Our work and God’s work
Introduction
Returning to the series – Complementary and Paradoxical Truths
Our Work and God’s work
We have just sung about labouring for God
Do you feel that it is toil?
In once sense this is a good thing – there will come a day of rest
Christian work:
Not just about what we do in work
We serve the Lord each day – examples
The Whole of Life
Two dangers:
Thinking it all depends on us – a church can become very tired and work like mad
Thinking it all depends on God – as if we have no involvement leading to indolence
The truth:
The battle is the Lord’s but He has called us to be soldiers
A sword for the Lord and for Gideon
Ps 144:1-2
Why now?
Looking at the Hallelujah Psalms
Considering the words of Howard about the tribe of Ephraim
We are restarting works
We should use every opportunity God has given to us
Examples
The key area – our day to day living
Some Provisos
Make sure you are holy
Sin in the camp – Example of Achan and the sons of Eli
If things are not right amongst God’s people – how can they go into battle?
Make sure you are listening to the voice of God
We can work hard – but not at God’s work
Example of working differently during Covid
We must seek God’s will
God’s Work
The Importance of God
v1 – David was victorious over Goliath as he went in the name of the Lord of Hosts
God had trained him
We all need training – Example of athletes and doing exercises
Do we train ourselves for godliness?
v5-8 – Look at David’s dependence on God
He did not think he had the victory to win the battle
He was reliant on God
Example of Cory Ten Boom
The Importance of Prayer
v3 – David recognises that man is nothing / v11 – David recognises he has no ability
How little we pray
Without God we can do nothing
We must pray to Him
Praying alone is good but praying together is important
The apostles prayed together
The disciples continued in communion
They persevered in fellowship
They persevered in the Apostle’s teaching
Attendance at the weekly prayer meeting is so important
Having prayed – we must go out to the people
We cannot just have prayer meetings
Dangers in Christian Work
Christian Pride
David understood he was totally dependent on God
Example of Sampson
Signs of pride:
We become possessive about our role
A failure to share, delegate and pass on
We are here to serve
Example of Barnabas
When we take glory / boast in our work
Ignoring the contributions of others
Thinking it is something we have done rather than God working through us and others
David recognised that it was God who would work – v11-15
When we don’t give God the glory
Dejection
It is hard when people lie about us and misunderstand it
Sometimes all we can do is pray
David knew this – v8 & v11
v9 – David has learnt it a little thing when people speak evil of him
Rather than be dejected and deflated – he will praise God
The devil’s tactic is to deject and deflate us – to make us think we are worthless
Examples
Go to the Bible
God has prepared good works for us to walk in
Even if we are tired and weary – keep on, pray
Example
Our lives must not be bound up in our work
Example of David Lloyd-Jones
As Christians – our identity is in Christ not our work
v15 – the nation of Israel were joyful when their identity was in God and they were serving Him
God will forgive our sin (if we confess it)
Example of Peter and David
The Importance of Faith
v1 – David had faith in God
Hebrews 11
God’s work must be done in faith
Examples
Example of Abel, Noah, Abraham
Faith is always linked to action
We are involved by having faith in the living God
“Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase”
1 Cor 3:6-7
Example of Joshua in the battle and Moses holding the rod of God
Closing Remarks