LESSON 687: DAILY CHRISTIAN SERVICE MEMORY VERSE: “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.” (Romans 12:1) TEXT: Romans 12:1-21

SUMMARY (1) From our last study, we learnt the following lessons: To overcome error, believers must love holiness, be well taught, grow up and flee traditions. We must know the truth, affirm it and defend it. Good works cannot obtain salvation, yet genuine salvation must lead us to good works or acts of divine service. Believers must watch against false teachers: expose them and avoid them. The study of today touches on three points: The Pattern of Christian Service The Principles of Christian Servants Promises to Christian Servants

SUMMARY (2) The Pattern of Christian Service (Romans 12:1-8) Our daily life of service as Christians covers: service to God (v. 1,2); ministry to the Body (v. 3-8); service to the brethren (v. 9-16) and service to the world (v. 17-21). Evangelism (preaching of the gospel) is the most compelling of our daily service. We all can preach, give money for evangelism, distribute tracts or talk to friends about Jesus. Involvement in the laity work of the church is another form of Christian service. The Principles of Christian Servants (Romans 12:9-21) To serve Jesus, we must be saved (2 Tim. 2:6), pure (2 Tim. 2:21), sober (Rom 12:3), zealous (Rom. 12:11), loving (Rom 12:9), prayerful (Rom 12:12) and Spirit-filled (Acts 1:8). Promises to Christian Servants (1 Corinthians 3:11-15) The Lord promises His servants eternal reward (I Cor. 13:14), eternal abode (John 12:26), honour and eternal glory (John 12:26; I Cor.2:9).

DISCUSSION

QUESTION 1 Why is the subject of daily Christian service important? Matthew 6:19-21 Romans 12:1 II Corinthians 5:15 Galatians 5:13

QUESTION 2 Mention the four broad areas in which we may categorise Christian service. Romans 12:1,2 Romans 12:3-8 Romans 12:9-16 Romans 12:17-21

QUESTION 3 Mention some forms of Christian service we can daily engage in as Christians. Mark 16:15 Luke 8:1-3 Romans 10:1 Romans 12:13

QUESTION 4 What is the most important condition Christian servants must fulfil? 2 Timothy 2:6 2 Timothy 2:21; Luke 1:74,75 Titus 2:11-12

QUESTION 5 What principles should be upheld by Christian servants? John 13:34,35 Romans 12:12b John 15:4; Acts 1:8

QUESTION 6 What are the promises for Christian servants? 1 Corinthians 3:14 Exodus 23:25 John 12:26 Mark 10:29-30

CONCLUSION Conversion should lead to a daily life of committed Christian service. We should render our service to God, minister to His Body, serve the brethren and render divine service to the world. Evangelism is the most compelling of every believer’s daily service. The first and most important condition for Christian service is possessing and professing a solid relationship with the Lord. Christian servants must also live holy lives, serve with sobriety backed up by love, zeal, prayer and the power of the Spirit. There is promise of eternal reward for those who serve the Lord faithfully.