WORKING FOR THE LORD I CORINTHIANS 15:57-58

We Are Commanded To Work In the secular realm. II Thessalonians 3:10-12 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. In the spiritual realm I Corinthians 15:58 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.

Jesus said it was a necessity. John 9:4 "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” We must work in the day, while it is day. Cannot work at nightThe night is death This is not our work but God’s. “…Always abounding in the work of the Lord” “We must work the works of Him who sent Me…”

John 5:30 "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” John 6:38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 4:32, 34 But He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know.'' "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

Nature Of The Work To Be Done I Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father. Work of faith Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. We live by faith.We walk by faith II Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Is not faith and works a contradiction of each other? Faith should move us to action! Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Our faith comes from God’s word.

Labor of love All things should be done because of love. I Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Jesus said the first two commandments involve love. Love for God Love for your neighbor Matthew 22:36-40

Love binds all things together. Colossians 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Work of patience. Working patiently till our faith and hope becomes sight. Romans 8:24-25 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, then we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

We Will Be Judged By Our Works Some questions could be asked: Was it a good work? Galatians 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Did you do it? James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. How did you do it? Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.

Why did you do it? Matthew 6:2-4 "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” How will you answer these and possibly other questions?

II Corinthians 5:10 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. Revelation 20:12 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. Romans 14:12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

We Will Be Rewarded For Our Works Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Hebrews 5:8-9 Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. The worker will be blessed.

ARE YOU WORKING FOR THE LORD TODAY? HOW IS IT GOING? REMEMBER IN THE LORD YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN!

Given by David Hamlin on am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