God's Work
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all
nations; and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14).
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W
hen Jesus the Christ neared the completion of the work God the Father had given Him to do, He
focused on what laid immediately ahead. All who are called at this time have the extraordinary
blessing of understanding that the ongoing work of the church for this age will soon culminate with
the return of Jesus the Christ. That return will be ushered in against the backdrop of the most terrifying and disruptive
times in all of human history.
We must, in addition to the great hope for God's rule of peace, focus on those clear admonitions and
instructions we have been given from God's word.
Some of these things we need to be reminded of on a regular basis, they are things we must not turn away
from. Yet, some have wandered from the truth, as they have been unwilling to truly heed the meaningful and
unchanging teachings from God.
Nonetheless we, God's called out servants are to complete the job God has given us to do. We have been
called and entrusted with the truth of God. This is the truth that has set us free. Note Christ's testimony in John 8:
32, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Truth and freedom go together, but truth will produce freedom only as it is used. That ought to be
self-evident. We can know something is true, but if we fail to use it, what good is it? its value is worthless unless it
is used. Freedom and truth come to those who press on with the job they have been assigned.
Freedom, the kind of freedom that God is involved in bringing us into, comes progressively, not all at once.
These are lessons from the Days of Unleavened Bread. It took the Israelites seven days to get too and cross the Red
Sea. But, it took them another forty years to get into their own land, into their inheritance, the promised land.
Their freedom was progressive. There was a time when it began, but if they had never continued on the way,
they would never have had their own land, never have had their inheritance, never have been free.
This is a large part of the object lesson: We have to continue, and if we continue, then we will truly be a disciple.
We will understand the truth, and we will become free.
The truth of God shows us the real values of life because it shows us what we are to give our life to. Serving
Him in preaching His truth and good news! These words were not well received by the self-righteous religious
leaders in Christ's day, in fact, they eventually so aroused those who heard them, that Jesus was rejected and
murdered!
Christ fully understood the consequences of the work He was completing."And this gospel of the kingdom
will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations and then the end shall come” (Matthew 24:14).
Those who are called understand that God's church has been given a job to complete the task for which we
are accountable to God. Listen to what Jesus our Lord said at the end of His life,. "I have glorified You [heavenly
Father] on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do" (John 17:4).
Since our Lord Jesus Christ has returned to the Father in Heaven, and the church is formed and joined to the
Son as one organism, the church now has the responsibility to glorify the Father. How ? By becoming one with Him,
just as the Son was by the power of God's spirit given to us.
Christ glorified the Father by successfully completing the work the Father gave him to do. He qualified to
be our Savior, Redeemer, and High Priest, and along the way, He preached the gospel, good news to others. Our
responsibility is to yield to Him, allowing Him to form us into His image by growing, overcoming, and producing
righteous fruit. And carrying out the works of the church as He assigns the ministry.
After our Lord's resurrection He said to His disciples, "most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me,
the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to the Father "(John 14:12).
When we first read this verse, most of us think that Jesus is talking about miracles, signs, wonders, and healing.
Those of us who really believe in Christ sacrifice will be able to do those great works. However, our Lord may not
be thinking only about such grand acts. He is probably also suggesting that the great works we will do are the
day-to-day works of Christian living—not necessarily the ones that will make the lead story on the evening news.
He means things like having good relations with one's spouse, children and neighbor. He means over-coming sin
and growing in character. He means helping others in their walk toward the kingdom of God.
In the end, these are far greater works than miracles and spectacular healings. Consider the twelve apostles.
How many people did Jesus convert during His ministry? Acts 1:15 tells us, that the number of disciples was only
120. Yet, just a few pages later, we find that the apostles did even greater works, baptizing 3,000 on Pentecost, Acts
2:41 and 5,000 on another day, Acts 4:4. People were saying that the apostles had "turned the world upside down"
Acts 17:6! Their greater works were preaching the gospel, feeding the flock, and helping others to overcome and
grow toward the kingdom of God. Yes, they did their share of miracles, but their most lasting, eternal works were
their preaching and their Christian sacrifices for the gospel.
Jesus said no one was greater than John the Baptist in Matt 11:11, and what did he do ? He did not perform
one miracle, but he preached repentance, which is a great work. "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching
in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, repent you: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (Matt 3:1-2). John the
Baptist made people realize that they are sinful and that they need a Savior to redeem them and to help them turn
their lives around. Many were baptized and later followed Christ. We, God’s called need to apply this kind of work,
personally.
What great works are we supposed to do? Teach God's called to overcome sin, to grow in Godly character,
produce spiritual fruit, and to obey God's commandments and laws. These are the day-to-day Christian activities that
in the end, will assure that not only will we be in the kingdom but those we love and fellowship with will be too.
Those are truly great works! Works may be glorious and draw a lot of attention, but the greatest works are the ones
with eternal consequences, those that help others maintain a firm grasp on salvation.
