July6thAMSermonText
6 July 2008CAMBRAY SERMON SUNDAY 6 JULY
FOLLOWERS AT WORK MATTHEW 9:35-10:16 (page 974)
Send out workers (Matt 9:35 - 10:4)
Workers with instructions (Matt 10: 5-10)
Wise workers (Matt 10: 11-16)
Jesus was busy. Many people wanted his time and attention. Are you busy? It is sometimes said of Cambray Baptist Church ‘we are a busy church’. That’s true. It may be said when someone is finding the volume and pace of activity almost overwhelming or when the number of extra people needed to help is so many that some wonder if we should simply close something down. May God speak to us through this passage.
Let’s get the context. Jesus has been teaching and preaching and healing - lots of that is recorded in Matthew’s Gospel chapters 8 & 9. There was opposition to Jesus too, but still crowds were coming to watch and listen and some were ill and seeking healing. What was the response of Jesus to this busy-ness, the demands being put on him?
V35 - he kept on teaching and preaching and healing. Verse 35 is often regarded as a kind of summary of the work of Jesus over quite a period of time up to this point. Later chapters in Matthew record more teaching and healing. Jesus wasn’t deterred by his busy life - he kept on working.
V36 ‘When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep, without a shepherd.’ One version says Jesus ‘felt deeply sorry for them.’ They were harassed or bewildered and helpless - dejected and exhausted. Jesus saw their needs and his gut reaction was to help them. They were hopeless and helpless, and couldn’t help themselves; and they didn’t have the moral and spiritual leaders they needed. It’s clear they desperately needed rescuing, so as not to reap the consequences of their lost state, namely judgment and condemnation; but rescue instead, for ready and waiting, said Jesus (v37) is a plentiful harvest of followers of Jesus.
The crowds were like people on a journey with no guide, no map and no signposts. (Today the Bible is a good guide book for life, to those who accept it, but many do not do so.) They were lost and Jesus had compassion on them. He had compassion and continued to teach, preach and heal. But his response was also to tell his disciples to pray and he told them quite specifically what to pray v38: ‘Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’
That’s set the scene: looking at the recent past, we see that the demands have grown, the crowds have continued to come, right now there are still many needy people and there is plenty to do - what about the future? How could Jesus best help them?
Here is the strategy of Jesus: chapter 10, v1 Jesus called his disciples, gave them authority and v5 he sent them out with instructions.
Send out workers (9.35 - 10:4)
Jesus did teaching, preaching and healing work - now he sends out other workers. If the disciples did pray in the way Jesus told them (for the Lord to send out workers 9:38), now they get the answer to their prayers. You go!
They had seen Jesus at work, heard his teaching - now it’s their turn. What chapter 10 begins to record is a new phase of ministry: the disciples have been called to follow Jesus, they have been learning from him - now they will be apostles (v2) - sent out. They must be followers at work, not simply followers enjoying being with Jesus for themselves. They have already been disciples, followers, learners; now they are also called apostles, sent out as ambassadors with a mission.
I won’t go into detail about each of the twelve but note the list in v2 starts ‘First, Simon (who is called Peter)’. Peter was some kind of leader among the disciples. Some of the others were fishermen and some were tax collectors, not learned scholars when they started to follow and learn from Jesus. The call of Jesus goes to all sorts of people, not just to upper class people, the elite. Also note Judas was there, the apostle who betrayed Jesus. He was commissioned, called and sent out with the others; but in time, sadly, he became a traitor.
What important challenges there are for us here!
- Jesus had compassion on those who were harassed and helpless - do we, when there are so many like that where we live, and around the world? Or are we too busy to care?
- Jesus told them to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field. - do we? Dare we? Because you know what might follow if you do pray that God will call and send whoever he wants, wherever he wants.
- How prepared are we when he says to us, well you go then - I’m sending you? Remember Moses made excuses when God called him to go to Pharoah, the President in Egypt at that time. - I’m not well known, the people won’t believe you’ve sent me, I’m not good enough and finally ‘Lord please send someone else’. He wanted to bass the buck! (Exodus 3).
- How faithful and careful are we when called and sent by the Lord? How salutary is the example of Judas! It is a warning to all of us. How well is my walk with the Lord sustained, so that my love for him and my obedience to him continue?
