·         Jesus clearly stated to the 12 that if you want to truly be great in the Kingdom of Heaven you must be a servant. And if you want to be greatest you must be a servant of all.

·         In making such a statement He was creating the structure of the Kingdom on the earth. In our culture we have the expectation of being served, and if we are not careful we can begin to believe that it is “all about me.”

·         For Jesus it was all about us/others!

·         In this discussion we want to examine what it means to be a servant, what stands in the way of a lifestyle of serving, and the rewards of serving.

1.  What does servant lifestyle look like?

A. Who in your life could be called a servant or one who serves well? Why?

B.  Who modeled service in the Bible? Why do you see them as servants? Jesus, Moses, Paul Timothy, Samaritan, Joseph to Pharaoh, 

i.        Paul 2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. NKJV

ii.      Matthew 27:55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, NKJV

iii.    Jacob to Laban. Genesis 30:29-30 So Jacob said to him, "You know how I have served you and how your livestock has been with me. 30 For what you had before I came was little, and it has increased to a great amount; the Lord has blessed you since my coming. And now, when shall I also provide for my own house?" NKJV

iv.    Peter’s Mother in law. Matthew 8:14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. NKJV

C. How did Jesus describe the way to become great? What does that look like when it is happening?

i.        Matthew 23:11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. NKJV

ii.      Mark 9:35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." NKJV

iii.    Describe a time when you joyfully served someone. How did that make you feel?

2.  What are the obstacles to a servant lifestyle? Servant lifestyle is about the heart, not just service but being a servant.  It contains commitment and responsibility done with the heart of others in mind.

A. List some things that keep you from being a better servant: 

vi.    Often overlooked with no recognition

viii.         How many of the things listed are about you? When life is about us we do not see others. When life is about us we do not consider others. The biggest obstacle to a servant lifestyle is not the list we just made—the biggest obstacle is the condition of our heart before God and others.

B.  What is the hardest thing about serving others? When they do not appreciate it, or they take advantage of the service. When my heart is not in a good place—I’m frustrated, angry, don’t care. When I want to be first. Phil 2:3-4 Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. (from THE MESSAGE)

C. What are two things required of me to be a servant that Jesus would be proud of?

i.      A servant lifestyle requires two things, what are they: a right heart and right actions.

2.  How can I become a better servant?  Why serve?

A. What choices are involved in becoming a servant?

i.        I must choose to let the mind/heart that is in Christ Jesus be in me.

a.    Philippians 2:4-7 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. NKJV

b.  All our choices are motivated by a longing/desire in our heart. We must work to build right desires.

ii.      I must choose to be a servant instead of the one being served.

a.    Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." NKJV

iii.    I must choose to see others better than myself

a.    Read Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. NKJV 

b.  From the Message: Phil 2:3-4 Don’t push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top.  Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.  Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage.  Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

iv.    I must choose to value what Jesus values in the Kingdom of God. 

a.    Matthew 23:11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. NKJV

B.  Read Matthew 23:11 again,  But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. NKJV

i.     When is it your turn to be served? When you decide not to be greatest it will be your turn to be served. When you have decided to no longer be great then it is your turn to be served. To serve or be served that is the question that Jesus is asking us all.

C.  What are the rewards of serving others and doing so with a right heart?

·         Everyone is called to greatness. The challenge is discovering how God defines great and removing the obstacle from our heart that keep us from serving.

·         In a world that seeks to be served, Jesus clearly defines the Kingdom culture of serving.

·         If we can bring ourselves to a place of valuing serving, we will choose to serve. And we will find joy in doing so.