The life of a Christian is one of
work…
• Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is
plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray
the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His
harvest." Matt 9:37-38 (NKJV)
• "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who
went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his
vineyard.” Matt 20:1 (NKJV)
• For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field,
you are God's building. 1 Cor 3:9 (NKJV)
Abounding in the
Work of the Lord
- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Abounding in the work of the Lord…
• The work of the Lord involves the greatest
privileges, responsibilities, and rewards.
• I need to prayerfully seek how I may abound in the
work of the Lord more appropriately.
• Do you will to improve, “Abounding in the work of
the Lord”?
• Let us use this hour to honor God, and seek from
Him, the answers for how we must “abound” in
His work.
The admonition for all Christians…
• Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast,
immovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the
Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV)
• It is not the elders only, though they must set the
example (1 Pet 5:3).
• It is not the deacons only, though “deacon” means
“servant”.
• It is not the preacher only, though he has a work to
do (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:5)
Every Christian must be a worker…
• "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country,
who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And
to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to
each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a
journey. Matt 25:14-15 (NKJV)
• Each member of the Lord’s church is important and has work to do
(Rom 12; 1 Cor 12).
• 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house,
and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching
the word. Acts 8:3-4 (NKJV)
• There will always be work in the church for a “Paul”, a “Timothy”, a
“Eunice” (2 Timothy 1:5), a “Dorcas” (Acts 9:36-39), and a
“Barnabas” (Acts 4:36; Acts 9:27; 11:30; 13:43, 46, 50)!
Requirements for the work…
• Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not
in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV)
• Conviction is necessary for the Lord’s work!
• Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that
whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your
affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving
together for the faith of the gospel Phil 1:27 (NKJV)
• Be steadfast and united as you strive for the faith of the gospel!
• But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me
your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my
works. James 2:18 (NKJV)
• Our work in is proportion to our faith!
The work of the Lord is to be a
constant work…
• Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your
labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV)
• Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you
may know how you ought to answer each one. Col 4:6 (NKJV)
• Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your
own salvation with fear and trembling; Phil 2:12 (NKJV)
• Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Phil 4:4 (NKJV)
• But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to
give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that
is in you, with meekness and fear; 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)
• To work “always” means to “Be ready in season, out of
season” (2Timothy 4:2).
(1 Cor. 15:18; Abounding)
G4052
περισσεύω
perisseuō
per-is-syoo'-o
From G4053; to superabound (in quantity or
quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also
(transitively) to cause to superabound or
excel: - (make, more) abound, (have, have
more) abundance, (be more) abundant, be the
better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel,
increase, be left, redound, remain (over and
above).
Περισσεύω, perisseuō ; used in
other contexts…
• For I say to you, that unless your righteousness
exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and
Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of
heaven. Matt 5:20 (NKJV)
• But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of
my father's hired servants have bread enough and to
spare, and I perish with hunger! Luke 15:17 (NKJV)
• Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He
done?" But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!"
Mark 15:14 (NKJV)
Always abounding in the work of the
Lord…
• Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly
love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not
lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
Romans 12:10-11 (NKJV)
• Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your
masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling,
in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as
men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the
will of God from the heart, Eph 6:5-6 (NKJV)
• But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you. Matt 6:33
(NKJV)
Motivation to always abound:
The Final Resurrection…
• Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your
labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV)
• The entire chapter (1 Corinthians 15) addresses the
resurrection and immortality!
• Jesus died, was buried, and was raised from the dead (15:111)!
• If this is true, how can some say there is no resurrection
(15:12-19)?
• But Christ HAS BEEN raised (15:20-28)!
• If the dead are not raised, then why risk our lives (15:29-34)?
• Do not let your questions about the resurrection disturb you
(15:35-49).
• Some will not die, but all will be part of the resurrection
(15:50-58)!
Motivation to always abound:
The Final Judgment…
• Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that
your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV)
• For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
that each one may receive the things done in the body,
according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Cor
5:10 (NKJV)
• And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,
and books were opened. And another book was opened,
which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged
according to their works, by the things which were written in
the books. Rev 20:12 (NKJV)
• The Judgement Day will be one of accounting!
Motivation to always abound:
The Final Judgment…
• Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that
your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58 (NKJV)
• And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due
season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Gal 6:9 (NKJV)
• Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that
Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His
appearing. 2 Tim 4:8 (NKJV)
• But the Judgment Day will also be a day of reward!!
The work of the Lord is all of that
which He has commanded us to do…
• Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who
sent Me, and to finish His work. John 4:34 (NKJV)
• He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed,
saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass
from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
Matt 26:39 (NKJV)
• … according to my earnest expectation and hope that in
nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as
always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body,
whether by life or by death. Phil 1:20 (NKJV)
The work of the Lord is all of that
which He has commanded us to do…
• And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach
the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is
baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will
be condemned. Mark 16:15-16 (NKJV)
• Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all,
especially to those who are of the household of faith. Gal
6:10 (NKJV)
• … for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ Eph 4:12 (NKJV)
“Abounding in the work of the Lord”
• I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it
is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the
world." John 9:4-5 (NKJV)
• Let us be motivated, engaged, on fire, constant,
and convicted, “always abounding in the work
of the Lord”!!
Abounding in the
Work of the Lord
- 1 Corinthians 15:58