Good afternoon, Emanuel Family,
Today, I was drawn to a YouTube video of John Maxwell and one of his sermons from 2021. About 13 minutes in, John talks about always valuing people and always putting others first. First, he said this memorable quote: if you help people get what they want, then they will help you get everything you want. An idea he got from Zig Ziggler. Next, he said this: “If I see you as hurting, I will help you. If I see you as broken, I will fix you, but if I see you as valuable, I’ll serve you.”
John goes on to explain how, in the first two paradigms, he is the “hero” saving the day. You say I am awesome; others say I am awesome…etc. But you see how the paradigm shifts when I see you as valuable. I serve you and just enjoy the fact that I get to serve you, expecting nothing in return. That is how Jesus served all of us, the ultimate example of a servant and of servant leadership.
The term servant is used 719 times in the Old Testament and 136 times in the New Testament. Matthew alone uses it 40 times in the RSV. Matthew 10:24-25 says: 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant[a] above his master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant[b] like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-el′zebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
As we have discussed before, language matters, and so does how we think of and treat others. Are you the hero, or are you the servant that Jesus calls us to be? Not above God, not above Jesus, but striving to be like them, a disciple.
For upcoming events, we have our Birthday Bash this Wednesday at Richmond at NOON.
Sunday the 11th, we have an ABC service followed by Adult Bible Study and Confirmation.
Coming up on the 17th, we have the Knights of the Spirit in the Morning at Richmaid (9 am) and the Shrimp Feed in the Social Hall at 6 pm.