It's Not In Vain

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:58

1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV 1900

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Paul has been discussing the reality and importance of the resurrection, we might deal with that part in a couple of weeks, but he is talking about this because some in the Corinthian Church had decided that life didn’t matter, there wasn’t much to look forward too.

But Paul says, Hold on here, all that we do for Christ is not in vain.

SO I came to remind you tonight:

IT’S NOT IN VAIN!!!

In January 2006, author Randy Alcorn had the opportunity to join with Jim Elliot's family for a dinner that marked the 50th anniversary of the martyrdom of Jim and four other missionaries in Ecuador. Randy writes:

There we met Jim's older brother, Bert, and his wife Colleen. In 1949, years before Jim went to Ecuador, they became missionaries to Peru. When we discussed their ministry, Bert smiled and said, "I can't wait to get back from furlough." Now in their eighties, they are in their sixtieth year as missionaries, joyfully reaching people for Christ. Until that weekend I didn't know anything about them. Bert and Colleen may enter eternity under the radar of the church at large, but not under God's ….

Bert said something to me that day that I'll never forget: "Jim and I both served Christ, but differently. Jim was a great meteor, streaking through the sky." Bert didn't go on to describe himself, but I will. Unlike his brother Jim, Bert is a faint star that rises night after night, faithfully crossing the same path in the sky to God's glory. I believe Jim Elliot's reward is considerable, but it wouldn't surprise me to discover that Bert and Colleen's will be greater still.

Source:

Randy Alcorn, If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil (Multnomah, 2009), p. 421

Bert and Colleen’s work is not in vain - there’ll never be a movie about it, but all of heaven is taking note of every single thing they do

So often we think only the super spiritual do big things for God - But I want to remind you that the New Testament speaks far more about faithfulness and sticking to the way a whole lot more than it does about doing something big.

Paul says that we already have the victory (1 Cor. 15:57 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Then he gives us three things we need to be and do

Be Steadfast -

Be steady - - stand firm - unwavering

Get your mind made up you are going this way and stand firm in that decision.

I remember hearing the story of Samuel years ago when the missionaries went into Swaziland. some of the chief’s wives got saved in the meetings, and went up and told the chief they weren’t going to do all the sinful stuff he asked them to do anymore, and it made him upset. But they wouldn’t move. Later he himself got saved.

Be Unmovable

Aunt Margie’s theme, and I remember her telling us this often in testimonies, and just as frequently with tears in her eyes, “Stay in the boat”

I can still see the two Meinie sisters singing that old song,

Glory hallelujah, I shall not be moved

Anchored in Jehovah, I shall not be moved

Just like the tree that's planted by the waters

I shall not be moved

In His love abiding, I shall not be moved

And in Him confiding, I shall not be moved

Just like the tree that's planted by the water

I shall not be moved

I shall not be, I shall not be moved

I shall not be, I shall not be moved

Just like the tree that's planted by the waters

I shall not be moved

Be always abounding in the work of the Lord

Don’t think for a moment he doesn’t see that kind word you share, that prayer you breathe, that help you give, your testimony you speak

He sees, He knows, He takes note, it’s not in vain.

It’s not in vain because God keeps a record

It’s not in vain because it will yield a reward

It’s not in vain because one day the Lord will come and those who have been steadfast, unmoveable, and always abounding in the work of the LORD he will say, “WELL DONE ENTER THOU INTO THE JOYS OF YOUR LORD!!!”

I want to be one of those.

I want to hear him say that.

Someone sang a few years ago:

It's not in vain It's not in vain We serve a risen Savior Jesus rules and reigns The heavens cheer us on We do not walk alone Our labor, our witness, our faith Is not in vain