A portrait of Christ and a pattern for His followers
Isaiah 42: 1-9
The ‘Servant Songs’ in Isaiah
(42:1-9, 49:1-6, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12)
sometimes refers to an individual (Isaiah)
Sometimes refers to a group (Israel)
sometimes refers to an unnamed individual (the Messiah)
Behold……
To see, to notice, to observe, to give your full attention to.
To study, to appreciate, to meditate upon.
To gaze with loving attentiveness, to worship, to adore.
 His self-recognition
 Mark 10:45
 Witnessed by Matthew
 Matthew 12:15-21
 Demonstrated by His actions
 John 13:2-5
 Verified by the early church
 Acts 3:13 & 26, 4:27 & 30
 Confirmed by the apostle Paul
 Philippians 2:6-7
 Spoken of prophetically
 Hebrews 10:7
His whole life and ministry was influenced by this understanding
His servanthood is a pattern for our own
 Here is my servant …
 Whom I uphold …
 My chosen one
 In whom I delight …. I will put my Spirit on him
 His Baptism
 His Transfiguration
Matthew 3:16-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22
Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35
Jesus lived his life within the sure knowledge that he was the Beloved
– John 15:9 & 17:24, Matthew 12:18 and Ephesians 1:6
Jesus has given us an example
– John 13:5, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 John 2:6
Servanthood is the mark of a genuine conversion
- 1 Thess 1:9-10
Towards God
Towards each other
Towards the world
Philippians 1:1
Galatians 5:13
1 Corinthians 3:5
Doulos – a bondservant (Master)
Diakonos – a household servant
“If doulos primarily identifies the relation of the
servant to his master, diakonos emphasises the
relation to his people: doulos is vertical, diakonos
is horizontal.” John Finney
We serve to glorify God, not to please people
We serve, not to gain love, but because we are loved – Zephaniah 3:14-17
 We have been chosen by God - John 15:16
 We are loved by God - 1John 3:1, Jeremiah 31:3,
Zephaniah 3:17, John 15:9, Romans 5:5 & 8, 1John
4:10, Jude v1, Revelation 1:5
 We will also be upheld by God
“Learn to define yourself radically as one
loved by God. This is your true identity.
All other identity is an illusion”
Brennan Manning, Abba’s Child
 Identity is based on who I am, not what I do
 Identity determines behaviour
 Identity is the basis of personal security
 Identity is the foundation for all true ministry
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your
spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.”
Romans 12:11
A portrait of Christ and a pattern for His followers
Isaiah 42:1-9
Jesus lived his life on earth in dependency upon the
Spirit:
 The spirit came upon him at his baptism (Luke 3: 21-22)
 He was led by the Spirit (Luke 4:1)
 He lived in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14)
 His ministry was carried out under the anointing of the Spirit
(Luke 4:18, Isaiah 61:1, Acts 10:37-38)
Ministry is Trinitarian – Father, Son and Holy Spirit in
perfect harmony
If Jesus needed the power of the Spirit, how much
more do we?
 Not by might, nor by power …. Zechariah 4:6
 The teaching of Jesus in the Upper Room
John 14-16
 The command to wait and to be clothed Luke 24:49
 Pentecost and the gift of the Spirit
 Living daily in the Spirit’s fullness
Acts 1:8
Ephesians 5:18
 The Spirit was given to him for a purpose -
to bring justice to the nations.
 Justice, with reference to the law of God
(salvation) – the suffering servant
 Justice, with reference to the needs of the world
(kingdom) – the compassionate servant
He came to solve the dilemma of God’s justice and love –
can God be just, and yet justify people like us?
Romans 3:21-26
He would be the ‘suffering’ Servant of Isaiah 53
The cross was the demonstration of God’s justice - we
need no longer fear the Law.
Romans 8:1
We share in his ministry by proclaiming the message of
the cross and declaring the way by which we can be made
right with God.
God is concerned for the plight of the poor and needy, the
marginalised and victimised, the abused and exploited,
the deprived and the neglected…. He hears their cry!
Isaiah 1:16-17, 58:6-7, Amos 5:24, Micah 6:8
The two come together in the Kingdom of God, whereby
the rule of God is established in the hearts of individuals,
and societies are changed and transformed.
The ministry of Jesus and the kingdom manifesto Luke 4:16-21 (Isaiah 61:1-2)
‘We work among the poor, we work among orphans
and widows. We bring orphans into the spirit of
adoption so that they know they are adopted and
loved. We’re very simple. We’re a holistic ministry.
We look at what love looks like for the people that
we’re working with. For the people of Mozambique,
if they walk 20 hours for water, love looks like a
well; if they’re hungry, love looks like rice and
beans; if they have no school, love looks like us
building them a school and providing them with a
teacher.’
