A great old song if it doesn’t make a liar out of us I want to be a worker

This life is about working But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8 ESV) working for our family For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV) working for ourself Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. (Ephesians 4:28 ESV) working for others Working like Jesus did

1. Christians must be workers Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,(Philippians 2:12 ESV) For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV)

Learn from the ant Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV) Needs no leader Needs no prodding Sees the job needing doing and does it

We need to be workers, NOW We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:4) James 2:14-26 Faith without works? Dead, useless, foolish Ephesians 2:8-10 We are HIS workmanship, created FOR good works

2. We must work w/other Christians And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42 ESV)

Learn from the Locust Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV) …the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; (Proverbs 30:27 ESV)

Learn from the Locust Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. (Psalm 133 ESV) …the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; (Proverbs 30:27 ESV)

3. We must work together w/God There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14:12 ESV) I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23 ESV) Provider of our needs

3. We must work together w/God I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. (1 Corinthians 3:6-9 ESV) He gives the increase

3. We must work together w/God His work is… His teaching His outreach His invitation His groups His caring His way His results His glory

Can’t do His work if we’re not in the kingdom. Not a hand if not in the body. Not a soldier if not in the army. Not an athlete if not on the team.