Servant Leader (A Book Report)

The Passage (Philippians 2:1-8)

Introduction
Philippians 2 has been the source of many papers and commentaries and sermons alike. The generally understanding of what has been described as a contrasting text (verses 6-7) of Christ’s deity and humanity alone has cause heated debates between religious and leaders for a number of years. When a spiritual perspective and comprehension of this text is obtain, the light is shined upon any doubt that Christ was and is God in human form.

Philippians is a letter from the Apostle Paul to the churches in Philippi. This letter, like all others, was written as Christianity expanded out from Palestine into the wider world, which was dominated by the Roman Empire. Here is cause to wonder what life was like in Philippi under Roman jurisdiction and beliefs.

The Romans brought peace and wealth. Through trade lines with Italy, sharing luxury goods and grain, the hands of Roman trade and power reached far and wide. As a result, cities such as Ephesus, Corinth and Philippi, grew rich through this trading.

The Roman interests prospered as well as their beliefs and language.

On the negative side, the tax issue in Palestine was an ever increasing burden. The rich grew richer at the expense of the poor. In fact, it’s widely accepted understanding that, the empire was built on the laboring of the poor. At the bottom of society were the millions of slaves who owned no property and belonged completely to their masters.

The teaching we see in this chapter must go up against several obstacles along the streets of Philippi and other cities. You could walk down the street and be approached by or hear travelling philosophers talking about any and everything from morality living to indifference (living in harmony with God) to the epicureans lifestyle which teaches life is about pleasure.

Down the street in a small hall, you may have the opportunity to hear a teaching from a believer about living life to serve others and that Jesus gave us victory over death. These things are given if we just believe. It would sound interesting for you as a passer-by, but first you must make it through the barrage of other teachings. This is not a far-cry from what we see today.

Definitions:
Servant – noun
1. a person employed by another, esp. to perform domestic duties.
2. a person in the service of another.
3. a person employed by the government: a public servant.
Leader – noun
1. a person or thing that leads.
2. a guiding or directing head, as of an army, movement, or political group.

Commentary
Verses 1-2
The establishment of why we are talking. This first verse is the opening point. “Let’s understand something here. If we can agree that there is a greater purpose, let’s discuss this…” Paul here is laying out a blanket, “set aside the why and understand that there is purpose in what you’re doing”. Vs 2, being that the first church that Paul established in Europe, Philippi held a special place in his heart. When he states “Fulfil ye my joy,” there would immediately spark a sense of what we (the church) can do for the one that got us started. He goes on to say simply “you should all think like this”, this will bring me joy.

This is a rather strong statement in light of the knowledge that during this letter, Paul was awaiting trial. Immediately, you can respect Paul’s ability to remain focused on what really is important and what we are doing.

Verses 3-4
Vs. 3 opens with a strong contrast to what the Roman lifestyle displayed at that time and what the people of Philippi had been use to. To not think selfishly or operated with your own desires in mind was not a simple task as we sometimes present it to be today. Everything was dog-eat-dog, so-to-speak. Life was get what you can and rise above. The rich were respected and the poor were disregarded. So, now, to think of others and esteem others higher than yourself as a wealthy person, was easier said than done. The poor did not was to stay poor, think poor, live poor, or being reminded of being poor. They lived as “lower” than others, they experienced life’s hardships daily as servants to those with money.

Vs.4 here, Paul puts it right out there….don’t look at what you have and want, but, look out for others and what they may need or want. It’s even difficult for us to do this today. We’re concerned with our own and many times forget that there are needs out there beyond our own.

Verses 5-8
Vs. 5 allow the way Christ thinks, or think like Christ would think concerning this.. Vs. 6 this verse is Christ’s “ID card”; “who, being in the form (Greek word: morphē, meaning the physical representation of a thing, or external appearance) of God, thought it not robbery to be equal (Greek word: isos, meaning equal, in quantity or quality) with God. So what we have here, is Christ, though fully justified to be one with and like God the Father or God Almighty, lowers himself to show by living out in the flesh and example of what to be and how to treat others. Paul is very careful to point out that this is not his own resume or a description of what he, himself would be the example for, but Jesus, the Christ.

