douleuō

You Can’t Serve Two Masters

Message begins around 34:00

You Can’t Serve Two Masters

Dave Riddle - 8/28/22

Key Passage: Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters…”

  • Jesus in Matthew 6:24a

  • “No one” = oudeis (οὐδείς) - not even one

    • Romans 3:10

  • “Can” = dynamai (δύναμαι) - to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom

  • It is impossible!

  • “Serve” = douleuō (δουλεύω) - to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary):—be in bondage, (do) serve(-ice).

  • “Masters” = kyrios (κύριος) - supreme in authority

    • Romans 10:9, Luke 6:46

“…he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.”

  • Jesus in Matthew 6:24b

  • It’s impossible for us to love (agapaō: ἀγαπάω - perfect unconditional love) two supreme masters at once.

    • Compare to Jesus’ comments about the good “single” eye from last week, Matthew 6:22.

“…You cannot serve both God and money.”

  • Jesus in Matthew 6:24c

  • “Money” = mamōnas (μαμωνᾶς) - Mammon - everything we pursue in life. Riches, treasures, dreams, feelings, idols. Everything that isn’t God.

  • Joshua 24:15 - “…choose this day whom you will serve...”

Just a Couple More Things...

Just a Couple More Things...

Dave Riddle - 3/08/20

Key Passage: Romans 16:17-23

Caution

  • Romans 16:17 - “Now I urge you brothers and sisters to watch out...”

    • “Urge”: parakaleō (παρακαλέω) - to admonish, exhort, entreat, beseech, or beg.

    • “Watch out”: skopeō (σκοπέω) - to take aim at (spy), to consider, take heed, mark.

  • Romans 16:17 - watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles...

    • Divisions, disunity...

    • Obstacles: skandalon (σκάνδαλον) - a trap, snare, any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall.

  • Romans 16:18 - ...such people do not serve our Lord but their own appetites.

    • Serve: douleuō (δουλεύω) - to be a slave, serve, do service

      • Slaves to their own desires

  • Romans 16:18 - ...they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.

    • Avoid: ekklinō (ἐκκλίνω) - to deviate; to shun or turn away from, to go out of the way, avoid. 

      • Separate yourselves from such people. 

Encouragement

  • Romans 16:20 - The God of peace will soon crush Satan.

    • Not just caution, but encouragement!

      • Victory is on the way!

    • Psalm 8:16 - everything is beneath God’s feet.

  • Romans 16:21-23 - greetings from Paul, and his entourage.

    • Timothy: Paul’s protege

    • Tertius: Paul’s administrative assistant.

    • Gaius: Paul’s host

    • A reminder that they are all in this together.