PART 6
MATTHEW 22:36-40
In our last two discussions we dealt with the subject of what was is. Now let’s put this to practice and see just how we may love the Lord and others. Serving the Lord means serving Him in some capacity. One does not have to a preacher or deacon in order to glorify our Savior. A faithful servant is worth his weight in gold.
A. We shall reap, Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
1. Lets not get careless, Malachi 1:13, Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.”
2. Consider Jesus, Hebrews 12:3, “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
3. Lets not faint, Isaiah 40:30-31, “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
B. Therefore, … 1 Corinthians 15:58, “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.”
1. Be steadfast, Psalm 55:22,“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
2. Be unmoveable, 2 Peter 3:17-18, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
3. Always abounding, Philippians 1:9-10, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;”
4. Your labor is not in vain, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.”
A. Let us do good to all men, Galatians 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
1. As we have opportunity, John 9:4, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
2. To all men, Luke 6:35, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
B. Especially to God’s people, Ephesians 2:19, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”
1. Fellowcitizens, Ephesians 3:6, “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”
2. Fellowheirs, Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
3. Family members, Ephesians 3:15-17, “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”
A. I was hungry, Matthew 25:35-37, “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?”
B. It was done to one of the least of my brethren, Matthew 25:40, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
C. There is a reward for being a blessing, Matthew 10:42, “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
Serving God is not just preaching or going to church, but actively doing for the Lord simple things that many do not see. However, the Lord is very aware of everything that we do in His name and ready to reward us for that service.