Who We Are to Be: SERVANT & STEWARD
“This is the way any person is to regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
(1 Corinthians 4: 1-2 NASB)
In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that the one be found trustworthy.”
Do we enjoy serving OR being served?
Do we want to wait on others OR let others wait on us?
Do we enjoy cleaning tables OR want someone to clean our table?
Do we want to dirty our hands with the work OR stand back and watch as others do?
Are we a servant to others OR are we the one who others serve?
Who does God say we are to be to the world of people surrounding us: a servant—OR—a master/mistress of our own kingdom?
This is what God’s Word says: “This is the way any person is to regard us: as servants of Christ . . .”
Now, there are a couple of things that should catch our attention.
- “us: as servants of Christ” &
- “stewards of the mysteries of God.”
Jesus gives all that we need to know within one verse, providing the whole Gospel message in one solitary verse that He spoke to Nicodemus. This man, a Jewish ruler, a Pharisee, and a court official had some questions, things he needed to ask Jesus, but Nicodemus was a master of the Old Testament and was expected to know everything about the Scriptures. Still, Nicodemus knew something was missing, so he got dressed, stepped out into the cover of the darkness of night when others would not see him, and he searched for Jesus. Nicodemus is just like the whole world of people: he had an innate desire to know more about Jesus. Nicodemus did not know when he began searching that he needed a Savior, but Jesus knew exactly what Nicodemus needed and Jesus met this man where he was, just as Jesus always does.
There is only one way to become part of the “us.” We must be born again!
Jesus did not mince words when he met with Nicodemus that night, and Jesus does not ever lead anyone astray.
- God cannot, nor does He ever do anything contrary to His character!
- God is faithful and trustworthy—ALWAYS!
- Our Heavenly Father will never let us down—NEVER!
God did not send a preacher to share a message.
God did not send a song leader to lead the world in a song.
God did not send a speech writer to deliver a noteworthy address.
God did not send a social media post, nor did God send a text message on a phone.
God sent His Son!
God sent the world a Savior and Redeemer!
And once we believe and accept Jesus as our Savior and LORD, that is when God sends us into the world.
“For the kingdom of God is not in words, but in power.”
(1 Corinthians 4: 20 NASB) & (Jeremiah 17:7 NASB)
&
“The person who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is in the LORD, is blessed.”
Meaning—
The kingdom of God is not just a bunch of talk or a bunch of people pushing an agenda or an organization. On the contrary, the kingdom is living by God’s power. It is God living through us: you and me, the children of God, the church, the believers and followers of Christ.
&
A person is immeasurably blessed who places all of his trust in God because it is through God alone we gain our confidence.
This is what God’s Word says: “This is the way any person is to regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
Remember, there are a couple of things that should catch our attention—the “us.”
- “servants of Christ” &
- “stewards of the mysteries of God.”
Do we enjoy talking about ourselves or about God?
Do we want others to see us or to see God?
Do we enjoy helping others see what Jesus did or what we do?
Do we want to share the message of Jesus with the world surrounding us OR do we want to stand back and watch as others do?
Are we stewards of the Gospel message OR are we only talking about ourselves & our interests?
Who does God say we are to be to the world of people surrounding us: a steward—OR—a master/mistress of our own kingdom?
JESUS said to Nicodemus and JESUS says this to us today:
“For God so loved the world,
(John 3: 16 NASB)
that He gave His only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish,
but have eternal life.”
& then,
JESUS also said to Nicodemus and JESUS still says this to us today:
“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world,
(John 3: 17-18 NASB)
but so that the world might be saved through Him.
The one who believes in Him is not judged;
the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only son of God.”
There is a melody most of us have probably heard, one by the Christian band Casting Crowns, titled “If We Are the Body.” Listen and be reminded what we (“the servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God”) should be about as we step into the new year.
“But if we are the body
Why aren’t his arms reaching?
Why aren’t his hands healing?
Why aren’t his words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren’t his feet going?
Why is his love not showing them there is a way
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ
Jesus is the Way!”
May we BE faithful servants &
May we BECOME stewards of the mysteries of God we are called to BE.
Dear Lord, help us be faithful and trustworthy of the task You have given us to do as we dirty our hands, move our bodies, kneel down upon our knees, serve the unloved, and show compassion as You taught us through Your Holy Word. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
“In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that the one be found trustworthy.”
(1 Corinthians 4: 2 NASB)