COUNSEL ABOUT SERVICE

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58 NKJV).

This verse gives us an exhortation for service and an encouragement for service. It is great counsel about serving the Lord which we all need.

Exhortation for service – “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” The exhortation here is twofold: we are to be faithful in service, and we are to be fervent in service. First, be faithful in service: “Be steadfast, immovable, always.” We really need this exhortation in our churches as too many folks are not faithful. They cannot be counted on to do their job for very long. They will either quit or simply not show up for their job. Lack of faithfulness in service is one of the big problems in our churches today. Second, be fervent in service: “Always abounding in the work of the Lord.” This spells fervency. Few folks “abound” in the work of the Lord. Rather they do as little as they can, not as much as they can. The “always” here means that this fervency is not to be short term but long term. We are to be faithful in our fervency. This is not some temporary fly-by-night emotional thing, but a continuous fervency, a persistent passion.

Encouragement for service – “Knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” So often in serving the Lord, it seems to be a thankless job - no one compliments, no one expresses appreciation, and so often there seems to be so little results. This makes us wonder if it is worth it. However, we need not get discouraged; it does pay to serve the Lord. Serving the Lord is never “in vain” no matter what that service is. God who sees our service will reward us in due time. And as we remain faithful, our work will produce fruit; God will see to that. We will then discover that our service was not in vain. No service done for God is ever done in vain! How we need this word of encouragement.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“A life spent in the service of God and communion with Him is the most pleasant life that anyone can live in this world!”

Matthew Henry (1662 – 1714)

Welsh Nonconformist Minister and Author   

Word Study

Filthiness

In Eph. 5:4 we read, “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks” (NKJV).

“Filthiness” is the Greek word aischrótēs (αἰσχρότης = ahee-skhrot'-ace) and describes impropriety or improper conduct whether in action, word or even thought and intent. Aischrótēs is a rare term and is found only here in Eph. 5:4. It describes ugly, shameful base, or indecency conduct of any kind, specifically conduct which is contrary to a person who is inhabited by the Spirit of God and called to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Aischrótēs is in sharp contrast to godliness or purity.

Did You Know…

Of all the New Testament Books, 1 Corinthians 12-14 provides the most information concerning spiritual gifts.

Bible Quiz

According to 1 Thessalonians, how will “the day of the Lord” come?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

Apart from referring to himself as “a prisoner of Christ Jesus,” how else does the apostle Paul refer to himself in the Book of Philemon? “Paul, the aged” (Philem. 1:9)

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

The resurrection predicted (Psalm 17:15; cf. 1 John 3:2)

"As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness” (Psalm 17:15 NJKV).

The Psalmist David is here making a distinction between himself and his enemies who looked only to this life and not to eternity. Therefore, in strong contrast with the aims, desires, and the condition of worldly individuals, and in spite of his circumstances, the Psalmist David was confident in final salvation. In context, he is looking beyond the present life to his guaranteed future state in eternity, a state characterized by perfect righteousness, being in the physical presence of God in heaven, and sharing God’s likeness. The Lord also promises eternal, spiritual blessings for those who trust in Him. One day, beyond the grave, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will be satisfied with seeing the Lord, being glorified and made fully in His likeness (cf. 1 John 3:2).

Did You Know – Christian History

John Laski was born in 1499 in Poland. He was a Polish Calvinist reformer.

Reform ideas first came to Poland in the 15^th Century through Bohemian followers of John Hus. Then, after the Lutheran reformation began in the 16^th Century, exiles from European countries took refuge in Poland and made converts. Lutheranism itself never became popular, however. Calvinism appealed more to the Polish nobles and commoners because it was more democratic in form. Several nobles and even King Sigismund II favored Calvinism.

One of the noblemen who favored Calvinism was John Laski. His uncle was a powerful archbishop. Like his uncle, Laski trained for the church. He then traveled to France to further his education, but turned in disgust from the scholasticism, a system of theological and philosophical teaching predominant in the Middle Ages. Turning to Zurich, he was encouraged by Zwingli to directly study the Bible. He then spent a year with the brilliant educator Erasmus in Basle and made friends with a number of reformers who crossed his path.

Laski’s uncle did not like this at all. He ordered Laski home and demanded that he recant his “heretical” beliefs. Laski obeyed and was made an archdeacon. His duties brought him into contact with the Roman Church and papacy, and he witnessed deep corruption firsthand, becoming convinced that the church must reform. At this moment he was offered a bishop’s MITRE (headdress). Not only did he refuse it, but he openly declared for the Reformation. As a result, he had to flee Poland and wandered across Europe. Invited to direct the churches of Friesland (a province of the Netherlands), he applied Calvin’s methods and reformed the church. In England, he became friends with Cranmer and influenced the Book of Common Prayer. When he finally returned to Poland, he brought Calvinistic reforms and translated the Bible into his native tongue.

Many Poles turned from the Roman Church, winning a measure of religious freedom. Some church buildings were put to Protestant use. Laws forbade the execution of Roman Church decrees by the government or the collection of Peter’s pence (a Vatican tax). But when Laski died on January 28, 1560, Protestantism was no nearer dominating Poland. The Protestants were too divided. Lutherans, Unitarians, Hussites, Anabaptists, and Calvinists could not agree on common policy. The Roman Church remained the single largest Christian bloc and Roman clergy retained special rights in teaching religious doctrines. In the 17^th Century, religious toleration virtually ceased when the Roman Church reasserted its supremacy.

A Little Humor

A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, “The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.” His son asked, “What happened to the flea?”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Let your hope be anchored in Christ, whose birth began God’s rescue plan for us all!”