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Sunday, November 21, 2021

Bible Study with the Cincotti's - Love to be in the Service - 11/21/2021

Today's Bible Study, Authored by Arthur Cincotti. 11/21/2021

Listen to our Bible Study Discussion at: Bible Study Podcast

Love to be in the Service

 

“I beseech you therefore, brethern, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” Rom. 12:1

 

The Hebrew word “service” (H5656) is aboda, which means: work of any kind – act, bondage, bondservant, effect, labour, ministering (try), office, service (-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, x wrought.

 

It comes from (H5647) abad, which is used in Gen. 2:5 & 15 and translated “till, and tend” respectively.

 

It is not used in Gen. 3:17 for the word “toil”.

 

This notion of servitude unto God is a central theme in Scripture, and an aspect of our relationship with God that is seldom unpacked.

 

         We begin with the basic premise that God doesn’t need us to do anything for Him or any aspect of the creation. Ps. 50:12, “If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.”

 

         Yet we are created with purpose, and function. Gen. 2:15, “The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” As a steward over God’s creation, since God created both man and the garden. Man’s service was unto God, but it was also mutually beneficial for his own well being.

 

         In the similar way that a father invites his children into a family, business, ministry, or ideology, God invites us to be participants in His family. Preferably willing participants!

What does our service look like in the New Covenant?

 

We use the word “service” rather flippantly.

         We call it a, “worship service”, or we say, “servant of God”         which is more appropriately translated “slave”.

 

If we return to the notion of purpose and function, The Westminster Confession tells us that the “chief end” (purpose) of man is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.”

 

We glorify God by choosing to give Him our attention, (attending to)

         Our worship is vertical, expressing to God our sense of His worth.

         Our praise is horizontal, expressing to one another the same.

                  “And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord” Lk. 1:46

         We may serve God through a particular religious calling, or vocation. Eph. 4:11,12, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry…

         We serve God by approaching everything that we do, with joy, as unto Him. Col. 3:23, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

                  This in an important truth drawn out of Scripture, by               the Reformation.

         We serve God by paying attention to His Word, and acting accordingly in obedience. We may not think of obedience as a service, but more a duty. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters…” Mat. 6:24; and Jn. 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My…”

 

This is working in harmony, or one accordedness with God’s created order, agreeing with Him, “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.” Gen. 2:31

 

Jesus served us! Heb. 9:1-15...v. 14, “...cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God”

 

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