Works not Wasted

Work that is not forgotten

Illustration of work going un-noticed

Sometimes we feel the grind take over and get disappointed. We know the work we do for the Glory of God and the building of his Kingdom is seen as “Free” to the world.

People would say; “oh they are a Christian they have to help” as if it was a free sample at Costco. That’s draining and feels like people take advantage of the service that we offer. All the while we are just praying “Jesus just show them you”!

Our serving sometimes feels like a rock on our shoulders, that the impact that we make on the community feels small and that that kingdom is not getting built.

However that’s just not true, God’s Kingdom is still getting build here in Vermilion. We cannot forget why we are reaching out, why we are pour our time into helping and ministering to others. We cannot forget what the mission is.

But sometimes we feel like “whats the point” maybe I should just call in sick to the food drive or soup kitchen, maybe just double book myself instead of helping to serve this Sunday. I get it, I feel it too the heavy weight and tiredness

But hey, listen to this.

Even the Jewish people in Biblical times felt like that; think about it, the slavery in Egypt, the building of Israel to only have it get knocked down and rebuilt. The Jews felt the weight of serving God throughout all of time but yet the author of Hebrews still makes them feel valid.

Listen to this

Hebrews 6:9–12 NIV

Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

God is not unjust, he never forgets the work and love you show him. Let that be the big or the little things you do.

See service is not just a work of the hands but a heart posture and the author wants us to know that God sees that. He validates the hard work you put in and gives you a thumbs up, pat on the back all while saying kept going!

You are not forgotten, those late nights with the teenagers, the early mornings with the kids, the countless hours of music practice. He knows it, hey he counted the seconds as they past, and he won’t forget what you poured in.

Don’t lose heart. We have the privilege of serving a Just God who deeply cares for us even when we start to fade in our service.

For those on the edge of kingdom building service retirement hear this:

God was with you through all that service. Never once did he leave or not pour his love out in that service.

You might have felt downcast, “that person never came to Jesus” “That event was not as good as you wish” “my neighbor never even noticed what I did for them” but God is still working.

Do you believe that? God still working, HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN THAT WORK

He is still in it! How about you?

Now to those who are marching on and need a encouragement;

Be dillegent! Hebrews 6:11

Hebrews 6:11 NIV

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.

But what is diligence?

But what is diligence? when I hear diligence I think of someone who delievers mail. The careful and persistent work, see mail couriers are people who wake up early every day to deliver specific envoples or packages to the right people. Making sure not to mix up someones mail nor to bend rules to make their job easier.

A very careful and thoughtful job

Now I could have picked a multitude of jobs to describe as Diligent like Farmers or accountants or nurses.

However think about our service to others, its like a mail courier, that we deliver the good new to others day in and day out. However they are also often unthanked, sometimes we don’t even know their names.

Diligence requires consistency, never waviering in the work that you are doing. Knowing that the work you are doing is for the Glory of God brings the endurance to serve. That is what seperates us as Christians as we give our time and energy, because anyone can do this, BUT nobody can do it like you becuase you are equipped with the Holy Spirit and encouraged because you know that this brings about God’s glory.

There is no paycheck attatched that brings satisfaction but rather the glorifcation and the bring of greatness to Jesus is all that is needed.

However you also serve this world with such dedication to the work. every little thing as some of you who serve the Church do so in roles that are not seen by others.

You pay attention to the little things of service, making sure every person is feeling welcomed when they walk through the doors on a Sunday, to making sure there is no feedback from the microphones. To even cooking up a hot meal for people to eat before a teaching.

You as part of the Church are diligent please do not stop, the author of Hebrews urges you keep this diligence to the very end! That is every single one of us. The author would urge, do not retire from the building of the Kingdom of God here on earth, it’s not built yet!

Encouragement; it’s God’s Kingdom and not ours

Keep going, it’s not done yet!

Hebrews 6:11 NIV

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.

So that what you hope for may fully be realized, that the kingdom of God may be built.

A little side tangent about that, it’s not our kingdom, but rather God’s we often pray the Lords pray, may your kingdom come and your will be done.

We must see that we are not building our kingdom but rather Gods.

We hope as we serve that the Kingdom of God would be built and remember thats our encouragement.

We are looking behind to thank God for what has already been done but ahead to partner with him in the crafting of his kingdom here on earth.

Oh man we have dreams about what the world would look like if Jesus had his way, but I realized I have to stop dreaming that, putting to death this kingdom that I might try to be building and pick up Gods kingdom. To work and serve his reigning.

This verse we are looking is written one way but we try to read it another.

our hope is Jesus in his return.

We look towards him not our hopes for what he will bring because we already know he is good, he has a great track record of literally dieing for us, so I assume what his kingdom will look like will be good.

However we serve with the expectant hearts that his kingdom will come;

Matthew 24:14 NIV

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

We serve looking towards the future of all people, all nations knowing Jesus Christ. we just get to play a small role in it here in Vermilion. We are apart of the process, a vitally important piece just like what I said be diligent, consistent and precise.

If we stop now would Jesus’ reign come here? would people know his love in Vermilion? would we see people healed? No.

So keep going, you kingdom builders.

No matter if you think your role is unimportant or no matter if you think that you should just stop. I urge you to keep going,

Be imitators of service

The Hebrews author says; Hebrews 6:12

Hebrews 6:12 NIV

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Don’t give up in this faith building task of service. The Author puts it bluntly, do not become lazy. But really they are fighting for the vitality of the readers.

They are saying do not become lazy, I know you are tired and weird but do not give into a sluggish life style.

Yes it would be easy to coast, Hey being served feels pretty good and serving feels unrewarding at times maybe I will just slide back.

Don’t coast through faith.

Rather imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised;

We just heard some awesome stories about the faith and patience that has been inherited through acts of service. If you today have been inspired by one of these testimonials of service, I want to urge to to imitate them.

We have people who are living examples of faith and patience in the service of the Glory of God and most of them never stepped on this stage.

If you are burdened and down cast be lifted up we have a hope that is Jesus!

Our purpose is not in results but in His coming!

We shall not become lazy but be imitators of faithfulness and patience through our service.

So Church, Christs loved ones. The work you do is not forgotten but rather Christ knows it all, he is with you through it all so keep going, you kingdom builders.

Listen this last thing before I leave you.

Jesus said this in Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28–30 NIV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

So fitting right?

It ties together all that was spoken about in Hebrews, that we should not be downcast or burdened by the work that we do to build God’s kingdom here in Vermilion.

Rather we know that we work and serve a God who deeply appreciates what is done for his Kingdom.

Jesus is inviting you into more of himself in service, that you should grow from the work that you’ve done, and we are coming to a close of this ministry year.

Jesus is calling you all to him, thats all that the author in hebrews was trying to echo, that you would see Jesus more in what you do. That with every minute of love that you pour our in a ministry or in a blessing to someone else that you see more of Jesus

Let me reword this passage for you Church

Come to Jesus, Faithful servants of _______, He knows you are weary and burdened, he will give you rest.

Take up His yoke you disciples who make disciples, learn from Jesus, as he is gentle and humble in his heart, the rest for your souls.

Come to him Church, his yoke is easy on your shoulders, his burden is light to bear.

Let Jesus be the reason you serve let Jesus be the reward for your service.