Category Archives: Servant

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Bible, Fervent, Laziness, Passion, Romans, Scripture, Servant, Service, Slothful

NO SLACKERS

ROMANS 12:11

“not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;”

One thing that can kill a business is a slothful employee. When one person is not doing their job effectively, the whole team suffers. I remember years ago when I had a part-time job at Walmart. I worked a third shift job a couple of nights a week to earn a little extra money. There were so many employees there who did as little as possible. When I kept working all night, they would tell me to slow down or take a break because I was making them look bad. Sorry to say but I wasn’t the one making them look bad.

Paul addresses slothfulness in today’s verse with a caution. On the first hand, he tells us to be “not lagging behind in diligence.” The Greek word for “lagging behind” is oknērós. It occurs here and just two other places. Secondly, Paul tells us to be “fervent in spirit.” Zéō is the Greek word translated as “fervent.” Let’s look at these two words a bit.

APPLICATION

Oknērós means someone has a less than desirable attitude about the task at hand. It can result in tardiness or laziness. Getting a job done has as much to do with attitude as it does with aptitude. You have to get your head in the game, so to speak. This word in used in Matthew 25:26 to describe the servant who buried his master’s one talent rather than using it to gain more for his master. Don’t bury your gifts the Lord has given you.

Zéō means “to show great zeal; be ardently passionate (literally ‘boiling’ with interest or desire).” (HELPS Word-studies). Picture a pot of boiling water. The sound you hear is supposedly how this word sounds in the Greek. It’s an onomatopoetic word, according to some scholars. I don’t hear that myself, but then again, I’m not Greek, lol. This word was used one other time to describe Apollos in Acts 18:25. He showed that fervent spirit in preaching the truth.

Why do we need to not lag and to be fervent? Because we are serving the Lord. That’s the last phrase of today’s verse. You can’t effectively serve the Lord if you’re a slacker. You need to be passionate about your service also to be effective. Paul gives us some great advice today. Don’t be a slacker! Do be passionate! Serve the Lord with your whole heart and see what He does in and through you.

Thank You, Father, for the attitude You give me when I submit to You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Gifts, Romans, Scripture, Servant, Service, Teaching

THE GIFTS LIST – SERVING AND TEACHING

ROMANS 12:7

“if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching;”

Have you ever known a really good servant of the Lord or a really good teacher of the Word? I have had the pleasure of knowing both. I have seen church deacons who really took their role as deacon seriously. They were there to assist the pastor in any way possible. And my late brother-in-law, Dr. Wayne Barber, was probably the best Bible teacher I have ever known. Let’s look at these next two roles we see gifted by the Lord in Paul’s list.

The original Greek text simply reads, “or service, in the service or the teaching in the teaching.” Not much fluff there, is there? The Greek word for “service” is diakonia. HELPS Word-studies says it means “ministry; active service, done with a willing (voluntary) attitude.” And the Greek word for “teaches” (didáskō ) is the root word for “teaching” (didaskalía). Both service and teaching are vital to the body of Christ.

APPLICATION

I think back to the first “deacons” appointed by the church leaders. In Acts 6:1-6 we see the twelve disciples lay hands on seven men to assist them in caring for the widows. They were to be men “of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” Other qualifications for deacons can be found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. In fact, the ministry I serve is founded on those very passages. We teach men to be the leaders who can serve as deacons and elders in their local church. Where most churches use those qualifications to disqualify men from serving, Every Man A Warrior uses those qualifications to help qualify men to serve.

Teaching is mentioned in three other passages in the New Testament and is considered a major role that is served through this gift from the Lord. In 1 Corinthians 12:28 it says, “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues.” Then in Ephesians 4:11 Paul writes, “And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers,” Finally, in 1 Timothy 5:17 we read, “The elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”

Serving and teaching – two parts of the body of Christ. They are no more important than the other parts of the body but are still important for a healthy body. Don’t look down on anyone who is a servant in the church as if that gift is less important than those who are teaching. Remember, the foot needs the hand as much as the heart. Every gift works with the other gifts to keep the body of Christ healthy and alive.

Father, I thank You for the gifts of service and teaching and for all those who are living out those gifts in the body of Christ.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Availability, Bible, Body, Deeds, Gifts, Romans, Scripture, Servant, Service

DO YOUR PART

ROMANS 12:4

“For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function,”

Boy, as I get older, I realize the importance of every part of my body. When my feet hurt, it’s hard to walk around. My feet can limit my whole body. When my head hurts, I just want to lie down and close my eyes. My head can limit my whole body. When my back acts up, once again my whole body is limited. Our bodies were designed by the Great Creator to function in harmony. We need every molecule doing its part to be healthy.

Paul uses this analogy over the next several verses to show the importance of the body of Christ working together to accomplish His mission for the world. In Matthew Poole’s Commentary he writes of verse 4 and 5, “These verses are a reason against arrogancy. All Christians are members of one and the same body; therefore, they should not pride themselves in their gifts but employ them for the common good. It is with the church, the mystical body of Christ, as with a natural body that hath many members, and all these have not the same office,or the same action or operation (as the word signifieth); the eye hath one office, the ear another, the hand a third, etc. So, the church of Christ, though one body in him who is the Head, hath many members;” That’s a good explanation, I think.

APPLICATION

The word used by Paul which is translated as “function” is the Greek word práksis which is “a function, implying sustained activity and/or responsibility.” (HELPS Word-studies). This isn’t a one time deed. It’s an ongoing activity. I can’t help but think about a dear saint in a church I served. This lady served over 45 years in the church nursery. She rocked three generations of children during that time. She had indeed served her function in the body of that church.

This is the same word used in Matthew 16:27 when Jesus said, “‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.’” Jesus is looking at our ongoing deeds, not the thing we did once out of guilt to get someone off our back. He is looking for servants who serve, not perform.

We will see in the following verses in Romans 12 some of the gifts that God has given the body to perform. I urge you to check back in with us as we look at the functions God has given us. Yours may be listed here or in one of the other passages like 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Whatever God has gifted you to do, do it with the right motive. Do it to honor Him for all He has done for you. Remember, the body needs you. It cannot function as it should if you don’t function well.

Thank You, Lord, for the different functions of the body and the way You have gifted me to serve.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Flattery, Obedience, Praise, Scripture, Servant, Service

PRAISE FROM GOD

ROMANS 2:29

“But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God.”

Oh, to receive praise from the Lord! Doesn’t the last part of that verse just thrill you? Sadly, many of us prefer the applause of man. We had rather have our names up in lights and be the keynote speaker at a conference than quietly receive praise from God. Let me tell you, the praise of men is fleeting. One minute you’re the cat’s meow and the next you’re yesterday’s headline. You have to set your priorities.

Paul wraps up a discourse that he has had since verse 17 dealing with the Jews. I really love how he ends this with mentioning the praise from God. Most of the Jews preferred men’s praise. They wanted to be recognized and honored. Paul, being a former Pharisee, could relate to that. I am sure many a Jew showed him earthly honor as a Pharisee. But oh, how empty it was.

APPLICATION

1 Samuel 16:7 tells us, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” As Samuel looked for the next king of Israel, he naturally assumed it would be Eliab, Jesse’s oldest. But the Lord quickly said these words to him. Don’t assume because something looks like the right thing that it is the right thing. We have to seek the Lord’s mind on these things.

I have had the honor of leading some great organizations in my ministry years. As part of my role, I have been recognized for my leadership and dedication. I even received plaques and certificates saying so. Guess where those plaques are now – in the garbage. I moved them from place to place and hung them for years on my office walls. But a few years back the Lord told me to discard them. They meant nothing eternally.

There is nothing wrong with praising others. In fact, we should do that when we see them doing something that honors our Lord. We should praise our children for doing good. But the ultimate praiseworthy statements come from God. We want Him to look at us and be pleased. As His child, He loves us no matter what, but we all desire to hear Him say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”

O Lord, I want to honor You by serving You. I long to hear You whisper praise over me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Honor, Respect, Scripture, Servant, Service

HONOR GOD’S SERVANTS

PHILIPPIANS 2:29

“Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold people like him in high regard,”

When I was growing up in Southwest Georgia in the 1960’s and 70’s, preachers and missionaries were held in high regard. I can still remember the awe I felt every time a missionary visited our church. Their dedication and sacrifice hit me hard even as a child. Little did I know that in late 1977, at 17 years of age, God would call me into full-time ministry. I had no idea what that meant, but He has guided me all these years.

