Servant - February 23rd, 2014 sermon

By Pastor Greg

Doug Nichols, an India missionary, contracted tuberculosis and was sent to a sanitarium. When he offered tracts, the other patients refused, wanting nothing to do with this American or his God.

One night, kept awake by his raspy cough, Doug noticed an old man trying to get out of bed but failing because he was so weak and exhausted. Finally he laid back down, sobbing. It was soon obvious from the stench that he'd been trying to get to a bathroom. Says Doug, "The nurses were angry because they had to clean up the mess. One slapped him."

The next night the same scene repeated. So Doug went over, picked up the old man, and carried him to the bathroom. When he was finished,
Doug carried him back. Grateful, the old man said something in an unfamiliar language, and then kissed him on the cheek.

Drifting off to an uneasy sleep, Doug woke in the morning to a steaming cup of tea served to him by another patient, who motioned that he wanted one of Doug's tracts. "Throughout the day," says Doug, "people came to me asking for tracts or Gospels of John, until everyone in the hospital had one. Over the next few days, several trusted Christ as Savior!"

About that event, Doug comments[1], "Now what did I do? I didn't preach a sermon. I couldn't even communicate in their language. I didn't have a great lesson to teach them. I didn't have wonderful things to offer. All I did was take an old man to the bathroom, and anyone can do that."

My friend, I am sure very few ever heard of Doug Nichols. His is one among the countless names who never make the headlines; who never receive the accolades or the glory in this world. But it is men and women and children like Doug whose story will be heralded for all to hear in that day of glory in heaven. And what many of us fail to realize is that the Lord sees and knows and takes pleasure in the labors of His faithful servants regardless of how insignificant that work might seem. All obedient servants of the Lord will receive His “well done” (Matthew 25:21).

I told you the story of Doug because in a way in echoes what Paul says at the end of Romans. In chapter 16 he mentions many names that the world never noticed, and names even the Church fails to notice. Yet, according to Paul, each contributed significantly to the Kingdom of God. Each had been a faithful servant submitted to doing the Lord’s work (read Romans 16:1-16, 21-24).

I could spend a great deal of time talking about each of these individuals who had and were contributing to the Kingdom of God. Many are mentioned by name, while Paul simply makes reference to others. Phoebe, for example, was the messenger who was delivering this letter. She, along with 26 others, contributed to the kingdom of God in many different ways. And although history books will not remember these people, Paul felt they were faithful servants worthy of praise. So does God.

Too often we look for praise and recognition from this world in order to deem our labors worthy of honor. But in God’s kingdom, no deed done in the name of Jesus is too small or too insignificant. Like the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32), we are called not to judge the size of the deed or the simplicity of the message we shared. We are called to be faithful servants. However, knowing this truth is not the same as living this truth. I think we all struggle with doubts that a simple word here or a kind gesture there in the name of the Lord was sufficient. But Paul reminds us that there is no such thing as an insignificant servant. Even opening our home for Bible study contributes to the work of the Kingdom and is pleasing to God.

Have you ever felt that God does not notice the little things you do in His name? Rest assured; He sees all that you do. The Lord even notices the cup of cold water you gave to someone who was thirsty (Matthew 25:35). And do you remember what Jesus said to five of the churches in Revelation? “I know the things you do. I’ve seen your hard work and patient endurance” (Revelation 2:2). “I know about your suffering and poverty” (Revelation 2:9). “I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me” (Revelation 2:13). “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance” (Revelation 2:19). “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you” (Revelation 3:8). Indeed, the Lord takes notice. The Lord observes your labors. He sees and rewards those servants who remain faithful until the end. And when He returns, “And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor” (1 Peter 5:4).

As I spent time serving in Haiti I became deeply grateful for those who contributed financially so we could travel to this island and minister in the name of Jesus. We all were grateful for what others had done. We were grateful for the prayers. Personally, I was grateful to those who continued to serve here while I was away. And I think this is an important lesson we need to keep in mind; no one servant is greater than the next. Together, each submitted servant of God is contributing to the work of the Kingdom. Please do not think that what you do is insignificant. It’s the Devil who wants us to think we cannot or are not making a difference. But God, on the other hand, sees your prayers in private, the anonymous financial contributions, your words of encouragement, and your gestures of love even though they are missed by the world and perhaps the church.

Please do not stop being a servant. Do not stop what you are doing. What the Master calls you to do is important and is significant in His Kingdom. Don’t let the World or its master (the Satan) defeat you or discourage you. Do not measure success by human standards or worldly praise. The Lord is pleased with those servants who are submitted to doing His will.

