A Minister as a Servant

John Macarthur, EPHESIANS commentary, p. 94:

"Then or now, the man who is genuinely called by God is in constant danger of losing his effectiveness by coming to think of himself as more than a servant.  When he loses his sense of servanthood, at that same time he loses his spiritual power and usefulness.  When he exalts himself and begins to work in his own human power and according to his own plans, he competes with God and forfeits his spiritual power.  To lose dependence is to lose everything, because everything that is of any value in our lives, including power for effective service, comes only from the Lord.  Among the greatest dangers to the ministry, and to all faithful Christian living, are the things that in the world's eyes are of supreme value - personal ambition, prestige, recognition, honor, reputation, and success.  God not only chooses weak and foolish people to save (I Cor. 1:26-29), but weak and foolish preachers through whom to save them (2 Cor. 11:30; 12:7-10).  For those not willing to pay that price, their seeking the position is illegitimate."