Vs. 7 unlike what we’ve seen and understand of the Roman Empire’s way of living and even in the world today, it is NOT about you! It’s not for you or your own reputation or popularity. It’s not for a title or position. Christ, even with a valid ID and being God in the flesh, set aside his authority and right in order to serve. In giving these up, He pleased God and showed how a “King” is to be. The greatest of all became the lowest of all in order to again, become the greatest of all. It is because Jesus gave up all that was his by right – even his life – that God has given him the highest place of all (Vs. 8-11).

The Passage (Mark 10:42-45)

Commentary
As you read this text, one may think that what is being taught is plainly obvious. It is not until you delve into the original Greek writings that you being to comprehend this teaching.
Jesus was not simply stating that He came and took on the guise or appearance of man for the sake of His ministry or the will of God. His teachings in this passage show us that we’re to quite literally, understand that we’re the servants of those that we lead. We serve in capacities that provide for the spiritual and many times, natural needs of those that subject themselves to our “leadership” calling and positions.

In verse 42, the Greek word for “they which are accounted to” is dokeo; meaning “to seem to be, think, suppose”. The immediate understanding is that there are those that “are” in charge of or over the people and those that “seem to be or think” they are. We give in to all sorts of leadership authorities these days, but what is the real source of their authority? Are we submitting ourselves to the authority of another whose source is NOT of God Almighty?

But Christ goes on to use the Greek word “katakurieuo” meaning “to bring under one's power, to subject one's self, to subdue, master”. So even those that “think or seem to be” over a group of people would exercise dominion or subdue those that would follow them. Where does the desire to subdue or have a group of people subject to your lordship come from? We can find the answer to that question in Matthew 4:9 “And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” As leaders, ministers, pastors and the like, we’re not to “lord over” anyone, but to remember to serve in humbleness of mind (verse 43).
It is further interesting to notice in verse 43 the word “great” is used and in verse 44, Jesus uses “chiefest”. We should not simply read over this text and think that they mean the same thing. Jesus, like many of the teachers of that locale, chose specific words for their specific meanings. Otherwise in both cases, the either word would have fit for both verses. The word great comes from the Greek word “megas” meaning “of large size, age or elder, authority, influence, etc” and the word “chiefest” comes from the Greek word “protos” meaning “first place, or first in rank”. There will be those that have influence because of who they are and those that have a position because of election, calling, or selection. Those that are “great” are subject to those that are “chiefest” or those that are of great influence, trusted, elders, are subject to the authority of the Pastor or leader and a servant to the masses and the Pastor is a servant to all, though is over all and seeks not for his own desires but to the needs of the flock.

The Passage (John 13)

Introduction
This passage shows Jesus spending his last meal with the disciples. They have been arguing over who is the greatest (Luke 22:24) and Jesus’ response was to display to them what their servant-leader positions should “look like” by his example.

Commentary
Verses 1-3 Jehovah is salvation i.e. Jesus is a great way to open this passage. As the text is read and ultimately, ends with Jesus being betrayed by Judas, the name Jehovah is salvation is an example of Christ or God the Father calling those things which be not as though they were. The opening of the scripture shows us that Jesus knew all and had all authority. Nothing was being done that He was not aware of and could not control. In fact, the Passover feast was unto Him, but the Him He was, just happened to be amongst them!

In the midst of what was occurring and about to happen, Christ never forgot His call to serve. He girded Himself with a servant’s towel to serve those that followed Him. This is an example of the leadership quality and style of our savior. The Word should come alive as you read verse 4 and realize that in Ephesians 6:14 it tells us to have our loins girded about with truth and our Savior who is “The Truth” is girding Himself about with a servant’s towel. The understanding here is that “The Truth is serving”!

Also, in verse 4, He discarded His outer garments or He laid aside that fine suit or His pomp and show for a more real display of what it means to serve. It’s not about how well dressed you may be, but it’s fine to look good, in verse 12, He got dressed again. Can we get past the outside appearance and stay with what we’re supposed to do? Can we let go of all the things and humble ourselves to the service of others? We may have earned our positions or titles, and paid our dues for the things that we have, but, is that why you’re called?

