SCRIPTURE:
"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:1-2, NIV)

Introduction:
Paul is writing this while he is chained in jail. When we realize that and look to the contents of this letter, there is still so much joy. The question is where does Paul get all this joy when he is locked at jail in chains. Throughout the following days, I hope to look at the Book of Philippians again!

Today, I just decided to look at the phrase 'Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus!'

Observation/Interpretation:
I asked myself why is it so significant in the way Paul introduces himself and Timothy?
It is so significant and amazing that Paul introduces himself and Timothy here as 'servants of Christ Jesus' because  he could have introduced himself as one who is trained thoroughly in the Jewish law, an apostle of Jesus Christ, or even as a saint in Christ Jesus. Yet, Paul acknowledges being a servant to the Lord Jesus Christ, seeing Christ as his Master. It is important to realize that servant and slave can be used interchangeably at times.

Interpretation:

I asked myself what are the roles of a servant/slave?

1. A servant/slave should not make up his own rules but is asked to follow the rules of His Master.

2. A servant/slave is asked not cling to his own rights but give them up to be obedient to the Master.

3. A servant/slave is one who serves others before he serves himself.

Paul is setting an example right away that he is one that does not want to make up his own rules but wants to follow the rules of His Master, Jesus Christ. He does not want to cling to his own rights but give them up to be obedient to His Master, Jesus Christ. He wants to be one who serves Jesus Christ before serving himself. Paul sees himself in submission to Christ, His Master no matter what is happening in his life. He wanted to imitate Jesus Christ who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for humanity. Therefore, Paul knows His allegiance belongs to Christ and following His example of servitude. Jesus came back to life and saved Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus so Saul changed his name to Paul and decided to become a servant of Jesus Christ.

Implications:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
 Just as Paul, introduced himself by his name and then as a 'servant of Jesus Christ', I should not hesitate to introduce myself as a 'servant of Jesus Christ'. This has not been an easy thing to do for me. In so many areas, I have always had leadership titles and aspired to leadership positions. Years ago, when I resigned as a small group leader, I had no leadership positions. This bothered me and I wanted to jump to the next leadership position offered me but my pastor at the time, Pastor Hugo reminded me that true leadership is not about the titles or even positions we have, but it is about servanthood and serving. So,  he asked me whether I wanted to come alongside him and serve in Vacation Bible School for the children. I decided to do VBS for a week with Pastor Hugo playing the role of Brutus, the soldier while he played the role of Paul. Through the years, Pastor Hugo encouraged me to serve, serve, serve without thinking about leadership positions.  Since then, I have had leadership positions but I saw them through the eyes of servant leadership. Sadly, I still have a lot to learn. It encourages me to read about Paul writing from jail as a servant of Jesus Christ. He is setting an example for all of us to see ourselves as a servant before a leader. The greatest leader is a servant leader because they don't horde themselves over others.

I need to see myself as a servant to Christ and live my life as a servant of Jesus Christ. Because if I am not a servant of Jesus Christ, then I am a servant of Satan. There is no middle ground.

I ASK YOU NOW!
I ask you now dear friend, who will you be a S.E.R.V.A.N.T to in life?
Dear friend, we are not used to thinking about ourselves as servants but want to be leaders in all we do. But this verse should challenge our thinking about ourselves and really see who we can be a servant too. First and foremost, it has to start with Jesus.

Are we willing to see ourselves as a servant of Jesus Christ?

If so, then all our decisions and way of living should be lived out as a servant of Jesus Christ, taking our commands and orders from Him, our loving Master. When that happens, we will have the humility to be a servant to our wives/husbands, and even children. A parent may seem themselves as a leader of their children but what radical concept it is for a parent to see themselves as a servant to their children serving them. This is not to say that the children are their masters. No for only Christ has to be the Master in every household where the husband and wife serve the Lord and their family by serving one another in the love of Christ. But servanthood should not be limited to just married life but even in single life. We need the Lord's help to be true servants of the Lord so we do not give into the flesh.

As a servant of Jesus Christ, ask yourself who can you be a servant to this day?

Whose life can you touch by serving?

We do not like to think about being a servant to anybody because we want to have our own freedom and do our own things. But the fact of the matter is that each one is a servant. The question is whether we will be a servant to Satan or servant to Christ!  If we see ourselves as a servant to Christ then we will want to be obedient to Christ and follow his teachings. This in itself is because of God's abundant grace working in our lives so we will not cling to our own rights or want to do what we think is right from a human perspective but want to rather do things from God's perspective taking our standard from God's Word.

It is not about what we think is right but what we know to be right. Jesus came to serve and we should not do any less. We should have an attitude of servitude towards others.

Jesus who became a servant to redeem us will become our example to live a life of servitude to others. Being a servant to Christ may not look appealing from the world's standards but there is true joy there. Think of joy as Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that you are our Master. Thank you how much you love us and care for us. We are forever in your care. Lord you want us to be servants as you became a servant though you are God. Help us to live our lives in such a way that we will be seen as your servants Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord you also see us as saints and we are your children. We come to you with all our flaws and ask you to forgive us please Lord. Please deliver us from being slaves to the sin that binds us and the enemy whose main desire is to keep us away from serving you. Protect us in the shadow of your wings. Thank you Lord we can be delivered from anything in your perfect timing. Lord, we also know that there are areas in our life that we will have to endure through until we see you face to face but we thank you that you can give us the strength to go on and a way out against temptations. We thank you that when it comes to sin, we need not live in it because through your Holy Spirit working in us, you will help us. Thank you so much Jesus! We acknowledge you as our Lord and Personal Savior and ask you to be the Master of our lives. Please take away all our sin and cleanse us with your precious cleansing blood to give us new life. Help Oh Lord please. Thank you so much Jesus for being part of our life and that you have heard our prayers and answered us. In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Amen!