“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 Corinthians 15:58
I. WE ARE ASSURED OF FUTURE GLORY
Romans 8:18 – For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17: For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
1 John 3: 2-3: Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.
II. WE ARE CALLED TO GOD’S PURPOSE
1 Corinthians 1:9 – God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
2 Timothy 1:8-9: Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
III. WE HAVE THE VICTORY!
Romans 8:31-32: What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
1 John 5:4 – For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
1 Corinthians 15:57-58: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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.
SYNOPSIS
Often time, as saints in the Lord, we are faced with an array of challenges
and difficulties. It seems as if we are losing the battle, even to the point of just throwing in the towel and giving up. This is exactly what the devil expects us to do. Give Up!
Nevertheless, we must not give up, and we must keep on keeping on knowing that our labor is not in vain. Our work unto the Lord is not meaningless nor worthless. In fact, our work unto the Lord is both victorious and glorious! We have this confidence of our future glory with the Lord and that we are called according to his purpose. And finally, we have the victory, “our labor is not in vain.”
The promise of God in 1 Corinthians 15:58 is encouraging and empowering. It is crucial to know that the apostle Paul is not just writing to the leaders in the church, but rather his message is to the laity as well.
What Is Your Calling and Purpose for Living?
{Your Passion That Fuels Your Heart Desire for The Work of
The Ministry} – In relation to 1 Corinthians 1:9
“The Compassion of Jesus” — In relation to our labor in the Lord. Matt. 9:35-38 / Luke 8:40-53
“All Things Working Together” – In relation to our calling and purpose. Rom. 8:28
“Why Is Our Labor Not in Vain?” — What every believer should know. 1 John 3:1-3
