How to Work Until Jesus Returns

1. Publicize the Gospel. Our Master’s marching orders when He left earth could not be more clear: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (: Mark 16:15). To determine “how’s business,” think about these issues: With how many people have you shared the Gospel in the last six months? How many missionaries or evangelists do you personally support whose primary task is winning converts and making disciples? “The church” cannot preach the Gospel—only individual Christians can do that work.

2. Promote the health of the church.  Spiritual gifts are given in the body of Christ to enable individual Christians

to build up the church “to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4: 13). So,

how’s business? How are you using your spiritual gift(s) to build up the church toward maturity? Where are you serving? In what ministries are you involved? The church only hands of service are those attached to the arms

of its members. 

3. Prioritize your life. Just as the servants in Jesus’ parable stood before their master to give an account of their work, you and I will stand before Jesus Christ one day to do the same thing (Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 3:11–15;                2 Corinthians 5:10). At that moment, the good and better in our lives will be separated from the best in terms of how we contributed to the Master’s goals. So, in the last twelve months, how many times have you adjusted the affairs of your life to be more Christ – and kingdom-centered? 

4. Pursue your work with hope.  The servant in the parable who did no work (and lost his reward) lived in fear, not in hope. If you truly believe what Jesus Christ said, and what the Bible teaches, you will live with more certainty about the return of Christ than about anything else in your life. Faith is being sure and certain of what is hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). Your answers to the first three of these points is an indication of just how hopeful you are about the work your

Master has left you to do.

Turning Points

June 2007

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Mark 16:15; Ephesians 4:13; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 11:1

Gospel; Church; Witnessing; Spiritual gifts; Priorities; Hope; Faith