THE KIND OF THE SERVICE OF THE CHRISTIAN
THAT IS NOT VAIN IN THE LORD.
(1Corinthians 15:58) 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.
* Introduction:
a. The encouragement of God to
believers to serve the Lord is a strong and bold encouragement because there is
a clear promise that our service to God is not invain in the Lord.
6 great reasons why the service of
the Christian is not in vain in the Lord.
1. WHEN OUR SERVICE TO GOD IS TO
GLORIFY HIM.
( 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 ) 30 But of him are ye in Christ
Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and
sanctification, and redemption:
31 That,
according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
a. Christian are called to serve the
Lord and always give to God all the glory and to please God.
( Colossian 1:10 ) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all
pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of
God;
2. WHEN OUR SERVICE TO GOD IS TO
PROVE OUR LOVE TO THE LORD.
( 2 Corinthians 8:8 ) I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the
forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
( John 14:15 ) If ye love me, keep my commandments.
3. WHEN OUR SERVICE TO GOD IS WITH
WILLINGNESS AND CHEERFULLNESS OF HEART.
( 2 Corinthians 8:3 ) For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond
their power they were willing of themselves;
* We do it with love and
cheerfullness-
( 2 Corinthians 9 :7 ) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so
let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
( 2 Corinthians 8:11-12 ) 11 Now therefore perform the doing
of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance
also out of that which ye have.
12 For if
there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and
not according to that he hath not.
4. WHEN OUR SERVICE TO GOD IS THE
POWER AND GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
( Acts 1:8 ) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
( John 16:13 ) 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of
truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew
you things to come.
5. WHEN OUR SERVICES TO GOD ARE DONE
WITH STRONG FAITH TO THE LORD.
( Hebrews 11:6 ) But without faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of
them that diligently seek him.
( Mark 11:22-24 ) 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith
in God.
23 For
verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou
removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but
shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall
have whatsoever he saith.
24
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe
that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
6. WHEN OUR SERVICES TO GOD ARE FOR
THE FULLFILLMENT OF THE GREAT COMMISSION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
( Mathew 28:19-20 ) 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I
am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
* The Lord Jesus Christ is our prime
model in having burden for winning lost people.
( Mathew 9:36-38 ) 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing
every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But
when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they
fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then
saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers
are few;
38 Pray ye
therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his
harvest.
7. WHEN OUR SERVICE TO GOD ARE WITH EXCEEDING JOY EVEN WE
FACE SOME GREAT PERSECUTION IN CHRISTIAN LIFE.
( 1 Peter 4:13-16 ) [13]But rejoice, inasmuch as ye
are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed,
ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
[14]If ye be reproached for the
name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon
you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
[15]But let none of you suffer as
a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's
matters.
[16]Yet if any man suffer as a
Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
* Paul was a good example for his determination and courage to continue
serving the Lord even there is big threat of his life.
( Acts 20:22-24 ) [22]And now, behold, I go bound
in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me
there:
[23]Save that the Holy Ghost
witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
[24]But none of these things move
me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course
with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify
the gospel of the grace of God.
* Paul was committed to fulfil his Ministry the Lord to finish it with
determination and courage and joy. Big Amen and Amen!!!
8. WHEN OUR SERVICE TO GOD ARE ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE
WORK OF THE LORD FOR WE KNOW THAT OUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD.
( I Corinthians
15:58 ) 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.
* Lastly God remind to us that our our service to Him will be rewarded
with a bountiful blessing.
( Hebrews 6:10 ) For God is not unrighteous to
forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in
that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
* God promise that the faithful Christians will abound with blessings.
( Proverbs 28:20 ) A faithful man shall abound with
blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
* Paul believed the promise of God to reward all his labor in God's
Ministry with a bountiful blessing.
( II Timothy 4:7-8 )
[7]I have
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
[8]Henceforth there is laid up for
me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me
at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his
appearing.
* God bless you all always *
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