Four Essentials for the Lord’s Work

What is involved in the Lord’s Work?

Teaching the gospel to others.

Faithful service in the local church.

Serving those who are in need.

Raising godly families.

Living as a Christian.

Four Essentials for the Lord’s Work

I. “Out of the Abundance of the Heart…” (Matt. 12:33-35).

What we think determines what we do.

What we think determines who we are (Prov. 23:7).

A POWERFUL AND GENUINE FAITH

• Peter (Acts 4:7-12).

• Paul (Acts 26:1-5; 9-14; 19-23).

2 Tim.1:3-5; 3:14-15

Four Essentials for the Lord’s Work

I. “Out of the Abundance of the Heart…” (Matt. 12:33-35).

Faith must be personalWhy do I believe there is a God?

Why do I believe in Jesus?

Do I really believe the Bible is God’s word?

Do I really believe in heaven and hell?

Faith must be demonstrated

Four Essentials for the Lord’s Work

II. “Our Fellowship is with the Father…” (1 John 1:1-3, 7-9).

How do we participate with God?

Service • Study • Prayer

CONSTANT PRAYER

“Please give me…” Prayers

“Thank you for…” Prayers

Philippians 4:6-7

Four Essentials for the Lord’s Work

II. “Our Fellowship is with the Father…” (1 John 1:1-3, 7-9)

Care casting Prayers

1 Peter 5:6-7

Biblical Examples:Elijah (James 5:16-17).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (Dan. 3:13-18).

Prayer for the lost (Luke 10:2).

Four Essentials for the Lord’s Work

III. “The Love of Christ Constrains Us…” (2 Cor. 5:13-15).

SINCERE LOVE

Sincere and fervent love (1 Pet. 1:22; 1 John 3:23; 4:21-21; 5:2).

The Balance Between Love and Duty (Gal. 2:20).

Serving the Lord with Love.

“I am doing this because I love God”

“I am doing this because I love you as a child of God”

Four Essentials for the Lord’s Work

III. “The Love of Christ Constrains Us…” (2 Cor. 5:13-15).

In whatsoever we share with another’s need,

Not what we give, but what we share,

For the gift without the giver is bare.

Who gives himself with his alms feeds three,

Himself, his hungering neighbor and me.

From The Vision of Sir Launfaul

Four Essentials for the Lord’s Work

IV. “…If We Do Not Lose Heart” (Gal. 6:7-9)

PERSISTENCE

The child of God doesn’t always succeed

We are called to keep fighting!

Paul’s Advice

1 Corinthians 15:58

Philippians 3:12-14