Co-Workers Wanted, Part 2
Central Thought: There is an urgent call for workers in the Vineyard of God.
Text: Matthew 20:1-16; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
The gospel message must go out because sinners will not know of God’s offer of salvation until they are told. A lot of people are hungry for the gospel but the people to spread it are few. The Lord says that the harvest is indeed plentiful but the laborers are few, Matthew 9:37.
There will be a good reward for all who respond to the call of the Master and do the work with all diligence irrespective of the time spent in the work. What matters is the spirit with which the assignment is carried out.
1. In what area can we work with God?
There are many areas where we can serve God. Such areas include:
–Evangelism or Soul Winning: Evangelism must be our supreme task as believers in Christ. Evangelism is not for the ministers of God (Pastors or Evangelists, etc.) alone but for every true believer. Every believer needs to be committed in this area of evangelism. It is important to know that our employment or work with God is not for a few months or years but a life-long vocation. God will not be happy with idle hands in His house. His command to every one of us is: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”, Mark 16:15. Only the faithful and obedient worker will be rewarded.
-Another area that calls for dedication is “standing in the gap”. Prayers are needed for the progress of the work of God. God needs people to stand in the gap interceding so that His power can be released to save the lost in our generation. Let God count on you in this area of intercession.
–Giving in both cash and kind to the work of God and encouragement are areas where believers need to show commitment, Romans 12:8; Galatians 6:10. Whatsoever area we find ourselves in the service of God, faithfulness, obedience and diligence are required. Thus, whether we are in the choir, an usher, a teacher or even in cleaning of the church building, helps, exhortation or visitation of the sick or lonely; we must be diligent.
2. What should be the attributes or qualities of a co-worker?
Everyone that has been called as co-workers must have qualities that would enable him do the work successfully. These qualities may be summarized as follows:
Obedience:
Obedience should be in its completeness not as Saul who failed the test of destroying the Amalekites and incurred God’s wrath, 1 Samuel 15:1-23. But we should be like Peter who was sensitive to the voice of the Holy Ghost, and went without delay when he was sent to the house of Cornelius, an uncircumcised Gentile.
Promptness:
This could be seen in the response to call of discipleship by most of Jesus’ disciples. Also, Peter’s mother-in-law who ministered to Jesus immediately she was healed of her sickness, Luke 4:38-40. Delay in carrying out God’s will could be counted as unwillingness.
Trust in God:
Complete and sincere trust in God should embrace the lives of co-workers. Also, as co-workers, we should be ready to deny ourselves (selfless) as Jesus said: “Anyone that would come after me must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”, Matthew 16:24.
Faithfulness:
We should always be prepared to give account of our work to God at any moment. God gave us much (Jesus Christ and all possible benefits), and He requires and expects much from us in return. In other words, God expects accountability from co-workers. Faithfulness on our parts is required, 1 Corinthians 4:2.
3. How long should we as co-workers remain in the service of the Lord?
Jesus said: “Occupy till I come.” The period of our calling is for all of our lifetime here on earth. We cannot retire or pension from being co-workers with God. This is because in Him we have our being. Hence, in or out of season, we must be faithful witnesses for the Lord. We must be determined to serve Him to the end though we may meet with oppositions and persecutions. We should not be discouraged knowing that we shall reap if we do not give up, 1 Corinthians 15:58.
It is dangerous to count or depend on our past achievements in our services as co-workers with God because looking back would cause us to relent or relax. Relaxation in this service, as a matter of fact, can make one to lose vision. Paul, who served in this ministry of the gospel, made it abundantly clear by saying: “… but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of high calling of God in Christ Jesus”, Philippians 3:13-14. With these words of encouragement therefore we should be prepared to serve as long as Jesus tarries.
4. What are the rewards for the faithful co-workers with God?
Co-workers who serve faithfully in the vineyard of God cannot in anyway lose their rewards.
- They will be delivered in times of trouble and honored, Psalm 91:15.
- They will be satisfied with long life and have eternal life, Psalm 91:16
- They will have divine protection, Isaiah 54:14-17
- They will not lack any good thing, Psalm 37:27
- They shall reign with the Lord, 2 Timothy 2:12
- They shall shine as stars of heaven, Daniel 12:3
- They shall have a crown of righteousness, 2 Timothy 4:8
Daily Living Application:
How a building looks on the outside will depend a great deal on how well the basic parts are put together. A workers together with God, the most important thing we can do is to lay a solid foundation in eternal matters. Only that which is anchored deep in the Word of God will withstand the shaking that will one day come to both Heaven and Earth, Hebrews 12:26-28.
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”