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The Upward Call of God

Text: Philippians 1, 3
4 January 2014

INTRODUCTION OF THE THEME: THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD

1. Follow-Up of the Youth Conference 2013

2. Deeper study of the Upward Call of God

3. Discovering many important doctrines and practices that will help us understand the Upward Call of God

4. Determination to pursue the Upward Call of God

a) YPG I

b) YPG II

c) YAG

THE CONCEPT OF BEING A BONDSERVANT

“Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ…”          Philippians 1:1a

1. Lexical meaning of the word “bondservant”

Literal meaning: A slave

2. Theological meaning:

a) A dedicated servant of God

b) A humble servant of God

c) An example of one who chooses to be a servant          (Cf. Deuteronomy 15:12-18)

THEOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT TEXT
Romans 6:15-23

1. An important piece of knowledge
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are the that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?          Romans 6:15

a) We become slaves to whatever we present ourselves

b) If we present ourselves to sin, we become slaves of sin and this leads to death

c) If we present ourselves to obedience (to God) which leads to righteousness

2. Remembering our sinful past

a) Once slaves to sin          Romans 6:17a

b) Presented members as slaves of uncleanness          Romans 6:19b

c) Presented members as slaves to lawlessness          Romans 6:19c

d) These lead to more lawlessness/ sinfulness          Romans 6:19d

e) Essentially slaves of sin          Romans 6:20a

f) Fruit of sin?          Romans 6:21a

g) Memories of shame          Romans 6:21b

h) In the end- Death          Romans 6:21c

3. Appreciating our salvation in Christ

a) Obeyed from the heart the doctrine of the message of salvation          Romans 6:17b

b) Delivered from sin          Romans 6:17c

c) Became slaves of righteousness          Romans 6:18

d) Present self as servants of righteousness to have holiness          Romans 6:19

4. The Upward Call of God

a) Set free from sin          Romans 6:22a

b) Become slaves (bondservants) of God          Romans 6:22b

c) Fruit of holiness          Romans 6:22c

d) The end: Everlasting Life          Romans 6:22d

BIBLE MEMORY VERSES

But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:22-23