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Thursday, 4 October 2012

Movin' On Up

I Timothy 3:13 "For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus."
Most people are probably familiar with the 70's T.V. show "The Jeffersons". The show was a spin off of the Archie Bunker show where the main character George Jefferson had been the neighbor of blue collar worker Bunker. Jefferson did well for himself in business and "moved on up" in the world. Interestingly the phrase "good standing" in our text comes from a Greek word meaning "going up higher". In the Kingdom of GOD the way to promotion is by way of serving. The word deacon literally means servant. Jesus perfectly modeled this when HE said that the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve. We must remember that Christ perfectly demonstrated every ministry office, apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor/teacher, administrator, even servant, or deacon. 
Most of us aspire to do well in life, to receive promotion in whatever it is that we do. We must remember, however, that before we can lead well, we must first be able to serve well. Serving is not something to be done until we are promoted. No. Serving must be the lifestyle of the believer if we are to represent Christ in the earth. Jesus became a servant when HE left HIS Glory to come down to earth and live as a man. HE became a servant when as a child HE became obedient to Mary and Joseph. HE became a servant when HE was baptized by John in the Jordan River. HE became a servant by only doing what HE say HIS Father do, and saying only what HE heard HIS Father say. HE became a servant when HE washed the feet of HIS disciples. Ultimately HE became a servant when HE laid HIS life down on the Cross to save sinful humanity. 
Now Christ extends the invitation to move on up to us, by way of becoming servants. Jesus said that in order to become great we must become the servant of all. When we are faithful serving over little, HE will give us more areas to serve in. If we serve well the day will come when we will hear the Master say to us, "Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things, I will put you in charge over many things! Enter in to the joy of your LORD!" Those are Preachin' Words.

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