63. The Honored Servant.

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honored. - Proverbs 27:18.

THE general rule is that service brings reward. The man tended the fig tree, and it bore him fruit: faithful service usually brings its recompense. Masters, if at all worthy of their position, will honor those servants who do their duty to them.

I. CHRIST IS OUR MASTER.

1. Our sole master. We serve others, that we may serve him: we do not divide our service. "One is your master, even Christ."

2. Our choice Master. There is not such another in the universe.

3. Our chosen Master. We cheerfully take his yoke: to serve him is to us a kingdom. "I love my master (Exod. 21:5).

4. Our gracious Master: bearing with our faults, cheering us when faint, aiding us when weary, tending us in sickness, instructing us with patience, promising a great reward, etc.

5. Our life Master. Our ear is bored to his door-post: we are his to all eternity.

II. OUR BUSINESS IS TO SERVE HIM.

1. Expressed by the sense of "keeping the fig tree. "We are to see to our Lord as a good body-servant watches over his master.

· Remaining with him. Never quitting his side, or getting out of communion with him.

· Defending him. Allowing none to speak against him, or to injure his honor while we have a tongue in our heads.

· Guarding his interests. Making his cause our own, his business our business.

· Cherishing his family. Loving the least of them, and laboring for the good of all.

· Striving for his objects. Consecrating ourselves to carry out the grand purposes of our Lord, and laying aside everything which would hinder us in this one pursuit.

2. Expressed by the words "waiteth on his master."

· Waiting his word. "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth" (1 Sam. 3:9; Ps. 85:8).

· Seeking his smile. "Make thy face to shine upon thy servant" (Ps. 3 l:l 6).

· Depending upon him for strength "Give thy strength unto thy servant'' (Ps. 86:16).

· Expecting the fulfillment of his promises. "Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope" (Ps. 119:49).

· Consecrated to his service — "body, soul, and spirit." Having no private ends (1 Chron. 12:18).

· Acquiescent in his will. Ready either to suffer or to labor as he may appoint (Luke 7:7-10).

The contrary of this is

· Self-seeking. Lusting after honor, wealth, ease, pleasure.

· Self-guiding: doing your own will, and yet pretending to serve the Lord.

· Self-applauding: robbing our Lord of the glory which belongs to him alone.

III. OUR SERVICE WILL BRING HONOR.

l. Among your fellow servants here below.

2. Even among enemies, who will be forced to admire sincerity and fidelity.

3. From our Lord, who will give us a sweet sense of acceptance even here below.

4. At the judgment-day, before the assembled universe.

5. Throughout eternity, among angels and glorified spirits.

· Let us grieve that we have not served him better.

· Let us repent if we have not served him at all.

· Let us pray him to receive us into his service this day.