"The Gospel And Our Service", August 27, 2023, Sunday PM, 1 Cor 15:58, Pastor Jerry N. Thrower

The GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST has EVERYTHING to do with not only my SERVICE as a PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL but also EVERY OTHER BELIEVER’S SERVICE for the LORD! That is why the APOSTLE PAUL concludes this area of his EPISTLE by emphasizing here that what he has just written to the BELIEVERS of this CHURCH should be met with PARTICULAR ACTIONS! (Vs 58) The word “Therefore” here in this verse refers back to ALL that PAUL has said up to this point regarding the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST and especially to CHRIST’S VICTORY OVER DEATH, HELL, AND THE GRAVE by means of HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION! (Vs 57) The CHAPTER begins with PAUL’S DECLARATION OF THE GOSPEL. Then the bulk of the CHAPTER is spent showing the ABSOLUTE NECESSITY of the RESURRECTION to THE GOSPEL! And then the entirety of this CHAPTER and all that it covers is concluded in verses 57-58! We should lift both our HEARTS and our VOICES in THANKS to GOD which GIVETH US the VICTORY! The VICTORY OVER DEATH, HELL, and THE GRAVE! Romans 6:23 Verse 58 “THEREFORE” We’ve already seen and shown that the word “THEREFORE” refers back to all that the APOSTLE PAUL wrote in this portion of his letter! And based upon all that comes before this, PAUL calls here for ACTION from this CHURCH at CORINTH and FROM US based upon the TRUTH that he had just written! TRUTH always calls us to ACTION, the first of which is BELIEVE IT! And they had BELIEVED! AND TRUE BELIEF IS SEEN in what comes out of our BELIEF or FAITH! That is, it is seen in what it MOVES US TO DO! Cf. James 2:14-26 That is FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD! TRUE FAITH will move us TO BE SOME THINGS and TO DO SOME THINGS! I. IN LIGHT OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL AND ALL THAT IT MEANS WE ARE TO BE STEDFAST AND UNMOVEABLE! The word translated “STEDFAST” is the thought of having a stable purpose, i.e. something that will not easily be disturbed because the man’s whole bent is behind it! i.e. It primarily denotes being “SEATED” and “SETTLED!” 2 Timothy 1:13–14 When we are “SEATED” and “SETTLED” there is no room for DOUBT! DOUBT is one of the enemies of being STEADFAST and UNMOVABLE because DOUBT WILL MOVE YOU to a bad place! Of course, the remedy for DOUBT is FAITH that comes from THE WORD OF GOD! Romans 10:17 “UNMOVEABLE” means “FIRM” and “IMMOVABLE.” If we are truly STEDFAST, then we will be UNMOVEABLE. If we are UNMOVEABLE, then we are STEDFAST! Being STEDFAST establishes our position! Being UNMOVEABLE causes us to hold to our position in its STEDFASTNESS! There are two more ENEMIES of our STEDFASTNESS: Not only DOUBT, but... 1. APOSTASY – Scripture is abundantly clear that in these last days times of APOSTASY are going to come. Sadly, when some start moving from THE FAITH, others soon join them—we are not to be in that number! 2 Timothy 3-4; Jude 3 2. PERSECUTION (Including BONDS and AFFLICTIONS) Which, by the way, there is an increasing probability and possibility that it may be coming our way very soon! When PERSECUTIONS come, some are tempted to MOVE from what they once held and may very well MOVE if they are not STEDFAST! Acts 20:17-24 II. IN LIGHT OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL AND ALL THAT IT MEANS WE ARE ALSO TO BE ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD! It is NOT enough to just be STEDFAST and UNMOVABLE in one’s FAITH or BELIEF! Being STEDFAST and UNMOVABLE in true FAITH will most assuredly MOVE us to ACTION! What does it mean to be “ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD?” 1 Thessalonians 4:1 A. “Always Abounding” Means That We Are To Be Busy In The Work Of The Lord (The Ministry!) Ephesians 2:10; John 14:15 B. “Always Abounding” It Means That We Are To Stay Busy In The Work Of The Lord (The Ministry!) Colossians 1:28–29 III. IN LIGHT OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL AND ALL THAT IT MEANS, WE KNOW THAT OUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD! Galatians 6:9–10 We may get weary AS we work, but let’s not get weary OF the work! If we are “always abounding in the work of the Lord” that means There is no room to just quit! That means that we never get to the time where we can say, “I’m done...I’ve done my time” up until we’re incapacitated or in the grave!” That doesn’t mean that our ministry may not change. Because any of us may get to the point where we cannot physically, emotionally, or even mentally do what we have done in the past. And as we age, we know that we don’t have the same stamina that we previously had! And we may get to the point where our physical health and mental clarity prevent us from doing certain things that we’ve been accustomed to doing! But in the MIGHT and EMPOWERMENT that we still have from the LORD, we are to SERVE the LORD by the POWER and GRACE that HE gives us! Hebrews 6:9-12 Let’s stay STEDFAST, UNMOVEABLE, and that we are ALWAYS ABOUNDING in the WORK OF THE LORD in whatever capacity that HE empowers us to by HIS GRACE! Central Baptist Church of Orange Park, Florida Independent Fundamental King James Bible Believing Teaching Preaching ‪@pastorjerryn.thrower‬