Co-Workers Wanted, Part 1
Central Thought: There is an urgent call for workers in the Vineyard of God.
Text: Matthew 20:1-16; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
God is the first worker ever known when He planted the Garden of Eden, Genesis 2:8, and He gave man the privilege to dress the garden, Genesis 2:15. God saw the importance of co-workers when He said: “Let us make man in our image; and let them have dominion over. . .”, Genesis 1:26.
Jesus speaking on this issue stressed the utmost need for laborers or workers in God’s vineyard through the parable of workers in the vineyard. The vineyard is the world and workers needed are to reap the ripe harvest of souls of men for the kingdom of God. When we get saved, we are to bring the good news to others in order for them to be saved.
1. Who are co-workers?
Co-workers are two or more individuals who wish to accomplish a particular job or achieve a desired aim or objective together.
All Christians (born again) are co-workers in God’s vineyard, and to make our call more effective, there should be unity among the workers. The unity of believers flows from the Holy Spirit’s presence in each redeemed life. He places us in the body (the church) when we are saved to serve. He is not concerned with our nationality, voice or social standing. Rich and poor, great and lowly, gifted and ungifted, Jew and Gentile all are made one in Christ by the Spirit. All are indispensable to the church. Thus, as co-workers, we are enjoined to desist from divisive actions which could become a dangerous weapon that could be used by the devil against Christians to hinder or destroy their work. The interest of the individual must never overshadow those of the church.
As co-workers in Christ, we must be ready to accept and carry out all instructions of the Master irrespective of prevailing circumstances in the course of discharging His duty of sharing the Word, 2 Corinthians 6:3-10. In carrying out our duties as co-workers, there must be yieldedness to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
2. With whom are we co-workers?
Every Christian (born again) is a co-worker with God. It is a privilege to be in partnership with God in business. In order to go about this business, we must abide in Christ. Jesus saw the importance of abiding when He said: “Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abides in the vine; no more can you except you abide in Me”, John 15:4. Believers as co-workers are enjoined to abide in the Lord for effective work. Paul encouraging the Corinthian believers told them: “For we are laborers with God. . .” 1 Corinthians 3:9. Since we are believers in Christ, God sees us as ‘partners in progress’ working together with Him in His vineyard.
3. Why are co-workers needed?
From creation, God has always worked with people to achieve His purpose. In Genesis 1:26, God said: “Let us make man in our own image. . .: In the same manner, Jesus also needed co-workers when He chose His twelve disciples to work with Him who would continue the work when He is returned back to the Father. There is an urgent need for co-workers in the vineyard today as it was in the days of Christ. This is because the harvest is still very ripe demanding a large human resource to meet with the vast harvest. When Jesus saw the multitude perishing in sin, He was moved with compassion on them. Then He said to His disciples: “The harvest truly is ripe but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest that He will send forth laborers into the harvest”, Matthew 9:36-38.
Today, there is a high demand for the Word of God by sinners who abound in the world and they cannot hear this Word without workers. And you can be one of these workers to reconcile the world (sinners) to Him, 2 Corinthians 5:18. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent . . .?” Romans 10:14-15.
4. Why are we co-workers with God? 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Paul directed the attention of the Corinthians to the fact that Apollos and himself were only God’s servants obeying their divine call by the Lord to bring the good news of salvation and redemption. When Paul first came to Corinth and planted the gospel seed, it was God too that caused it to grow. Neither Paul nor Apollos could save anyone. It was God who gave the increase, the growth. Paul and Apollos were one in purpose and in their desire to see the church grow. They also had the desire to obey God and see His work done. Different ministries do help to build the church both spiritually and numerically but the growth is from the Lord; the building is done by Him. All of us are His field, His building, therefore, we have the privilege of being fellow laborers with Him. If we are to work with Him, we must therefore learn to work with one another.
In the Palestine farming system, some sowed the seed but do not participate in the harvest, yet no worker could minimize the importance of the other. If no seed was sown, there would be no need for reapers. If no reapers came to the field to work when the harvest was ripe, the seed the sowers had put in the ground would be wasted.
Daily Living Application:
There are many sinners who must be reached with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. God is looking for co-workers with Him to reach these people with the good news. As believers in Christ, saved from sins’ consequences, we are co-workers with Him. Thus, we must make ourselves available to reach these millions unsaved. It is an urgent call which should not delay.
In whatever area we find ourselves busy for the Lord, let us do so with great devotion and love. When we work with love and devotion to the Lord and to one another, our work will be like gold, silver and precious stones that will remain when tested with fire.
Memory Verse:
Matthew 9:37-38 – “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest”