1 Chronicles 29:5 The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers… I. THE NATURE OF THE SERVICE WHICH GOD DEMANDS. 1. It is spiritual. It is the homage and devotion of the heart. All the intellectual powers, the understanding, will, affections, conscience, memory are to be dedicated to the worship of God. Without this no service can be acceptable to God (Isaiah 1:11, 13; Matthew 15:8, 9). 2. It is to be constant and unremitting (1 Corinthians 10:31). 3. It must be affectionate. It is impossible for us to offer any acceptable service to God which does not spring from this love in our heart (1 John 5:3). How is this to be obtained? The answer is Very plain (Ephesians 4:22-24). Thus God will "create a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within you." 4. It must be practical (Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Corinthians 10:5). II. THE SERVICE WHICH GOD REQUIRES OF US SHOULD BE PERFORMED WITHOUT DELAY. 1. It is enjoined upon us by the Scriptures (Hebrews 3:15; Joshua 24:15; 2 Corinthians 6:2). You have no certainty that any further opportunities will be afforded in which you may serve God (Proverbs 27:1; Luke 13:25-27). 3. The longer you defer entering into the service of God the more difficulties and obstacles will be thrown in your way. How absurd the notion that futurity will present more favourable opportunities for serving God than any with which we have yet been blessed. Suppose a sick man were to say, "As long as this disorder remains upon me, and the more deeply my constitution is affected by it, the more certainly shall I receive a speedy cure." Would you consider this person to be perfectly sane? Or should one of your debtors assure you that by your increasing his obligations to you some three or four fold he would be immediately able to cancel the whole, would you believe him? The longer you live in sin the more grievously do you provoke God. You "crucify to yourselves the Son of God afresh." It is awfully possible for men to outlive the day of grace (Psalm 95:11). 4. Our services will be more acceptable now than they can possibly be at any future period. III. Let us now consider THE IMPORT OF THE QUESTION, "Who then is willing? " etc. 1. It carries with it the assumption that God is waiting to accept your service. 2. It implies also that every one possesses the ability to consecrate his service unto God. 3. We are taught by the text that there is a disinclination in the heart of man to submit himself to the will of God.Conclusion: 1. This is the most honourable service in which you can engage 2. It is pleasant (Proverbs 3:17; Isaiah 32:17; Psalm 16:3; Isaiah 2:5). 3. It is reasonable (Acts 17:28). 4. It is the only service which secures a vast reward (1 Corinthians 2:9). (R. Treffry.) Parallel Verses KJV: The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD? |
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