Reading for Today Matt 25:14-15

Matthew 26:26-28 (NKJV) 26  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 27  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

The life of a Christian is one of work… Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Matt 9:37-38 (NKJV) "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.” Matt 20:1 (NKJV) For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. 1 Cor 3:9 (NKJV)

The life of a Christian is one of work… The idea is that we all work, the idea is that we all must be busy doing the work of The Lord each and everyday ! God has been asking His men from the past to do something, to take action, and to maintain their lives busy, always. He is asking the same from His saints here at Northside and He said: Remember, “I want you to keep in mind that nothing that you do, will be in VAIN”!

Abounding in the Work of the Lord Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. - 1 Corinthians 15:58

Abounding in the work of the Lord… The work of the Lord involves the greatest privileges, responsibilities, and rewards. I need to prayerfully seek how I may abound in the work of the Lord more appropriately. Do you will to improve, “Abounding in the work of the Lord”? Let us use this hour to honor God, and seek from Him, the answers for how we must “abound” in His work.

The admonition for all Christians… Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV) It is not the elders only, though they must set the example (1 Pet 5:3). It is not the deacons only, though “deacon” means “servant”. It is not the preacher only, though he has a work to do (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:5)

Every Christian must be a worker…  "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Matt 25:14-15 (NKJV) Each member of the Lord’s church is important and has work to do (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12). 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. 4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Acts 8:3-4 (NKJV) There will always be work in the church for a “Paul”, a “Timothy”, a “Eunice” (2 Timothy 1:5), a “Dorcas” (Acts 9:36-39), and a “Barnabas” (Acts 4:36; Acts 9:27; 11:30; 13:43, 46, 50)!

Requirements for the work… Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV) Conviction is necessary for the Lord’s work! Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel Phil 1:27 (NKJV) Be steadfast and united as you strive for the faith of the gospel! But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18 (NKJV) Our work in is proportion to our faith!

The work of the Lord is to be a constant work… Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Col 4:6 (NKJV) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; Phil 2:12 (NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Phil 4:4 (NKJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV) To work “always” means to “Be ready in season, out of season” (2 Tim 4:2).

(1 Cor. 15:58; Abounding) G4052 περισσεύω perisseuō per-is-syoo'-o From G4053; to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel: - (make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance, (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above).

Περισσεύω, perisseuō ; used in other contexts… For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:20 (NKJV) But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! Luke 15:17 (NKJV) Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!" Mark 15:14 (NKJV) perisseuō perisseuō

Always abounding in the work of the Lord… Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; Romans 12:10-11 (NKJV) Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, Eph 6:5-6 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matt 6:33 (NKJV)

Motivation to always abound: The Final Resurrection… Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV) The entire chapter (1 Corinthians 15) addresses the resurrection and immortality! Jesus died, was buried, and was raised from the dead (15:1-11)! If this is true, how can some say there is no resurrection (15:12-19)? But Christ HAS BEEN raised (15:20-28)! If the dead are not raised, then why risk our lives (15:29-34)? Do not let your questions about the resurrection disturb you (15:35-49). Some will not die, but all will be part of the resurrection (15:50-58)!

Motivation to always abound: The Final Judgment… Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Cor 5:10 (NKJV)  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. Rev 20:12 (NKJV) The Judgement Day will be one of accounting!

Motivation to always abound: The Final Judgment… Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Gal 6:9 (NKJV) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Tim 4:8 (NKJV) But the Judgment Day will also be a day of reward!!

The work of the Lord is all of that which He has commanded us to do… Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. John 4:34 (NKJV) He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." Matt 26:39 (NKJV) … according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. Phil 1:20 (NKJV)

The work of the Lord is all of that which He has commanded us to do…  And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16 (NKJV) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Gal 6:10 (NKJV)  … for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ Eph 4:12 (NKJV)

“Abounding in the work of the Lord” I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:4-5 (NKJV) Let us be motivated, engaged, on fire, constant, and convicted, “always abounding in the work of the Lord”!!

Abounding in the Work of the Lord Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. - 1 Corinthians 15:58

Do you want to be a Christian and abound in the work of The Lord?