The Servant Test

Name of Assembly: United Apostolic Church  
Type of service: Bible Study
Date: October 12, 2021
Series Topic: Test Everyone Christian Will Face 
Lesson 8: The Servant Test   
Scripture Text: 1 Kings 19:19-21

19 “So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elija5h passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. 20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? 21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him” – 1 Kings 19:19-21.

“ But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah” – 2 Kings 3:11.

INTRODUCTION
 
Servants of Jesus Christ
Before we examine the Servant Test that we will all experience as disciples of Jesus Christ, we will look at the meaning of the Greek word most frequently translated as servants in the New Testament. 

In Philippians 1:1 we read, “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” The apostle Paul refers to himself and to Timothy as ‘servants of Jesus Christ’. The word ‘servants’ is the translation of the Greek word ‘doulos’ which refers not to a hired servant, but rather to a slave. Paul regarded himself and Timothy as slaves of Jesus Christ! Is that how we view ourselves?

Personal Activity: 
What is the difference between a hired servant and a bondservant (slave)?

The word ‘doulos’ presents the slave in at least five aspects. We will briefly consider these:

1)    The slave is one who is born into slavery

There are two words in Greek which refer to persons in slavery. One speaks of a slave taken in war. The other speaks of a person born into slavery. The latter is the one used in our text. We were born into slavery to the Devil by our first birth. When we heard and accepted the good news concerning the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, when we repented of our sins, were baptized in the name of the Lord and were filled with the Holy Spirit, we were born again into slavery to Jesus Christ.

2)    The slave is bounded to his master     

Once we were bound to Satan in the bonds of sin. Now, however, we who have experienced New Testament salvation are bound to the Lord Jesus Christ by the bonds of His righteousness imputed to us and working effectively in us as we submit to the Holy Spirit’s authority.

3)    The slave is one whose will is surrendered to the will of his master
     
Before we were saved our wills were surrendered to the will of Satan. We walked according to the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:1-3). Now our wills should be surrendered to the will of the Lord Jesus Christ as we consistently and yield to the promptings of the Spirit and say NO to the flesh. Is this our personal experience at the present time?

4)    The slave is devoted to the interest of his master to the extent that he disregards his own interests

While we were Satan’s slaves we served him to the disregard of our own best interests, for the wages we received for our services was death. We recklessly served him, no matter how dearly we paid for it. Now that we have a new master and are bond-slaves to Jesus Christ, are we really serving Him to the disregard of our own interests? Are we serving Him just to the point where it starts to cost us something and stopping there? Or are we serving Him not counting our lives dear to ourselves? (Acts 20:22-24; 21:10-14).

5)    The slave is one in a permanent relationship to his master which only death can sever

Prior to salvation, we were in a permanent relationship with the devil until we identified with Christ in His death thus causing our bonds to be broken. We should now view ourselves as being in a permanent relationship with our Lord. This relationship, however, is not severed when we die and since our Lord cannot die; our relationship with Him should be an eternal one! Only our spiritual death arising as result of unconfessed, unforsaken sin can sever it. Let us resolve to ‘live for Him who died for us.’

Personal Activity: There are many who wish to serve Jesus but only in an ADVISORY position. Reflection –Am I a bondservant of Jesus Christ? What steps must I continue to take to ensure that I remain Jesus’ servant?

FIVE DEMANDS OF A SERVANT

• The surrender of FREEDOM
  A soldier surrenders his freedom to provide us our freedom! What a weird concept but how so true with our own everyday lives. In the text we saw that Elisha surrendered his freedom of being with his family. He exhibited ridiculous commitment to Elijah; wasting no time in obeying. He didn’t go away to take time to think about it. He didn’t write out a list of pros and cons. He didn’t play it safe. He immediately said yes to God’s calling through Elijah.

Elisha’s ridiculous commitment shows that the cost of following God is great, but the cost of not following Him is even greater. Furthermore, Elisha’s commitment was complete. He burned his plows, slaughtered his oxen, and left his family’s inheritance behind. He left everything he knew and loved behind. Elisha shows us that to step toward your destiny, you must step away from your security. 

Personal Activity: Reflection Is your commitment to God immediate and complete like Elisha’s? What security might you need to walk away from to walk toward your destiny?

• The surrender of TIME
  If we are going to provide time to serve God in any capacity, we must surrender our personal time to accomplish that work! Elisha surrendered his personal time.

“But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?” – St. Luke 17:7-8.

It is essentially that every member of United Apostolic Church realizes that time is not waiting on us to do the things that we are commanded to do. 

a)    Time is not waiting on us to build and maintain an active passionate daily devotional life.
b)    Time is not waiting on us to become more consistent to Youth Services, Bible Study and Prayer Meetings.
c)    Time is not waiting on us to participate in our monthly fasting and community evangelism endeavors.   
d)    Time is not waiting on us to get involved in an area of ministry.

Jesus Christ attitude towards the things of His Kingdom reflects a great sense of urgency. In St. Luke 2:42-51 we read the following, “And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.” In St. John 9:4 he again spoke of the urgency that must be demonstrated by all workers in His Kingdom; saying, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” Every member of United Apostolic Church must be ‘baptized’ with this great sense of urgency so that we can recover as much as is possible.  