In Acts 10:38 we read, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with Power, who went
about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him." That is the gist of Jesus
the Christ life: He did good with every moment He lived.
The apostle Paul gives us similar marching orders in Galatians 6:10, "Therefore, as we have opportunity,
let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. " If we follow this advice, following in
the footsteps of Jesus the Christ, we will one day be where He is.
Has Jesus Christ sent us as He did the earlier disciples to preach His truth and gospel to this end time
generation ? We can know by considering John 5:36, "But I have a greater witness than John', for the works which
the Father has given Me to finish - the very works that I do-bear witness of Me, that the
Father has sent Me" (John 5:36).
So it is with us, brethren. We have been given the ongoing work of Jesus Christ the work of God-to finish.
That work and our commitment to it bear witness of our calling, and God's continued hand in leading His church.
Further more, Jesus Christ showed us in John, how we could evaluate our relationship with God the Father. "By this
My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:8).
The foundation of our role in the body of Christ is for us to be Christians— converted people through the
indwelling of God's Holy Spirit. By this we can have the very mind, that is, the very same strength and outlook as
our Savior. (Compare Philippians 2:5; and I Peter 4:1). There Paul challenges each of us, "Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:5). The attitude Jesus showed in washing His disciples' feet is the same
attitude that enabled Him to give up the power and glory of being like God and become a man. Here we see that our
Creator, the Almighty God, is first and foremost a servant. He is willing to serve His own servants! When we come
to the point that we are able to do everything in an attitude of service and humility, we are truly following Jesus
Christ, our Lord.
We are again commanded in 1 Peter 4, to arm ourselves with the same mind set and attitude of Christ.
"Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm Yourselves likewise with the same mind: for He that
has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin" (1 Peter 4:1).
Christ had the entire host of heaven at His disposal yet never lifted a finger in His own defense! He threw
the moneychangers out of the temple, not because they were threatening Him, but because they were desecrating His
Father's house. When it came to His own security, He always chose to remove Himself from the situation until His
earthly ministry was over. He humbly submitted to the most unfair treatment that has ever been imposed on a human
being.
Paul admonishes us to, "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10). In the next
several verses, he shows that we are involved in a war, one in which no sword, gun, or any other human weapon can
help us. Our battles are spiritual battles, and even when those battles involve human instruments, our weapons of
defense are still spiritual: truth, = righteousness,= the gospel of peace, = faith, = salvation, = and the "sword" of the
spirit and the Word of God. Paul speaks of the sword that we should carry with us constantly and look to for defense.
"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your
feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able
to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the
Word of God" (Eph 6:14-17).
Paul went on to challenge the Corinthians and us, "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love
does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
Does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth " (1 Cor 13:4-6 NKJV). These verses don't deny the fact that
offenses will come, just as Jesus said. They will range from hurt feelings, to giving rise to a mild animosity, to direct
powerful temptations to sin through a untamed temper, bent on getting even. We can overcome all of them because
love "is not provoked" or offended.
There will be temptations to sin and all of us will offend others from time to time, even unintentionally. But
God expects His called out ones to have the love to override the offenses when they come.
As we examine and test ourselves in these matters, let us consider what we are doing in the spirit of the
encouraging Words of Christ, knowing we have struggled against compromise even though we are by most standards
a small family of truth seekers. "I know your works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can
shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and hast not denied My name" (Rev 3:8).
Besides, we have followed the established words in Amos 3:3, "Can two walk together unless they are
agreed?" That has meant some really difficult choices have been made by each one of us, as we encountered these
examinations and tests, both on our own part and from God.
We can also know from scripture that it is God who is able to open doors for us to glorify Him. Even more
when we consider the traumatic events surrounding the sacrifice of Christ. We see disciples who were the talk of the
nation suddenly being scattered in confusion. However, their story moves forward to the day of Pentecost and the
empowering of God's Holy Spirit. Just as for them, we must remember that for us to finish the work God has given
to us, "it is not by might nor by power, 'but by My Spirit: says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).
As much work and effort as men put into it, they are not what will get God's work done properly. They will
be helpful certainly, because God works though men, and men must exert themselves in order to do God's will.
Nevertheless, He says clearly that all the credit goes to God Himself ! Our job is to submit, to do the things that must
be done.
We must do what the Spirit directs us to do, but God receives the credit, not us. We could do none of these
works by our own means. God gives the ability. He gives the inspiration, the strength, and the endurance. He opens
the doors. He supplies the manpower, the money, and the other resources to go through those doors. He supplies these
things so that the doors can be opened. We merely walk through them.
As we proceed in fulfilling our various responsibilities within God's church, we need to continually look to
God's word for guidance. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. Let us hold fast the confession
of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up
love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting
one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10,22-25). And, in verses 35-36,
"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after
you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise."