Workers with instructions (10: 5-10)
Let’s explore the instructions Jesus gave his apostles, starting v5. He was a bit like a commander giving troops their final orders. Here they are:
- v5b-6 Don’t go to the Gentiles or Samaritans. In the early phases of his ministry Jesus worked mainly with Jews, though sometimes he met Gentiles eg Matthew 15 records that Jesus healed the daughter of a Canaanite woman. But the main mission to Gentiles came after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The mission of these apostles was to be focused, not spread too thinly, they were not free to go anywhere they chose but where the Master sent them. As apprentices the Lord placed wise limitations on them. If among fellow Jews they would be like sheep among wolves (v16 - we’ll come to that soon) their position might well be even harder among Gentiles. Later, Jesus made it abundantly clear that the gospel of the kingdom was for all people everywhere (eg Matthew 24:14).
2. v7 Preach ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.‘ You may remember that when we looked at earlier chapters of Matthew’s gospel we noticed that the message John the Baptist preached was ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near’ (3:2) and Jesus preached the same message (4:17). Now the apostles are sent to preach the same message. Mark 6:12 says quite explicitly: the twelve ‘went out and preached that people should repent.’ What does that mean?
- v8a ‘Heal the sick …’
All of these can be interpreted metaphorically:
‘Heal the sick’ - sin makes people sick, ie weak and powerless. Jesus can heal sin sickness.
‘Raise the dead’ - Put well by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians ‘Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions’
‘cleanse those who have leprosy’ - lives can become damaged and filthy in thought and actions - Jesus can clean them.
‘drive out demons’ - the devil can have people in his grip, in spiritual darkness - Jesus has the power to break that bondage and set people free.
All of that is true! Spiritual healing in terms of healing our broken relationship with God is included in the reach of Jesus to people.
But we shouldn’t let this be the only way we understand this verse, for Jesus healed physically and was giving his apostles his authority and power to do so. Mark tells us that when Jesus sent out these 12 ‘They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.’ (Mark 6:13)
But don’t think the apostles were always able to bring healing. Matthew 17 says v14-20a: That final statement is both a challenge and an encouragement. Would Jesus say to me ‘You have so little faith.’ Annual appraisal ‘only agree as targets things you really want to do and things you expect to be able to do!’ Don’t take any risks, play safe. How limited our prayers are if we confine our asking to things we think we can make happen ourselves! Do we not ask boldly because sometimes we doubt God’s power?
But the statement ‘You have so little faith’ is an encouragement in one sense - they were still disciples of Jesus - he still accepted them as his followers and learners. Jesus had said to them ‘You of little faith’ when they were scared stiff during a storm on the Lake of Galilee. (Matthew 8:26) Later, when the disciples forgot to take bread for the journey, he said it again (Matthew 16:8). Thanks to the grace of God, still today, little faith, small like a mustard seed is small, God accepts and can work with.
Also, remember the New Testament book the Acts of the Apostles - it records two cases where the dead were raised - Tabitha or Dorcas at the sea port Joppa (Acts 9) & Eutychus at Troas, in what we now call Turkey (Acts 20).
So, to care for the sick, the dying and bereaved, and those like lost sheep without a shepherd, is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. One commentator wrote ‘To follow Jesus’ model of ministry, more Christians must stop simply going to church and learn rather to become the church among our communities in evangelism and ministry to social needs.’ (Craig Keener Matthew p199 IVP 1997)
From time to time in the history of the church, in different places, and still today, wonders and miracles happen. When they do it’s wonderful. At other times we are still called to be faithful in the ministry Jesus has given us.
Let’s not fail to notice the short sentence at the end of v8 ‘Freely you have received, freely give.’ You’ve received a lot, by God’s grace, - now give as willingly and generously as God has given you.
SING God forgave my sin
- v9 - 10a ‘Do not take …’ why not? - heavy, vulnerable as they can be stolen, the simple lifestyle would not make them wealthy but would help them trust God, and because nobody could allege that they were in it for the money it might help some others to listen to them and trust them.
- v10b ‘for the worker is worth his keep’. Workers were worth keeping - people should give the disciples their keep - food, bed, chance to wash - not wages.
