THE WORK OF THE LORD (1 Corinthians 15:51-58)
A. “Therefore” (vs. 58) because of victory through Christ
B. “Work of the Lord” should include ALL activities we do for the cause of Christ which Are in harmony with the Lord’s will
C. Let’s look at 5 questions:
1. WHERE should we work? 2. WHO should work? 3. HOW should we work? 4. WHEN should we work? 5. WHY should we work?
A. In the “vineyard” of the Lord (kingdom/church)
1. Jesus likened the kingdom to a vineyard (Matthew 20:1)
a. A vineyard is a full-time job.
B. The KINGDOM is a place of SERVICE (Matthew 20:25-28)
C. If not IN the Kingdom, we CANNOT work acceptably (Ephesians 3:21) “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
A. “Brethren” (Christians) ALL should work (1 Corinthians 3:1-10)
1. NOT just Elders, Preachers, Teachers
2. Remembering, it is not OUR work, but the LORD’S work!
A. NOT just to be SEEN (Matthew 23:5) [Pharisees] ”But all their works they do for to be seen of men…” (Matthew 5:16) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven”
1. Are we working JUST to be seen?
2. Are we working to GLORIFY God?
B. Tirelessly (Galatians 6:9-10) “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if We faint not. As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
C. “Always Abounding” (2 Peter 1:4-11)
1. If the attributes of Godliness are not in us and ABOUNDING, why would we even WANT to do the work of the Lord?
D. Zealously (Titus 2:14) “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
1. From “zeloo” [2206] “to have warmth of feeling for or against”
2. Do I have a “zeal” to do the Lord’s work?
E. By AUTHORITY of Christ (Colossians 3:17) “And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the father by Him.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
1. NOTE: “Every” good work
A. Be READY (Titus 3:1) “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.”
B. As we have OPPORTUNITY (Galatians 6:10) “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
C. While it is day [ASV] (John 9:4) “We must work the works of Him who sent me, as long as it is day: night is coming when no man can work.”
A. To be ACCEPTABLE to God (2 Corinthians 5:9-10) “Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ: that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
B. To GLORIFY God (Matthew 5:16) “…let your light so shine…” (Ephesians 3:21) “unto Him beglory in the church”
C. To not be CUT OFF from God (Matthew 7:19) “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (John 15:2) “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
D. To receive the REWARD (Revelation 22:12) “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be”
E. NOT to “EARN” salvation (Luke 17:10) “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do”
A. WHERE? In the Kingdom
B. WHO? All Christians
C. HOW? Not to be seen, Tirelessly, Always Abounding, Zealous, By Authority of Christ
D. WHEN? Always
E. WHY? To please Christ & be Acceptable to God (NOT to EARN Salvation)