28 July 2024 AM – Text: 1 Corinthians 15:58 – Topic: Faithful
Introduction: In my youth, there were times during the winter in the State of Michigan, USA, that the ground was frozen solid, but the temperature raised just enough to rain. The rain instantly froze to the ground making it nearly impossible to walk on. Getting a solid footing and remaining stable was out of the question. Working out in that environment is virtually impossible.
All too often, life is like that. Problems, heartaches, stress, and troubles are like rain on slippery frozen ground. Our faith struggles to remain solid and stable, and our service for the Lord suffers.
The church at Corinth had been struggling with many slippery issues, one of which was uncertainty about the resurrection. The Apostle Paul wrote a long defence of the resurrection in chapter 15. As he began to wrap up his first letter to the troubled believers, he left them with this challenge. Read 1 Cor 15:58.
Transition: In this verse, the Apostle Paul gave them an exhortation and an encouragement from which we too can benefit in times of trials.
1. First, Paul gave them three Exhortations.
a. He challenged them to become steadfast.
1) To be steadfast is to be solid. It describes something that settled or seated. The large olive tree in our front yard is a good example of something that is steadfast. Its roots are long and deep. It is strongly rooted. When the high winds blow, it never budges.
2) The Holy Spirit had Paul urge his friends to become, steadfast in their walk with Christ. During the past 20 years, our olive tree has been sinking its roots deep into the soil, growing larger and stronger. Similarly, becoming spiritually steadfast and solid does not happen instantly either; you must work at it day by day.
3) In what ought you to be steadfast or solid?
a) You need a solid assurance of salvation. If you are not 100% positive that you have repented of your sins and received God’s gift of eternal life through faith in Christ, this is where you must begin. Talk to me!
b) You need a solid understanding of future events. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul proved Christ’s resurrection and assured the believers that they too would one day be resurrected and changed (v.51-53). He assured them that God will give victory over death through faith in Jesus Christ (v.57). This gives solid peace.
c) You also need a solid walk with the Lord. When you meet a Christian who is obviously walking with the Lord and who knows his Bible well, he developed that solid walk by spending much time growing in his walk with the Lord. When it comes to Bible study, some claim that reading a chapter a day will keep the devil away. It is not that simple, but that is a start. Bible reading and prayer are not options. They are a requirement for a solid walk with the Lord.
d) You need to develop solid convictions. By that I mean you must be committed to obey God in areas of purity, morality, honesty, and sexuality. God takes a firm stand on these topics for our protection. We need solid convictions to stand with God.
4) There are many other areas in which we need to become steadfast and solid for the Lord. I challenge you to add to the list.
b. He pressed them to become unmovable.
1) To be “unmovable” is to be stable. It depicts that which is not moving from place to place. My olive tree is unmovable and stable. Stability increases with stress.
2) Spiritual stability comes with practice and time. We see this in Luka as he is learning to walk. His first steps were very wobbly, but each week he becomes more stable.
3) If we are not spiritually stable, we will fall for anything.
4) As believers our word ought to be unmovable and stable. We must be dependable. Christians ought not to go back on their promises.
5) We ought to be unmovable in our church attendance, tithing, giving to missions, witnessing, etc. If you are doing these things to glorify the Lord who saved you, you will remain unmovable and stable even when Melody and I are away. Church is about worshipping the Lord. It is not about entertaining ourselves.
c. He urged them to always abound in God’s work.
1) Right now, our olive tree is abounding in olives. It is exceedingly fruitful and overflowing. That is exactly what this word means spiritually.
2) God wants you and me to overflow in our work for the Lord. The word “always” reminds us that we cannot be lazy. We must always abound in God’s work.
3) What is the work of the Lord? Well, what has the Lord given Christians to do? What does the Bible say. What are we to share with others? How are we to act? If married, how are we to treat our spouse? How are we to rear our children? How are children to respond to parental instruction? How are we to treat our enemies? The list goes on and on, but God wants you and me to abound in these duties.
Review Paul’s three exhortations.
2. Then, Paul gave them three Encouragements.
a. He reminded them that they were his beloved brethren.
1) If you are a true Christian, you are among the brethren. We are spiritual siblings. We share the common faith in Christ.
2) The Corinthian believers were beloved to Paul. He loved them. They were also loved of God. You too are loved. I love you and God loves you.
b. He praised their Scriptural knowledge.
1) Paul said that the Corinthian believers knew that God would reward faithful service.
2) He was praising their Bible knowledge. None of us knows all that could be known about the Bible, but if you have been attending our church for any time, you know a lot more about the Bible than many people do today.
3) The better you know the Bible, the easier it will be for you to be steadfast, unmovable, and abounding spiritually.
c. He assured them of a future reward.
1) Paul assured them that their labour would not be in vain in the Lord.
2) This word “labour” describes intense labour united with trouble and toil. Strong’s Dictionary Living a Christian life that is steadfast, unmovable, and abounding in the work of the Lord takes hard work. For some of you, this troublesome labour includes sickness and pain. For others it includes hardships, loneliness, rejection, or burdens. Living a God-honouring Christian life is a labour of love for the Lord.
3) Paul assured his readers, including you and me, that our labour for the Lord is not in vain. In other words, we will be resurrected to a new and eternal life. Sin, sickness, and sorrow will be left behind. The Lord will reward all faithful service at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Becoming steadfast or solid will be rewarded. Remaining unmovable or stable in your commitments for Christ will be rewarded. Abounding in the work of the Lord will be worth it all when we see Christ.
Conclusion: If every true Christian was as steadfast, unmovable, and abounding in the Lord’s work as my olive tree is in my yard, imagine what an impact they would make on society.
With God’s help, you can become as stable and fruitful as my olive tree. To become solid in your walk with the Lord, what changes will you make in your Bible time, in prayer, and in your convictions? To keep yourself spiritually stable be faithful in your church attendance, tithing, witnessing, and living godly letting nothing move you. Seek to be abounding in the work of the Lord. Search the Bible for things God wants you to do and then overflow in those things. It will take work but keep your eye on the goal. All your toilsome labour for the Lord will not be in vain. God will reward you abundantly. It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.
This message has been for Christians. If that does not yet include you, it can if you will place your faith in Christ today. I would be happy to help you.
