Pastor Aaron Perdue

Each Christian can develop a servant’s heart by following Christ’s example of humility and service. Humility and a servant’s heart are not typically discussed characteristics at leadership conferences, where power and status are often promoted. Today’s leaders often employ formulas for success and utilize people to achieve a higher status for themselves. When we stop and consider Jesus Christ’s leadership style, it is vastly different from others. He led a group of followers who would take over his ministry and expand it globally. Many leaders today would love to have that on their resumés, but they don’t want to follow His example of humility and service to everyone—Jews and Gentiles. By examining Jesus’ example of serving others, we can cultivate a servant’s heart and make a positive impact on the people around us.

Let’s take a look at some servants’ heart scriptures. If you’re searching for servant’s heart scripture, Galatians 5:13 is a clear place to start: “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” This verse highlights the key element of love when serving others. You’ve probably experienced great service at stores or restaurants where someone genuinely cared, and other times where it was obvious that the person didn’t care about serving you. As believers, we should take our cues from Jesus: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45). If anyone should have been served, it would be God’s Son. Jesus could have coasted through life being served by the thousands who gathered to hear Him teach, but instead, He served them.

How does Jesus demonstrate a servant’s heart? If we want to serve like Christ, then we should explore how Jesus demonstrated a servant’s heart. When Jesus gathered with his disciples to celebrate the Passover, he did something unthinkable. He, the Teacher, took on the task of a servant and washed His disciples’ feet. We find this in John 13:14-17, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” The custom of that day was to have a servant wash the dusty and dirty feet of everyone who entered a home because they walked everywhere. Can you imagine if the CEO came in to work one day, gathered everyone together, and then proceeded to empty everyone’s trash and vacuum around everyone’s desk? The employees might call for a wellness check on the CEO.

Why is humility linked to a servant’s heart in the Bible? In Matthew 20:26, we read, “…whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” Humility serves others rather than insisting on being served. Philippians 2:5–7 tells us, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” These verses portray a humble Savior who came to demonstrate how to serve with strength and compassion.

What are the challenges of maintaining a servant’s heart in modern life? In our self-centered society, it is a real challenge to serve someone, especially someone who can’t give anything in return. Few people take the time to look around them and see how they could serve someone. Often, we are in a hurry and don’t notice people around us in need, or we think that a simple kind word or holding the door for someone won’t matter to anyone. The truth is that whenever we operate with humility and a servant’s heart, we are being the hands and feet of Jesus and bringing Him into the situation. The next time you go out to the store or run an errand, ask the Holy Spirit to help develop your servant’s heart and guide you to someone to serve. You never know how your act of serving in Jesus’ name will impact someone.

We at Charis Christian Center would love for you to join us on Sunday mornings at 8:30 and 10:30 A.M. or Wednesday evenings at 7:00 P.M. We are a non-denominational church. We embrace a multicultural and multigenerational congregation to fulfill the vision of Charis Christian Center: know Jesus, experience His grace, build relationships, and live with purpose. Our website, www.charischristiancenter.com, offers a variety of free teaching downloads and a two-year children’s Bible curriculum.