YOUR LABOUR IN THE LORD IS NOT IN VAIN

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, KNOWING THAT YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD."
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)

• Every believer should contribute to build the body of Christ up (1 Corinthians 3:6-9; Ephesians 4:16).

• No one should be idle in the vineyard of the Lord (John 15:1,2,16).
• Everyone who has acknowledged Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Saviour is a member of the body of Christ.

1. “FOR YOU ARE ALL SONS OF GOD THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.
2. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
   Galatians 3:26,27 (NKJV)

• Being a part of Christ’s body means you have a function—a role to play.

• There is no useless part of the body, every part of a human body has a function.
  LIKEWISE every believer who is a part of Christ’s body should have a function—to contribute to the growth of the body.

1. “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
2. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. AS EACH PART DOES ITS OWN SPECIAL WORK, IT HELPS THE OTHER PARTS GROW, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
   Ephesians 4:15,16 (NLT)

• No part of the body of Christ should neglect its role or function.
• Any part of the body that does not function well will affect the growth of the body negatively.
  EVERY part needs each other’s contributions—for the effective growth of the body (1 Corinthians 12:25).

1. “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
2. But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
3. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
   1 Corinthians 12:12,20,21 (NKJV)

• You are saved to serve (Ephesians 2:10).

• You have a role to play in the building the body of Christ.
• Your role must not be neglected. Thus you need to find your place in the body of Christ.
• You need to know: ‘What part you are, in the body?’ and ‘What role or function, you are to perform?’
• You must contribute to build the body—the Church of Christ (Romans 12:4,5).
• When you function well as a part of the body, you help other parts of the body to be healthy and grow well (Ephesians 4:16).

“A Spiritual gift is given to each of us SO WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER.”
1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)

• Note: You are not saved only to be waiting for the day of rapture or the day you will be called home!

• It is good to be expectant and be waiting for the coming of the Lord; however, while waiting, engage yourself, work to build the body of Christ.
• Discover your gifts and put them to work—to make profit (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-26).

“So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘DO BUSINESS TILL I COME. “
Luke 19:13 (NKJV)

• Jesus wants you to do business, Kingdom business, with the gifts He has given to you.

• You can be a part of the workforce in your local Church, and use your gifts to serve.
• You can also become a member of a Christian fellowship, and use your gifts to serve there.
• There are many ways you can use your gifts to serve.
• Above all, make yourself available, if someone needs help: prayer, counselling, encouragement and whatever; be available to help—as you are faithful in doing it, God will cause other doors to open for you, to serve.

• Every gift is important in the body of Christ; no gift is less important. THEREFORE, put your gifts to work (Romans 12:4-8).

• Remember, God rewards faithfulness, not the size of what you do, or how prominent the work you do is.
  IF you are faithful in whatever God has assigned and equipped you to do—you shall be blessed and rewarded (1Corinthians 3:8; Hebrews 6:10).

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, KNOWING THAT YOUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)

• You will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!