Young People's Group

The Servant of the Lord

by Mitchell Tan
September 28, 2017

CLEANSED BEFORE SERVICE

Anybody can claim that he is a servant of God. Many people speak of serving the Lord and yet they do not show it by their lives. They lead double lives. On one hand, they speak from the Scriptures and on the other hand, they live dishonourable lives. They do whatever they want. It is crucial that the servant of the Lord be cleansed before he starts serving (2 Timothy 2:21).

“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
2 Timothy 2:22

“But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.”
2 Timothy 2:23

The servant of God should cleanse himself from all that is dishonourable. He will learn to flee from all that is lustful and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace instead. He will seek to avoid any form of dispute. Even as he seeks to serve the Lord, he learns to be cleansed and to have the right character before Him.

THE CHALLENGE TO BE A SERVANT OF THE LORD

“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are opposition”
2 Timothy 2:24-25

The word “and” denotes that this verse is a continuation from the previous verses.

1. THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF BEING A SERVANT OF THE LORD

The word “servant” in Greek means “slave”. The servant of the Lord is conscious that He is only a slave that belongs to the Lord and serves Him a deep sense of love.

2. THE CHARACTER OF A SERVANT OF THE LORD

The servant of the Lord, when he is cleansed, will learn to have a right spirit in service. There would be self-control. He must learn not to quarrel with people. Instead, he would have a gracious spirit. There is mildness and gentleness as he ministers. He learns to be patient and forbearing towards those who are evil. There is graciousness towards all. As he seeks to correct people, it is done with humility and meekness. This is very much in line with the beatitudes.

“Humility … mourning … meekness … righteousness … merciful … pure … peacemakers … enduring persecution”
Matthew 5:3-10

3. THE CAPABILITIES OF A SERVANT OF THE LORD

Not only would he have the right character, he would also be able to minister well. He would be able to teach people well. There would be the skill and knowledge to teach the truth. He would also be able to correct those who are in opposition. There would be the wisdom to use sound doctrine to exhort and convict those who contradict (Titus 1:9).

Young people, it is important that we recognise what a good servant of the Lord is. Not everyone who claims that he is a servant is truly one. Secondly, if we seek to be a servant of the Lord, let’s be challenged to be one by cultivating all of the above. Let’s seek to serve the Lord well.

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