ment might mean the mission field or full-time Christian service he changed his mind. Christ is looking for young people who will count the cost and yet serve Him. Another restriction is that of pro crastination (vv. 59, 60). The volunteer in these verses wanted to follow Christ, and perhaps really intended to do so, but he had other things to do first. Do you know anything about this hindrance to serving the Lord? The third restriction is also common among Christians today—it is- half heartedness (vv. 61, 62). Study and dis cuss the need for enthusiastic Christians. Why does our Lord discourage half heartedness? (See Eccles. 9:10 and Rom. 12 : 11 .)
God.” What are these? Paul has been dealing with the redeeming work of Christ, with the marvelous grace of God, with the tender ministry of the Holy Spirit, with the glorious hope of the be liever—all these truths are designed to melt the Christian’s heart, and to make it easy for him fully to surrender his body to God. Observe that Paul is asking for a living sacrifice. It is harder to live for Christ than to die for Him. God keeps the believer in this world for a purpose —it is to live for Him. He has need of you or you would be in Heaven today in stead of on earth. (Study Gal. 2:20; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20 in this connection.) See the means for keeping the presen tation of your body to God a perpetual surrender (v.2). The believer is to sep arate himself from the ways of the world, and is to be constantly changed into the image of Christ by the renew ing of his mind, that is by concentrating on Christ and the things of Christ. The Christian must guard his mind in these days or he will find it cluttered up with all sorts of nonsense and evil (Phil. 4:8). We ought not leave this passage with out noticing the end for which the be liever is to surrender himself to God— it is that he might provide a living ob ject lesson to the world that living in the will of God is the good, and accept able, and perfect life, because it is the way of peace and blessing and useful ness. The Requirements of Christian Service Luke 9:23 This is a tremendous verse. Study it carefully, noting each statement. Chris tian service expects self-denial. What is meant by this term? How may the Christian deny himself? Why must the Christian deny himself some things? (See 1 Cor. 8 and Rom. 14 in this connec tion.) Another requirement stated by our Lord in this Scripture is crucifixion. Does He mean here that the believer must die as He did, on a cross? (Study Romans 6:1-13.) Discuss this important passage. (Study Gal. 5:24 and 6:14.) The third requirement laid down by our Lord is that of obedience. The be liever is to follow Him. Where will Christ lead us? Is there anything I am now doing that I would not do if Christ were leading my life? (1 John 2:3-6.) The Restrictions of Christian Service Luke 9:57-62 It may sound rather strange to speak of restrictions in Christian service, but our Lord in this passage indicates three things that will keep a believer from service. One of these things is impulsive ness (vv. 57,58). This man rashly stated that he would follow Christ anywhere, but he did not know what this meant. Many a young person has come for ward in a decision-meeting indicating that he would go with Christ anywhere. But when he learned that that commit
To worship in truth is to worship ac cording to the truth as it is in Christ. No man can come to the Father in true worship apart from the Son (John 14:6). Acknowledgment of all the truth as it is in Christ is essential to Christian wor ship. How vain, then, for men who re ject Christ to think that they can worship God! How the Christian ought to praise God that He has made a way of access into His presence, even the way of the Cross (Heb. 4:14-16; 7:25; 10:19-22). The believer can worship God through his giving (Deut. 26:10). One of the best ways to demonstrate our love for Him is to bring our gifts and lay them at His feet. This is what the wise men did at the birth of Christ (Matt. 1:11). Those who are wise today follow in their steps. What gifts shall we bring? Let us bring the gold of our devotion, the frankincense of our lives surrendered to Him, and the myrrh of our talents, our time and our treasure. Worship includes the believer’s praise (Psalm 95:1-6). Giving and thanks giving—these two things constitute a large part of worship. Study together the first six verses of this Psalm. Note the reason for praise (v. 1), the kind of praise (v. 2), the reasonableness of this praise (w . 3-6). The Method of Worship Deut. 26:10; Psa. 95:1-6 Have the entire group read these pas sages in unison, or appoint someone who can read well to read them before the group. The Scripture ought always to be the basis for every study. It is not important what man has to say, but it is tremendously important that we know what God has to say. Having read the Scripture let us notice three truths taught by these pas sages from the Word of God, namely, 1) the basis of Christian service; 2) the requirements of Christian service, and 3) the restrictions of Christian service. The Basis of Christian Service Rom. 12:1, 2 The basis of Christian service is full surrender to God. These verses make this abundantly clear. Study this passage carefully noting the following items of truth: see with what earnestness the Apostle, or better, God through the Apostle, makes the plea for full sur render—“ I beseech you . . .” This word always implies great earnestness and urgency. Why is God so insistent on full surrender of the believer’s body ? Be cause unless He has this He has nothing. Surrender to God is the starting point of Christian service; there is none other. Note that this is an expected surren der —there is every reason why each be liever should make it: the ground for such commitment is “ the mercies of Mar. 15, 1953 KNOW GOD BETTER- THROUGH SERVICE Rom. 12:1, 2; Luke 9:23, 57-62
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