Paul gave the church in Philippi some instructions regarding the return of Epaphroditus. He wanted them to “receive him…with all joy” and “hold…him in high regard.” Epaphroditus had served faithfully and was deserving of the honor and respect due any servant of the Lord. Why would Paul have to ask the church to do that? Because, as Christ said, a prophet is not honored in his own town. Right?

APPLICATION

The Greek word used here for “high regard” is only used five times in the New Testament. It’s the word entimos, which means to hold in honor or to treat with respect. In Luke 7:2, entimosis used to describe the servant of the centurion who was sick. “And a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.”

But the verse I really like that uses this word is 1 Peter 2:4. “And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,…” The Topical Lexicon says this about the use of this word there. “Here, entimos highlights the intrinsic value and honor of Christ, despite human rejection, affirming His esteemed position in God’s redemptive plan.” Christ was precious to God.

Just as Christ is highly regarded and precious in the sight of God, we are to hold His servants in the same way. This week show your Pastor that kind of respect. Bless a missionary or church volunteer. Honor those who serve. Bless those who sacrifice for kingdom work.

Father, help me show honor and respect to those who are serving you sacrificially this day.

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Bible, Messenger, Minister, Sacrifice, Scripture, Servant

A MESSENGER AND MINISTER

PHILIPPIANS 2:25

“But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need,”

Think of someone who has done something special for you that you will never forget. I am not talking about a spouse or a child. I’m thinking about a fellow believer and friend. I have someone in mind who truly blessed me years ago. I won’t go into the story because I don’t want to divulge their identity or what they did. Just suffice to say I will never forget their sacrifice and what they did for me during a very hard time in my life.

Paul spends the next six verses and one more in chapter four talking about a fellow brother, worker and soldier – Epaphroditus. His name means “lovely” or “charming.” Perhaps he was. We do know he was sent by the church at Philippi to minister to Paul and bring him something to help during his imprisonment. This servant of God took that long trip from Philippi to Rome to deliver this gift to Paul and then stayed to minister to him. We’ll see more about that in the coming days.

APPLICATION

Paul calls him “your messenger and minister to my need.” He recognized that Epaphroditus was acting on behalf of the church. He must have been a trusted member of that church since he was given the task of delivering the gift to Paul. The Greek word for “messenger” is the same word used to describe the apostles. It means someone who is sent with the authority of the sender. In Epaphroditus’ case, he had the authority of the Philippian church. His message to Paul – we love you and want to comfort you.

Then Paul uses the Greek word leitourgos which implies a servant who serves others at their own expense. It was normally used to describe a public servant. But in the case of Epaphroditus, it describes his service to Paul. The word is only used four other times in the New Testament (Romans 13:6; 15:16 and Hebrews 1:7; 8:2).

I love the way it is used in Hebrews 1:7. “And regarding the angels He says, ‘HE MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS, AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE.’” The author of Hebrews quotes from Psalm 104:4 here. “He makes the winds His messengers, Flaming fire His ministers.” Paul describes Epaphroditus with the same word used there to describe angels. Certainly, Epaphroditus was dear to Paul.

Are you serving that way? Are you a messenger and minister to someone? Be an Epaphroditus today!

Father, thank You for servants like Epaphroditus who give us an example to follow.

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Beloved, Bible, Scripture, Servant, Service, Trust

A TRUSTED BROTHER

COLOSSIANS 4:7

“As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.”

Do you have someone in your life with whom you could entrust information of high importance? Maybe you have appointed someone to be the executor of your will or to oversee your financial affairs. Maybe you are that person for someone else. People in those positions have earned that trust through how they have proved themselves and by their character. We should all strive to be that kind of person.

Paul had such a person – Tychicus. Not much is known about him except he was from the region of Ephesus and delivered the letter from Paul to Colossae. We are not told when he came to Christ or what became of him. Paul did consider him to succeed Titus in Crete (Titus 3:12). Paul had great trust in Tychicus. He is mentioned in Acts, Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Timothy and Titus. I bet Paul and he had a great reunion the day Titus arrived in heaven.

APPLICATION

In Acts 20:4, Tychicus is named among a number of men who accompanied Paul went he left Greece. “And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.” Do you think for a second that Tychicus thought his name would be recorded in God’s Word for us to read about? I don’t think so. He was just serving Paul.

