Worship Service

Λατρεύω, latreuō
1) to serve for hire
2) to serve, minister to, either to the gods or men and used alike of slaves and freemen
i) in the NT, to render religious service or homage, to worship
ii) to perform sacred services, to offer gifts, to worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for his worship
(1) of priests, to officiate, to discharge the sacred office
Verb: from latris (a hired menial) adapted from Thayer's Greek Definitions.

Monday, September 8, 2008: Philippians 3:3

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

What is our circumcision? We have cut off, or have no confidence in the flesh, but worship God in the Spirit.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008: Hebrews 9:13–14

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

How are dead works different from living works? Dead works go only as far as remembering that you have sinned before God and have to sacrifice to ‘cover’ the sins every year. Living works start from a clean conscience cleaned by the blood of Christ and proceed to serving not self but God.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008: 2 Timothy 1:3

I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,

What is one of Paul’s service before God? Paul served by remembering fellow believers in prayers daily.

Thursday, September 11, 2008: Hebrews 12:28

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

What service is acceptable to God? The Savior said it all: “not My will but Yours be done.”

Friday, September 12, 2008: Hebrews 10:1–2

For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

What is the difference between a shadow and an image of hope? A shadow reveals a dark silhouette or outline: an image has details, but in fewer dimensions than reality. Part of our worship is remembering what sacrifice gave us hope of eternal life.