A Servant's Heart

Joshua 24:15 – And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the god’s of the Ammorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

A servant is described in Webster’s Dictionary as one who lives to serve. I ask you now, do you live to serve the Lord? He lived to save you. Would live to serve him? I believe we could really learn from Joshua here. He was in a scene much like today. There was temptation with other religions and false gods around, which is very alive today. However, Joshua didn’t let it get to him. He took a stand, and that’s what Christians today need to do. Many Chrisitans are simply beginning to lose their faith as time goes on however.

Let’s look at a servants actions. Think about what you do, think, or say during the day. Would Jesus Christ be pleased if he was down here on Earth right now if you were to act on it? Hey it doesn’t matter whether he’s here or not. Jesus knows every single thing that you do either way, so you can’t hide dirty laundry any where. What about forgetting to read our Bible, or praying? Surely we’ve never done that, right? I’m just as guilty as you! What about when the Lord knocks on our heart to witness to someone who is lost and looking for a road map? They might not accept your directions of the path to the savior, but you are still called to witness to others, man or woman. Not everyone is called to be a missionary or pastor, but we are all called to be preachers of the Word of God (2 Tim. 4:2). Forgetting to pray, read the Bible, going to church and witnessing are all tactics that the Devil will use to get you to back slide. He doesn’t just come to you and say “HEY! Let’s forget this Christian thing and do something else…” No. He wants you to forget anything you can about praying, or reading the Bible, or anything of that sort before he starts working on you. Then he knows he has the upside. I’ll give you an example. There’s this guy that I know. He used to be a saved born again Christian, but one day, he decided to quit reading his Bible. Well, now he’s an Athiest. All because he quit reading it one day and started listening to athiests around him. He didn't have his shield up in the battle. You have to get fed with the word of God daily! Spiritual food, just like physical food, has to be eaten every day, otherwise, your not going to live as a Christian. Surely you haven’t decided to watch that TV show instead of reading the Bible in the last 20 minutes you have before bed time, or decided you were too tired to pray? Don’t skip church. You won’t get fed from a guy who spends 3 hours on his hair or doesn't tell you that your sin is bad and your going to Hell unless you trust Jesus as your personal savior (Joel Osteen), or experience any kind of revival with a “Praise-a-thon” with Benny Henn.

Take a stand. Matthes 6:24 says No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Joshua said “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. Sadly, many Christians are failing to do that today as over 10% of Christian America has dropped the faith since the recession started. Subject yourself to Jesus Christ with all fear. Ephesians 6:5 - Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. 1st Peter 2:18 says Servants, be subject to your maters with all fear; not only the good and gentle, but also to the froward. Think about Rosa Parks, a great Civil Rights figure of the 1950's and 60's. She took a stand one day, and many joined her to help abolish segregation and radical racism in the United States today. Because of her (and many others such as Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.), things are different today than they would have been had they not protested segregation and racism. Christians around the World (most likely not the US), are being persecuted for their beliefs, yet they still worship. I fear that America is losing the hunger they once had for God.

Finally let's look at the rewards of serving. Colossians 3:24 says Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Once you make a conscious decision to get saved and start serving the Lord, you have already collected one reward, eternal life. You didn't do anything to get it, it was just handed to you because you trusted the Lord. There are other rewards with this for serving. There are 5 crowns to be earned as well.

Crown of Glory and Rejoicing - The two highest crowns awarded to Christians for their faithfulness in seeking the Kingdom of Heaven.

Rejoicing: Be a soul winner (i.e., Motivate other Christians to win the Crown of Life by leading them to Christ).

Glory: Tend, lead and nourish the flock (i.e., Exercise spiritual gifts in building up and edifying the body of Christ). This requires a knowledge of the Scriptures.

1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

Crown of Life - Earned through salvation.
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Incorruptible Crown - Running your race as a Christian. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Put off fleshly desires and appetites of the body. Turn from the things of the world.
1 Cor 9:24-27
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Crown of Righteousness - Mature in the Word. Put on the fruits of the Spirit consistently. Keep the faith. Love His appearing.

1st Timothy 5:18 - The labourer is worthy of his reward.