Andy’s English Valet
When was the last time that you served someone in some way?
When do you find that it is easiest for you to serve others?
How do you generally feel during and after serving others?
Well, in tonight’s episode of Andy Griffith, we see Andy end up with his own servant for a little wile. The title of tonight’s episode is Andy’s English Valet. I’ll have a word or prayer, and then we will watch tonight’s episode.
Let’s Pray!
(PLAY ANDY’S ENGLISH VALET DVD)
So, what lessons about service can we learn from this evening’s episode of Andy?
Well, here is a brief recap of our story. The gentleman’s gentleman, Malcolm Merriweather of England, passes through Mayberry on a vacation tour of America. While in Mayberry, he manages to cause a truck accident while riding his bicycle, which he doesn’t have enough money to pay for. As a result, Andy comes up with the idea of him working off the damages as Andy’s personal handy-man.
So, what can we learn form this humorous, yet series story?
Well, It’s All About Serving Others:
In Mark 10:45 it says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
And then later, we see Jesus put that thought into practice. Listen to this story. John 13:1-17 says, “1”
So, as Christians, we are called to serve others. But what do we need to know about service? What can we learn from this episode of Andy Griffith about serving others?
First, there is a sense of duty in it:
The gentleman from the episode saw it as a privilege, it was it duty to serve Andy and Opie in whatever way he could. In Matthew 7:12 it says, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Later, in Ephesians 6:7 it says to, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.” It is not as if we are serving men, but it is our duty, it is our way of serving God.
A second thing that we learn, is that it is required:
In Deuteronomy 10:12-13 it says, “And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?”
As we examine scripture, we find that God calls us to server Him, and to serve those around us. And so, as Christians, we are required to serve.
Another thing that we learn, is that we should serve as Christ served us:
In Philippians 2:5-7 it says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, and being made in human likeness.”
Also, in Matthew 20:26-27 it tells us, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.”
Christ came, and He served us in every way. All God asks, is that we would do the same. That we would serve Him, and that we would serve those we come in contact with.
In Hebrews 4:14-16 it tells us, “Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has gone through the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Next, there is satisfaction in it:
In this episode, the man was finding satisfaction in what it was that he was doing. It really did bring joy and satisfaction to his life to serve others. In Ephesians 6:8 it says, “Because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.”
Then in Romans 15:17 it tells us, “Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.”
When you serve people, it should bring satisfaction to your life. For those that went on our mission trip, they may not have enjoyed it at the time, but they did realize that what they were doing was helping others. It did bring some satisfaction to their lives.
Another thing that we learn about service is that it is a measure of the service we render to God:
The gentleman in this show was serving Andy and Opie in the same way that he would serve the king. When we serve others, it should be a reflection of how we would serve God, because in a way, we are serving God by serving other.
In Mark 9:33-37 it says that, “They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, He said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
And finally this evening, there is a reward for serving others:
Not only will a person hopefully receive satisfaction in their lives, but there are other rewards for serving others. What are some of the rewards that a person might gain from serving others?
Matthew 24:45-47 says, “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”
Aside from that, there are many rewards when it comes to serving others. Most of which are rewards that are meaningful, and not really visible or something that you can touch.
Now, let’s go into a time of discussion, and see what else we can learn.
What were the “gifts” that Malcolm had received from God?
What were his weaknesses?
Do you expect people to serve you as Malcolm served Andy? Or would you be uneasy like Andy was?
Could it be that one way to serve others is by allowing them to serve you?
Have you ever made a snap judgment about someone without really getting to know him or her first?
Were you correct in your assumption?
Why did Malcolm try so hard to take care of Andy and Opie?
Why did Malcolm leave the first time?
Have you ever hurt someone’s feelings because you didn’t appreciate their acts of kindness?
Or because they overheard an unkind comment you made?
What is your purpose in life: to serve or to be served?
How can you serve others?
How can these actions also serve God?
Does anyone have anything else that they would like to add before we close this evening?
Well, if there is nothing else, here is your final thought for the evening. Malcolm, while explaining to Opie why he is so thankful to him and Andy says, “Well, just think. I might have traveled the length and breadth of America without ever finding out what Americans were really like. I used to think you were quite different, you know. Then, I came into your home and saw how you lived. You’re not different at all, really. If it hadn’t been for your dad, none of this would have been possible. And looking after you and your dad has made me very, very happy.”
Let’s Pay!
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