Bible Study

We're happy to provide The Bible Minute studies to you at no cost. But to keep providing this resource, we need your help. Would you please consider a donation to provide The Bible Minute? Thank you for your help and your support!

Title: Reasonable Service
Date: Mar 27, 2008
Topic(s): Service/Servanthood
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:5, Philippians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 9:19, Acts 3:13, Luke 1:38, Psalm 105:41-42, Psalm 89:3-4, Joshua 1:1-2, Romans 1:1, Hebrews 9:14, Ephesians 6:5-8, Galatians 5:13, 1 Samuel 12:24, Romans 12:1

<  previous date

next date  >

You won't find his name in Who's Who or in the annals of history. He was a Korean man, smaller than most men. He always smiled as he pushed his overloaded, rickety bicycle along the potholed stone roads of rural Korea, visiting settlement after settlement, laboring up mountain trails or balancing his load as he edged along the narrow strips of land dividing the rice paddies.

All around the country, villagers recognized him. He showed up unannounced with Bible tracts, small booklets and New Testaments. Some he gave away; others he sold for a small fee. The "Bible man" humbly and faithfully followed his route for years, in season and out of season. For him, it was his service to God, and he gave his whole being to do the job well.

What does it take to be a servant of God like that? Let's find out.

What Does God Say?

In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote this for all Christians: " I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1, NKJV )

Let's begin with a question. What, exactly, does that verse tell you to present to God as a living sacrifice? Your soul? Your possessions? Your life? Your all? If you answered, "My body," you are 100 percent right.

As long as you are in this life, you will have a physical body. That body God gave you goes with you wherever you go. You won't get away from it until death separates your spiritual makeup from your physical makeup. You can't commit your soul to serve God as a living sacrifice apart from committing your body to serve Him. You can't somehow live a life acceptable to God separated from the body you live in. Note that "reasonable service" is done in your body, not merely in spirit. The Korean Bible man served God, but to accomplish that sacrificial service meant he had to bodily pedal and push his bicycle to visit the remote villages. Every person who received Christian literature from his hand got it because God's servant was there in his body, not merely "in spirit."

My Thoughts

God has called many people His "servants." Some of His servants might surprise you. Look at the following verses and write down the name of each servant you find.

• Psalm 89:3-4
• Psalm 105:41-42
• Joshua 1:1-2
• Luke 1:38
• Romans 1:1
• Acts 3:13

Record your answers to these questions:

• What does Hebrews 9:14say you are to do as a Christian?
• In 1 Corinthians 9:19, what goal does Paul have as he serves others?
• What does Paul advise slaves concerning their attitudes about service? (Ephesians 6:5-8)
• How has Christ demonstrated His servant-heart (Philippians 2:5-9)? How has God rewarded Him (Philippians 2:10)?
• What should a Christian's motive be for serving (Galatians 5:13)?
• What does Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 12:5tell you about Christian service?

My Part

Christ has given Christians good local churches; most likely there is one in your area. This is not only so you can fellowship and worship Him, but so you may have guidance and training to serve God and others. Your church can help you serve better, but you are personally responsible to commit all you are--body, soul, spirit, mind and heart--to God in order to serve Him effectively.

Here is a key Bible verse on service for you to memorize:

"Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you" (1 Samuel 12:24, NKJV).

Options

• Print Format
• Email a friend

Search: