Servanthood: Five Characteristics of a Towelbearer

In a book entitled, "In the Name of Jesus," Henri Nouwen talks about three very real temptations that we find fulfillment in being like Christ.  Philippians 2:5

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!  (v. 9)  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place  . . ."

In a book entitled, "In the Name of Jesus," Henri Nouwen talks about three very real temptations that we struggle with as humans.

First temptation is to be self-sufficient and self-reliant.  So many of us today have to feel that we can handle things ourselves and we don't need anyone's help.

Second temptation is to be spectacular  . .  having a celebrity mentality.  So many people today draw attention to themselves - wanting glory for themselves.

Third temptation is want power  . . . to be the one in charge.  We have the human tendancies to want to call the shots.

But if we are to be a servant of God, we cannot fall into any one these three temptations.  Chuck Swindoll says this about servants:

- Servants shouldn't try to control anyone or anything.

- Servants cannot meet mots folks expectations.

- Servants cannot concern themselves with who gets the credit.

- Servants cannot cling to the past

- Servants cannot minister in the flesh or minister all alone.

Then, Brother Swindoll gives five practical guidelines for cultivating the right kind of servant habits.

1)  Whatever we do, let's do more with others.  Ministry is not a solo . . . it is a chorus  . . . not a one-person performance, but a team effort.

2)  Whenever we do it, let's place the emphasis on quality, not quantity. The numbers game is a no-win racket, bringing guilt or pride  . .  shame or arrogance. Excellence is our goal, not expansion.

3)  Whenever we go do it, let's do it the same as of we were doing it among those who know us the best.  Not only will this keep us accountable, it'll guard us from exaggeration.

4)  Whoever may respond, let's keep a level head.  If someone criticizes, don't allow it to get you down. If someone idolizes, don't tolerate such foolishness. The word is balance. Stay level-headed and realistic.

5)  However long we minister, let's model the Master   . . . a servant-hearted attitude and a grace-oriented style.  Let's serve  . . . in the name of Jesus.

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"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant."   Matthew 20:26

   Have you ever had dreams of becoming someone great?  I think at one point in our lives, we all have had those type of dreams.  But I have noticed that the world's concept of greatness is different than the Lord's.  The world's way of becoming great is much different than God's.

   One gentleman who had worked hard for over 20 years to make a name for himself in his career, finally received the highest position one could attain in his field.  Once he was there, he made the following comment, "For years and years I've worked as hard as I could to climb the ladder of success.  Now that I've reached the top, I realize that the ladder was leaning against the wrong building."

   What is your concept of greatness?  What is your idea of success?  The Word of God tells us that it is not in a position or title or accomplishment or earthly gain - it is in becoming a servant.  Matthew 20 says, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant."  Jesus Himself gave us the example of servanthood by humbling Himself to death on a cross - something He didn't have to do.  Two verses later, we are told that Jesus came to earth not to be served, but to serve.  This concept of greatness is backwards, isn't it? 

   But on the other hand, alot of things in Scripture is opposite of the way the world thinks. 

-  To gain your life, you must lose it. 

-  To receive, you must give. 

-  To live is Christ and to die is gain.

-  To be victorious in battle, you must let God do your fighting.

-  To fight like a man, you must fall to your knees.

-  To experience eternal life, you must have the faith of a child.

-  And to be great, you must first be a servant.

This is not the way the world thinks.  Are God's ways backwards?  No   . . .  it's the world who is backwards.

The Greeks said, be wise, know yourself

The Romans said, be strong, discipline yourself.

Religion says, be good, conform yourself

Hollywood says, be sensuous, enjoy yourself

Education says, be resourceful, expand yourself,

Psychology says, be confident, assert yourself

Materialism says, be sat isfied, please yourself

Pride says, be superior, promote yourself.

Humanism says, be capable, believe in yourself

Christ says, be a servant, humble yourself

When a boss has a servant's heart, he never has to say, "Now, I'm the boss."

When a husband has a servant's heart, he doesn't have to remind his wife, that he's the boss.

When a parent has a servant's heart, they don't keep score of all the things they do for their children, making sure that their children pay them back at the proper time.  When a Christian has a servant's heart, their desire is wrapped up in serving others.

Ministering to others - focusing on others.

A National Salvation Army convention was taking place and the founder was asked to speak - but physical complications would not allow him to take the trip.  So he sent a telegram with an important message to convey to this large group of devoted workers.  The telegram was a one-word message that said   .  .  .  others!

Can I draw a contrast between two totally different ladies.  Mother Teresa and Madonna.

Mother Teresa has devoted her entire life in serving God and serving others, and as a result, she says that she is incredibly happy. She is fulfilled in life. Madonna has spent her life in pleasing herself, and she has been quoted as saying, "You know, I don't even know of anybody who is happy.'

I say again, there is fulfillment in serving Christ. There is fulfillment in being a servant.

