Title: Serving and Truth (Ephesians 6:21-24)
Description Essay on Ephesians (Rev. Sang-Kyun Han, who is in charge of the 18th lecture)
Title Serving and Sincerity
Text Ephesians 6:21-24
The characteristic of a true disciple of Jesus is the attitude of service. The academic president of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, concluded that the purpose of love is to serve, not to win.
Also, an anonymous author has a very convincing definition of service: Serving is the rent we have to pay for the space we occupy and live.
Two words are used in the New Testament for service. The more frequently used of these is dulos (slave). This word refers to the many slaves that made up Roman society at that time. They were completely the property of their owners and were treated ruthlessly. Paul often used this term to refer to himself as a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ fully possessed Paul. But there is no sense of exploitation at all.
Paul also called his faithful co-worker Tychicus a fellow servant in the Lord (Colossians 4:7).
1. I will serve you
The word diakonos (deacon, worker) is widely used in the New Testament. This word emphasizes duty rather than any position. What a man “does” to serve the Savior is more important than what position he holds. In fact, in the early church, the concept of office was rather weak.
The word Apostle literally means the one who is sent . The evangelist was the one who preached the Gospel to those who had not yet heard the Gospel.
The word service is often translated as minister. Paul tells the Corinthians that he is a minister who made you believe as the Lord has given you (1 Corinthians 3:5). Paul also exhorts young Timothy to become a good minister of Christ (1 Timothy 4:6). A Christian minister should always be a worker who serves other Christians and the world as food. This attitude of service should be reflected in the minister's approach to the community. Worked with you
- Now, my heart is filled with gratitude for not slipping and falling when the snow rises, thinking of someone who wakes up in the middle of a cold night and wears snow.
- I am filled with gratitude for being able to come and go with a good heart as there are people who clean the bathroom and glass, avoiding others.
- I often think that the ministry of our church is possible through their invisible service, about reminding us of what service is through the appearance of the deacons preparing the church's meals and the members of Women's Women who quietly clean up the house.
The word service is especially about women who serve. The biblical record shows how God cares for individuals. And it teaches us the names of the women who served the Lord Jesus Christ. Among them, Mary Magdalene, who was possessed by seven demons and was healed, became a symbol of grace.
Also, there are Joanna, wife of Herod's palace minister, and Susanna, famous for her service (Luke 8:2-3).
Phoebe is called the worker of the Church of Gengrea. The word that describes her is the butler (worker).
Again, the emphasis is not on her office, but on her service. Phoebe lived a truly precious life of service for the apostles and the church.
Indeed, Christ taught his followers that the distinguishing characteristic of a Christian should be service. Those who follow worldly wisdom are preoccupied with career advancement and professional success. For them, status is the bait that keeps them struggling for advancement and fame at any cost. But the Lord says. It is not so among you; whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your servant (Matthew 20:26-27).
We need to know that the Lord rewards us when we serve faithfully. But the real reward is to dwell with the Lord in glory. If anyone wants to serve me, follow me. Where I am, there will be those who serve me; and if anyone serves me, my Father will honor him” (John 12:26).
2. How true are we before God?
In today's text, the name of a man named Tychicus appears. To express Tychicus in a short passage of the Bible
First, it is expressed as a beloved brother.
Tychicus was a life where he experienced the love of God. Only those who have experienced and received love can love others. I pray that the brothers of faith who are here today will become servants of the Lord who can experience God's love and share love.
Second, Tychicus is described as a “true worker”.
In Ephesians 6:21 and Colossians 4:7, Tychicus is also called a true worker. However, the word used here is not doulos, but diakonos (worker). This word is very closely related to the English word "deacon".
Paul calls himself a minister of the gospel in Ephesians 3:7. All his efforts were focused on the proclamation of the Gospel. Whether he was imprisoned, under house arrest, or traveling around the Mediterranean coast, Paul served the gospel. Of course, it is true that the word service is accompanied by an atmosphere of hard work and obedience.
Tychicus is described as a true servant of the Lord (Ephesians 6:21). Serving and authenticity cannot be considered separately. No wonder, then, that Paul praised Tychicus so much. In Colossians 4:7-14, there are seven men who were faithful to Paul in prison. Like the Lord, Paul had loyal people around him (2 Timothy 2:2). Again, the old adage has some truth. The greatest quality is fidelity. Yes. Today the Lord looks not at our talents, but on the faithfulness of how well we are willing to handle them.
Taking the example of a teacher, God would like a teacher who attended every 52 weeks rather than a talented teacher who attended 40 out of 52 weeks.
3. What can we do for each other?
Today, Paul tried to inform the Ephesians of his circumstances through Tychicus. What can the saints do when they hear the news? And finally, Paul prays for blessings toward the Ephesians.
“Grace be to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.” Saints should bless and pray for each other.
What Peter and John could do for the lame sitting at the beautiful gate of the temple was to do miracles for him, in the name of Jesus.
It is important that we pray for the saints in the name of Jesus.
What you can do for each other is to be concerned and pray for him.