Isaiah 54:17
To be a servant of God means submitting to His Lordship, trusting in the righteousness of faith, and seeking to please Him above all others.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the identity and responsibilities of God's servants, highlighting that true servanthood involves submitting to Jesus Christ as Lord and trusting in His righteousness through faith rather than works. He explains that obedience to God's commands is essential, and that serving Him entails seeking to please Him above all else. Smith reassures that as God's servants, believers can rely on His provision and protection, especially in the face of spiritual battles against Satan, who seeks to undermine their faith.
Text
"THE HERITAGE OF GOD'S SERVANTS"
I. GOD'S SERVANT.
A. Who is he?
1. One who has submitted His life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
a. Many have acknowledged Jesus Christ as Savior who have not
submitted to Him as Lord.
b. It means my chief concern is no longer what I want, but
what He wants.
2. One who is trusting in the righteousness of faith. "His righteousness
is of Me."
a. I can look to two sources for righteousness, faith or works.
1. If I look to works, then I must establish some
standard, some accepted rule of conduct. If I do keep
them at best I have self-righteousness.
2. If to faith then righteousness imputed to me. Paul in
Phil. 3.
3. Works can never substitute for faith, but true faith will produce works.
B. What does it entail for me?
1. Complete obedience to Him.
a. "Why callest thou Me Lord and do not the things I command? "
b. "Not everyone who says Lord, Lord is going to enter the
Kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will..."
2. Seeking to please Him above all others.
C. What does it entail for Him?
1. The responsibility of providing for my needs.
2. My welfare and protection.
"No weapon that is formed against..."
a. Why should weapons be formed against me?
1. I cannot become a servant of God without becoming an
enemy of Satan.
2. You soon learn that you are in a heavy spiritual battle.
3. Satan is committed to destroying you.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - '{''1'': {''a'': ''One who has submitted His life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.'', ''b'': ''It means my chief concern is no longer what I want, but what He wants.''}, ''2'': {''a'': ''One who is trusting in the righteousness of faith.'', ''b'': ''I can look to two sources for righteousness, faith or works.''}, ''3'': {''a'': ''Works can never substitute for faith, but true faith will produce works.''}}' - '{''1'': {''a'': ''Complete obedience to Him.'', ''b'': ''Not everyone who says Lord, Lord is going to enter the Kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will...''}, ''2'': {''a'': ''Seeking to please Him above all others.''}}' - '{''1'': {''a'': ''The responsibility of providing for my needs.''}, ''2'': {''a'': ''My welfare and protection.'', ''b'': ''No weapon that is formed against...''}}'
Key Quotes
“No weapon that is formed against...” — Chuck Smith
“Why callest thou Me Lord and do not the things I command?” — Chuck Smith
“Not everyone who says Lord, Lord is going to enter the Kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will...” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- As a servant of God, I must prioritize complete obedience to Him and seek to please Him above all others.
- I must trust in the righteousness of faith, rather than trying to achieve righteousness through works.
- As a servant of God, I can expect to face spiritual battles and must rely on God's provision and protection.