Personal Activity: 
Reflection: How can I better serve MY GOD and MY CHURCH?

Decision: I am convinced that I need to demonstrate a greater sense of urgency in participating in the work of my Church. However, I am not sure in what area I can be of help. If this applies to you, have a discussion with Pastor Gordon to see where you can be of assistance. 

• The surrender of EGO (Self-image)
  The word ego generally refers to an exaggerated sense of self-importance, which usually results is an excessive preoccupation with “self.” But dying to self, the polar opposite of ego, is the biblical model for Christians. The opposite of ego is humility, and both the Old and New Testaments are laden with references to living humbly. In the book of Micah we read, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” – Micah 6:8.

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of humility. In Mark 10:45 we read, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Philippians 2:5-8 reads, “5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” In St. Matthew 11:29 Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest  for your souls.” 

Jesus did not come to earth to be served, but to serve, making “himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.” We see an expression of Christ’s selfless attitude in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” - Matthew 26:39. 

• The surrender of PREFERENCES
  The selecting of someone or something over another or others. The disciple must be prepared to surrender his preferences (what he prefers to do) when there is a Every person has an authority in life that he or she submits to as a subordinate, not by constraint but by conviction. Furthermore, God has created human beings to live under His authority. When we choose to live under a different rule, that of self or an idol, we sin. 

We are all called to submit ourselves to the authorities that God has placed in our lives even if its not our preference. In St. Luke 5:1-6 we read the following, “And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

The instruction that Simon received from Jesus Christ in St. Luke 5:4 was not his preference. However, he submitted to Jesus’ authority and because of his submission he was blessed with a “great multitude of fishes.”   

Personal Activity: 
What would have been the outcome had Simon refused to submit to Jesus’ commandment?

Have I missed the opportunity to experience Jesus’ blessings because I did not submit to the godly authority that God has placed in my life?

 

How do I correct this? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” – 1 John 1:9. 

a)    Ask God for forgiveness. 
b)    If someone was wronged by your decision, go, and ask them to forgive you.
c)    Begin to practice submission to the authorities that God has placed in your life.  

• The surrender of RESOURCES 

Can you gain without giving? Can you truly receive God’s favor and blessings without giving what you have received?  In Malachi 3:8-12 we read the following, “8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.” 

The servant must surrender all the resources that he has received to be use in God’s Kingdom. Resources include money, talents, and abilities etc. 

SERVITUDE WILL COME BEFORE HONOR

• Joseph served Potiphar
• Joshua served Moses
• Samuel served Eli
• David served Saul
• Elisha served  Elijah 

 TWELVE ATTITUDES OF A SERVANT

• A Servant is TEACHABLE 

“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.” – 3 John 1:9-10.

“Earlier I wrote something along this line to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being in charge, denigrates my counsel. If I come, you can be sure I’ll hold him to account for spreading vicious rumors about us” – 3 John 1:9-10 (TMB).

• A Servant is SUBMISSIVE 
   “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” St. Matthew 26:39.

 

• A Servant is PATIENT 
  “24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” – 2 Timothy 2:24-15.

 

• A Servant is DILIGENT  
  “46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” – St. Matthew 24:46-51.

 

• A Servant is PRODUCTIVE 
  “29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” – St. Matthew 25:29-30.

 

• A Servant is LOYAL 
  “No servant can be the slave of two masters; such a slave will hate one and love the other or will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” – St. Luke 16:13.

 

• A Servant has INTEGRITY  
  “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” – Galatians 1:10.

 

• A Servant is SELFLESS 
  “17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” – Acts 20:17-24.

 

• A Servant is PROFITABLE  
  “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more” – 1 Corinthians 9:19.

 

• A Servant is TRUSTWORTHY   
  “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” – Revelation 17:14.

 

• A Servant is FOCUSED    
  “32 In all you do, I want you to be free from worry. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man can’t do that so well; he has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. It is the same with a girl who marries. She faces the same problem. A girl who is not married is anxious to please the Lord in all she is and does. But a married woman must consider other things such as housekeeping and the likes and dislikes of her husband. 35 I am saying this to help you, not to try to keep you from marrying. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few other things as possible to distract your attention from him” – 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (TLB).

 

• A Servant is PREPARED    
  “42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes” – St. Luke 12:42-47.

Personal Activity: 
Are these attitudes a part of my daily life?

 

I have examined myself and found my life void of the following attitudes of a servant:
____________________________________

 

Pray earnestly that the above missing attitudes will become a part of your daily life.

ELISHA LEGACY

•  Chosen
• Anointed
• Obedient
• Sacrificial
• Servant
• Patient
   

Elisha’s legacy continued after his death. “And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet” – 1 Kings 13:20-21.

 

CONCLUSION

The words we want to hear from Christ is “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter
thou into the joy of thy lord” – St. Matthew 25:23.

The purpose of the Servant Test is to establish if we have a servant’s heart, or if we are living our lives demanding to be served. The last lesson Jesus Christ taught to His disciples before Calvary was about being a servant. He used a towel and a pan of water to show who would be the greatest in His kingdom.  “4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” – St. John 13:4-17.

We will be judged upon how we served. We are longing to hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful SERVANT." However, what we will hear will be dependent on how we do with the Servant Test.