James Humbled Servant

 

James

Humbled Servant

 

Ever been depressed or humiliated?

Life can be very humbling

Our humble positions can be a platform for heavenly glory

James said, “consider it joy when you face trials” in James 1:2

He says in verse 9 take pride or joy in your humble circumstances  

So take pride in being a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ

I have taken pride in being a pastor, a business owner

But even if I did not have the qualifications for the job

Or, the money for a successful business

If I have humility, I can become a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ  

What higher calling is there than that?

 

 

 

Humbled Servant

 

Ever been depressed or humiliated?

 

Life can be very humbling.

 

All of us have had embarrassing moments.

 

Times when you did not want to be seen.

 

If you have ever been in the hospital and

had to put on one of those hospital gowns that

are open in the back, you know what I mean.

 

All thoughts of respect and pride seem to

leave with the draft you feel on your back side.

 

Many come home from work

and change into more casual cloth.

 

I know I did as a pastor.

 

I found people look at me

differently by the way I dress.

 

I may be the same person wearing a suit or a

hospital gown, but mentally something is different.

 

You don’t find people taking hospital

 gowns and wearing them to a party.

 

One of the saddest things I have seen

as a pastor, was the humiliation of death.

 

I have seen strong, healthy, intelligent,

wealthy, good looking people become…

 

Weak, sick, loss of memory, no use for

money or what it could buy, muscle and

beautiful skin turn into withered prunes.

 

James reminds us of the

humiliation and depression of life.

 

The other day Sandy and I, with some

friends, went to a garden of flowers.

 

For a fee you got a 4” cup and some hand clippers

to cut any flowers you like that fit in the cup.

 

We saw flowers we had never

seen before, colors so amazing.

 

The bouquet was so beautiful.

 

Its glory was so wonderful to look at but, over

a short time it withered and became unattractive.

 

So what is the point?

 

Remember who James is writing to…

 

“Scattered” people, humbled people.

 

In verse 2 James says…

 

 “Consider it pure joy when you are enduring trials.”

 

When you are “depressed”, “humbled”.

 

James is continuing in verse 9 when he says…

 

The brother in humble circumstances ought

to take pride in his high position.

 

We need to remember James

starts this letter with…

 

 “James, A servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”.

 

Humility is the foundation of serving.

 

Jesus said the greatest of you will be your servant.

 

Matthew 20:25-28…

 

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant , and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

 

James saw those people who had

lost their homes, businesses, family.

 

He saw their loss, and I am sure

he felt deeply about their losses.

 

But James also saw their greatest

reward was to be a servant.

 

Strength, health, intelligent, wealth, good

looks are not necessary to be a humble servant…

 

To be a person of “value”.  

 

When I was in intensive care after

being hit by a truck, God said to me…

 

“These people will not come

to Me so I will go to them.”

 

I was humbled that God called me to serve

the health care works who were serving me.

 

I was not to look at what I did

 not have, but what I did have.

 

To serve them with the love

of God that was within me.

 

The greatest thing I had in that

hospital bed was the gift of God.

 

Sharing that gift turned my hospital room

and nursing home room into a palace.

 

My humble positions was a

platform for heavenly glory.

 

So take pride in being a servant

of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

I have taken pride in being

 a pastor, a business owner.

 

But even if I did not have the qualifications for

the job or the money for a successful business…

 

If I have humility, I can become a servant

of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

   What higher calling is there than that?

 

 

 

Scripture Reading

 

James 1:9-11

 

9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.