THE BELIEVER – MASTER OR SERVANT?
I CHRONICLES 28:1; I CORINTHIANS 4:1-2, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2- Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
Introduction:
The world teaches that man is the master of his life. If that is true, there are a lot of people in trouble today. On the other hand the Bible has something different to say about the man or woman who has received Christ as his or her Saviour. It would be good for us to consider God’s teaching on this matter.
Is the believer master of his life or is a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ? Let’s examine what the Lord says.
I. WHO IS THE MASTER?
A. God, the Creator, is the Master, the giver of life, Genesis 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
1. Physical life, God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;’
2. Spiritual life, “man became a living soul.”
B. To the Believer
1. He is God the Father—“Abba Father,” Romans 8:15, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
2. He is God the Saviour, Jesus Christ.
a. He gave us spiritual life, Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”
b. He made us sons of God by faith in His name, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
3. He is God the Holy Spirit, The Comforter, John 14:16-18, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
a. The believer is indwelled by the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”
b. The believer is led by the Spirit of God, Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
c. The Holy Spirit helps our infirmities, Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
d. We are totally dependent on Him, Psalm 103:2-5, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
II. WHO IS THE SERVANT? THE BELIEVER!
A. He is the servant of the Lord, Matthew 10:24-25a, “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.
1. The disciple is to be like his Teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ, Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
2. The servant is to be like his Lord, faithful, Matthew 24:45-47, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.”
B. He is the administrator of the Kings possessions, 1 Chronicles 28:1, “And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.”
1. The princes of the tribes.
2. The captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course.
3. The captains over the thousands.
4. The captains over the hundreds.
5. The stewards over all the substance and possession of the king.
C. These are faithful stewards of the Lord, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
1. These servants use the talents that God has given them, 1 Peter 4:10, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
2. They are faithful servants, 1 Corinthians 4:17, “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.”
3. These are happy servants of the Lord, John 13:16-17, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”
CONCLUSION
Man is not his own master. The Lord is and those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ have found that serving the Lord is not a heavy burden.
The faithful servant is a happy man and continues to follow the lead of His Lord.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”