Heidi Baker
Proclamation and demonstration
‘If we truly love our neighbour we shall without
tell him the Good news of Jesus. But equally, if
we truly love our neighbour we won’t stop there
… Love … expresses itself in service wherever it
sees need.’
John Stott
Is there need for a fresh touch?
The compassion of Jesus - splanknon (Greek) - to
be moved from deep within into appropriate response
Mark 1:41, 9:22, Matthew 14:14, 15:32, Luke 7:13
Only the Holy Spirit can give us a burden for the lost
and love for the needy.
A portrait of Christ and a pattern for His followers
Isaiah 42: 1-9
The Father delights as much in who the servant is
(character) as in what he does (calling).
Character is as important as gifting in Christian
ministry - God is as concerned about who we are
becoming as in what we are doing.
The servant is also a leader, and those who lead in
God’s way lead with humility and a desire to serve
others.
‘It begins with the natural feeling that one
wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious
choice brings one to aspire to lead. That
person is sharply different from one who is a
leader first, perhaps because of the need to
assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire
material possessions. For such it will be a later
choice to serve – after leadership is
established. The leader-first and servant-first
are two extreme types.’
Robert Greenleaf
Mark 10 42-45, Luke 22:24-30, Matthew 10:35-45
Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his
life as a ransom for many.
He presented his followers with a different style of
leadership:
 not like the Pharisees (for show, position, status)
 not like the Romans or Gentile rulers (for power,
authority)
 but like their foot-washing Teacher and Lord
‘I am among you as one who serves’ Luke 22:27
 Where is the leadership in servant
leadership?
 A cover-up for cowardly behaviour or
invitation to be trampled on?
 Fine words but not actually practised?
‘The servant leader is powerful and unselfish.
The servant leader uses power and service for
the sake of the team or the organization. This
contradicts two common notions about
leadership in our culture:
(a)that a person who serves others is not
powerful; and
(b)that the person who uses power is selfserving.’
Duane Elmer
Humility is an essential characteristic of a servant.
Jesus was meek and lowly in heart
Matt 11:29, Phil 2:8
Pride is at the hearts of Satan’s kingdom and is
never far away from the human heart. It is
expressed in arrogance, boasting, independence,
selfish ambition ….
 Exalting oneself - ‘he won’t call attention to what he
does with loud speeches and gaudy parades’
(The Message)
 Self-assertion, defensive anger, quarrelling 2Timothy 2:24
 Self-determination, railing against God and his will
‘At every stage of our Christian development and in
every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the
great enemy and humility our greatest friend.’
Stott
The way we treat people – especially the weak and
vulnerable – reveals the nature of our leadership. There is
a balance between power and compassion; between the
task and the needs of people.
‘He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he
won’t disregard the small and insignificant.’ (MSG)
Bruised reed = broken hurt and wounded
Smouldering wick = exhausted, weary, worn-out
Jesus as our merciful and faithful High Priest is always
ready to minister to us.
Some leaders drive their people too hard and are
harsh and demanding.
‘Sadly, time and again power has been misused and people have
been abused in Christian churches and institutions. The travesty
is that power has been exercised as if it were for God’s sake...
Many have been deeply wounded. The wounds have been so
deep and the pain so intense that large numbers have left the
church altogether... This experience of the abuse of power has
been so devastating that many have given up on God
altogether.’
Paul Beasley-Murray
Jesus kept on despite opposition, misunderstanding,
betrayal; he was willing to pay the price of finishing
his task.
‘… he’ll steadily and firmly set things right. He won’t
tire and quit. He won’t be stopped until he’s finished
his work…’ (MSG) Hebrews 3:1-6, 12:2-3
Because he persevered, we can as well.
Faithfulness more important than success.
 When you feel homesick or isolated
 When you have been let down (again) and
disappointed (again)
 When you feel betrayed, taken advantage of,
unappreciated
 When your work seems unfruitful and your prayers
unanswered
 When you think you will never understand the
culture or grasp the language
‘Jesus is not only a spiritual model, but his
leadership style is regarded as one of the most
influential and effective the world has ever
known… and central to Jesus’ philosophy was
servant-leadership. I believe Jesus exemplified
the fully committed and effective servantleader.’
Ken Blanchard
A portrait of Christ and a pattern for His followers
Isaiah 42: 1-9
The movement from description to dialogue.
The servant’s task is not an easy one and requires
divine assistance.
God has promised to uphold the servant (v1):
 In his love
 By his Spirit
 Through his word
Confidence is essential for success in any walk of life
These are the words of the Father to the Son. We can
imagine how special they were to Jesus, and how often he
meditated upon them when he need to be strengthened.
