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Servant of All

Jesus called them saying, you know that the rulers of the people lord over them, and their great exercise lordship over them existing. Existing not so among you, but, whoever wills to become great among you exists your servant.*

We hear much about calling, in regards to leadership, I am called to lead some say. Here Jesus "called" the disciples and to those he called he said to exist great in the Kingdom of God is to become a servant of all. So are those called, called to lead or serve? Think about this, a servant does not lead in fact if he did the one he serves would probably find another to serve him. A servant doesn't become a "lord" over those he is called to serve. A servant doesn't need a vision, a great master plan, no, a servant need only serve the one he serves.

Who then exists Apollos? And who exists Paul? Servants through whom believing, even as the Lord gives each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God grows.*

No man causes growth, so what does it matter that you planted or watered, as Jesus said, those who reap and those who sow will all receive the same reward. It is the way of sinful man to lead, not to follow, to receive credit for that which is not due him and when we take our eyes off Jesus naturally we become puffed up in pride. It is a fallacy to think we can lead and cause people to grow, Jesus leads and it is God that causes growth. For those called to be great these must become a servant, for this purpose. Jesus is the Way, thus He leads the Way and those who serve him follow the Way. He causes increase and growth, thus the gifts given as the Lord gives are for the purpose of planting
and watering.

yea, you are not called Rabbi, for you exist in one with the teacher. yea, you exist all brothers.*

The Jewish Rabbi was called a master teacher. Like the Pharisees who held much authority over the people, they exalted themselves over the people but Christ says no, you are not to be like these leaders, you are all brothers. Truly, we exist children of God, in equality all brothers and sisters in Christ. Think of this as a family, who does the Father love most of all the sisters and brothers? He loves all his children the same, he would not have chosen you. Also Jesus said, "do not be called a leader, because Christ exists your only leader, the one now also greatest among you will exist your servant."*  This word for leader means one who leads or guides. So together do not call yourself a leader, a master teacher and guide. Jesus is the Way, and the Holy Spirit guides us into truth.* The anointing abides in us and teaches us to abide in the words of Jesus.* Thus we need no guide nor leader but Christ. It is the same concept of authority, we obey authority as for Christ, but Jesus is our Lord and Master, and no man will take the place of his Lordship. So based upon this and the gift of teaching that Christ gives to the Church, a teacher is one who plants and waters, serves, it is God who causes growth.  

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.*

It is an amazing concept, we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus beforehand, we are his good work.* When people see Christ in us, especially when we were known in a different way in the past, God gets the glory for his work. The purpose of the Church is to grow up the body, and since it is Christ who grows, then what is left to do but to plant and water. If God causes growth and we must plant and water then no growth in the Church says there is a watering and planting problem and ultimately a problem of ministers serving Christ. In other words, if truly ministers were serving Christ, not so concerned with leading and having followers, but planting and watering there would be cause for growth. And if there is planting and watering and no growth then surely the ground that the seed falls upon is not good soil. If God causes growth and we plant and water and there must be good soil then no growth is an issue of delivery. Therefore we do need lords, masters, guides and leaders, but servants to deliver the words of Christ.

Jesus said to him, are you the one leading, Satan? for it is written: ‘reverence the Lord your God, and serve him only.'*

A true servant doesn't do things for his own benefit, he serves so that the one he serves, God, causes growth. The benefit is the growth of the other person. This principle would apply even in a secular organization, if I am a servant then I am there to serve for the growth of those in the organization, not for my own personal gain. God gets the glory in the impact this serving will have on people. It is for Pastors to serve those in the Church, for what purpose? so that God causes growth and like Christ they go into all nations, to influence the world. Contrast the difference of leadership of the world, concerned with organizational growth with that of a Pastor who is a servant of all, concerned with the growth of each individual person. I believe the greater influence will come the latter way, because Pastors lay down their lives to plant and water, and because God has caused to grow, many will bear fruit in the world through serving in organizations of the world.







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