“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more.” (1 Corinthians 9:19)
One of the words in the New Testament Greek translated bond-servant or slave is “doulos.” Occasionally it is used to describe an apostle or preacher who is speaking on behalf of God, but most of the time it is used to describe one who belonged to another, such as a slave or bond-servant. It was the lowest form of slave, in that one’s life did not belong to oneself, but rather everything revolved around the master’s will. There were very few rights claimed since the master’s will is all that mattered.
What is interesting in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 is that Paul made himself a slave so that he could help others find salvation in Jesus Christ. It was his free-will decision because he wanted to give his life as an instrument of God. Later in this passage he writes, “I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some”
(1 Corinthians 9:22).
What a tremendous sacrifice Paul made so that others could be saved! He learned it from the master servant, Jesus Christ, who took on the form of a doulos when He left the glory of heaven and died on the cross for our sins (Philippians 2:5-11).
At Walnut Hill I see bond-servants of Jesus Christ who live to serve. Some of you have grown in your faith to the point that you are letting God use you to help others come to salvation. Every one of us needs to grow up to be strong servants of the Lord. This church will be a model church when everywhere we look we see a doulos-doulos.
….Mike