When you see a waiter approaching your table with a towel around his arm, what does that say to you?  It says, that he is there to serve you.   One guy was sitting down to eat at his table in a restaurant, when the waiter came by and brought him his steak.  The problem was that the waiter had his thumb on the steak.  The man said, "Excuse me, why did you have your thumb on my steak?" The waiter responded, "Oh, so that I won't drop it again."

When a waiter approaches you with a towel around his arm, he is there to serve you. Whatever you need, he will see to it that you get it.

A servant is a towel bearer. A towel bearer is one who is ready, willing, able and prepared to serve.

Towel Bearers find fulfillment  . . .

1)  In being obedient to God.

I Samuel 3:10  gives us the story of a young boy named Samuel, who loved to serve the Lord.  One day, the Lord called Little Samuel in an audible voice and said, "Samuel!"  Samuel thought that it was Eli calling, but it was the Lord. And finally, when Samuel realized that it was the Lrod calling him, he responded, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

That's the kind of attitude you and I should have today. Speak to me Lord and I will listen. Say the Word, Lord, and I will obey.

Give me direction and I will follow. If a young boy can have that kind of a servant's heart, why can't we. If God has a big task for us, we will simply obey. If the Lord has a small task for us to do, then we will humble ourselves and be a servant.

John Newton, the hymnwriter who "Amazing Grace" once said, "If two angels in heaven were given assignments by God at the very same instant.  One assignment was to go earth and rule over the most powerful nation on the planet - and the other assignment was to go to earth and sweep the streets of the dirtiest, filthiest village on the planet, each angel would be completely indifferent as to which one got which assignment.  It would not matter to them what they would be sent to do.  They just would want to obey God.  The source of their joy is in being obedient to God.  Doing what He has asked them to do.

What God has us doing is not what's important - What's important is that we are doing what God wants us to do.

When we are obedient to God, something amazing happens.  The Spirit of God gives us a quiet sense of spiritual affirmation.   In our heart, there is fulfillment.  Because we are obedient to the Lord.

Listen to what Dave Thomas said, (Dave is the founder of Wendy's Hamburgers).

"I got my M.B.A. long before my G.E.D.  I even have a photograph of me in my M.B.A. graduation outfit; a snazzy kneelegnth work apron.  I guarantee you that I'm the only founder among America's big companies whose picture in the corporate annual report whows him wieling a mop and a plastic bucket.  That wasn't a gag; it was a case of leading by example.  At Wendy's, M.B.A. does not mean Master of Business Administration. It means Mop Bucket Attitude.  It's how we define satisfying the customer through cleanliness, quality food, friendly service and atmosphere."

2)  Towel Bearers take on the nature of a servant.  The mere fact that He humbled Himself and made himself nothing tells us that He took on the mindset of a servant.

In John 13, Jesus not only spoke about being a servant, He showed what it is to be a servant. Verse 3 - Jesus had power! But He with meekness (strength under control) became a servant.

3)  Towel Bearers find fulfillment in taking time to serve.  Colossians 3:17, 24

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  (v. 24)  It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

When you are willing to use your precious time to minister to the needs of others, then you will find fulfillment.

We're all busy. We've all got very busy schedules. But when we take the time to minister to other, God is touched.

Someone once said, what time do we live in? This is the age of the half-page. The quick has, the mad dash.  The bright nights, the nerves tight.  The brain strain, the heat pain.  The cat nap, the spring snaps, and the fun is done.

In Princeston Seminary, there was a professor that decided to do an experiment.  He decided that he would take 15 students and divide them up into three groups of five.  To the first group he said, "I want you to go from this building to another well-known building across campus - and I'm going to give you five minutes to get there.  You'll have to hurry, because if you're late, it will not go well on your grade."  To the second group, he said the same thing, only he gave them 45 minutes to make the trip, and the third group had the same instructions, but they had three hours to get there.

What they didn't know is that he placed hurting people along the way.  He placed one man who was begging for money.  He placed a woman with two children and carrying four bags of groceries.  Another man was injured.  Still another was going to have a bicycle accident.  Another woman would be asking for directions.

The first group of five students who had five minutes didn't stop to help one needy person.  The 2nd group - who had 45 minutes - stopped to helped two need persons.  And the third group - who had three hours to reach their destiny - stopped to help every single needy person.      What the professor thought was true was indeed true.

When I heard about this experiment, I had to ask myself, How true is this?  I'm a busy pastor.  And if I'm too busy to minister to needy people, I'm not doing my job.  If I don't take the time to meet needs of others along the way, I am not a towel bearer.

Towel bearers are willing take precious time out of their busy schedule and serve others, as well as serve God.

One mother was so mad at her little 9-year old girl who was late coming home from school.  The mother began to yell at her daughter, "Why are you late?"  The little girl said, "I had to help another girl. She was in trouble." The mother calmed down and asked, "What did you do to help her?"

