Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
2 Corinthians 2: 14-17
2:14 Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
2:16 To the one [we are] the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who [is] sufficient for these things?
2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
The Boldness of a Sanctified Conscience—
[2 Corinthians 2:14-17 quoted.] These words of Paul do not denote a spiritual pride, but a deep knowledge of Christ. As one of God’s messengers sent to confirm the truth of the Word, he knew what was truth; and with the boldness of a sanctified conscience he gloried in that knowledge. He knew that he was called of God to preach the gospel with all the assurance which his confidence in the message gave him. He was called to be God’s ambassador to the people, and he preached the gospel as one who was called (Manuscript 43, 1907). {6BC 1094.5}
Paul knew he was called by God to preach the gospel. Many people go through life wondering what their calling in life is. The answer is that we are all called to serve the Lord with gladness. Whosoever shall do and teach the commandments of God, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. We are to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Paul knew God’s truth and he gloried in it. Serve the LORD with gladness, Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We come to the foot of Your throne in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We thank You for giving us the privilege of being in Your presence. We are sinners and have sinned against You. We are sorry and humbly repent of our sins and pray for Your forgiveness. We thank You for calling us to serve Your Holy purpose. Thank You for the talents You have blessed us with to carry out the plan of salvation. Thank You for working out all things for good as we love You, and for You loving us first. We pray for Your protection as we carry out our duties, that we can endure as Paul did in his day. There will be persecution, You have told us. There will be those who hate us, as they hated You first. We pray for wisdom as we mingle with the scoffers and naysayers and that You put Your words in our mouths. Help us to walk with lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We pray for grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Help us to be like You in all things. We pray to know Your truth that we may glory in it. Please take away any spiritual pride amongst any of us. Help us be the ambassadors You need us to be for Your people. We pray for Your continued intercession in heaven on our behalf. Help us to overcome, as You also overcame, that we would sin no more. Let nothing come between the love of God and us. We pray to enter through the Pearly Gates in heaven one day with thanksgiving and praise, to sit with You on Your throne. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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