Verse 5 says …..began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. The understanding here, in addition to Jesus serving, is that they were washed with the water (the Holy Spirit) and dried with the towel (The Truth) that was around the waist of Jesus. Ministers of the Gospel are to wash with the Holy Spirit, and dry (repair or put back together again) people with the Truth (Christ and His Holy Word), that we’re to have around the center (waist) of who we are.

Verses 6-9 tells us that we’re all to take part in being cleaned by the Word. No one is above the need to be washed in the Word or by the Spirit of God. We cannot call ourselves leaders or even disciples without following this example.

Verses 10-11 let us know that there are some amongst the called that are clean, but, just because you are the chosen don’t mean that you’re clean. Sometimes the clean will need to occasionally wash their feet. In other words, we sin or get a little dusty, we need to be washed up, dusted off, a little spit shine applied. Christ knew who was not clean and even so, He washed his feet. Christ knows who amongst the called today, is not clean, but will allow you to walk with the clean. Your sins will find you out.

In verses 12 -13 we see how we must receive Christ and how we are to display ourselves if we’re to be like Him. We’re right when we call Him our Lord (verse 13), but, we’re to follow His lead and do for others what He’s done for us (verse 14 & 15).

Too often, we “shoot for the stars” and forget we’re not better that the Lord our Savior. We want to have a kingdom on earth with a mega church or ministry and all types of influence and followers, but, if we’re not humble enough to serve as Christ served us, we’re wasting time. We will find peace and joy in serving if we understand why we’re chosen (verses 16 & 17).

Even after we have done all we can and we’ve taught the best teachings and led many to Christ, we should never forget why we’re here. Jesus, after all He had done, was still betrayed, He was still given up, for the will of God for you and I. The ministry that we have been called to is not “our” ministry; it’s Christ’s ministry. The reason we teach, preach and live this life is not for us, but that the will of God can be done.

There may be a Judas amongst the chosen, but, Jesus knows. There may be some dirty or dusty among the chosen, but, Jesus knows. But are we doing what Christ told us to do? Are we serving to fulfill the call of God on our lives or our own desires? We must stay focused, and stay on tasks. Even Christ told Judas in verse 27 “That thou doest, do quickly.” Even though it was to betray our savior, it served the need for other events that followed. The scripture was fulfilled.

Conclusion
The purpose, for which we serve, is not our purpose. It‘s not about whether or not we get to move to the head of the line. It’s not about a title, position, or respect. It is about Jesus. Jesus is our great (megas) example.

The higher we go, the more we are to serve.

This study give a new meaning to the phrase “What Would Jesus Do?”

The Grace of God by Mike Moody

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
One cannot read this Scripture citation without a realization that God’s grace is first; yet, it is not forced on any individual, but submitted to by one’s free will. Both men and women are treated as individuals who can and should make a free decision to follow or not to follow Jesus. Grace must be accepted by each individual in order to experience salvation through the finished work of Christ upon Calvary. Remember, God binds himself to humanity, but this binding still requires the human response of both men and women in binding himself or herself to God. One’s response to God’s plan of salvation in and through Christ is required in order to become a part of God’s elect. God allows each individual the power of free decision. God wants us to put obedience to Him and seeking His righteousness and His Kingdom ahead of everything else in this life. Our commitment to serve Him wholeheartedly, however, may present us with difficult choices. Paul explains: "... All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). Therefore we need to evaluate, ahead of time, how strong our commitment to God is so we will be prepared to make the choices He wants us to make. God tells us that "many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all" (Psalm 34:19). Our commitment to God is necessary (Mark 8:34-38). He tells us, "But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:2). His response to us depends in large part on whether we trust Him, whether our faith in Him is solid.

Be Blessed,
Mike Moody

Being Spirit Lead by Mike Moody

The Apostle John says , “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of this life, is not of the Father, but of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever,” 1 John 2:16-17. Many of us will mourn when we see many of the erroneous decisions we have made based upon the flesh, ego, or the emotions. This is possibly the reason the scriptures say Jesus Christ will have to wipe tears away from our eyes. Revelation 7:17, “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Paul said that our works will be tried with fire. “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built there upon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire,” 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.

This is why it is of the utmost importance, that we learn guidance of the Holy Spirit

within our spirit and the other ways in which God leads and directs us.

Be Blessed.Mike Moody