What Do We Know About Daily Work For God?

 

     We know there is the need for seven day service to God. Laborers are needed for God’s service now. Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.” (Matthew 9:37) There is so much that needs to be done and so many things that each one of us can do to help the Walnut Street Church of Christ be an honor to God. Our goal must be to lift up God in the world every day that we live upon earth.

 

     The reason for our existence is to glorify God with our daily service. “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11) All of our actions must be guided by that desire to glorify God. "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31) In 1 Chronicles 16:29 we read, “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” By inspiration Paul wrote, "Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit." (1 Corinthians 6:20) What do we know about the daily work of God?

 

     We know that we must be active participants in God’s work. We must think of the work of the church as MY work. Make every possible effort to attend every assembly of the church. This includes Sunday and Wednesday Bible classes. (Hebrews 10:24-31) Determine that the Lord and His work are going to be first in your life. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) We read in Hebrews 11:6, "Without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder to those that seek Him." We cannot please God without proving our faith. As Christians we should want to live out God's purpose for our life. If we take action on what we believe there can be results. The formula is belief, action and then results.

 

     We know that we must continually invite and bring outsiders to the church assemblies. All of us have someone in our acquaintance that we can influence to come with us to the services of the church. If every member of the Walnut Street Church of Christ would be serious about this one thing our growth would be phenomenal. I have asked you to make a serious effort to invite at least two people each week to our assemblies. Go by and pick up people for the services. Sit with them when they attend. Make them feel at home. Let them feel our love. Introduce your visitor to others. Put forth a special effort to have your visitors in your home. Go to work for God! "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12) In all we do, we should try to glorify God by taking the good news of salvation to others. Luke 6:45 says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” If our heart is grateful to God for salvation through Jesus by the gospel, then we will want to invite others so that they can learn of Jesus also.

 

     We know that we must be responsible for our family and for their participation and conduct in worship. Always be on time at each assembly. Help your family be a credit to the Lord and a good influence in conduct. Your children cannot be expected to conduct themselves properly with­out parental supervision. "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) The church will grow when our focus is on getting our families to heaven.

 

     We know that we must continue to be attentive and faithful to God in everything. We should be ready to sing and sing from our hearts during every assembly. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16) Let us pray daily for the church and its work. We need to pray for one another because we all stand in need of prayer. “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” (Colossians 1:9) During every assembly we should listen to every word of the sermon trying to know and apply more of God’s word to our daily living. “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” (Titus 3:14) As you listen carefully to the sermon it is not only good for you, but also an object lesson to our visitors. Visitors will notice these little things. They will be impressed.

 

     We know that we must be enthusiastic about Christ and His church. Let us talk to others about the good things that go on at the Walnut Street Church of Christ. Talk to your friends about the lessons you hear, and how much you are helped and inspired. Talk about our mission work and youth work. Talk about our Bible classes. And, SAY NOTHING TO DISCOUR­AGE OTHERS. In order to impact culture in a dramatic and life-changing way, the church must make itself visible through “gospel preaching, human compassion and good works.” We must talk up the good that is said and done. Paul wrote, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10)

 

     We know that we must continue to use our talents for God. If every member of the Walnut Street Church would just use their talents for God many lives could be touched. It is easy to be critical of others when we are guilty of not using our talents. Christians who do what they have the ability to do will be blessed and they will likewise be a blessing to others. But what a terrible fate awaits those who do not use their talents for God! "...For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 25:14-30) Great things can be accomplished for God if we will all do what we can in His service. Let us be like Mary, “She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” (Mark 14:8)

         

     We know that we must pray earnestly each day. Pray for our elders and their work. They watch for our souls. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17) Pray for unity. Jesus prayed for unity and so should we. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:20-21) Pray for lost souls who need Christ. Pray for those friends and relatives who need the blessings of God. Encourage them. Also pray that you can grow spiritually. There is power in prayer. "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

(James 5:16)

 

     We know that our work for God must be daily and consistent. Jesus is our example. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21) One of the examples that he left was that He went about doing good. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38) Those who are actively "doing good" in their lives are to be commended. You are being obedient to God and your actions are godly. Please continue to show by your daily actions what can be accomplished for God. Please continue to be that example of righteous living to please God. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all the good that you do.

 

     Is it your desire to honor God? If so it is time to become a Christian now! To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (1 Peter 3:21) After baptism follow Jesus in faithfulness as He leads you home to heaven. (Revelation 2:10)

 

By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA