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ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD DOING GOD'S WORK IN GOD'S WAY
1 Corinthians 15:58 (King James Version)
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
- This one verse, coming as it does at the end of a really great chapter, is full of challenge and appeal
- it is surely meant to fill all who are engaged in the work of the Lord with joy and with confidence.
- Notice, to begin with, how careful Paul is to identify those to whom he is writing.
I. THE PEOPLE ADDRESSED.
A. The apostle is not writing to all but to his "beloved brethren",
1. his brothers and sisters in Christ
2. fellow believers
B. those who had "received the gospel",
1. who had "believed" and who were therefore "saved". In the Lord's work,
C. No one is qualified to be a worker for the Lord who has not first been born again
- John 3:3 (King James Version)
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
II. THE REASON STATED.
A. Paul goes on to give a reason why we should engage in "the work of the Lord".
B. "Therefore, because of these things, be ye stedfast . . .
1. " Because of what things?
C. What is our motive for serving God?
D. What is it that constrains and impels us?
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 (King James Version)
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
E. the Lord is coming back again, verses 51-53, and death, sin, Satan and Hell have been overcome, verses 54-57.
III. THE WORK DESCRIBED.
A. It is Great Work.
- 1 Samuel 21:8 (King James Version)
8 And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste. - Nehemiah 6:3 (King James Version)
3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? - Luke 2:49 (King James Version)
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
B. It is Sacred Work.
- Ephesians 2:10 (King James Version)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1. How careful, prayerful and dedicated we should be in engaging in such work!
C. It is Hard Work.
- 1 Corinthians 15:30-31 (King James Version)
30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
1. God's work is never easy. Many today are finding the way very exciting,
2. the Enemy sees to that, look up 2 Cor. 2:11.
- 2 Corinthians 2:11 (King James Version)
11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
a. Many today are being frustrated on every hand as they seek to serve the Lord
b. they see little fruit for their labor. The work is hard
- Galatians 6:9 (King James Version)
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. - There will be a pay day
D. It is Exciting Work?
IV. THE QUALITIES REQUIRED.
A. If we would be successful and well-pleasing servants of God
- we must be "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord".
1. We must have three qualities:
B. Stability. We must be "stedfast, unmoveable
C. Fervency. We are to be"abounding in the work of the Lord";
D. Constancy. We are to abound in the Lord's work "always", not sometimes, but all the time; not in fits and starts, but with constancy.
V. THE ASSURANCE ENJOYED.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (King James Version)
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.