Never in vain...

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." -- 1 Corinthians 15:58

One of the first jobs I had as a high school student was working in a paint store. I stocked paint, mixed paint, sold paint and even rolled paint. I unloaded trucks, emptied cartons, swept floors and cut up boxes for the dumpster. I worked hard, but I knew that at the end of the week I would receive a pay envelope filled with cold hard cash. My labor was never in vain.

Paul's teaching on the resurrection is a great motivator. The promise of a glorified body in our future gives us hope and a driving force to press on in our spiritual lives. The work of the ministry may be hard and exhausting, but as we push ourselves for Jesus there will be a final day when pay envelopes are handed out. Then we will find, not cold hard cash, but an imperishable body that will inherit the kingdom of God. Our labor for the Lord is never in vain.

Last week, or last month may have been grueling. You may be so tired and almost too weary to continue. Don't give up my friend. The way may be hard, but the end will be sweet. Keep your eye on the prize and be assured that your labor in the Lord is never in vain.

Be alive and work harder...

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me...For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." -- 1 Corinthians 15:10, 21-22

Ah yes, we are what we are by the grace of God. Such is a profound truth that should keep us focused every day of our lives. But, as a result, do we work harder? In another place we read, "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13). We love His grace and HIS working, but what about OUR working?

Evangelicals have battled so much over "grace alone" for our salvation that we forget about the fact of Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." God gives free grace, and we should freely work.
How about it my friend, are you working harder today because you are what you are by the grace of God, made alive in Christ? Are you so devoted to His cause that you work with resurrection diligence? In the words of our Lord, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." (John 9:4) By the grace of God, be alive in Him and work harder.

Order to be productive...

"What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church... For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." -- 1 Corinthians 14:26, 33

The first edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, whose full title was Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies, was published in February 1876 by U.S Army Brigadier General Henry Martyn Robert and is currently in its tenth edition. Robert desired a means to provide order in church and various business meetings. Over the years I have used this little treasure successfully to keep organization and peace. There needs to be order to be productive.

From the time Paul penned the above words, to church meetings conducted last week, without organization and orderly direction there can be no benefit. There are many who come to services and meetings with much to offer for the strengthening of the assembly. But like a beautiful symphony, each part must be contributed at the right time and in the right way to the produce sweet music. There needs to be order to be productive.

The next time you attend a service, special meeting or business session, allow good order to prevail. Pray for the leadership to have wisdom to guide the event in a peaceful manner. Should you have something to contribute; remember that you are only one part of the whole and are participating in a Divine symphony. There needs to be order to be productive.

Preaching the Word...

"Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy... the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation." - 1 Corinthians 14:1, 3

Today entertainment is king. We are tantalized in every way possible from television sitcoms to commercials for cars. But, when we are preparing for a career we attend serious class lectures. Entertainment is set aside for the necessary instruction of truth. One is short lived and emotionally charged while the other is of life long value and mentally challenging.

In a similar manner some spiritual gifts are for momentary use, while others are necessary for the long run. The "prophesy" that Paul speaks of is the Preaching of the Word. There are many spiritual gifts that are exciting and draw attention to the individual believer, but that gift that draws attention to the Lord and builds up others is spiritually life changing... forever.

The Reformation brought the pulpit back to the center of the sanctuary. The preaching of the Word once again came to the forefront. We need to return to a preaching that proclaims "Thus Saith the Lord" my friend. Never settle for a church that entertains you with light and exciting ministries for the moment. Look for, and pray for the church that builds, encourages and consoles the flock through the preaching of the Word.

No empty promises please...

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

We were reminiscing recently and remembered a family member ordering a lobster dinner some years ago. When the little critter arrived at the table and the claw was cracked open, there was... nothing! Absolutely nothing! The appearance on the plate was quite promising, but with no meat, no meal.

The spiritual life and ministry is very much the same. The outer shell may look great and might attract great interest, but it's what inside that counts. Love is not just an action; it's the very heart of the matter. Believers that appear pleasing may look quite promising, but with no meat, there is no meal.

Our ministry is the saving and nurturing of souls. The Lord has sent us out into the world to satisfy hungry and thirsty lives with love. But we can never accomplish this calling with empty shells that just look good. Are you filled with and compelled by the love of Jesus? The world needs more than an empty promise of love, because with no meat, there is no meal.

We are ALL important...

"The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"" -- 1 Corinthians 12:21

The day after I had knee surgery I made my way to the eye doctor with a retina problem. It didn't matter how uncomfortable my leg was; my eye needed care. While my leg was important enough for corrective surgery, my eye was just as important. I need them both.

Paul gave wise counsel to a church family that had suffered from divisiveness. There was no member that was any more important than the next. Paul wrote in verse 27, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."  As each one is a part, each one is important. They are all needed.

As a member of the body of Christ you are important. You have giftedness and purpose that has been given by the Spirit of God. While this is incredibly significant, always remember that the body is made up of many parts. We are all important and all needed.

"Self-Examination"...

"Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup." -- 1 Corinthians 11:27-28

There are many physical maladies that need to be detected early. The best way to discover certain problems is to do a regular "self-examination". Along with such "self-exams" are those pesky annual physicals. Over the years I have received positive medical care due to these exams and always wondered why anyone would ignore such helpful procedures. I guess some people just figure "what you don't know won't hurt you".

Paul had a very different belief. He knew that unchecked sin leads to an unsafe life. The Lord's Table is to be approached with a prepared and cleansed heart. The bread and the cup are to be received in a worthy manner by an examined people. Careless and sinful living is not a lifestyle that will just be ignored over time. A "self-examination" is imperative because, "what we don't know can hurt us".

As we come to the communion table, we are reminded of our Lord's sacrifice to redeem us and set us apart as a people of God. Moments of examination bring us back to the basics of our relationship with the Lord. Take time to learn what may have broken your fellowship and pray with David, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)