THIS SERIES ON “POWERFUL WORDS” EXAMINES SOME IMPORTANT WORDS USED IN THE BIBLE WHICH PEOPLE DON’T UNDERSTAND ANYMORE. EVEN MANY CHRISTIANS DON’T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THEIR TRUE MEANING.
SERVICE
1. SERVICE THAT INVOLVES WORSHIP.
DO WE FAIL TO MAKE WORSHIP A PART OF OUR SEEKING GOD ?
…Or, do we come to Him as pleading for things instead of recognizing that He is greater than our problems. Most disappointment in prayer can be avoided if we come to Him with absolute faith in His greatness, and worship Him because of it. It helps us recognize that His answers are best.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service <2999>.
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What is service as the Bible defines it ? Here are a few of the words used to describe serving and ministering.
Strong’s Concordance #2999
λατρεία latreia lat-ri’-ah
AV-translated as “service” 4 times, “divine service” 1 time; used a total of 5 times
Definition:
1) service rendered for hire
1a) any service or ministration: the service of God
2) the service and worship of God according to the requirements of the Levitical law
3) to perform sacred services
Strong’s Concordance #3000
λατρεύω latreuo (pronounced = lat-ryoo’-o)
AV-translated as “serve” 16 times, “worship” 3, “do the service” 1, “worshipper” 1; used a total of 21 times.
Definition:
1) to serve for hire
2) to serve, minister to, either to the gods or men and used alike of slaves and freemen
2a) in the NT, to render religious service or homage, to worship
2b) to perform sacred services, to offer gifts, to worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for his worship
2b1) of priests, to officiate, to discharge the sacred office
Strong’s Concordance #3008
λειτουργέω leitourgeo (pronounced = li-toorg-eh’-o)
AV-translated as “minister” 3 times
Definition:
1) to serve the state at one’s own cost
1a) to assume an office which must be administered at one’s own expense
1b) to discharge a public office at one’s own cost
1c) to render public service to the state
2) to do a service, perform a work
2a) of priests and Levites who were busied with the sacred rites in the tabernacle or the temple
2b) of Christians serving Christ, whether by prayer, or by instructing others concerning the way of salvation, or in some other way
2c) of those who aid others with their resources, and relieve their poverty
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Acts 13:2 As they ministered <3008> to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve <3000> God acceptably with reverence and godly fear
Romans 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve <3000> with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
IT CAN BE USED FOR THE WRONG PURPOSE.
Acts 7:42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship <3000> the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?
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2. SERVICE THAT FOCUSES UPON HELPING OTHERS.
IT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE ACCEPTED BY PEOPLE.
Romans 15:31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
THIS SERVICE IS HELPING OTHERS, BUT IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY INCLUDE WORSHIP.
Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving <1248>, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Acts 1:17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry <1248>.
Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry <1248> of the word.
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Strong’s Concordance #1248
διακονία diakonia (pronounced = dee-ak-on-ee’-ah)
AV- translated as “ministry” 16 time, “ministration” 6, “ministering” 3, misc 9; used a total of 34 time
1) service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others
2) of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men
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3. SERVICE WHERE OBLIGATION IS THE KEY, AS A SLAVE TO A MASTER’S COMMAND.
Strong’s Concordance #1401 δοῦλος doulos (pronounced = doo’-los)
AV-translated as “servant” 120 times, “bond” 6, “bondman” 1; used a total of 127 times.
1) a slave, bondman, man of servile condition
1a) a slave
1b) metaph., one who gives himself up to another’s will, those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men
1c) devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests
2) a servant, attendant
Strong’s Concordance #1398 δουλεύω douleuo (pronounced = dool-yoo’-o)
AV-translated as “serve” 18 times, “be in bondage” 4, “do service” 3; used a total of 25 times
1) to be a slave, serve, do service
1a) of a nation in subjection to other nations
2) metaph. to obey, submit to
2a) in a good sense, to yield obedience
2b) in a bad sense, of those who become slaves to some base power, to yield to, give one’s self up to
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Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants <1401>, and delivered unto them his goods.
Galatians 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant <1401>; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
THIS IS THE WORD WHICH JESUS USED MOST TO DESCRIBE HIS CHILDREN,. THEY WERE SERVANTS TO SERVE THE LIVING GOD. HE MADE THEM FOR THAT PURPOSE, AND GAVE THEM OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME MORE THAN SERVANTS.
THIS IS ALSO THE WORD WHICH PAUL USED TO DESCRIBE HIMSELF IN ALMOST EVERY EPISTLE, A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST.
Romans 6:16-17 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants <1401> to obey, his servants <1401> ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants <1401> of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Ephesians 6:7 With good will doing service <1398>, as to the Lord, and not to men
1 Timothy 6:2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service <1398>, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
“POWERFUL WORDS: ‘SERVICE’ ”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
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