Note: This Sunday I had a more unusual apologetics’ styled sermon that took up more time preparing than usual so I didn’t get to post earlier. Contrary to what appears on my blog, I don’t preach apologetics as a hobby horse. I am more of an expository and Gospel driven preacher on Sunday morning (or at least I work hard to try to be).
I try to write posts each Sunday to encourage God’s people concerning attending and serving God in the local church.
Tonight as I got home I was thinking about how the word labor appear so frequently in the Book of 1 Thessalonians from when I preached this five years ago:
constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:9)
For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. (1 Thessalonians 3:5)
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, (1 Thessalonians 5:12)
It got me thinking that it is okay to be tired after church on Sunday and its worth giving our all for our Savior who gave us more than what we ever can imagine: salvation and eternal life with the benefit of sanctification.
Brothers and sister, don’t be tired in your labor for the Lord both in the church and outside the church. Don’t quit your service in the church–even when others are not contributing. Do it for the Lord. Keep focus on the Lord. Meditate to make it your motivation to hear one your Savior say “Well done, my faithful servant.” All that we sacrificed and all that we expended of our energies whether in our youth or the last leg of our years, it would be worth it. No one would regret our service to him–only perhaps that we didn’t do more. It is worth all the tears and sweat we shed in our spiritual ministry just to hear Him say that to us.
Saturday I spent all day moving stuff around from place to place, from Mom’s apartment, to her house, and some stuff from those places to my house. Honestly, lifting and hauling heavy furniture is not really that fun at 53 LOL. I was exhausted and would so have loved to lay up in bed Sunday morning. I didn’t, as I had teaching responsibilities, but I could have…another man would have gladly taught for me.
Amazing though, how all of my tiredness went away the minute I was in God’s House, with God’s people, hearing God’s Word.
Just my two cents.
Thanks for this post, and I hope it encourages someone.
That was encouraging to read and what an example! I think if we do it for the Lord he gives strength
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging and commented:
Amen Pastor Jim!
Thanks Vincent as usual for the reblog!
My pleasure Pastor Jim!
Good stuff bro!
You’re welcome! See you soon!
🙂