View a printer-friendly copy of this outline in Adobe Reader.  View a presentation of this sermon in Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer.  Follow this link to comment on the sermon, or to read what others have said.

Here is a link to the sermon audio at our iTunes podcast.  Here is a link to the sermon audio in the mp3 file format.  Here is a link to the sermon audio in the wma file format.
The Heart of a Servant
1 John 5:1-5

Introduction:

A.      We may be people of free will (primarily focused on self), but we have never been independent.

B.     We may behave “independently,” but to what end … for what purpose?

C.     The bottom line is that we are either slaves to sin (Satan) or righteousness (God).
Rom. 6:16-17

D.     We choose whom we will serve. Matt. 6:24a

E.     The question is: is it from the heart?

Discussion:

I.         Jesus, Our Master Servant

A.      Jesus Came as a Servant

1.      Although our king, Jesus came to serve. Mk. 10:45

2.      He sought not His own, but the Father’s will … even under the most difficult circumstance. Lk. 22:42

3.      It was an attitude of servant-hood that He perfectly exemplified. Phil. 2:5

II.       Christians serving Christ

A.      Made to be like Christ

1.      Christ is not just our Savior but example of how to glorify and magnify our God. Jn. 13:12-17

2.      For this reason we are to serve like Jesus. Mk. 10:42-45

B.     Serving Christ at All Times

1.      Whether children to their parents. Eph. 6:1

2.      Whether wives to their husbands. Eph. 5:22

3.      Whether slaves (employees) to their masters (managers). Eph. 6:5

… from the heart … in all situations

“not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.  With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.” Ephesians 6:6-8

C.     Servant-hood … it’s from the heart

1.      It is summed up by loving God and man. Matt. 22:37-40

2.      It looks like love in action: 1 Jn. 5:1-5; 3:23

a.      Loving/keeping the commandments of God.

b.      This is manifest by how we love our brethren.

Conclusion:

A.      Pre-occupied with self, we’ll never be what God wants: free-will servants.

B.      If our will, however, is to do the pleasure of God – then we’ll be conformed to the image of His Son – and bring glory to our Father.

 

Glory to God in the church by Christ Jesus
Franklin Church of Christ