Servants and Saints
A sermon by Wayne Everett Harris
Philippians
1:1 “Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops (overseers) and deacons.”
The church of Jesus Christ is a magnificent blessing for those that believe in Jesus Christ. In actuality, the church is made up of believers in Jesus. Placed together they make the church. Jesus is the head of the church. We, believers in Christ, are the body.
It is to the body that gathers in Philippi that the apostle Paul writes. He has something to say to the church. Under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit Paul sets pen to paper.
Paul and Timothy address the group of believers that gather at Philippi. This writing that has become part of the New Testament of the Bible is powerful and full of learning for all Christians.
What I would like to address is found in verse one. It has to do with two words. Word one is servants. Word two is saints.
Paul is the apostle, one of twelve. He has the mission of dealing with doctrine and teachings for the early church. Timothy has united with Paul to bring forth the gospel and ministry to the church.
We begin Philippians reading these words. “Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ.”
Paul and Timothy identify themselves as…
The servants of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:1a, KJV)
They are bondservants or slaves belonging to Christ. They choose to serve. They have given their lives over to the service of God.
When we give ourselves to Christ and receive Him into our hearts and lives the supernatural result is service. We choose to serve. Whatever God needs us to do to enhance and edify (build up) the church on this earth we are committed to doing.
Paul and Timothy make sure that the church members in Philippi understand who they are. They are His. They serve no other master.
Paul has left his old self behind. In fact, he writes in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
He is a servant of the Lord. That is his identity. Along with Timothy, he reaches out, but first lets them know who he is.
Before an officer steps up to the podium to speak to a graduating class of soldiers the soldiers are given his or her biographical sketch. The soldiers can see the various assignments, awards and other things about the speaker. But the simple and to the point introduction is, “We welcome General Bernie Smith of the US Army.” That says it all.
Paul and Timothy introduce themselves as servants of Jesus Christ. Now the Philippians know who they are. They can receive their words. Their credibility is in the introduction.
When you back up the word servant of Jesus Christ with actions, you have a powerful and simple introduction. It is living up to the title that is so critical. I serve Jesus. I willfully live my life to reflect the Lord Jesus Christ. I am His. He is number one in my heart.
Are you His servant? Can you honestly say, “I am living up to my title of servant of Jesus Christ”?
Can you sing, “I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today?”
Let us live in a manner that allows us to say, “I serve Jesus Christ”.
Transition: The introduction of Paul and Timothy is the open door for them to address the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi.
They write this Word to:
The saints.
Who are the saints? These are not spiritual elitists. Saints are Christians. If you are in Christ Jesus, you are a saint. We see them as “separated ones”.
Saints are separated from all that is profane. We are to be those that are set apart for God’s use. We are His. Those that are Christ’s are the ones Paul and Timothy address in Philippians. It is two saints delivering the Word to Philippi saints.
Paul and Timothy recognize their brothers and sisters by calling them saints. We do not tend to do that in the modern-day church. We can do so legitimately. There has been some mystical tag to the word “saint”. It has been used to refer to what one might call a “super Christian”. But this is not what it means.
Saints are different than the world. We are to walk in holiness. One of our distinguishing marks is our desire to be separate from all that is evil. Saints seek to live morally pure lives. To such people Paul writes.
These words apply to modern-day Christians, too. These are not mere words for Christians in Paul’s day. The writing to the Philippians is full of life for the 21st Century. He wrote to the Philippians, but the writings are pertinent for you and me.
Minnie was different from the other four that worked in her office. They participated in all sorts of sinful activities. They lied, cursed, cheated and disobeyed God’s Word in many areas. Minnie prayed for them. She did not join in their activities. She loved them in Christ’s love.
They knew she was different. She never introduced herself without including the fact that she served Jesus Christ. One lady called her “a saint”. She said, “Oh, I am not a saint.”
That was not a correct assessment, though. She was a saint. She was a believer in Jesus Christ. She was a separate one. Her separation was for Christ.
There are two things that we should be in Christ. First, we should be a servant. Second, we should be saints. We are separated for the Lord and in the Lord. We serve Him above all others. We are in Jesus Christ, believers, sold out men and women. We are saints.
Live the life of a bondservant, willing to serve the Lord day and night. Live the life of a saint, one who is in Christ and lives for Christ.
Humbly wear your titles.
Wear the title of servant. Wear the title of saint. We should be servants and saints. We, in Christ, are both.
Praise the Lord for allowing us to be identified with him as servants and saints. What great titles. What a privilege.
Rev. Wayne Harris is a retired US Army Chaplain and Desert Storm Veteran. He has been the pastor of numerous churches and chapels. He is also a journalist.
wayne3222@att.net
