This is Part Two in the "Faithful Servant Series" by Pastor Tim Hodge.

The working definition of the Greek word used for servant in this series is:

“The doulos slave is a slave of God who is totally devoted to God’s will
to the point that the slave completely disregards his own self interests
knowing that our loving Master will abundantly provide for us.”

Philippians 2:5-9
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (v.6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (v.7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (v.8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  (v.9)  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" (KJV).

Note v.5 where Paul exhorts the church, the body of believers, to “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”  This word for “mind” is a very interesting word.  It is the Greek word “phroneo” (Strong’s #5426) and it is defined, “to exercise the mind; to direct one’s mind to a thing.”  The root of this word implies “the midriff, the heart, the mind.”  The NIV translates the word “attitude”.

Being a “FAITHFUL SERVANT” doesn’t come from an emotional experience of the right songs being played and the right poems being read or even the right multi-media presentation on a big screen in a huge coliseum.  Being a faithful servant is a daily heart-felt, mind-setting decision that says, “Today, I set my will in motion to please God in everything I do.”  Psalms 19:14 says, “  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (KJV).  The faithful servant of God wants every word, every thought, every action, every reaction to be pleasing to His God… His Master.

Weekend warriors are not faithful servants.  By that I mean the people who come into the Sunday morning meetings of Sunday School, Worship, and Preaching services are not necessarily making the grade of “faithful servant.”  True servants don’t just talk a good talk.  The “doulos” servant is totally possessed by His Master’s desires and will.  It is the passion of the “doulos” to serve his Master.  The spiritual “National Guardsmen” serve God only out of religious duty passed down to them by the traditions of men.  This isn’t anything new to God.  Hundreds and hundreds of years ago God had a beef with this type of mentality.  He said, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men” (Isaiah 29:13, NIV).  Faithful servants pursue God with all their hearts!  True servants don’t just talk a good talk.  The “doulos” servant is totally possessed by His Master’s desires and will.  It is the passion of the “doulos” to serve his Master.

Let’s look at this “mental, heartfelt attitude” Christ so exemplified in Philippians chapter 2.

First, we see in v.6 it states that Christ, “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.”  We see Christ was in heaven, fulfilling His place as a member of the Trinity, in the very shape and form of the Godhead, and rightfully knew Who He was.  Faithful servants don’t have to beat themselves because they are blessed with gifts or talents.  To have the “attitude” of Jesus we’ve got to know who we are in God’s scheme of things.  Forget that suffering for Jesus mentality.  Granted, there are times that we have to go through trials and tribulations, but we don't pitch camp there for the rest of our lives.  The emphasis in on "going through."  God is a giver!  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17, NIV).  God builds you up.  It doesn’t boost His God ego to belittle you.  We must understand that God doesn't oppress us.  He lifts us up.

Second, v.7 states that Jesus “made Himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”  We’ve got to understand the order in this turn of events here.  Jesus emptied Himself of His reputation.  Plainly, He was still God, but He said, “I’m not going to rely on my God-ability.”  Then, while still in heaven He literally reached out and put on the heart of a slave… He enslaved Himself to the will of the Father and to the plan of salvation for mankind.  Next, He allowed Himself to be made into a man in the womb of a virgin.  When He appeared on the stage of human events He appeared as a man child.  Son of God.  Son of Man.

Thirdly, v.8 tells that He, “being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  So far He has emptied Himself of His reputation, He has put on the form of a servant, and taken upon the attributes of a man.  I know we all would think, “Alright, this is enough!!!  This isn’t character class.  This is crashing class!”  But Jesus continued.  He “humbled” Himself.  The original language implies He “depressed His ego and pride, He assigned Himself to a lower rank or place, to be devoid of haughtiness.”  He was raised in Nazareth.  It was only a trash heap and lay over for the Roman soldiers who liked the place because of the rampant prostitution.  So, when the man said, “Can any good thing come from Nazareth?” he really made a profound statement.  Jesus was from the WRONG side of the tracks.

Fourthly, v.8 also says He “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  The word “obedient” is defined as “attentively listening, i.e. submissive.”  Jesus continually maintained His intimacy with His heavenly Father through prayer.  In John 5:19 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (NIV).  Jesus attentively listened and submitted all the way… all the way to the cross… the emblem of suffering and shame.

The final thing here is found in v.9, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name.”  This word “wherefore” is very important.  It should be literally translated “through which.”  So, if we add the last few words of v.8 and literally translate it we read, “…even the death of the cross.  Through which God has highly exalted Him….”

The very thing with which the devil thought He would kill Jesus and destroy God’s plan of salvation for mankind is the very thing God the Father USED to exalt Jesus above all else.  How did all this come to pass?  The attitude of Christ my friend.  He directed His mind to please the Father and redeem mankind with His own life.  Isaiah 53:11 declares, “ After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities” (NIV).  The very thing which crushed the life flow out of the Lord Jesus Christ was the very thing the Father used to catapult Him into the ranks of glory which no other name will ever know.

Servant of God, what is crushing you right now?  What predicament, infirmity, or situation seems like it is about to literally kill you if you don’t get some relief?  That thing may be the very instrument which will be used of God to catapult you into victory.  It will not kill you.   It will not destroy you.  It will not conquer you!  That very thing, when God causes it to end, will be used of God to exalt you to higher places in your walk with Him.

While you’re there though “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5)  Empty yourself of pride.  Pull inside yourself the heart of a servant.  Be satisfied with a lower place in life while you attentively listen for the voice of your Master and you display your passion to Him.  Soon the Sun will rise and it will be YOUR resurrection morning from that very thing you’ve been in.  Oh, to be exalted by your Master.

Maintain the proper mental posture.  “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility” (Proverbs 15:33).

Be strong faithful servant!  Be totally committed, completely disregard your own self interests, and know that your Master (the Almighty God) will abundantly provide.

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