“A servant’s job is to do all he can to make life better for others – to free them to be everything they can be. A servant’s first interest is not in himself but others. Servanthood is a loving choice we make to minister to others” (Gayle Erwin).
You serve others by seeking their spiritual welfare through preparing for Christ’s coming, humbling yourself before God, warning people to turn away from sin, practicing God’s word, ministering with compassion to the needy, providing accurate and clear biblical teaching, and rescuing people from slavery to sin and false teaching.
Prepare for Christ’s Coming Again
Ezekiel said the day of the Lord was near as a time of doom for the nations. Egypt’s wealth was carried away and her foundations torn down. Her allies like Cush, Put, Lydia, Arabia and Libya fell in battle, their proud strength failed and were frightened out of complacency. God dried up the streams of the Nile, sold the land to evil men, laid waste the land and destroyed the idols. The cities went into captivity and God broke Pharaoh’s strength. He scattered Egypt among the nations after strengthening the king of Babylon (Ezek. 30:1-26). Prepare for Christ’s coming again when He breaks pride and complacency.
Humble Yourself Before God
Ezekiel asked Pharaoh king of Egypt if Assyria could be compared with him in majesty like a cedar in Lebanon. Great nations lived in the shade of its beautiful branches. No tree in the garden of God matched its beauty. The most ruthless nation defeated Egypt because of their pride. God cast his net over Egypt who was like a lion among the nations. He filled the ravines with their flesh and brought darkness over the land. God troubled the hearts of many people when Babylon shattered Egypt’s pride. He slew Assyria, Elam, Meshech, Tubal and Sidon with armies lying around graves (Ezek. 31:1-32:32). Humble yourself before God when he breaks your pride.
Warn People to Turn Away from Sin
Ezekiel told Israel to choose a watchman to warn the people when the sword came against the land. Blood was on the people if they refused the warning, but were saved by listening. If the watchman saw the sword coming and did not blow the trumpet as a warning causing someone to be killed because of sin, God held the watchman accountable for his blood. He made Ezekiel a watchman for Israel to hear God’s word and give warning for Him. If he warned the wicked man to turn from his ways and refused, he would die but Ezekiel saved himself. Israel’s sins weighed and wasted them away. God took no pleasure in the death of the wicked but wanted them to turn from their ways and live. The righteous man could not trust in his righteousness for salvation if he disobeyed. If a wicked man turned from his wickedness by giving back what he took in pledge for a loan, returned what stole and followed commands that gave life, he lived. None of his sins were remembered against him. Do not say that God’s way was unjust (Ezek. 33:1-20). Warn people so they turn away from sin and live without trusting in their righteousness.
Practice God’s Word
God told Ezekiel that because the people of Jerusalem ate meat with blood in it and looked to their idols, should they possess the land like Abraham? They relied on their sword, did evil things and defiled their neighbor’s wife. God made them die of a plague and the land became a desolate waste ending their proud strength. People did not practice God’s word through Ezekiel. Their mouth expressed devotion but their hearts were greedy for unjust gain. When this came true, they would know a prophet was among them (Ezek. 33:21-33). Practice God’s word without lip service and seeking unjust gain.
Minister with Compassion to the Needy
Ezekiel prophesied against Israel’s shepherds who took care of themselves instead of the flock. They ate the curds, clothed themselves with wool and slaughtered choice animals, but did not care for the flock. They failed to strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured, bring back the strays or search for the lost. The shepherd’s harsh and brutal rule scattered the sheep over the whole earth without a true shepherd to search or look for them. The sheep became food for all the wild animals. God spoke against the shepherds, held them accountable and removed them from tending the flock so shepherds would no longer feed themselves. God Himself searched for His sheep, looked after them and rescued them from all places where they were scattered. He brought them into their own land to be fed in a rich pasture. God searched for the lost, brought back the strays, bound up the injured and strengthened the weak, but destroyed the sleek and strong. He shepherded the flock with justice (Ezek. 34:1-16). Strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured, bring back the strays and search for the lost so God’s sheep can feed in a rich pasture.
Provide Accurate and Spirit-Inspired Bible Teaching
God judged between one sheep and another and between rams and goats. Ezekiel said to not trample the good pasture and muddy the clear water with their feet. God’s flock must not eat trampled pasture or drink muddied water. He judged between the fat and lean sheep. False shepherds drove the weak sheep away, but God saved His flock from plunder. He judged between one sheep and another. God placed one shepherd, His servant David, to tend them (Ezek. 34:17-24).
Provide accurate and Spirit-inspired Bible teaching so believers can grow spiritually.
Rescue People from Slavery to Sin and False Teaching
God made a covenant of peace with His sheep and rid the land of wild beasts. He sent showers of blessing so trees and ground yielded fruit and crops. The people felt secure. He broke the bars of their yoke and rescued them from slavery. Nations no longer plundered or wild animals devoured them. They lived in safety without fear. He provided a land renowned for crops so they would no longer be victims of famine or bore the scorn of nations. They would know that God was with them and Israel was His people as the sheep of His pasture (Ezek. 34:25-31). Rescue people from slavery to sin and false teaching to bear spiritual fruit and live in safety.
To break pride, self-righteousness, seeking unjust gain, selfishness, false teaching and slavery to sin so you can serve others by seeking their spiritual welfare, do the following:
1. Prepare for Christ’s coming again
2. Humble yourself before God
3. Warn people to turn away from sin
4. Practice God’s word
5. Minister with compassion to the needy
6. Provide accurate and Spirit-inspired Bible teaching
7. Rescue people from slavery to sin and false teaching
