Citadel Church Culture

Service is being actively helpful and hospitable towards God, mankind, and the house of God.

Matt 20:26-28 (NKJ)

26 “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

27 “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave–

28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

• Greatness comes from serving others, not from seeking your own.
• A servant is willing to give his or her life for another.

Matt 23:11-12 (NKJ)

11 “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Servants strive for humility.

Matt 24:45-51

45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?

46 “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.

• Faithfulness and wisdom is in the heart of a servant.
• Servants serve God with all of their hearts and live a blessed life.

Matt 25:21-30

21 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

22 “He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’

23 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Faithful servants are faithful with little and receive more for their faithfulness.

Rom 16:17-20 (NKJ)

17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine, which you learned, and avoid them.

18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.

20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

• Servants create atmospheres of unity.
• Obedience is the key to servant-hood.
• Obedience and servant-hood will cause notoriety.
• Voluntary obedience leads to peace that overcomes Satan.

1 Cor 9:13 (NKJ)

13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?

Servants look to serve in the House of God so that they can live under the blessing of God.

Col 3:22-25 (NKJ)

22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 NIV

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

Servants understand that submission is the key to authority.

1 Tim 6:2 (NKJ)

2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these thing

Servants understand their place no matter who is leading them.

2 Tim 1:3 (NKJ)

3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,

Serving God with all of your heart causes you to live without guilt.

Heb 12:28-29 (NKJ)

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

29 For our God is a consuming fire.

• Servants find themselves in stable environments.
• Servants serve God with respect and Godly fear.

Gal 1:10 (NKJ)

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Servants don’t please man, but please God.

Phil 2:7-8 (NKJ)

7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Servants don’t need reputation from man, but from God.

Discipline is focused activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill. A desire to be trained to be a faithful steward, accurately organized, and humble. 

Stewardship: taking personal responsibility for the work and the actions of those that we lead. A steward is a person with vested interest through a servant’s heart and ownership. 

Luke 16:1-8 (NKJ)

1 He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.

2 “So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’

3 “Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg.

4 ‘I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’

5 “So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

6 “And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’

7 “Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

8 “So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.

Steward: oikonomos (oy-kon-om’-os);

from 3624 and the base of 3551; a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preacher (of the Gospel): 

KJV– chamberlain, governor, steward.

Stewardship: oikonomia (oy-kon-om-ee’-ah); from 3623; administration (of a household or estate); specifically, a (religious) “economy”: 

KJV– dispensation, stewardship.

Luke 12:37-48 (NKJ)

37 “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.

38 “And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

39 “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

40 “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”

42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

43 “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

44 “Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

45 “But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,

46 “the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour 

when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 “And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 “But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Faithful with little; entrusted with much.

1 Corinthians 14:40 NKJV

40 Let all things be done decently and in order. 

Order and discipline applies to everything in the Kingdom of God.

Colossians 2:5 NKJV

5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 

Although practical, organization and order comes from the Lord, and is therefore also spiritual.

Titus 1:5 NKJV

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking.

With every calling comes the anointing and wisdom for specific organization and order.

1 Corinthians 11:33-34 NKJV

Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

Organization and order promotes unity amongst the believers

Isaiah 9:7 NKJV

7 Of the increase of His government and peace 

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice 

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. 

Without the organized order, even the Kingdom of God would be chaos.

Acts 6:1-4 NLT

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. Those who spoke Greek complained against those who spoke Hebrew, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers.

“We apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the word of God, not administering a food program,” they said. 3 “Now look around among yourselves, brothers, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will put them in charge of this business. 4 Then we can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word.” 

Every part of the Body has a specific task and purpose. 

Humility causes a person to empty themselves for a higher cause and a greater vision. 

Phil 2:6-11 (NKJ)

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Made of no reputation:  kenoo (ken-o’-o); from 2756; to make empty, i.e. (figuratively) to abase, neutralize, falsify: 

Humility leads to obedience.

Rom 15:3 (NKJ)

3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”

Humility protects the greatest interest. 

2 Cor 8:9 (NKJ)

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Humility works for the sake of others.

Heb 2:9-15 (NKJ)

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12 saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”

13 And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Additional Humility Scriptures

Prov 18:12 (NKJ)

12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility. 

Prov 15:33

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.

Prov 22:4 (NKJ)

4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life. 

Acts 20:19 (NKJ)

19 “serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;

Col 2:18 (NKJ)

18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Col 2:23 (NKJ)

23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

1 Pet 5:5 (NKJ)

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Pet 5:6 (NKJ)

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

2 Chr 7:13-14 (NKJ)

13 “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people,

14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chr 1:10-12  (NKJ)

10 “Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”

11 And God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life– but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king–

12 “wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.”

Creativity is living on the cutting edge of innovation and invention. Creativity is both entrepreneurial risk taking and problem solving.

Genesis 1:27-28 NKJV

27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them,”Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Colossians 1:15-18 NKJV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 

Romans 4:17-18 NKJV

17(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed — God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 

Generosity is living with an abundance mindset; that you have more than enough provided by the Lord, and give what you have to meet other’s needs.  This is characterized by how you think about your time, talents, and money, and what you do with them. 

Psalm 24:1 (NIV)

1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

Haggai 2:8 (NKJ)

8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.

Everything belongs to God.

John 3:16 (NKJ)

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 8:32 (NKJ) 

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 

1 Timothy 6:17c (NIV)

“… God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

God is generous.

We are made in the image of God and should reflect His character of generosity.

God wants us to enjoy life. 

 Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJ)

18 And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Matthew 25:21 (NIV)

25 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ ”

 

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (NIV)

10 “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

It is God who gives you the ability to create abundance and increase.

God’s intention is that we are rich in every way. 

Our generosity causes others to thank God. 

Philippians 3:20 (NKJ)

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NKJ)

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

We must live, make decisions, and act with an eternal perspective.

We put our trust in the things of God and God himself, not our material wealth, which is to be used to do good works on the earth. 

We will give an account for how we used our resources to extend the Kingdom of God on the earth.  

Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJ)

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Matthew 6:24 — “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 

What is most important to a person is shown by how they use their money. 

Because money provides security for people, it is one of the things in life that competes for our devotion toward God. 

You must make a choice – who or what will you serve.

2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV)

7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Children of God should excel in faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness (diligence), love, and giving. 

James 2:14-17 (NIV)

14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

  

1 John 3:16-18 (NKJ)

16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 

Matthew 25:34-36 (NKJ)

34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 

True faith is seen in the actions of a person.

Speaking truth and blessing is not the end of how we are to minister to people.  We must also meet their physical needs with our actions or blessing.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Luke 6:38 (NKJ)

8 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Take into consideration the condition of your heart when you act generously.

Sowing and reaping is a principle (or a guaranteed result) in the natural world and the spiritual world.

Acts 10:4…“Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.”

As we live generously in every area of our lives, we will see increase in every area of our lives.  We are called to be generous and we are called to increase because we are made in the image of God who lacks nothing and is perfect in every way.  Our benchmark, which we focus on as a goal, is to reflect God’s generosity towards us to the people around us.