In the last letter written by Paul, he mentions Tychicus once again. 2 Timothy 4:12 says, “But I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.” He was probably delivering another letter to the church which we don’t have. When Paul wrote 2 Timothy, he was in his last days in a Roman prison. He trusted one of his most trustworthy servants to go to Ephesus, a place Paul dearly loved.

How can you be a Tychicus? Whom can you serve that way? Husbands, how about your wife and children? Wives, how about your husbands and children? Deacon, how about your Pastor? We all have someone to whom we can show that kind of service. Do it today.

Father, make me like Tychicus, an unfailing servant of others.

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Bible, Bondslaves, Prison, Scripture, Servant, Suffering

CELLMATES

COLOSSIANS 1:7

“just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,” 

What would be your first four words to your best friend if you both woke up to find yourselves in jail? Mine would be “What did you do?” Knowing my friends, I am sure they did something to get us there. It certainly could not have been me. Right? We always want to blame someone else for our circumstances. Well, most of the time, we are the guilty party.

In today’s verse, Paul shares about his cellmate, Epaphras. All we know about Epaphras is found in three verses in the New Testament. Here is one. Paul calls him “our beloved fellow bond-servant” and “a faithful servant of Christ.” Not too shabby of a description. I would be happy being known as that kind of person. Wouldn’t you? One day I am sure we will get to talk to Epaphras in heaven and hear the whole story.

APPLICATION

How can you be like Epaphras? Can you emulate his reputation in your own life? We learn from Colossians 4:12 a little more about him. “Epaphras, who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” Epaphras was a praying man. He was interceding for these Colossian believers even while he was in prison with Paul.

In Philemon 1:23 we learn this. “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,” Paul identifies Epaphras as his fellow prisoner. Epaphras has obviously come to visit Paul and got caught up in his arrest. He was willing to suffer alongside Paul. He didn’t run away when things got tough. That speaks a lot about his character, as well.

Maybe Paul’s first four words to Epaphras in jail were “What would Jesus do?” Maybe Paul is responsible for the first WWJD bracelet, made from prison shackles. Epaphras embraced his calling as a servant of Christ. Tradition says he became the Bishop of the Colossian church. I would not be surprised if that was true. We’ll have to ask him about that one day.

Father, give me the boldness and tenacity of Epaphras to do whatever I am required for Your kingdom.

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Bible, Faithfulness, Scripture, Servant

A FAITHFUL SERVANT

EPHESIANS 6:21

“Now, so that you also may know about my circumstances as to what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you.”

Have you ever had a truly, trustworthy friend? I mean, you could call them day or night knowing they would drop everything and come to your aid. I have had a few friends like that through the years, but because we have moved several times in our ministry, those friends changed. I am new to Knoxville, but I have already made friends with a few men who I believe could be my “Tychicus” if I had a need.

Just who was this Tychicus? Well, let me share Barnes’ notes on him to fill you in. “Tychicus was of the province of Asia, in Asia Minor, of which Ephesus was the capital; see Acts 20:4. It is not improbable that he was of Ephesus, and that he was well known to the church there. He also carried the letter to the Colossians (Col 4:7), and probably the Second Epistle to Timothy; (2 Timothy 4:12). Paul also proposed to send him to Crete to succeed Titus; (Titus 3:12). He was high in the confidence of: Paul, but it is not known when he was converted, or why he was now at Rome. The Greeks speak of him as one of the seventy disciples, and make him bishop of Colophon, in the province of Asia.”

APPLICATION

Now, why did I share all of that? To show you the extent of which Paul cared for him. Paul calls him his “faithful servant” again in Colossians 4:7. “As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.” Paul trusted this man with news about him to the churches. He even called him a “beloved brother” and “fellow bond-servant.”

So, how well did Tychicus serve Paul. Well, he calls him a “faithful servant” for a reason. A.T. Robertson says the word for “servant” here (diakonos) has the idea of someone kicking up dust running an errand. In other words, they were busily carrying out the instructions of their master. Tychicus did whatever Paul asked him to do.

Application time! Why is that important? Because observation + application = transformation. Who can you serve faithfully today? Who can you come alongside? Or maybe you have a faithful servant in your life whom you need to recognize and thank. Can you imagine the reunion in heaven between Paul and Tychicus? I bet they are still catching up!

Father, let me be a Tychicus for someone today. Thank You for giving me friends who have “served” me faithfully.

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