Newsletter Vol.2, #32—August 27, 2006

Matthew 9 ¹²But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Your Rightful Place in the Work of the Kingdom “...always abounding in the work of the Lord...”

By Jon W. Quinn

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible (I actually have quite a few favorites) is the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians. The message is truly magnificent and very encouraging! It speaks of resurrection… first of Jesus' resurrection and then of our future resurrections. It is a chapter of hope and victory. The chapter concludes with a statement about how the victory of resurrection ought to affect our lives now: “…but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58) We need to understand that! The resurrection ought to affect the way I am living right now. Specifically, here, it ought to motivate me to be actively engaged in the work of the church of Christ because I know that no effort is wasted.

What Profit Has a Man From All His Labor?

The writer of Ecclesiastes wanted to know if his life really meant anything. A lot of people wonder the same thing today. Is there purpose? Sadly, many lost souls have concluded there is not. So we ask the same question, “What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?” (Eccl.1:3). The Christian rejoices in the knowledge that he has been redeemed from a purposeless life to one that is purposeful and noble. One of the reasons for redemption is to rescue our lives from vanity and give to them meaning and purpose (1 Peter 1:18-19). The Lord's work broadens the scope of man's usefulness and opens up to him a new potential for fulfillment in life. It becomes our purpose to do His work. If the Lord's work is taking a back seat in our lives, then we are not the disciples the Lord intended for us to be, and that will adversely affect everything that could have made our lives meaningful.

High Ho! High Ho! It's Off to Work We Go!

In one sense, all that the Christian does is the Lord's work. We must not separate life into two airtight “boxes” - religious and secular. (Colossians 3:17). Our lives belong to the Lord 24 hours a day… there is no time card to punch… no vacation… no taking the day off (at least, there had better not be!). But in another sense, certain things done by the Christian are specifically designated “the work of the Lord” (note our text, 1 Corinthians 15:58). There is clearly something here that was separate from the other aspects of life and its responsibilities (Cf. 1 Corinthians 16:10; Philippians 2:30). First, the Lord often emphasizes the Christian as a “worker” (cont’d. from the front) (2 Timothy 2: 15; 3:17; Ephesians 2:10). It is not only the preacher, or the elders or the Bible class teachers that are to be the “workers” in the kingdom. Specifically, the Christian's “work” is participation in the greatest undertaking of all: the reconciliation of man to God.

The Reward and the Fringe Benefits

Now, understand this! While our efforts in no way makes us worthy of God's grace, without working in the kingdom we put our soul's salvation and our heavenly inheritance in terrible, terrible jeopardy! Some have interpreted the idea of not being saved by works as meaning we need have no fear of losing our salvation due to neglecting our responsibilities. If I want my hope to be secure, then I will do the things Jesus tells me to do (John 6:27; Hebrews 4:11; Matthew 10:32-33). Another benefit of being active in the Lord's work is that I will be a much stronger good influence on others (1 Corinthians 9:27; 1 Timothy 4:16). My friends and family will see Christ in me. My children will have the proper example to follow and come to understand how important the kingdom of Jesus is. My brethren will be encouraged by my example. Others will see and glorify God.

The Work Our Lord Has Assigned to Us

There are all kinds of things to be done. Others need to be taught about Jesus by my words (Acts 8:4). They also need to be shown the teachings of Jesus in my life (Matthew 5:16). If I am concerned for others and try to help those in need, it will be noticed (Galatians 6:10). If one needs more motivation, how about this? In this work, one is working together with God and fellow Christians - (Philippians 1:3-6; Cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9). It is the Christian's business to allow himself or herself to be set aside for the Lord's work (2 Timothy 2:20-21). We can learn to do lots of things, and be diligent to do some of them well, but we need to choose the Lord's work as that which we are determined to do best of all. If we give the Lord's work any less attention than this, then we are not living up to our responsibilities as Christians.

It Is Never “In Vain” When It Is “In The Lord”

Without God, man's pursuits are relatively empty and ultimately unsatisfying. Benjamin Franklin was involved in the work of helping establish a new nation. He quoted a Psalm as he spoke to the Constitutional Convention gathered in Philadelphia to write our nation's constitution. “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1). His point is well taken… that whatever we do in life, it is vain unless the Lord is involved. No effort expended in the Lord's work is empty… something good and eternally worthwhile is always accomplished somewhere: “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). Listen: just because you “go to church” does not make you a “Christian” any more than walking into a hospital makes you a brain surgeon. You are a brain surgeon when you learn how to operate on the human brain, and then actually perform the operation. You are a Christian when you learn how to do the work of the Lord, and then do it! The work done for God by the Christian is not only important and fulfilling, it is urgent. Jesus said about His own work, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). We are His disciples. We will do no less.

One Liners..... Think About Them for a Moment, Please?

11. God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?!

12. Some minds are like concrete: thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

13. Peace starts with a smile.

14. I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

15. A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.

16. We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

17. Be ye fishers of men... You catch them - He'll clean them.

18. Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

19. Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

20. Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

21. Forbidden fruits create many jams.

22. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

23. God grades on the cross, not the curve.

24. God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"

25. God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

26. He who angers you, controls you!

27. If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!

Glenn Warner here in Co. Cork, Ireland with some quotes I've come across in my reading that you'll hopefully enjoy:

Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find food. (D.T. Niles as quoted by Paul Little on p. 131-132 of “Know Why You Believe”)

What disturbs men’s’ minds is not events but their judgments on events. (Epictetus)