SBS Sermon Notes

SBS     Sermon Notes     Note 05/11

Yahweh's People and their Work

Reading: John 6

Introduction

Work is an important aspect of life. At school we are trained for it. As adults we are engaged in work. And at the end of each period of work (week, month or contract) we are rewarded for what we have done. Everyone is evaluated by the efficiency and effectiveness of finished work. One's work bears evidence of one's style, ability, personality and character. It is exactly the same in the spiritual realm. Yahweh has a family business in which every believer - after his/her initial schooling period - is allocated a job to do. How we do that job will affect our present life and the life to come.

1. Our Father's Business

Yahweh is the designer, upholder, repairer and the rewarder in the sacred business of life. In the physical universe we can see blueprints of His work: the symbolic designs and working models of His infinitely more important 'spiritual work' - the Work of Salvation! In the miracles of Jesus we are given physical demonstrations (shadows and types) of Yahweh's spiritual work, His work of winning souls! I repeat: most, if not all, that the miracles Yeshua the Messiah performed on earth were primarily illustrations of far greater restorations the Almighty had scheduled Himself in the field of human salvation. That is why many of the miracles of Jesus are referred to as signs! Here are a few examples of the Works of God!

The Physical Creation

Psalm 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained.
Psalm 102:25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

The Law of God

Ex:32:16: And the tables were the work of God,
and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

The Salvation of Mankind

John 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents:
but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Peace in the Human Heart

He maketh wars to cease. (He brings peace)
Be still and know that I am God. (He brings salvation)
I will be exalted among the heathen. (Mission activity)
The Lord of Hosts is with us. (Invincibility/insurance)

NOTE: In Jesus we are given a perfect view of Yahweh working in the Vineyard of Salvation.

2. Man's Work

Yahweh has placed mankind over His great work of creation. In the physical and spiritual world, Yahweh's Church has a duty to perform. Yes, an awesome responsibility rests upon every adult believer.
Psalm 8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet.
Hebrews 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands.
Mark 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Top Priority

All jobs have a priority level. In other words, a worker must put first things first. It is the same with our spiritual employment: there are priority levels. There is one work which must come - and stay - first in sequence and importance always. Here it is.
John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29: Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

In other words: Faith in Jesus Christ is the first and most important work you can ever do. All else follows from that starting point. Or rather, all else rests on that sure foundation.

A Job Offer

Matthew 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29: He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30: And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31: Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure

3. How to Work

How are we to carry out our duties? Be prompt, diligent and give it everything you've got.

Yahweh's Work is Urgent

1 Samuel 21:8 ... the king's business requires haste.

Be Diligent

Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

Be Dedicated

Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might...

Be Honest

Jeremiah 48:10 Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully...

4. Rewards

What we accomplish in this life will be evaluated by the Most High and rewarded accordingly. I can tell you that the rewards are beyond anything we can imagine. Never forget, however, that though 'entry' into Yahweh's Kingdom depends entirely upon faith in Jesus Christ, a believer's 'position' in the Kingdom depends upon his/her personal performance in this present world. Be sure the Most High knows exactly how each worker in His workshop is working.
Revelation 3:1-2,8,13 "I know thy works, ... I know thy works, ... I know thy works."
Proverbs 24:12 ... and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

NOTE: When we in SBS say Works, we do not mean 'acts of penance' or 'payment for prayers for the dead' etc. We mean: holiness, righteousness, obedience, honesty, chastity, purity, goodness, meekness, temperance, patience etc. In other words the Works of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life.

5. Self-Assessment

Judging the performance of others is the easiest thing in the world. But it usually leads to pride and criticism. Judging others is a futile pastime. Why? Because at the Judgement the performance of another will be of no concern to you. Your own faith and performance will then be all that matters. Paul says:
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Here are three examples of personal assessment.

Solomon

Ecclesiastes 2:4-11 Great achievements, but mostly vanity.

Paul

2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Jesus

John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
verse 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me...
verse 14 I have given them thy word...
verse 26 And I have declared unto them thy name...
John 19:30 ...It is finished!...

5. Time Is Running Out

Every task has a time limit, a period in which it must be finished. If the job isn't finished, it normally never gets done or is done by somebody else. In the Vineyard of Salvation it is the same - time is short.
Luke 2:49 ... wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
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.

6. Start Working

Believers often ask "What can I do?" Obviously not everyone can write tracts, preach sermons, or give sums of money to the church. Most members are poor and very busy doing the hundred and one things that go to support life. Nevertheless there are certain things all believers can do - no matter how poor, or busy or sick they may be. We can: My advice to all is: Get to Work!

SBS     Sermon Notes

Elder: David B Loughran
Stewarton Bible School, Stewarton, Scotland
Placed on Internet May 1996 ... Updated August 1999