Sermon on 27 October 2024 by Pastor Gaius Lee
1 Corinthians 15:58 - “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
Paul shared around the church of Corrine. They are financially sound, have good knowledge, and do good work. However, there is jealousy and division among the members. Paul referred to them as brothers as they are united in Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - “Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
To many, death is a scary situation. However, Jesus has conquered death. He is risen again. When there is sin, death becomes scary because we know there is condemnation. Sin makes death painful. Instead of following God’s word, we twist His word to make it more difficult for ourselves. When we live our lives wrongly, death seems to be the end. Because of what Jesus has done, death is no longer the end point. There is life after death. Many saints died a martyr's death. But their testimony continued because their victory was given by Jesus. If we are in Jesus, death is no longer the final say.
Steadfast is from ourselves. What type of ground are we standing on? How firm are we? When we want to stand firm, we need a strong anchor. Jesus, our rock, is our anchor.
Ephesians 6:10-18 - “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
The devil is real. He just wants to attack us by killing, stealing, and destroying. Paul encourages us to take up the armour of God. We can stand firm because we are rooted well in the word of God. The armour protects the front of our body but not our back. When we put the whole armour of God, we stand firm and will not retreat. The journey will not be easy. It takes time and endurance. Death is not the final say. We have hope.
Being immovable is that we are not affected by our surroundings.
Ephesians 4:11-15 - “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”
We help one another to mature and grow together as a unity of Christ. If we are not united in Christ, we will be easily influenced.
Matthew 7:21-23 - ““Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”
Matthew 25:31-32 - ““But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”
When the day comes, Jesus will judge us in 2 separate groups like the sheep and goat.
Matthew 25:37-46 - ““Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.””
Go and help whoever God brings to your mind. Bring us to unity, which is truly the will of God. Don’t claim credit like the goats. Our work should bring unity and love.
Amen.
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