Opening Prayer
Lord, make us Your faithful servants. Amen.
Text: First Corinthians 4:1-5
Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts; and then each one’s praise will come from God.
Devotion
John the Baptizer was the servant and steward of Christ, and the same is true of all real and genuine preachers of God’s Word. They are sent by the Lord to administer His mysteries in the Gospel. Everyone who is rightly called to the ministry of the Word should be regarded as a servant of Christ, who has received the office from Him and administers it in His stead. In themselves the servants of the Word are only weak human beings, but the office makes them glorious, and the Lord gives them power in their testimony of the truth. A servant of the Lord has many difficult struggles to endure. The flesh is always weak and wants to be clothed in soft clothing. If he is gifted and has obvious success in his work, then he is tempted to pride and vanity. If he is less richly gifted, or if he must work without apparent fruit, he easily sinks down into apathy and despondency. The Baptizer calls himself the voice of Christ, and Paul says about himself: “I am nothing.” This attitude is needed to be faithful.
And it depends on faithfulness. What the Lord judges us on means something, but not what people judge. He sees rightly; the eyes of men are often deceived by appearance. When that day shall test each one’s work with its fire, much that is regarded as gold will prove to be gilded hay and straw (1Co 3:12-13). The Lord requires faithfulness from us, not grand accomplishments, diligence in the use of the talent entrusted to us and in the work He gave us, not glittering proofs of brilliance or higher gifts. How lovely are those little flowers in the Lord’s garden, that instead of being resplendent with their beauty hide themselves under the others. But they cannot hide from the Lord’s view or hold back the richness of their charming fragrance! Many an unnoticed parish pastor and lowly teacher shall shine more beautifully there than the most famous bishops and scholars. Sincere love and genuine faithfulness are more than all great gifts.
Closing Prayer
Help us with our intercessions, you faithful, and with obedience to the Word, which we proclaim to you from the Lord, so that one day we may give account with joy and not with sighing. But You, Lord Jesus, help us with the light and power of Your Holy Spirit. Give us Your love that we may serve You with joy and truly be faithful stewards over the glorious things of Your House. Amen.
Hymn
How can I ever rightly say
And worthily consider
How all the world in sin once lay
Till God did grant His favor
To give His blesséd saving Word
And Baptism and Communion Board
To help us live forever?
To bring His grace to us so near
His teachers He does send us;
His Word and Sacraments they bear
In mouth and hand to tend us,
To each they speak uplifting word
As faithful servants in the Lord;
This grace, O Lord, e’er lend us!
This ministry, worthy and dear,
Grant that we’re ne’er effacing,
And let us those who serve You here
With love be e’er embracing,
And dwell together peacefully
With blesséd conscience, saved and free!
It brings us many blessings!
Kingo: O kjære Sjæl luk op din Mund L 578:2-4 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Es ist das Heil (ELH 378); alternate hymn: Lord of the Church ELH 502