In every generation of God's church, the message to those called was to finish their calling all the way to the
end-whether that end is physical death or the end of this age or our being alive at Christ's return. Notice when
comparing Matthew 24:13 and Matthew 10:22). That they enlighten us to that fact. "But he that shall endure unto
the end, the same shall be saved" (Matt 24:13). And in Matt 10:22 states, "And you shall be hated of all men for
My name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.” We are further admonished: "And let us not grow
weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Gal 6:9).
Paul addressed these issues in his second letter to Timothy. Timothy, who evidently grew up in the church,
to then serve in the ministry, was needing to focus on the work of God that was imparted to him. Paul tells Timothy,
"Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has
not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Tim 1: 6-7).
When Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, he was a prisoner in Rome, and many who had been called had departed the
faith. False ministers, teaching false doctrines, had gained a foothold within the church. Apparently, it was the few
in number who really were overcoming and persevering matters in the faith.
The great times of miracles, and powerful witness of the original disciples who were taught by Jesus and of
the remarkable commitment that grew out of "first love" had all but disappeared. Paul felt it necessary to admonish
and to encourage Timothy, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with
all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to
their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their
ears away from the truth, [sound doctrine] and be turned aside to fables [false doctrine ]. But you be watchful in all
things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:2-5 NKJV). Itching ears
literally means "to itch,= rub,= scratch,= or tickle." This figure of speech implies that they have an itch [a lust] that
must be scratched! Such people open their ears to any teacher who will relieve their particular "itch" [lust], regardless
of how it measures against God’s truth.
The solution to this discernment is based on God's unquestionable word. The Apostle John writes, "Beloved,
do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out
into the world" (1 John 4:1-4)
Christ compliments the Ephesian church for this in Rev. 2, "I know your works, your labor, your patience,
and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and
have found them liars."
Paul says simply, "prove all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thess5:21).And then in Gal 6: 4-5 says, "But
let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every
man shall bear his own burden. "
It is our Christian duty to evaluate the "causes" we endorse. Are they truly of God, or are they itches we want
scratched? We need always to question ourselves. Have we allowed the world to influence our thinking,? Have we
held our ground against Satan,? Or have we given in to his temptations? Our effort presenting ourselves now should
be what we read in 1 Thess 5:23, "Blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"
In the beginning years of this century, the recent history of God's people reflects much the same kind of rise
and fall in terms of love for the truth and an attitude of persistent commitment to finishing our part in the work of
God!
Brethren, you are part of the exception to those who have turned back into worldliness and who have
compromised God's truth, by letting the light of God's Holy Spirit to become darkened and unfruitful. But you have
maintained your part in the work of God. God is examining and testing us as well as blessing our efforts to both hold
on to the truth and to begin to once again bear fruit in the work of God!
The door is open for us to be even more productive, and for the church to reach out with the announcement
of the gospel. Along with the weekly news and updates, Prove All Things magazine, sermon C.D's, "Postponement"
booklet, Special Calendar Edition" plus the remarkable tool of the Internet. Being scattered like we are, God is
allowing His work to move forward through weekly sermons on the telephone conference and live Internet
broadcasts.
It is a real blessing each Sabbath, to have these tools to "meet together" and those who cannot meet with us
can catch up during the week on the Internet pre-recorded sermons. Also they can read the articles in the latest Prove
All Things magazine on our web page, that has saved us a lot of overseas cost on postage.
These astounding and remarkable tools were not available to the people of God just a few years ago. Now,
we literally are able to assemble together in spite of our small size and widely separated locations that Christ spoke
of happening in Dan 12:7, "And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he
held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by Him that lives for ever that it shall be for a time,
times, and an half and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall
be finished." This expression "to scatter the power of the Holy people" in the Hebrew has primary meaning of,
broken in pieces, scattered or dispersed by force. It can also mean akin to explode. When an object explodes, it
pieces fly apart and it can no longer do what it was made to accomplish. The individual pieces are powerless to fulfill
what the whole object at one time did, when it was all together. This must be part of the meaning of the verse,
because the word power brings to mind authority, scattered authority!
Finally, in addition to reminding us of our role in the present ongoing work of God, lets each of us not
diminish the importance God places on our calling as ambassadors, to sound the alarm of God's soon coming
kingdom. We need also to fervently stir up the gift of God's Spirit and do individually what we are able to do, in
whatever way we can! In particular, we can follow the example of David in Psalms 61:8, "Trust in Him [our Lord]
at all times, you people, pour out your heart to Him: God is a refuge for us."
Brethren, our main focus must remain on those things, yet to be accomplished in the work which God has
given us to complete. Our opportunities are boundless if we stay close to God, always seeking to obey Him and do
those things that are pleasing in His sight.
With all attentiveness, let us heed the affective words from Jude 20 and 21. "But you, beloved, building
yourselves upon your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the
mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." ☜
James Russell