Sermon Central
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Soldiers, Athletes And Farmers
Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Paul talks about three occupations - soldiers, athletes and farmers. He says that these occupations provide great object lessons for the successful Christian. There are facets of these occupations that the Christian needs to mimic on a spiritual plane in
One thing that I have noticed is that not only is a farmer required to work hard but most of his work is quite unexciting. There is nothing glamorous about the farmer’s work. It is often tedious and boring.
Even though it is hard work….even though it is often tedious and boring work….yet he knows he must do it in order to get a good harvest.
The Lord calls us to do various works. The Lord calls us to labor. It is hard work to be a light in this world. Its hard work being an example in our community. Its hard work being a Christian neighbor. Its hard work being a Christian at our schools and jobs. Its hard work being a Christian husband and a Christian wife. Its hard work being a Christian parent. Its hard work to comfort the sick, provide for the needy and visit the imprisoned. Its hard work to effectively share the Gospel with others. Its hard work helping a new disciple develop and mature.
Being a responsible servant of Christ is hard work.
And fulfilling our everyday Christian responsibilities is not all that glamorous. Its not all excitement either. In truth, there are times when working to be a faithful Christian can be tedious and monotonous.
On top of all that…..just like the farmer, you don’t always see an immediate pay-off. My friend is working hard in December and won’t see a pay-off until the following November. He has to wait almost a year to get his paycheck.
Sometimes, when we do the Lord’s work, we can see the fruits of our labors. Those occasions are encouraging. But, for the most part, we will not receive any reward for our labors until Judgment Day. There is a lot of effort we must do and we cannot expect to get even a ‘pat on the back’ until Jesus Himself says at the Last Day, “Well done, my faithful servant.”
We must be like the farmer - willing to work hard each day and be patient for the ultimate payback. We have to use self-discipline and great perseverance in doing the works we know we should do and keep the faith that God will richly reward us one Day.
Galatians 6:7, 9-10, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap…And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”
1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
Hebrews 10:35-37, “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.”
From this study, Paul has shown us that we can learn important lessons from soldiers, athletes and farmers. Let’stry to keep these lessons in mind so that we can please our Master, get the most out of our Christian lives and ensure a blessed eternity in Heaven.
