Title: Servants of God and the Lord Jesus Christ

Text: James 1:1

Date: 2-08-04.am

This morning we are going to begin a series of messages from the book of James. Without going into a discussion of the evidence suffice it to say we believe the James, who wrote this book or letter was James the brother, or half-brother of Jesus. James wasn’t one of the original twelve but Paul seems to refer to him as an apostle in Gal 1:19. James was converted either just prior to the resurrection or shortly afterward. Jerome, who translated the Scriptures into Latin, implies in his writings that James was present at the Last Supper. We don’t know exactly when his conversion took place, but Paul does tell us James was one of the people the Lord appeared to after the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7)

This is a unique letter because it was written by a person who, other than Mary, probably knew more about the Lord Jesus than almost any other human being. James was raised in the same home, he grew up with Jesus, saw him through those silent years not recorded for us and joined with other members of his family in opposition to Jesus during the early days of his ministry.

It would have been interesting if James had recorded his thoughts for us during that time when he saw Jesus as nothing more than his brother, when he had doubted Jesus was the Son of God as he claimed(Jn 7:5); he had perhaps even thought of him as a madman (see Mk 3:21), and at one time came with his mother and brothers to try and persuade Jesus to come home with them and get out of the public view. But finally, he was convinced that Jesus indeed was God in the flesh. We find James and the family reunited in faith after the ascension of Jesus in Acts 12:17.

In those early years after the resurrection, It was James, rather than Peter, became the acknowledged leader of the church in Jerusalem. James was regarded by both Jews and Christians with reverence and respect and was referred to by the title, "James the just one." Tradition, says James was finally martyred for his faith by being pushed off the pinnacle of the temple. I want to read a little from Eusebius of Caesarea who is considered the Father of Church History. He quotes Hegesippus a converted Jew of the 2^nd century and gives us a brief description of James and his martyrdom. (READ THE DESCRIPTION EUSEBIUS THE CHURCH HISTORY, PAUL MAIER, PP. 81,82)

The overall theme of this letter is “practical faith.” Faith that is dynamic and with that in mind As we read his letter, it is interesting to see how James was so transformed from doubt to faith that he identifies himself not as the brother of Jesus but rather as the bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” That’s a great testimony, not only to the faith of James, but also to the deity of Jesus?

Of course referring to himself as a “servant” wasn’t peculiar to James

Paul also described himself that way (Ro 1:1; Ph 1:1) as did Peter (2 Pe 1:1) and Jude (Ju 1). But, it is significant.

That’s what we want to look at this morning the significance of being a servant why James and the others referred to themselves as servants and why we should also think of ourselves as “servants”?

The Greek term is (doulos) literally means “a slave.” As believers we are called to be disciples of Jesus and being a servant or a slave is what a disciple is suppose to be.

In The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, he points out that one of the purposes of our lives is to serve. The Bible reveals that we were created to serve God, we were saved to serve God, we were called to serve God and we are commanded to serve God. Every person is called to minister and there are no insignificant ministries in the church. Your service is vitally important to the local church. You need the church, but the church also needs you and your service.

Jesus stressed this truth on several occasions:

In Mark 10:44 Jesus said to the disciples: “ whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.” To give added strength and emphasis to that, in the next verse (v. 45) Jesus said "For even the Son of Man [referring to Himself] did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (NAS)

During the Last Supper recorded in Jn 13:4-17, Jesus gave us a vivid demonstration of the kind of servitude He was talking about when he took a towel and basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples. Foot washing might not seem like a big deal to us. But it’s symbolism was very significant to the disciples and for us. What he did wasn’t the most prominent service, It wasn’t the most important service, as a matter of fact it was probably the most overlooked unnoticed service. It was a task performed by the lowliest servant of the house. By His own example, Jesus taught that kind of servant-hood was the standard for a disciple. The Bible says in Phil 2:5-7

5       Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

6       who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7       but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, {and} being made in the likeness of men. (NAS)

Specifically, the Bible calls Christians to serve:

1. God - He 9:14

2. Jesus Christ - 1 Co 4:1

3. Righteousness - Ro 6:17-18

4. One another - Ga 5:13; 1 Co 9:19-23

The early Christians called themselves “servants”, because that is what they were! That’s what we should also strive to be known as.

We generally think of slaves in a negative way and see slavery as something bad. It’s ironic that for Christian disciples being a slave is a good thing. Much like the cross, which in the eyes of the world was a symbol of torture and death, yet was transformed by Christ into the symbol of faith. So slavery which is a despised institution by the world becomes the mark of true discipleship when people are transformed by the love and power of Christ.

II. For the Christian being a servant is a mark of spiritual maturity

For example, if you look at young children they are usually very egocentric. What I have is mine and what you have is mine. Normally, as we grow older, we begin to show concern about the needs of others. One of the disturbing trends of the modern church is that people are not seeking ways to serve and to be servants but rather are looking for places to be served.

Being a servant is also a mark of having practical or genuine faith:

By referring to himself as servant, and by actually being a servant, James is demonstrating not only spiritual maturity but the practicality of faith. For James faith is not just a philosophical concept or idea faith is something active, something alive. James shows us that practical faith is genuine faith.

Being a servant has several important implications for Christians :

A. It implies total obedience.

The word servant doesn’t really convey the strength of what James is saying bond-servant says it a little stronger but slave shouts out what James wants us to understand.

James has in mind a slave-master relationship:

         a. The slave knows no law but his master’s word

         b. He has no rights of his own

         c. He is the absolute possession of his master

         d. He is bound to give his master unquestioning obedience

2. Does this describe our relationship to Christ?

a. It should, especially in light of 1 Co 6:19-20

b. We have to come to Jesus on HIS terms, not our own - Lk 6:46; Mt 7:21

B. It implies “total humility”

Absolute obedience is not possible without absolute humility,

a. When we have a humble opinion of ourselves, we are receptive to the idea of complete obedience

b. For example, consider Paul’s self-estimation - 1 Co 15:9-10; Ep 3:8; 1 Ti 1:15

2. Does this describe our relationship to Christ and His Will?

a. Jesus said it should! - Lk 17:10

b. But if we grumble or complain about what Jesus tells us to do, can we really be considered “servants”?

C. It implies “total loyalty”

Since we become slaves freely, it is expected that:

         a. our first loyalty be to Him Ga 1:10

         b. Seek first His kingdom, That means doing His will and serving Him takes priority over our own preferences and will.

Being a “servant” is costly in terms of our time, our talent, our pride, and our loyalty and our resources. But God’s will is perfect, nothing we ever do in obedient service to Him will cause us shame or regret.

And we must remember being a servant is a great honor. It was the title by which some of the greatest Saints of the old testament were known:

1. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob - Deu 9:27 “Thy servants”)

2. Moses - 1 Kin 8:53 “Thy servant”)

3. Joshua - Josh 24:29 (“Servant of the Lord)

4. Caleb - Num 14:24 (“My servant”)

5. Elijah - 2 Ki 10:10

6. Job - Job 1:8 (“My servant”)

7. Isaiah - Isa 20:3 (“My servant”)

8. The prophets - Jer 7:25 (“My servants”)

All were God’s servants. It should be the desire of every Christian disciple to be considered along with these Old Testament Saints, with James, Paul, Peter and Jude and the early church as servants of God.

We will if we are willing to accept the call to serve God the Father, The Lord Jesus Christ and others with:

         a. Total obedience

         b. Total humility

         c. Total loyalty

When we serve God, The Lord Jesus Christ, and each other in this way, we are developing and exercising a living practical faith!

“...a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” requires total surrender. Can this be said of you? Will your surrender all to Him today?