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I. THE NATURE OF THE SERVICE GOD REQUIRES. That we do His bidding.

1. This He has revealed in His Word.

2. For this He has given us the capacity and powers which are essential. The obedience He claims must possess the following characteristics.

(1)  It must be the obedience of love.

(2)  It must be spiritual.

(3)  It must have respect to all His commandments.

(4)  It must be constant.

(5)  It must be persevering fidelity unto death.

II. THE SUPPORT HE GIVES TO IT. This is implied in His sitting down to "eat and drink" (vers. 7, 8). Notice —

1. God gives ability for the service.

2. He provides daily food for the soul.

3. He gives satisfaction and peace in the service.

III. THE DIVINE INDEPENDENCY WITH RESPECT TO THIS SERVICE. Doth the master "thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded," etc. (ver. 9)? Now the force of this will be seen when it is remembered —

1. That no man can go beyond the Divine claims in his obedience.

2. God's goodness to man is ever beyond the services He receives from him.

3. That man's best services are, in consequence of his infirmities, frail and imperfect.Learn —

1. How necessary is humility even to the most exalted saints.

2. In all our obedience, let us set the glory of God before us.

3. Those who refuse to obey the Lord must finally perish.

(J. Burns, D. D.)

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KJV: But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

WEB: But who is there among you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say, when he comes in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down at the table,'