Servanthood, in life of believers

Servanthood as an expression of subservience is an integral aspect of a person's relationship with God.

Servants of God in the OT

Abraham

Genesis 18:5 See also Genesis 26:24; Deuteronomy 9:27; Psalm 105:6, Psalm 105:42

And I will bring a bit of bread so that you may refresh yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. After that, you may continue on your way.” “Yes,” they replied, “you may do as you have said.”

Moses

Exodus 14:31 See also Numbers 12:7–8; Deuteronomy 34:5; Joshua 1:1–2, Joshua 1:7, Joshua 1:13, Joshua 1:15, Joshua 8:31, Joshua 8:33, Joshua 11:15, Joshua 22:2, Joshua 22:4–5; 2 Kings 18:12; 2 Chronicles 1:3; Hebrews 3:5; Revelation 15:3

When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.

Joshua

Judges 2:8 See also Joshua 24:29

And Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110.

David

2 Samuel 3:18 See also 2 Samuel 7:5 parallel 1 Chronicles 17:4; 2 Samuel 7:8 parallel 1 Chronicles 17:7; 2 Samuel 7:18–20, 2 Samuel 7:25; 1 Chronicles 21:8; Psalm 78:70, Psalm 89:3, Psalm 89:20, Psalm 132:10; Ezekiel 34:23–24; Luke 1:69; Acts 4:25–26

Now take action, because the LORD has said to David, ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and of all their enemies.’”

Jesus Christ and servanthood

Jesus Christ's teaching on servanthood

Matthew 6:24 parallel Luke 16:13 See also Matthew 25:31–46; John 12:26, John 13:13–17, John 15:15, John 15:20

No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Parables on servanthood

Matthew 20:1–16, Matthew 24:45–51 parallel Luke 12:42–46; Matthew 25:14–30 parallel Luke 19:12–27; Luke 12:35–40, Luke 17:7–10

Servants of God in the NT

Acts 16:17 See also Acts 2:18, Acts 4:29; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1:1

This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”

Paul as a servant

A servant of God

Romans 15:17 See also Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:3

Therefore I exult in Christ Jesus in my service to God.

A servant of Jesus Christ

Romans 1:1 See also Galatians 1:10; Philippians 1:1

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God—

A servant of the gospel

Ephesians 3:7 See also Colossians 1:23

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.

A servant of the church

2 Corinthians 4:5 See also 2 Corinthians 13:4; Colossians 1:24–25

For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Christian servanthood

Gifts of service

1 Peter 4:10 See also Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:5; Ephesians 4:12; 1 Peter 2:16

As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

Examples of service

Romans 12:11 See also 2 Corinthians 9:12–13; Ephesians 6:6–7; Colossians 3:22–24; Revelation 2:19

Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Christian leadership entails service

1 Peter 5:2 See also Acts 6:2–41TI Acts 3:10, 1 Timothy 3:12–13

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;