"Our Labor of Love"
Heb. 6:7-12
INTRO. We know, from studying God's Word, that Christ established the Church while here on earth during His personal ministry. And we also know that He commissioned the Church, just before He ascended back to the Father, to evangelize this world for Him.
But I believe if Christ were here today, He would be disappointed with many of His Churches! All the strife, divisions and disunity in His Churches have stifled the true mission of His Churches. Satan is working overtime causing problems in God's work, to such an extent, that not much is being accomplished for the Lord today.
In our text, the writer of Hebrews, makes a reference to the earth which receives rain and brings forth a fruitful harvest to the farmer, doing so by the blessing of God. But if the ground brings forth thorns and briers, it is rejected and is burned in the end. The writer is not making reference to Hell, but I believe, of a cleansing fire, so the ground may be used again. Remember in Hebrews 12:29, The writer says, “for our God is a consuming fire.” He talking is to God's people in that passage.
What is true of the unfruitful soil mention in our text is also true of
the Church. If The Church is carrying out the work of the Lord, God's
blessings rest on that place. But if the Church loses sight of its true
mission and does little for God, He will withhold blessings from that
Church. Let us look at a passage of scripture found in 1 Cor. 3:9-15.
There will be many Churches with much to answer for when they
stand before God.
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We, as a Church of the Living God, will have to face many things until Christ comes, but we have to keep going for Christ and stay true to Him! In Galatians 6:9, Paul says, "Let us not be weary in well-doing: For in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
In our text, in vlO, it says, "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shown toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." We have a work which can be either a blessing to God or a disappointment to Him, Which do WE want?
IN OUR LABOR OF LOVE:
(1) The Work We Do For The Lord MUST Be Motivated By Love
1 Corinthians 13:l-8a—"Love produces Eternal results."
Text: Hebrews 6:1O—"Labor of Love"
A. Our Work is MOTIVATED BY LOVE (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
B. Our Work is MINISTRY FOR THE LORD (Hebrews 6:10b).
(2) The Work We do For The Lord is Not in Vain
1 Corinthians 15:58--Why?--v57
2 Peter 1:1-11
A. Our Work will be REMEMBERED (Revelation 14:13—“Blessed are the
dead which die in the Lord…and their works do follow them.”
B. Our Work will yield RESULTS (1 Corinthians 3:8; Romans 14:10-12).
(3) The Work We do for the Lord will be Rewarded
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
A. It will be rewarded as to its QUANTITY.
B. It will be rewarded as to its QUALITY.
CLOSING: God has given us a wonderful work here and He wants to see it grow and prosper. But if we neglect God's Work, God will withhold blessings from us!
Habakkuk 3:2