Your Labor is Not in Vain

   Intro: The apostle Paul reminds us in the scripture text for today that we should be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. We are to remember that is the most important work in this world and it’s to be rewarded by God Himself.

 1.  The charge is to all believers in Christ.                         1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)
⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Paul speaks to "Beloved brothers and sisters," in the New Living Translation.

   a. The believer is to be steadfast and immovable. The word steadfast means to be strong, firm, fixed, determined, purposed, and faithful. The believer is to stand fast and fixed in his belief and labor for the Lord, determined to live for the Lord and to carry out his purpose for the Lord. The believer is to be faithful and committed to the end.

   b. The word "immovable" means to be unyielding, unshaken, undisturbed.

      The believer is not to be fickle, erratic, or indecisive in his service for the Lord.

      They are to stand as solid as a rock in their beliefs and in the serving of the Lord.

      We are to be like trees planted by rivers of living water bringing forth fruit. Psalms 1:3 (NKJV)  He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

   c. The believer is to always abound in the work of the Lord. The word always means never cease, never stop, never slacken up, never quit, and never retire. Abound means to overflow and flourish, growing in love and service, excelling in the work of the Lord. It means to serve the Lord enthusiastically, actively, willingly, and heartily.

      We should be eager to prosper in the work for the Lord. What a challenge to the believer!

       But the believer's labor will not be in vain, that is, left empty and unrewarded.

 2.  The believer will be rewarded.                             1 Corinthians 15:51-57 (NKJV)
⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--
⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
⁵⁴ So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
⁵⁵ "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"
⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

      The bodies of the dead believers in Christ will be resurrected at the last trumpet and they will be given a new body that has been prepared for Heaven. Those Christians who are alive at Christ’s coming will be changed in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet. That trumpet marks the end of the church age. Our frail mortal bodies will be changed into the immortal bodies that God has prepared for us as we rise to meet the Lord in the air and ever be with Him. Believers will be rewarded with victory over death and the grave forever more!

  Conclusion: Because we have such a glorious hope: the hope of being resurrected and given an incorruptible and immortal body, and the promise of eternity in Heaven should stir the believer to be steadfast and immovable, abounding in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ knowing that our labor will not be in vain.

  Invitation: Only those who belong to the body of Christ and serve Him will be rewarded with resurrected immortal bodies. Do you belong to Christ? If Jesus were to come today, would you be ready to meet Him? If you honestly don’t know for sure, make sure right now. Ask Jesus to forgive your sins against God and ask Him to save you for Heaven. Then invite Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Savior and Lord. Make sure today because you may never have another chance. Be ready before that last trumpet sounds calling God’s people home!