The Servant and What He Should Be
The sermon by Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that a servant must prioritize personal spiritual growth and salvation before becoming preoccupied with ministry. Ministry is not an end in itself, but a means of expressing love and helping others attain salvation without neglecting one’s own spiritual life.
The Pope warns that no servant is immune to falling, regardless of spiritual achievements or ministry success. He refers to St. Paul’s warning: “Lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
He also cautions against pride, vanity, and relying on outward success in ministry. Instead, servants should remain humble, examine their lives continually, and consider themselves beginners in their spiritual journey, regardless of how many years they have served.
A true servant must meet God before meeting those they serve, combine teaching with prayer, and ask God to work in people’s hearts. Knowledge alone is not enough; teaching must carry spiritual life and power. The true impact of ministry comes not merely from words or information, but from God’s living Word working within people’s hearts.
Finally, the sermon stresses that ministry requires the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as Christ promised His disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them, every servant must depend on God’s grace and spiritual strength.
Main Message: A true servant must seek personal salvation, live according to what they teach, remain humble, maintain a close relationship with God, and depend on the Holy Spirit to make their ministry spiritually fruitful.
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