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
Cor.15:58 )
Maybe it has been a hard week—there are always challenges in
ministry. The Devil will see to that—and
sometimes he isn’t even needed, as some church folk seem to fill the role of
“Accuser” quite well. Now, the hour for
the Sunday morning sermon is coming like a freight train down the tracks. So, can we suck it up, and go forward?
Paul says that we can—and we must. It isn’t that we are promised reward
here. We may not see the success we pray
for now. What we do, we must do in light
of eternity. Jesus is alive and that
makes all the difference! After expounding
the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Paul makes the application
for all the saints in 1 Corinthians 15 ,
but I think is very pointed for pastors.
The reality of the resurrection is a call to STAY THE COURSE
by being “steadfast.” Be faithful to the finish. Don’t back up or back down! Things looked awfully bleak on Friday night
with Christ’s corpse locked up in the darkness of a tomb. That changed come Sunday morning, did it
not? When we feel the darkness
enclosing, don’t despair for a new day will dawn—and especially that eternal
day. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, we
will be thrilled to hear the words, “Well
done, good and faithful servant!”
The reality of the resurrection is
furthermore a call to STAND OUR GROUND by being “immovable.” Our
faithfulness must be grounded on the bedrock of Biblical convictions. We live in days when hurricanes of heresy
rage against us. We must dig in our
heels and not be moved. Too many
evangelical preachers have become like weather vanes adjusting to the prevailing
winds of modern man. God has given us
His Word—anchor your ministry on it.
Stand up and speak up!
The reality of the resurrection is also a call to SERVE WITH
EXPECTANCY by “always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in
the Lord. I have been preaching for nearly 40 years now. There was a time I was a young preacher—like
some of you reading this—but I got over it and so will you! Life rushes by. Death may come suddenly, but it will come,
sooner than we anticipate. In light of
eternity, what are we doing today that will outlive us? I assure you that work done in the name and
for the glory of Jesus is never wasted and ultimately rewarded! My mentor, the late Stephen Olford, said many
times, “Only one life; ‘Twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will
last!” He lived by that creed and I have
tried to follow his faithful steps.
It will be worth it all when we
see Jesus! Dear brothers, our labor is
not in vain!
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