When he was 80-years-old Dr. Albert Schweitzer returned to Europe on furlough

from his missionary service in Africa. One of the reporters who came to interview the

humble doctor just could not understand why such a famous person would leave the comfort and security of Europe to live on the mission field in Africa. He asked Dr. Schweitzer for an explanation. Schweitzer replied: “You see, I

had to do something for Christ.”

It’s been said: “We are saved to serve, not to be served.” Jesus Himself set us an example

as a servant. ESV

ESV

In our text Paul asks us to consider (to think about; ponder; reflect on) our service.

ESV

Paul says that people should see us “

.”It should be evident to all who we serve –

Jesus Christ.Not self, not others, not our families, not our

bosses or our customers, not our country, but Christ.

All other service should then flow out of our service to Christ.

ESV

Mark Twain and a Mormon were arguing about polygamy (having more than one wife).

The Mormon said, “Give me just one verse in the Bible that forbids polygamy!”

Twain quickly answered, “That’s easy.

‘No man can serve two masters.’”

The term “regard” is actually an accounting term in the original language it means to give

an account; take inventory;

Paul says that as servants of Christ we are “ .”

“ ” – The word in the original language is musterion (moos-tay'-ree-on) is where

we get our word “mystery.”

In the biblical sense, it means things that were hidden at one time and have now been

revealed.

God's mysteries mean those secret things which are now revealed in contrast with what Israel had of old (Deut. 29:29), not, as is vulgarly

supposed, things unintelligible, but truths reserved by God in Old Testament times, now displayed in Christ on high and made known

by the Spirit in the New Testament. (Kelly)

We understand God more thoroughly through Jesus.

What was once hidden has now been revealed.

ESV

Paul is saying that because of our service to Christ, others will see Christ in us and will thus

see what God is like.When Wycliffe Bible translator Doug Melandand his wife moved into a village of Brazil’s Fulnio Indians, the Indians referred to him

simply as “the white man”. That reference was not complimentary since

other “white men” had exploited them, burned their homes, and robbed them of their lands.

But after the Melands learned the Fulniolanguage and began to help the people with

medicine and in other ways, they began calling Doug “the respectable white man.”

When the Melands began adapting to some of the customs of the people that did not

compromise their faith, the Fulnio gave them greater acceptance and spoke of Doug as “the

white Indian.”

Then one day, as Doug was washing the dirty, blood-caked foot of an injured Fulnio boy, he overheard one of the Indians watching what

was happening say, “Whoever heard of a white man washing an Indian’s foot before?

Certainly this man is from God.”

From that day on, whenever Doug would go into an Indian home, it would be announced,

“Here come the man God sent us.”

ESV

ESV

We must serve faithfully

A steward was someone placed in charge of the master’s household or business to run the

operation while the master is gone away.

Although a steward has great responsibility, a steward is accountable to the master always

and in everything.

Paul says that faithfulness is “required” – it’s not an option or a suggestion.

Several times, Jesus told parables concerning master who had left for a time and placed

servants in charge.Listen to what Jesus says about faithful and

unfaithful stewardship.

ESV

During a meeting of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1789, the sky outside

turned very dark and ominous.

Some of the representatives kept glancing out the windows and feared the end of the world

was at hand.

They began to ask for an immediate adjournment to the meeting.

The Speaker of the House was a man named Colonel Davenport.

He stood up and said, “The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not.

If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment.If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty.Therefore, I wish that candles be brought.”

Someone said, “The world crowns success. God crowns faithfulness.”

Paul points out that our reason for serving should be base on one thing – pleasing God.

Paul says that there are three kinds of judgment that we face:

1. Man’s judgmentHe says, “

.”ESV

2. Self-judgment

We can’t measure ourselves by the standard of ourselves

3. God’s judgment

ESV

ESV

ESV

We will face judgment

How does that future event apply to us in the here and now?

Paul stresses that as long as we are faithful in our service to Christ, it doesn’t matter what

anyone else thinks or says about us as long as God approves.

ESV

Paul also implies that if we are unfaithful to Christ, it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks

about us (including ourselves) as long as God disapproves of us.

Someone once said to Abraham Lincoln that the Union’s cause in the Civil War was in good

shape as long as God was on their side.Lincoln replied that his concern was not

whether God was on his side but that he was on God’s side.

Paul points out why God’s judgment is the only one that counts

Human judgments are fallible.

The opinions of others and our own opinions of our motives and actions are susceptible to

human error.

God’s judgment is infallible. In , God told Samuel to find a replacement for Saul

because of his sinfulness.

God sent Samuel to find this replacement from the family of Jesse of Bethlehem.

Samuel saw Jesse’ son Eliab.

ESV

There was a wealthy man who enjoyed giving his mother unique gifts for Mother’s Day.

Every year he outdid himself until finally he couldn’t think of anything else to give her.

He was visiting a city for business reasons and had time to kill.

He went to the local mall to see what was offered there.

He walked into the pet store in that mall and discovered a beautiful bird in a cage.

Not only was the bird beautiful, it could speak five languages and sing Amazing Grace, his

mother’s favorite hymn.

The man knew that this was the gift for his mother.

Although the bird cost $10,000.00, he paid for the it and had the storeowner ship the bird to

his mother’s address.

When he got home from his business trip, he called his mother and asked her, “Mom, how

did you like the bird?”

His mom said, “It was delicious!”

“You ate him?” the son exclaimed.

“But that was an expensive, smart bird!He could speak five languages and sing

Amazing Grace!”

“Well he should of spoke up or started singing when I put the knife to his neck!”

What have you done with what God has given you?

A preacher went to a small town & preached a series of gospel sermons to evangelize that

little town.He preached for two weeks.

During the whole time, only one little girl responded to the invitation at the end of one of

his sermons.She confessed Christ, was baptized, and

turned out to be the only convert during the entire meeting.

The preacher judged the meeting a failure, and for years, he bemoaned the great effort he

had made for such little result. However, he did not have the right view of

things.That little girl grew up to be a strong, faithful

Christian woman.She married a Christian man, and together they produced several sons, all of whom

became preachers of the gospel. Those sons converted thousands of

unbelievers to Christ.

Now, what do you suppose would have happened to that little girl and her family, had that gospel preacher not faithfully proclaimed

Christ? Do you really think that preacher’s effort was a

failure?Sometimes, what looks like a very small,

insignificant effort on our part, turns out to be far greater than we think.

Paul said, “.”

Some congregations close each worship time by saying, “Worship had ended, the service

has begun,” or, “We enter to worship, now exit to serve.”

Have you considered your service to Christ?Is it what he has required?

Are you faithful to Him.Are you judging your efforts by your own opinion, the opinions of others, or are you allowing God to be the final judge of your

service?

The requirement for God’s approval isn’t success; it’s faithfulness

1. We’re not required to be brilliant—just FAITHFUL.

2. We’re not required to be intelligent—just FAITHFUL.

3. We’re not required to be articulate—just FAITHFUL.

4. We’re not required to be handsome or beautiful—

just FAITHFUL.5. We’re not required to be eloquent—

just FAITHFUL.

ESV