Servanthood and Position within the Body of Christ Part 2

Understanding Servanthood
Today’s Focus: Servanthood and Positions within the Body of Christ
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:27-28; Ephesians 4:19,20; Hebrews 3:1; John 13:5-17

Greetings Kingdom Citizens
Remember in a previous message we made the statement that there is no equality within creation but there is equality within the Godhead. Now I know somebody is going to use Galatians 3:27-29 to say that there is but the context in which that scripture is framed to show that believers in Christ are Abraham's seed and heirs of the promise despite what physical Israel was saying at the time and saying even today. But let me show you this scripture:

1 Corinthians 12:27-28: Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Now it is clear to Paul and clear to myself that God is speaking of a ranking within the Body of Christ in this scripture. He is also very clear in Ephesians 4:19,20 that the foundation of the House of God is built upon the apostles and prophets with Jesus as the chief cornerstone. So even to the church at Corinth God states that the order within the Body of Christ is first apostles then prophets. Funny, some teach against this by saying there is no apostles and prophets but if that is the case, why would God speak through Paul saying the contrary. Now in this day and time we have a rash of people calling themselves apostles. If we allow Holy Spirit to discern the anointing on these people, He will tell us that many of these people are not because they way they operate is under a Gentile model and not under the model established by the Lord Jesus Christ. What do I mean by Gentile model? They rule over people to seek to control them and convert them to their doctrine or whatever the denomination's doctrine is. The true apostles of the Kingdom must become the least in the Kingdom and servant of all. In other words, they do not seek high places but seek to serve others just as the Chief Apostle did, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 3:1). Paul in many of his salutations to the churches spoke of himself as a servant first before stating he was an apostle. So even in the foundational gifting of the apostle, that very anointing makes one servant of all first. Let me go back to the washing of the feet of the disciples and show you this picture.

In John 13:5-17 we see Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Now his first one-on-one interaction is with Peter and Peter questioned the Lord washing His feet because if He is Lord then He should not be washing my feet. Jesus understands that Peter doesn't understand what He is doing and He tells Peter soon he will. Peter declare that the Lord will not wash his feet and Jesus responds that if I do not then you will not have any part with Him. Peter has a change of heart and desires that his hands and his head be washed also. Now watch how Jesus responds to this request because I understand what Peter was thinking:

John 13:10: 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.

Now Jesus does not wash the body of an individual because HE IS THE BODY! He cleans our feet so that we can serve the world. So to be great you must become a servant. We must learn how to serve.

In the next message we will look at the divine design of humankind.

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