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[1] Harold J. Sala, Heroes: People Who Made a Difference in Our World: Barbour Pub Incorporated, Sep 1, 1998

Submitted - February 16th, 2014 sermon

By Pastor Greg

We have come nearly to the end of our study on the book of Romans. Paul has reached a point where he has concluded his theological teaching about sin and salvation. And for all practical purposes we could finish right here. But there are a few more points I would like to make before we conclude; points that stand out as we look at the life of Paul, his relationship with God and, most importantly, God’s relationship with Paul.

At the end of Romans 15, we hear Paul talk about his travel plans. As he finishes up his third missionary journey, Paul is in Corinth. It is the fall of 57 AD. During the three months he stayed in Corinth, he wrote this letter to the Roman Christians. And here, at the end of the letter, he talks about his future plans and desires (read Romans 15:23-33).

You know, initially I intended to skip over this section. Discussing Paul’s travel plans just doesn’t preach. At least that what I originally thought. But here is an example of a submitted Christian. You see, Paul will take that offering up to Jerusalem. He will present it to the Jerusalem Church, and they will be grateful for the help. But after about a week in Jerusalem, some Jews from Asia arrive and stir up a mob against Paul. Arrested, he will spend two years in prison, be beaten, and shipwrecked, before he ever makes it to Rome (see Acts 21-28). And the odd part about this, he had been warned. As he was heading to Jerusalem a prophet named Agabus warned Paul that he would be “bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles” (Acts 21:11). But Paul could not be persuaded to change his plans. Realizing this, all his friends simply stated “The Lord’s will be done” (Acts 21:14).

Oh, Paul made it to Rome, but not as he had planned. Things did not turn out as he had expected. Yet in each unexpected circumstance, Paul takes the opportunity to share the Good News. Paul never hesitates to talk about the Lord while in prison, while speaking to rulers and governors and kings, and even while shipwrecked on Malta. When Paul does find himself in Rome he is placed under house arrest (Acts 28:16). But even then he never misses an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus. Even while in prison, Paul is able to share the Gospel with those around him; even Caesar’s household (see Philippians 4:22).

Rather than grumble and complain that his plans had been interrupted, Paul demonstrates a servant’s heart and submits to the Father’s will. It seems evident that Paul did not view these unexpected changes as a setback, but as an opportunity. He submitted to the Father’s will. And to Paul, these changes were God’s way of directing his life. After all, it is the Master’s prerogative to change where His servant might go or what His servant might do.

For the Christian who has allowed themselves to be transformed by God, and who has become a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), there is an attitude of submission evident in their lives. They permit God to be their Lord. They give the Father full reign in their lives, and submit to His will, His timing, and His direction. It is not an easy task, but this is what it means to become a living sacrifice. And we can see this attitude lived out in the life of Paul.

As I think about my own relationship with God, I know at times I am not the best servant. I am not truly submitted to the Lord. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I love Him with all my heart. And desire to live a holy life so that He is honored. But this idea of being submitted doesn’t always sit too well with me. And I think many of us probably struggle with this. I think far too often we get frustrated or irritated or aggravated that things did not work out as we had planned. And I am pretty sure those attitudes demonstrate that we are not truly submitted to the Lord. Or how about the many times we make all kinds of plans to do this or that in the name of the Lord, then ask God to bless our efforts. Is that really being a servant? Is that really being submitted? When we make plans and ask for God’s blessing, we actually diminish His glory; treating God as some kind of genie who is waiting in the corner to grant us our every wish. And we do this far too often. Seldom do we spend time in prayer asking the Lord what He would have us do, or ask Him to guide us and direct us according to His will.

Anyway, as I was reading over this section of Romans I began to realize that I need to change some things in my life in order to really be submitted to God. I need to stop looking at those inconvenient times as irritations, and instead see them as opportunities. And I also need to spend more time listening to the Lord’s leading instead of telling Him what I am going to do.

Maybe you need to be reminded of this as well. Maybe we both need to realize that to be submitted to God (when He is truly Lord of our life) His direction and His timing do not become irritations but opportunities. He is Lord, and He just might changes our plans. And maybe all of us should spend more time listening to the Master instead of telling the Lord how and what we are going to do. Maybe that’s why we get frustrated when He changes our plans. Maybe those moments of frustration are God’s way of putting us in our place. We need to remember that He is Lord and we are His servants. We are to be submitted to Him, and serve when and where He leads.