Whose servant are we??
Objectives?
1- Who is truly our master?
2- God has called you to make a difference in this world.
3- We were called Ambassadors of the Heavenly Kingdom, therefore let us honor our Lord Jesus; by doing so.
I would like to encourage all of us to exercise influence over our neighbor, and this influence may or may not succeed. Likewise, this influence can be positive or negative. Many times, we do not realize the fact that there is someone watching us, copying our actions, gestures, thoughts; trying to construct their way of conduct based on what they observed in us. Many people in David’s time watched his behavior. What did they see? A man after God’s own heart.
There are many leaders in this world, and somehow each of us is a leader for someone who is in touch with us at some time. "If someone follows our example, for this person we serve as leader, for the fact that they adapted what they saw in us." Even our relatives and friends, neighbors who always live with us; are we influential to them as well? Certainly. In the future, they might comment to others what the conviviality (living together with you) meant to them.
Question nº2: Do you remember an occasion where someone came to thank you for the example you have been for them?
We ought to evaluate our entire conduct according to the heart of God in our life. We can only lead others on the ‘Way’, which is ‘Jesus’, if we are on that ‘way’ in the first place.
A human being always reflects who is in charge of his heart. What and whom do we follow? It might be philosophies, thoughts, desires, or people who have influenced us. When we look up to someone like our hero, we usually follow in the footsteps of that character.
Who commands your heart, do you know?
Who is the master of your life?
Is the master of your life your own ego?
Based on what do you make your decisions?
Who or what gives the final word in your actions and decisions?
The Word of God tells us in Romans 6:16-18: "Do you not know that to whom you are presented as servants to obey Him, you are servants to Him whom you obey, or from sin to death, or obedience to righteousness? But thanks be to God, having been servants of sin, you have obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And being freed from sin you became servants of righteousness."
Let us make a difference in this world. We are called to be the light of this world and the salt of the world. Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV) “14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
True or false: It makes a difference in this world if we are the light of this world and let it shine before men, that they may see it and glorify the Father in heaven.
God calls us to become servants of righteousness, and that is how our light shines; by obeying God. Most people do not even realize who actually gives the last word inside of them. According to the teachings in psychology, we always have the conduct according to whom and what we follow.
Ask yourself: ‘Has your light been shining lately’?
Adam and Eve believed that they followed completely what their Creator had said. But, one day only, they went after a suggestion given to them and used their own understanding after that. What was the result of the fact that one day only they followed that simple suggestion? The verse we just quoted from Romans tells us that: Once we were made servants of righteousness, it shows us that Jesus Christ is Lord in our life. Only Jesus makes us servants of righteousness; therefore we reflect it as such. We want to have a course or a route in our lifestyle that is worth observing. Our aim and goal should be to "reflect the heart of God, just as Jesus reflected His Father who is in heaven."
Journal nº3: Look in the mirror (God’s Word) … whom do you see in the mirror? Describe please and be honest about it. We ought to reflect whom if we serve the Lord Jesus?
This reminds me of the passage in 2 Corinthians 5:20: “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” "Ambassadors for whom? And we will surely lead our followers according to whom we follow.
The Bible tells us that God is love, and whoever is in love is in God, and God in him. We want to lead each one to reach the stature of the person who acts integrally in leadership according to the heart of God, in such a way that in this sense we reach Gods’ expectation.
Perhaps you will come to reason with me saying, oh, but I am no political leader and not a king like David. Neither am I any leader in the local church and nowhere else. Therefore, this subject is not for me. I want to leave a little challenge for you, if the above describtion is as you think about the subject. Read the lessons, and if after reading them you will continue to think in the same way, then may God bless you in your walk, so that He can assert you as He did with David;
"Behold ________________________, a person after my own heart." (Put your name in the blank).
I believe, however, that the Holy Spirit will convince you that He has called you to make a difference on this earth to lead when Jesus said, "As My Father has sent Me, I send you." With this sending, Jesus gave the leadership here on earth to His Church, and He leads us to do our work, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit; therefore… You and I are included in this command.
We have this promise in the Word of God, Jer. 3:15. "And I will give you pastors according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."
This word is given to us through the prophet Jeremiah; at a time when God's people had completely departed from God. I believe that God is carrying out the training by the Holy Spirit in each one of us who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. Jesus chose the twelve apostles, these were the first who were according to the heart of God in the age of grace; Glory to God for this. I want to be faithful, as David and the apostles were.
Yes, we are humans and make mistakes; but God helps us through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to make it right again with Him. I want to be one of the shepherds after the heart of God, and to feed with wisdom and knowledge those whom God brings to Jesus through me. I want to be a daughter according to the heart of God in my walk, and I desire the same for you.
Homework = Scripture memory:
Be sure to commit this passage to memory before moving on to the next lesson. , Then, practice reciting it repeatedly throughout this course. Jeremiah 17:10 (NKJV) “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” Matthew 12:30 (NKJV) “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”
Personal goal: Make a commitment with the Lord. My suggestion is to ask Him to make of you a Disciple according to His own heart.
Blessings on to you all.
Antonina Penner.
A. PENNER PUBLISHING.
Discipleship according the heart of God
ISBN NUMBER: 978-0-9881063-2-1
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