Wise workers (10: 11-16)
V11f stay at his house (not shop around town to find the most comfortable or luxurious)
V13b-14 v13: ‘If the home is deserving, let your peace rest’ ie if you are welcomed, greet them, pray a blessing on them. But if they reject you and the message you bring, then you can’t force peace on them, certainly not the peace and wholeness Jesus brings when he is accepted.
v. 14 Jesus warned his apostles they would not always be welcomed. Jesus and his message were sometimes rejected - it would be the same with his apostles. ‘shake dust off your feet.’ Is a kind of sign - you’ve rejected a wonderful opportunity, you bear the consequences.
To have the good news of the kingdom on your doorstep and not listen to it and not welcome those who bring it, is serious. By rejecting Christ’s representatives or messengers, along with their message, they would also be rejecting the one who sent the message. Such rejection has serious consequences - v15.
V15 ‘day of judgment’ what is the day of judgment? 2 Corinthians 5:10 ‘we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due to him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.’
Hebrews 9:27 ‘Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…’ What will you say to God on the day of judgment?
The people of Sodom & Gomorrah were judged, particularly for their sexual perversions (Genesis 18 & 19). Is the position of Britain somewhat similar, and are many likewise facing judgment?
Sometimes people are horrified at the genocide in 1940s when technology was used to efficiently kill and dispose of 6m Jews. Should we be any less horrified at 6.7m abortions in England and Wales since the 1967Abortion Act?
Now there are around 200,000 abortions a year in E & W, over 1000 of them on girls 14 and under, 4000 of them on girls under 16. A third of women having abortions have had one before.
I am aware that there are dire situations for example after rape or when the health of the mother is at stake, but less than 2% of abortions are for health reasons; over 98% are for social reasons. Lord David Steel, architect of the 1967 Act says abortion is being used as a form of contraception. This week legislation is before Parliament again, that many hope will make abortion easier.
You may say these social matters are different from personal responsibility before God and personal response when the gospel is heard. Yes but the two are connected. When lots of individuals value human life so little or reject other standards God has set, it leads to lowering standards in wider society, especially if the leaders are rejecting God’s ways. And once rejecting God’s standards becomes widespread in society, individuals are affected, especially the new generations.
But don’t think God lacks compassion - we saw the compassion of Jesus for the helpless crowds (9:36) and we too should have understanding and compassion. And don’t think they are beyond help - God sent out his disciples to preach and heal - he’s not in a hurry to judge, he’d rather people heard and accepted the message, but if they will not listen then they bear the consequences of their rejection.
Wise workers know they have good news but also know that some will not receive them or their message. Things are still the same today. Jesus was honest with his disciples about the situations into which he was sending them:
V16 ‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.’
You will be like vulnerable sheep (not because you are lost like those who have no shepherd) but because you are walking into danger. There is a hostile world out there, often hostile to Jesus and his message.
Be shrewd - don’t unnecessarily provoke people; there’s a time to speak and a time to be silent.
Also be as innocent as doves. Be beyond reproach. Paul said to the Christians at Rome ‘I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.’ (Romans 16:19) How we live matters greatly. Others inside and outside the church see how we live. God certainly does.
So, in conclusion: followers of Jesus are meant to work for him. In this local church there are tasks for everyone. Nobody should feel they are willing to help but think there would be nothing they could do! Feel free to talk with me!
Finally then, do you see yourself as a worker sent by God? Every Christian should see themselves like that. Enjoy the blessings yes (that’s fine!) but there is work to do! Are you a follower of Jesus and at work for him?
Here is an old hymn:
- There’s a work for Jesus, ready at your hand,
‘Tis a task the Master just for you has planned.
Haste to do His bidding, yield Him service true;
There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.
-
Work for Jesus, day by day,
Serve Him ever, falter never; Christ obey.
Yield Him service loyal, true,
There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.
- There’s a work for Jesus, humble though it be,
‘Tis the very service He would ask of thee.
Go where fields are whitened, and the lab’rers few;
There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.
There’s a work for Jesus, precious souls to bring,
Tell them of His mercies, tell them of your King.
Faint not, nor grow weary, He will strength renew;
There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.
