Hope for Today

We are all alike in many ways: we get hungry; we get tired; we get thirsty. We have many needs that are alike: food, clothing, shelter. Of course these are physical needs. But in the spiritual area we are also all alike. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

My friend, that Scripture makes no exception. We are all alike. In all of human history only One lived who is different from us and yet like us. He lived here among men. They saw Him as a man and yet He was different. He is Jesus the Messiah.

What evidence do we have that HE IS DIFFERENT? We find the evidence in this Scripture: John 7:40-53.

40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

43 So there was a division among the people because of him.

44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)

51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

53 And every man went unto his own house.

From this text we learn that the presence of Jesus started several MOVEMENTS in which we see the evidence that He is different.

The first Movement:

He Made a Division.

They wondered who He was. Some said, “He is the prophet.” By that they were referring to the quotation from Exodus where Moses said God was going to send them a prophet. In fact God said it to Moses, that He was going to raise up from among them a prophet like Moses. So they said, “He is the prophet.”

Then others said, “He is the Christ.” The word Christ means Messiah. They were expecting Him so some said, “This is the Messiah.” But they wondered at where He came from. They knew He came from Nazareth in Galilee and there was no record of any great prophet coming from Galilee. They had it right. They said the prophets said that the Messiah was to come from Bethlehem, David’s town, and from David’s seed.

Well, He was born in Bethlehem. In the genealogies in the Bible His family line goes back to David. The Bible says that because of this there was a division. He made a division. Oh, I find people today who are divided on who Jesus is. Is He the prophet? Is He the Messiah? Who is He? He made a division.

Jesus’ claims started a second Movement:

He Created a Discussion.

Some said, “Let’s arrest him; let’s take him.” But they were unsure what to do. Now the officers who had been sent to take Him came back without Him. They had not arrested Him. When they were asked why they hadn’t brought Him, they answered, “Nobody ever spoke like this man.” So they had a discussion. They talked it over. The Pharisees said, “Are you also deceived?” It was only the common people who believed in Him. “The rulers and the Pharisees don’t believe in Him, do they?” The common people, though unlearned, were trusting in Jesus. So they had a discussion; some wanted to arrest Him; others wanted to investigate.

I have found people today who can talk about Him without making any careful investigation as to who He really is. A good bit of discussion goes on around Him as to who He is, but I find that some never make up their minds. They are just there talking about Him. He can create a discussion. Yes, the subject of Jesus, who He is, can create a rather warm discussion.

But I want you to notice in that last Movement:

He Forced a Decision.

Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees who had come to Jesus by night, made a very interesting statement. He said, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him?” Hold your sentence: a man is innocent until proved guilty; pass no judgment on Him until you have heard his case. But He was forcing a decision. He challenged them to give some consideration to all the facts; to weigh everything before they rendered a decision, to hear Him themselves. Don’t just stand there; arrange for the Man to speak for Himself.

Oh, that is so important today, my friend. Many people read what others have said about Him but they never listen to Him. I have found people who judge without the facts. But any fair minded person will weigh all the facts; he will examine all the evidence before he makes a decision. But a decision he will have to make; he must make it.

Jesus is different because He will make a division, He will create a discussion, He will force a decision. It is today just like it was then. No one can take His place. You are brought face to face with Him. You must make your decision yourself. Are you ready to do that?

Are you still searching, seeking, looking, and longing for something? Do you know what you need? Deep in the heart of every man, woman, and child is a longing for rest. One great African Christian many years ago said, “Our souls are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” But the question is, “Where can I find Him?” That is a most important question.

I want to help you END THE SEARCH. I take you to the Bible and the words of Jesus in John 7:32-39.

32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

These words teach us what STEPS are necessary if we ever expect to end our search.

The first Step:

The Search is Clarified.

Time according to Jesus was very important. He said there is only a little while, “Yet a little while I am with you.” He was showing that time is limited. You can’t just waste time and expect to end your search. Jesus clarified the search. The time is now, not later.

