Isaiah 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants… The sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, etc. This word is often degraded in human speech. "Service" is con-sidereal humiliating, and only mastership is glorious. But "the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister." We are all of us "debtors" to others; we owe them much, and we owe Christ all. I. SERVICE CALLS OUT WHAT IS BEST IN MEN. 1. Their unselfishness. 2. Their heroism. 3. Their patience. II. SERVICE CHARACTERIZES THE NOBLEST AND THE BEST OF MEN. 1. Think of the world's great leaders. 2. Think of the Church's sufferers and martyrs. III. SERVICE IS EMBODIED IN MANY FORMS. There is a service of gift; a service of speech; a service of submission. "They also serve who only stand and wait." All God's universe is alive with blest activity. The idler is out of harmony with the entire creation of God. - W.M.S. Parallel Verses KJV: Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; |
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