HYMN 593 SEND FORTH THE GOSPEL
So may God send us out to work for the glory of the Father and the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Download the original attachmentCAMBRAY SERMON SUNDAY 6 JULY
FOLLOWERS AT WORK MATTHEW 9:35-10:16 (page 974)
Send out workers (9.35 - 10:4)
Workers with instructions (10: 5-10)
Wise workers (10: 11-16)
Jesus was busy. Many people wanted his time and attention. Are you busy? It is sometimes said of Cambray Baptist Church ‘we are a busy church’. That’s true. It may be said when someone is finding the volume and pace of activity almost overwhelming or when the number of extra people needed to help is so many that some wonder if we should simply close something down. May God speak to us through this passage.
Let’s get the context. Jesus has been teaching and preaching and healing - lots of that is recorded in Matthew’s Gospel chapters 8 & 9. There was opposition to Jesus too, but still crowds were coming to watch and listen and some were ill and seeking healing. What was the response of Jesus to this busy-ness, the demands being put on him?
V35 - he kept on teaching and preaching and healing. Verse 35 is often regarded as a kind of summary of the work of Jesus over quite a period of time up to this point. Later chapters in Matthew record more teaching and healing. Jesus wasn’t deterred by his busy life - he kept on working.
V36 ‘When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep, without a shepherd.’ One version says Jesus ‘felt deeply sorry for them.’ They were harassed or bewildered and helpless - dejected and exhausted. Jesus saw their needs and his gut reaction was to help them. They were hopeless and helpless, and couldn’t help themselves; and they didn’t have the moral and spiritual leaders they needed. It’s clear they desperately needed rescuing, so as not to reap the consequences of their lost state, namely judgment and condemnation; but rescue instead, for ready and waiting, said Jesus (v37) is a plentiful harvest of followers of Jesus.
The crowds were like people on a journey with no guide, no map and no signposts. (Today the Bible is a good guide book for life, to those who accept it, but many do not do so.) They were lost and Jesus had compassion on them. He had compassion and continued to teach, preach and heal. But his response was also to tell his disciples to pray and he told them quite specifically what to pray v38: ‘Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’
That’s set the scene: looking at the recent past, we see that the demands have grown, the crowds have continued to come, right now there are still many needy people and there is plenty to do - what about the future? How could Jesus best help them?
Here is the strategy of Jesus: chapter 10, v1 Jesus called his disciples, gave them authority and v5 he sent them out with instructions.
Send out workers (9.35 - 10:4)
Jesus did teaching, preaching and healing work - now he sends out other workers. If the disciples did pray in the way Jesus told them (for the Lord to send out workers 9:38), now they get the answer to their prayers. You go!
They had seen Jesus at work, heard his teaching - now it’s their turn. What chapter 10 begins to record is a new phase of ministry: the disciples have been called to follow Jesus, they have been learning from him - now they will be apostles (v2) - sent out. They must be followers at work, not simply followers enjoying being with Jesus for themselves. They have already been disciples, followers, learners; now they are also called apostles, sent out as ambassadors with a mission.
I won’t go into detail about each of the twelve but note the list in v2 starts ‘First, Simon (who is called Peter)’. Peter was some kind of leader among the disciples. Some of the others were fishermen and some were tax collectors, not learned scholars when they started to follow and learn from Jesus. The call of Jesus goes to all sorts of people, not just to upper class people, the elite. Also note Judas was there, the apostle who betrayed Jesus. He was commissioned, called and sent out with the others; but in time, sadly, he became a traitor.
What important challenges there are for us here!
- Jesus had compassion on those who were harassed and helpless - do we, when there are so many like that where we live, and around the world? Or are we too busy to care?
- Jesus told them to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field. - do we? Dare we? Because you know what might follow if you do pray that God will call and send whoever he wants, wherever he wants.
- How prepared are we when he says to us, well you go then - I’m sending you? Remember Moses made excuses when God called him to go to Pharoah, the President in Egypt at that time. - I’m not well known, the people won’t believe you’ve sent me, I’m not good enough and finally ‘Lord please send someone else’. He wanted to bass the buck! (Exodus 3).
- How faithful and careful are we when called and sent by the Lord? How salutary is the example of Judas! It is a warning to all of us. How well is my walk with the Lord sustained, so that my love for him and my obedience to him continue?