The voice of authority and power – ‘God said…. and
there was….’ Genesis 1
 Created the heavens (look upwards)
 Spread out the earth (look outwards)
 Gives breath to its people (look inwards)
He is the Life-giver, and his word has creative and
sustaining power. 2Corinthians 4:6, Daniel 10:19, Ezekiel
2:1-2
The servant is not a volunteer, but a chosen instrument John 15:16, Acts 9:15
God has called the servant, and has done so in the
righteousness (integrity) of his own character. Therefore:
 this is God’s work
 he will make sure that we have everything we need
 he wants us to succeed, not fail
‘The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it’
1Thessalonians 6:24
God’s presence with us in our loneliness, isolation, fear,
anxiety ….
The significance of holding someone’s hand reassurance, friendship, intimacy
David’s experience (Psalm 63:6-8)
and Paul’s (2Timothy 4:16-17)
We should not be afraid of acknowledging our need for
reassurance.
God has many ways to take hold of our hand, but often
through human friendship.
A reminder that we are involved in a battle and that
Satan’s strategy is always to attack the leader
(Matthew 26:31, 1Peter 5:8), but God has promised to
guard us (Jude v24):
 in temptation : money (greed), sex (lust) and power
(pride)
1 Corinthians 10:12-13, Titus 2:11-12
 through trials : practical, emotional, spiritual,
mental
James 1:2-4, 1Peter 1:6-7
If Satan was going to take you out of ministry, how
would he do it?
The call of God brings us into the purpose of God and the
grace of God makes us adequate for the task.
Jesus and his disciples - ‘I will make you fishers of men’
Mark 1:17
The process of spiritual formation, ‘the growth of a soul’,
one degree of glory to another 2Corinthians 3:18
 Character (Galatians 4:19)
 Competency (2Corinthians 3:4-6)
Part of the unique work of Jesus was to be the mediator
of a New Covenant - Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:6,
9:15, 10:15-18
 Bringing light instead of darkness - the knowledge of
God
 Bringing liberty instead of bondage – freedom from sin
and its power or any other controlling power
 Bringing hope instead of despair - the possibility of a
new beginning
Servant ministry in all its forms is based upon the
effectiveness of the New Covenant.
A portrait of Christ and a pattern for His followers
Isaiah 42: 1-9
Central to the life of a servant is the ability and
willingness to listen for any indication of the Master’s
will (Psalm 123:2, Isaiah 30:21, 50:4-5) and then
respond in obedience
This was how Jesus lived - John 4:34, 6:38, 8:29,
10:18, Heb 10:7, Matt 26:39
This is how we too are called to live - Isaiah 30:
30:21 and 50:4-5, Ephesians 5:15-17
It requires that we learn to take time to be still and
listen for his voice.
 God has many ways by which he can speak to us:
 - primarily through his Son, Jesus
 - through Scripture
 - by the witness of the Spirit
 - in creation
 - through prayer and reflection
 - in conversation with trusted friends
 - by the gift of prophecy
 ‘Each of us is called to a life patterned by Christ. A
life not shaped by inner compulsions, or captive to
outer expectations, but drawn by the inner voice
of love. To listen to this voice, we need to pay
careful attention to where our inner and outer
selves disconnect and where they need to come
together in a beautiful pattern that reflects Jesus,
whose inner life with his Father and outer life of
ministering to others was very much one.’
Leighton Ford
 ‘Attentiveness means respecting, attending to,
waiting on, looking at and listening to the other ….
We are called to pay attention to the Other – our
Creator God – to know and worship him.
Paradoxically, attentiveness may be just the opposite
of “fixing our attention.” Instead it involves a letting
go of our usual need to control, an opening of
ourselves to what we are being told or shown.’
Leighton Ford
‘I am the Lord; that is my name’ (v8)
Only when we recognise God’s authority in our lives
can be truly be said to be his servants. Philippians
2:9-11, 1Peter 3:15, John 13:13,20:28, Romans 10:9,
1Corinthians 6:19-20, 2Corinthians 4:5
We are to live to bring glory to God 1Corinthians 10:31
Anything that takes his rightful place in our
lives can be said to be an ‘idol’.
‘It’s not about you. If you want to know why you
were placed on this planet, you must begin with
God. You were born by his purpose and for his
purpose... It is only in God that we discover our
origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose,
our significance, and our destiny.’
Rick Warren
Former things have come to pass…
We each have our own ‘salvation history’, and so does
our church or organisation
We can take confidence from the way God has guided
us previously
‘New things I declare...’
He is a God who speaks - Isaiah 45:21, 43:18-19, 46:9-11,
48:3,5,6, Rev 21:5
His word comes to pass in his own time, it springs forth
He is able to make clear what he wants us to do 1Timothy 1:8, Acts 21:10-11, 16:6-10, 15:28
Like Samuel we must offer ourselves to God, and then
relax (1Sam 3:1-10). Then when he does speak we can
respond with faith and obedience.
 to continue as you are, but with a fresh sense
of calling?
 to have faith to step out into something new?
 to be patient and wait for his will to be
revealed?