Issues of Servanthood and Position within the House of God

Understanding Servanthood
Today’s Focus: Issues of Servanthood and Position within the House of God
Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Greetings Kingdom Citizens
When we examine servanthood from the House of God perspective and after the past messages we see a call for us as believers to derobe ourselves of titles and false aspirations that are not in the mind of God. Instead of the anointing using us as He pleases and clothing us in His righteousness and OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH THE SPIRIT confirm who we are, we vest ourselves and cover ourselves in titles and try to justify the title. With the title comes a attitude to be someone high in a place of position and power. However, to become a servant of God you must become completely nothing. This is what Paul was speaking about in Philippians 2:1-11 about Jesus making Himself of no reputation and takes on the form of a servant. Now if Jesus can be found on the lowest round of the ladder or social status, where do you think we should be found. See, I understand more that we desire the high seen places and this is the complete opposite of what God wants you to desire and focus on. Let me show you in this story between Jesus and the disciples.

In Matthew 20:20-28 we the mother of Zebedee's children come to Jesus with a particular request. She desired that Jesus grant her sons to sit on the right and the left hand in His Kingdom. Now this granting of the mother is a metaphoric designation of us desiring for high places to be seen. Now Jesus tells her that special place shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of His Father. So Jesus basically tells her that those places are not for Him to give but it will be given to those for whom it is prepared by the Father. So Jesus stays in the role of the servant even though He is the King of kings. He understands that it is the Father's Will that will direct the Holy Spirit in placing people in the Body of Christ to prepare the Body for the return of the Lord. Now in Matthew 20:24 the ten disciples heard the request and became very upset. This is a picture of a church fight. People jealous of others trying to advance themselves in the Kingdom. Even though the request was unique and she did not understand what she was asking for, people get jealous when others are desiring to advance. Now Jesus sees this discourse about to go down and so He takes the time to explain to the disciples about servanthood and placement within the House of God.

Matthew 20:25-28: But Jesus called them unto Him and said, Ye know that the princes (rulers) of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. BUT IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU: BUT WHOSOEVER WILL BE GREAT AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE YOUR MINISTER (SERVANT); And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Jesus explains to the disciples that the rulers of the Gentiles exercise authority and rule over the people. This rule, many times was a oppressive rule. But Jesus tells the dsiciples that this SHALL NOT BE WITH THE DISCIPLES AND SONS OF GOD. If you desire to be great or to be cheif or leader, that person MUST BECOME A SERVANT OF ALL. So to be in the high governmental positions, it requires you to be in the lowest social position. He did not want the disciples taking the model of rule from the Gentiles because that becomes a oppressive rule and God did not come to oppress us. He wanted them to understand that the example that He has sent as Lord and Christ is that the sons of God are to serve. The heart of their very existance is servanthood. So we do not seek the high places but from the position of a servant does the Lord use us and mature us to place us in the governmental places while maintaining the position of a servant.

In the next message we will look at the positions within the Body of Christ and show that servanthood is still the heart of the anointed gifting.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,
Calvin Calhoun, Jr.