Workers with instructions (10: 5-10)
Let’s explore the instructions Jesus gave his apostles, starting v5. He was a bit like a commander giving troops their final orders. Here they are:
- v5b-6 Don’t go to the Gentiles or Samaritans. In the early phases of his ministry Jesus worked mainly with Jews, though sometimes he met Gentiles eg Matthew 15 records that Jesus healed the daughter of a Canaanite woman. But the main mission to Gentiles came after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The mission of these apostles was to be focused, not spread too thinly, they were not free to go anywhere they chose but where the Master sent them. As apprentices the Lord placed wise limitations on them. If among fellow Jews they would be like sheep among wolves (v16 - we’ll come to that soon) their position might well be even harder among Gentiles. Later, Jesus made it abundantly clear that the gospel of the kingdom was for all people everywhere (eg Matthew 24:14).
2. v7 Preach ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.‘ You may remember that when we looked at earlier chapters of Matthew’s gospel we noticed that the message John the Baptist preached was ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near’ (3:2) and Jesus preached the same message (4:17). Now the apostles are sent to preach the same message. Mark 6:12 says quite explicitly: the twelve ‘went out and preached that people should repent.’ What does that mean?
- v8a ‘Heal the sick …’
All of these can be interpreted metaphorically:
‘Heal the sick’ - sin makes people sick, ie weak and powerless. Jesus can heal sin sickness.
‘Raise the dead’ - Put well by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians ‘Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions’
‘cleanse those who have leprosy’ - lives can become damaged and filthy in thought and actions - Jesus can clean them.
‘drive out demons’ - the devil can have people in his grip, in spiritual darkness - Jesus has the power to break that bondage and set people free.
All of that is true! Spiritual healing in terms of healing our broken relationship with God is included in the reach of Jesus to people.
But we shouldn’t let this be the only way we understand this verse, for Jesus healed physically and was giving his apostles his authority and power to do so. Mark tells us that when Jesus sent out these 12 ‘They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.’ (Mark 6:13)
But don’t think the apostles were always able to bring healing. Matthew 17 says v14-20a: That final statement is both a challenge and an encouragement. Would Jesus say to me ‘You have so little faith.’ Annual appraisal ‘only agree as targets things you really want to do and things you expect to be able to do!’ Don’t take any risks, play safe. How limited our prayers are if we confine our asking to things we think we can make happen ourselves! Do we not ask boldly because sometimes we doubt God’s power?
But the statement ‘You have so little faith’ is an encouragement in one sense - they were still disciples of Jesus - he still accepted them as his followers and learners. Jesus had said to them ‘You of little faith’ when they were scared stiff during a storm on the Lake of Galilee. (Matthew 8:26) Later, when the disciples forgot to take bread for the journey, he said it again (Matthew 16:8). Thanks to the grace of God, still today, little faith, small like a mustard seed is small, God accepts and can work with.
Also, remember the New Testament book the Acts of the Apostles - it records two cases where the dead were raised - Tabitha or Dorcas at the sea port Joppa (Acts 9) & Eutychus at Troas, in what we now call Turkey (Acts 20).
So, to care for the sick, the dying and bereaved, and those like lost sheep without a shepherd, is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. One commentator wrote ‘To follow Jesus’ model of ministry, more Christians must stop simply going to church and learn rather to become the church among our communities in evangelism and ministry to social needs.’ (Craig Keener Matthew p199 IVP 1997)
From time to time in the history of the church, in different places, and still today, wonders and miracles happen. When they do it’s wonderful. At other times we are still called to be faithful in the ministry Jesus has given us.
Let’s not fail to notice the short sentence at the end of v8 ‘Freely you have received, freely give.’ You’ve received a lot, by God’s grace, - now give as willingly and generously as God has given you.
SING God forgave my sin
- v9 - 10a ‘Do not take …’ why not? - heavy, vulnerable as they can be stolen, the simple lifestyle would not make them wealthy but would help them trust God, and because nobody could allege that they were in it for the money it might help some others to listen to them and trust them.
- v10b ‘for the worker is worth his keep’. Workers were worth keeping - people should give the disciples their keep - food, bed, chance to wash - not wages.
