Are you ready to toil for the Lord?
“I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,” Galatians 4:12-19 NIV
toil
•verb: work extremely hard or incessantly.
•noun: exhausting physical labor. “a life of toil”
Why must we toil?
•to be like Jesus, who is the image of God
“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”” Genesis 1:26 NIV
•to reach the ultimate goal
What type of toil must we persevere in order to attain the image of Christ?
•We must sow the seed: spread the Gospel
““Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”" Matthew 13:18-23 NIV
•We must shepherd others: Fellowship
•Nourture
•Love
•Provide
•Lead & guide
•Encourage
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:2-4 NIV
•We must reap what we sow: Keep faithful and pray for others to be saved
•be patient
•be persistent
•stay on it
•don't give up
Application
•In order to attain the image of Christ, share the Good News with all those who cross paths with you in your life
•Love your brothers and sisters and show by action the true love in Christ
•Be patient and keep toiling trusting God will bring the rewards of harvest in due time
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