of change, You remain constant. Your Son is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Your promises remain sure. Your grace, mercy, and faithfulness never change. We are privileged to be called Your people and to rest in Your goodness.

As we now open Your Word, give us ears to hear and humble hearts to receive and apply it. As we consider the theme of servanthood—looking at the instructions and example of Christ—help us to see our response to the immense love and mercy You have shown us. Teach us this morning, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Scripture Readings

Let’s turn first to Ephesians 6:5–6:

“Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ—not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”

This passage reminds us to serve as though we are serving Christ Himself. That’s lesson number one.

Next, turn to Matthew 20:25–28:

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Here Jesus contrasts worldly leadership with His own example: greatness in His kingdom is measured by service.

 

Section 1 – Overview of the Servanthood Series

In recent years, our assembly has followed a thematic approach:

• 2020–2023: The Four E’s – Evangelism, Encouragement, Edification, and Exaltation.
• 2024: Stewardship.
• 2025: Servanthood.
• 2026: Steadfastness.

These themes are designed to emphasize faithfulness and commitment to the Lord, His Word, and the local assembly. The “S” themes—Stewardship, Servanthood, Steadfastness—give us the why and how of the Four E’s.

Over the next ten Sundays in our morning ministry:

1. A Fresh Perspective on Servanthood – today.
2. The Call to Be a Servant – next week.
3. The Servant Spirit – the following week.
4. Christ as Our Role Model.
5. The Pattern of Servanthood and
6. Servanthood and Discipleship.
7. The Qualities of a Servant.
8. Equipped for Service.
9. Biblical Principles for Faithful Service and The Reward for Service.

Three truths will run through the series:

1. Servanthood is linked to stewardship – it permeates every aspect of our lives and shapes how we use our God-given time, gifts, and resources.
2. Servanthood is linked to discipleship – John 15:5 reminds us that apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Service flows from abiding in Him.
3. Servanthood is linked to sacrifice and reward – John 12:24–26 teaches that fruitful service requires sacrifice, and that those who serve Christ will be honored by the Father.

 

Section 2 – The Who, What, and How of Servanthood

The world’s idea of service and leadership often revolves around power, profit, or personal pleasure. But Scripture calls us to something different.

Matthew 20 shows that true greatness in the kingdom is measured by humble service. Leaders in God’s church are to be servants, not overlords.

In 2 Timothy 2:24–25, Paul says:

“The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.”

Leaders—and indeed all believers—must show kindness, patience, and gentleness. Service is not about promoting ourselves, but about glorifying Christ and loving His people.

Key point: All believers are servants of the Lord. There is no “special class” of Christians who serve while others watch. Ephesians 6 calls all believers “bondservants of Christ.”

And our perfect example is Jesus Himself:

• Matthew 20:28 – “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve…”
• Philippians 2:5–8 – He humbled Himself, taking the form of a servant.
• Luke 22:27 – “I am among you as one who serves.”

Four reminders for us:

1. Biblical leadership flows from servanthood.
2. Servanthood applies to all believers.
3. Servanthood touches every aspect of life.
4. When discouraged, remember the example of Christ.

 

Section 3 – The Why of Servanthood

The Bible uses two key words for servant/slave:

• Old Testament: ʿebed (Hebrew).
• New Testament: doulos (Greek) – meaning “one bound to another.”

In the first-century world, a doulos was literally owned by a master. But in the New Testament, the term is also used metaphorically to describe believers—those who voluntarily devote themselves to Christ out of love.

A beautiful Old Testament example is found in Deuteronomy 15:12–17 (and Exodus 21): after six years, a Hebrew slave was free to go. But if he loved his master and wanted to stay, his ear would be pierced as a sign of lifelong voluntary service.

This is a picture of our relationship to Christ:

• We serve not because we must, but because we love our Master.
• We willingly give ourselves in service because of His goodness and grace.

 

Closing Challenge

As we begin 2025:

• Are you serving to the best of your ability?
• Are you serving from obligation, or from a joyful, willing heart?
• Are you exercising your spiritual gift for the good of the church and the glory of God?

Let us commit ourselves to serve Christ:

• Exalting Him out of love for our Lord.
• Edifying one another out of love for His people.
• Evangelizing the lost for whom He died.

 

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word—true and relevant for us today. As we consider the call to servanthood, help us reflect on our motives and our involvement in Your work. Make us humble, willing servants, committed to serving You together in unity for Your glory. We commit this year to You, trusting You for blessing as we serve in Jesus’ name. Amen.