Wise workers (10: 11-16)
V11f stay at his house (not shop around town to find the most comfortable or luxurious)
V13b-14 v13: ‘If the home is deserving, let your peace rest’ ie if you are welcomed, greet them, pray a blessing on them. But if they reject you and the message you bring, then you can’t force peace on them, certainly not the peace and wholeness Jesus brings when he is accepted.
v. 14 Jesus warned his apostles they would not always be welcomed. Jesus and his message were sometimes rejected - it would be the same with his apostles. ‘shake dust off your feet.’ Is a kind of sign - you’ve rejected a wonderful opportunity, you bear the consequences.
To have the good news of the kingdom on your doorstep and not listen to it and not welcome those who bring it, is serious. By rejecting Christ’s representatives or messengers, along with their message, they would also be rejecting the one who sent the message. Such rejection has serious consequences - v15.
V15 ‘day of judgment’ what is the day of judgment? 2 Corinthians 5:10 ‘we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due to him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.’
Hebrews 9:27 ‘Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…’ What will you say to God on the day of judgment?
The people of Sodom & Gomorrah were judged, particularly for their sexual perversions (Genesis 18 & 19). Is the position of Britain somewhat similar, and are many likewise facing judgment?
Sometimes people are horrified at the genocide in 1940s when technology was used to efficiently kill and dispose of 6m Jews. Should we be any less horrified at 6.7m abortions in England and Wales since the 1967Abortion Act?
Now there are around 200,000 abortions a year in E & W, over 1000 of them on girls 14 and under, 4000 of them on girls under 16. A third of women having abortions have had one before.
I am aware that there are dire situations for example after rape or when the health of the mother is at stake, but less than 2% of abortions are for health reasons; over 98% are for social reasons. Lord David Steel, architect of the 1967 Act says abortion is being used as a form of contraception. This week legislation is before Parliament again, that many hope will make abortion easier.
You may say these social matters are different from personal responsibility before God and personal response when the gospel is heard. Yes but the two are connected. When lots of individuals value human life so little or reject other standards God has set, it leads to lowering standards in wider society, especially if the leaders are rejecting God’s ways. And once rejecting God’s standards becomes widespread in society, individuals are affected, especially the new generations.
But don’t think God lacks compassion - we saw the compassion of Jesus for the helpless crowds (9:36) and we too should have understanding and compassion. And don’t think they are beyond help - God sent out his disciples to preach and heal - he’s not in a hurry to judge, he’d rather people heard and accepted the message, but if they will not listen then they bear the consequences of their rejection.
Wise workers know they have good news but also know that some will not receive them or their message. Things are still the same today. Jesus was honest with his disciples about the situations into which he was sending them:
V16 ‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.’
You will be like vulnerable sheep (not because you are lost like those who have no shepherd) but because you are walking into danger. There is a hostile world out there, often hostile to Jesus and his message.
Be shrewd - don’t unnecessarily provoke people; there’s a time to speak and a time to be silent.
Also be as innocent as doves. Be beyond reproach. Paul said to the Christians at Rome ‘I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.’ (Romans 16:19) How we live matters greatly. Others inside and outside the church see how we live. God certainly does.
So, in conclusion: followers of Jesus are meant to work for him. In this local church there are tasks for everyone. Nobody should feel they are willing to help but think there would be nothing they could do! Feel free to talk with me!
Finally then, do you see yourself as a worker sent by God? Every Christian should see themselves like that. Enjoy the blessings yes (that’s fine!) but there is work to do! Are you a follower of Jesus and at work for him?
Here is an old hymn:
- There’s a work for Jesus, ready at your hand,
‘Tis a task the Master just for you has planned.
Haste to do His bidding, yield Him service true;
There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.
-
Work for Jesus, day by day,
Serve Him ever, falter never; Christ obey.
Yield Him service loyal, true,
There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.
- There’s a work for Jesus, humble though it be,
‘Tis the very service He would ask of thee.
Go where fields are whitened, and the lab’rers few;
There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.
There’s a work for Jesus, precious souls to bring,
Tell them of His mercies, tell them of your King.
Faint not, nor grow weary, He will strength renew;
There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.
HYMN 593 SEND FORTH THE GOSPEL
So may God send us out to work for the glory of the Father and the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
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