A Heart to Serve
Johannes emphasizes that the path to true kingship in God's kingdom is fundamentally rooted in humility and service. He explains that worldly rulers often seek power for self-glory, but divine rulership begins with serving others. Reigning in God's system involves loving, caring for, and serving people selflessly, as exemplified by David and Jesus Christ. David, though anointed as king, served as a shepherd and a servant at court, demonstrating that qualification for kingship starts with tending to others' needs. Similarly, Jesus exemplified humility by washing His disciples' feet and humbling Himself to death on the cross, illustrating that greatness in God's eyes is achieved through servanthood. Johannes stresses that true authority in God's kingdom is based on faithfulness in small, unseen tasks, not on gifts or success. He highlights that leaders and ministers are called to serve, not to dominate, and that the greatest among us are those who serve behind the scenes. The ultimate goal is to develop a heart to serve all, even to the point of being overlooked or unrecognized, aligning with Christ’s example. This servant-heartedness prepares us for future rulership with Christ, where service will be the hallmark of true kingship, and God's grace will be revealed in eternity.
Main Points Outline
The way up in God's kingdom is through humility and service.
Reigning involves loving, caring for, and serving others selflessly.
David's life exemplifies serving in lowly roles before reigning as king.
Jesus demonstrated servanthood through humility and sacrifice, including washing feet and dying on the cross.
Faithfulness in small, unseen tasks qualifies us for greater authority.
Leaders and ministers are called to serve, not to dominate or seek recognition.
True greatness in God's kingdom is marked by a heart to serve all, even when overlooked.
Future kingship with Christ involves serving mankind with a heart of humility and love.
Success in God's eyes is faithfulness, not worldly success or gifts.
18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. 19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. 20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. 21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. 17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; 18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. 19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