The girl said, "Oh, I sat down and helped her cry."

Sometimes, we may need to sit down and help others cry.

Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn." Whatever you need to do, just be there for them.

4)  Towel Bearers find fulfillment in pointing people to Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:1-7  "Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the oight of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. (v. 6) For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness' made his light to shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

It is our responsibility to reflect Jesus through our acts of service.

Right after World War II, an orphan in London, found himself outside the window of a bakery.  He was a little kid, poor  . . . dirty  . . . and he was standing with his nose up against the window of this bakery, looking inside and watching the baker baking donuts.  And this kid is smelling the aroma, and his mouth starts to water - but he has no money.  Right about that time, an American GI saw this little boy, and asked him, "Do you want some of those?"  The boy nodded, "Yes."  So the GI goes in and buys a dozen donuts and goes back outside and hands the bag to the boy, and he turns to walk away, when the boy says, "Sir, (as he looks at the bag and looks at the soldier) Sir, are you God?"

Towel bearers represent Jesus Christ to the people whom they serve.

Jesus said in Matthew 5, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds  . . . (why)  and praise your Father in heaven."

It is the desire of every Towel Bearer that people would look at them and see Jesus.  And one of the greatest joys a Towel Bearer experiences is when someone whom they are serving makes a commitment to serve Jesus Christ.

So many people in the world today are tired of hearing people talk about Jesus or call themselves Christians.  They want to see someone who shows that he is a Christian.  And the way you show it is by being a servant.

Not too long ago, someone had invited a friend to church, and my question to him was, "Is she a Christian?"  His response was, "Well, she's a Sunday Christian!"  On Sunday she serves the Lord.  But during the week, she serves herself.

5)  A Towel Bearer finds fulfillment in God's promise to reward them.

Matthew 25:23  In the parable of talents, the master says in verse 23  "Well done, good and faithful   . . . (what)  . . .   servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

You may feel like nobody notices the little things you do for others, but God notices.

You may feel like nobody knows the things you for the Lord, but He has your reward waiting for you."

Many people do things on earth for the acclaim of others.  They want a pat on the back.  They want others to know what they've done. 

I don't know about you, but I'd rather receive my reward in the glorious heavenly realms than on this earthly, temporary place we live in today.

I praise God for our eternal reward that money cannot buy.

What makes this church tick?  What makes Fortress Church so ministry oriented? One young lady made a comment that she doesn't always see certain people when she comes to church, but she knows that somewhere they are doing their job.

One lady called me a few weeks ago and told me that she wanted to do something for the Lord and for the church. So now she is coordinating Sunday lunches for the Bible School students.  She as well as those who host the students are being servants.

About a month and a half ago, one young man told me that he wanted to do something for the church that was behind the scenes.  So, every Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m., he comes and turns on the air conditioning so that we can be comfortable during church.

One lady recieved fulfillment when she made costumes for our drama ministries.

On Tuesday night, our treasurer was up late making spreadsheets and financial reports for the church.

Our architect stays up late finalizing the blueprints for our new facilities.

One woman volunteers hours and hours of her time to type-set and print our weekly bullitens.  That's being a servant.

One man handles our props for our drama ministries.

Others of you make hospital visits.

A few of our ladies donate a day a week to be a volunteer secretary at the office.

Our worship team and sound system team arrives every Sunday morning -- two hours before service - to set up the sound system. 

Some of you go to our property on Prue Road and help us clear the land and get it ready for building a facility.

I could go on and on. This is the work of the Lord. We don't do it for our own glory, but the glory of the Lord.

The things you do matter to God.  You matter to God. And when you serve Him, you are showing that He matters to you.

As I close, I want you to turn with me to a familiar passage in Isaiah.  Isaiah 40:31

KJV "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall wlak and not faint."

They that wait upon the Lord.

The word wait here means serve the Lord.  Much as the waiter waits on the customers, we are called to wait upon the Lord.  We are called to serve the Lord with gladness.  We are made to please the Lord and do what He wants us to do for Him.

Some people have the wrong attitude about serving the Lord.

They have the wrong attitude about waiting upon the Lord.

Some will say, "My schedule is just too busy to do things for the Lord."  or

"Lately, I've been so tired and burned out - I wanna take a break from being involved in ministry."

They are going about it all wrong.

If they are tired - if they feel weak - they can renew their strength - how - by waiting upon the Lord.  By serving the Lord.

Today, if for any reason, you need spiritual strength, why don't you wait upon the Lord.  I wish I had towel for each one of you - so that you could indeed wrap it around your arm - and approach the altar of the Lord - and not even ask the Lord for anything at this time - but simply say, "Lord, what can I do for You?"

As I read from Matthew 20, Jesus came not to be served, but to serve.  That's what His purpose was here on earth - to serve you.  I ask you - what is your purpose here on earth?  Why don't you make your purpose to serve Christ?

  Ministry is not a solo . . . it is a chorus