Vol.XX No.VIII Pg.5
August 1983

Use Your Bible

Dan S. Shipley

GOD'S WORKER, 1 Cor. 15:58

I. GOD'S WORKER IS STABLE (Steadfast, unmovable) A. Not easily influenced by false teaching 1.Not "blown about", Eph. 4:4

B. Not easily influenced by distractions and discouragement 1.Even persecutions, adversities 2.Lack of visible results from work 3.Personal problems

II. GOD'S WORKER IS ALWAYS WORKING

A. Like Jesus 1."We must work the works of him that sent me.." (Jn. 9:4)

B. Like the apostles 1."They kept right on.." (Acts 5:42 NASV)

C. Like the early disciples 1."Continued steadfastly" (Acts 2:42)

D. Like Paul 1."I press on" (Phil. 3:12-14)

E. Great need of our time is persistance, perseverance 1.Too much "sputtering" service; too much giving-up

III. GOD'S WORKER ABOUNDS IN GOD"S WORK

A. A message here for all who would just "get by" 1.Willingness to go the second mile (Matt.5:41) 2.Abounding grace deserves abounding works (2 Cor. 9:6ff)

B. Worthy N. T. examples 1. Macedonians ("beyond their power", 2 Cor. 8:3) 2. Paul ("As much as in me is..", Rom. 1:15) 3. Mary ("She hath done what she could..", Mk. 14:8)

IV. GOD'S WORKER DOES GOD'S WORK

A. Not all work done in religion is God's work 1.God is not honored when our work is without Scriptural authority 2.Note emphasis on a Social Gospel

B. Work of the Lord is that authorized by the Lord 1.That unto which man of God is furnished completely, 2 Tim. 3:16,17

V. GOD'S WORKER DOES NOT WORK IN VAIN

A. Much "religious" work is in vain 1.That which is unauthorized and that done from wrong motive 2.That which we quit

B. Nothing in vain in the Lord's work

1. Not even the cup of cool water; not even the widow's mite