Intro: God’s work is never done. There is always something that needs to be done in a growing church. There is always someone that needs a help. There are lost people all around us that need Christ. There are children that need to be taught God’s word. There is so much to be done. We all must do our share of the work. May 1st is “Labor Day” but for me January 1st to December 31st are all labor days for God! Let us focus on our labor or lack of it for God!
I. WE ARE LABORERS
A. A Lack of Laborers. A most noble work, yet mostly ignored. “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Mat. 9:37-38)
B. A Loss of Time, Talent and Treasure. Too much time, talents and treasures invested in worldly pursuits that do not satisfy in the end! Many would pay lip service, but not real labor for the Lord. Many serve Mammon. “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” (2 Cor. 6:1)
C. A Labor of Love. It is not labor for money or earthly gain, but for the kingdom and glory of God. “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.” (Heb. 6:10)
II. WE ARE LABORERS TOGETHER
A. As a Team to Accomplish More. Unity, oneness, human chain locked together, a bond.
B. With the same purpose to work together.
C. Like a well-maintained machine with all its parts working well. (Cf. a healthy body & parts)
D. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” (Rom. 12:4-5)
III. WE ARE LABORERS TOGETHER WITH GOD
A. In a Partnership – God is the Leader, the boss
We are not left alone to do his work, He is always with us. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Heb. 13:5-6)
B. In a Busy-ness. We must be about our Father’s business like Jesus who set the example (Luke 2:49). While working in our own “family business” has its due reward, the real motive is service out of love for God. “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” (Col. 3:24)“The labourer is worthy of his reward.” (1 Tim. 5:18b)
Conclusion: Brethren, God solemnly calls you for His service! Will you work for Him in 2012? Or, if you have already been working for Him, would you, by His grace and mercy, work even harder for His field and vineyard in 2012? I pray the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into his harvest TODAY! 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. (1 Cor. 15:58).
