Servants Honored
The sermon emphasizes the reward and honor that comes from serving the Lord Jesus, and encourages listeners to wait on Him with patience and devotion.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the honor and joy found in serving the Lord Jesus, comparing it to tending a fig tree that yields sweet fruit. He illustrates that while serving lesser masters may yield meager rewards, serving Christ brings true delight and ultimate glory. Spurgeon encourages believers to focus on their service to Christ, trusting that their true honors will be revealed in the afterlife. He highlights the promise that those who wait on their Master will be honored, urging a humble and patient approach to service. The sermon concludes with a prayer for the strength to serve faithfully and to leave the recognition of honor to God.
Text
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof; so he that waiteth on his master shall be honored. (Proverbs 27:18)
He who tends the fig tree has figs for his pains, and he who waits on a good master has honor as his reward. Truly the Lord Jesus is the very best of masters, and it is an honor to be allowed to do the least act for His sake. To serve some lords is to watch over a crab tree and eat the crabs as one's wages; but to set ye the Lord Jesus is to keep a fig tree of the sweetest figs. His service is in itself delight, continuance in it is promotion, success in it is blessedness below, and the reward for it is glory above.
Our greatest honors will be gathered in that season when the figs will be ripe, even in the next world. Angels who are now our servitors will bear us home when our day's work is done. Heaven, where Jesus is, will be our honorable mansion, eternal bliss our honorable portion, and the Lord Himself our honorable companion. Who can imagine the full meaning of this promise: "He that waiteth on his master shall be honored"?
Lord, help me to wait upon my Master. Let me leave all idea of honor to the hour when Thou Thyself shalt honor me. May the Holy Spirit make me a lowly, patient worker and waiter!
Sermon Outline
- The Reward of Service
- The Excellence of Serving the Lord Jesus
- The Future Reward of Service
- Honors gathered in the next world
- Angels as servitors and heavenly mansion
Key Quotes
“He who tends the fig tree has figs for his pains, and he who waits on a good master has honor as his reward.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“To serve some lords is to watch over a crab tree and eat the crabs as one's wages; but to set ye the Lord Jesus is to keep a fig tree of the sweetest figs.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Heaven, where Jesus is, will be our honorable mansion, eternal bliss our honorable portion, and the Lord Himself our honorable companion.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should strive to serve the Lord Jesus with patience and devotion, knowing that He is the best of masters.
- Our service to the Lord will be rewarded with eternal bliss, glory, and His honorable companionship.
- We should leave all idea of honor to the hour when the Lord Himself will honor us.