The object is also important because there’s nobody like Jesus. He said, “You are going to seek for me and you will not be able to find me.” Oh yes, my friend, it is very, very important that you make the right search and that you have the right object in view. Believe me, time is important. The opportune time is now, not tomorrow; this very moment because Jesus said, “You are going to search for me (He said this to those Pharisees) and you are not going to be able to find me.” Men have often tried in vain; they have searched and searched but they have found no rest because they have not found Him.

My friend, today is your day to seek Jesus. I am glad to tell you that you can find Him. Ah, but you must search for Him while you can. You must be sure that the object of your search is Jesus Christ.

Well, Jesus clarified the search. But when He said what He did to clarify, they thought:

The Search is Mystified.

They said, “Where is He going to go? How can He say we cannot come to Him?” You see, human reason blocked their understanding. Their minds got in the way. He had come from God, you see, and they failed to understand that.

Some still fail to understand that. They still believe that Jesus did not come from God. But He said, “I’m going back to God.” On this occasion they did not understand where He was going. But He said, “I am going and you are not going to be able to come where I am.”

Let me point out something to you. Human existence is unqualified to go where Jesus is. The flesh has its limitation. Your bodily physical existence now is going to need to undergo some changes if you are going to go where He has gone. That is what these people did not understand.

There is another existence beyond the flesh. It comes after death. So in one sense we can say that Jesus mystified the search. He made it more difficult because they tried to reason out what He was saying. My friend, don’t let your mind block your search. Be sure that you understand that Jesus came from God and went back to God. That will clarify your search, not mystify it.

There is a final step to end your search:

The Search is Satisfied.

It was on that last great day of the feast when Jesus stood and gave that great invitation, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.” Well, everybody does thirst. I said in the beginning that in the heart of every man, woman and child there is a longing for rest. Jesus knew that. He said it this way, “If anyone thirst,” because He wanted that decision to rest with the thirsty one, “let him come and drink.” Let him submit himself and understand that he will find the end of his search right here by me.

There was a great invitation. There was also a great satisfaction because Jesus said that inner longing down deep in your heart will be satisfied when you come to Him. He said out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of water. His soul thirst will be satisfied. Praise the Lord!

 Take Jesus’ words seriously if you want to end your search. You can come to Him, Jesus Christ, and when you do, that deep soul thirst inside of you will be satisfied. The search will end when you find Him. He can and will satisfy your innermost being. So you must come to Him now. Surrender to His invitation and in Him find rest for your soul.

Various religions and sects take different views regarding Jesus of Nazareth. Some say He was an outstanding miracle worker and indeed He was. Some say He was a prophet, maybe not quite equal to Moses but a very important prophet. We would say with them that’s true.

Christians of every nation, however, believe Jesus to be the promised Messiah and the Saviour of all who accept Him, all who believe in Him. We call them believers. I have met them in many different places and from many different lands. For example, I have met believers from India. I have met Japanese believers. I have met a believer from Swaziland, from Ethiopia, from Egypt, from Greece, from Germany, from Lebanon, from Israel, from the United States and many other countries. Yes, believers in every nation believe Jesus to be the Messiah, the One whom God had promised and the Saviour of all who accept Him, all who believe in Him.

In every generation the question about Jesus must be answered, for to many people Jesus is a puzzle. They ask the question, IS THIS THE VERY CHRIST? We can find the answer in John 7:25-31.

25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, is not this he, whom they seek to kill?

26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?

27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

Is this the very Christ? I propose to answer this question. Yes, yes, this is the very Christ. In this text are set forth several definite EVIDENCES which support my answer that this is the very Christ.

The first Evidence:

The Mystery of His Coming.

IIn identity He was the one they wanted to kill. There was something mysterious about Him because they said, “We know where he comes from.” Yet they were very unsure about Him. They said, “Who is this man? Do the rulers really believe that he is the very Christ.” But they said they knew Him. You could go over there right now to the country where He lived. You could find the town in which He was born. You could find the place where He grew up. You could find the area where He ministered around the Sea of Galilee. They knew Him and yet there was something mysterious about Him because they were so unsure about Him.

The Bible predicted about the Messiah’s coming. Genesis 3:15, that early, God said that the seed of the woman was going to crush the seed of the serpent. When Jacob bid his sons goodbye in Genesis 49, he said of Judah that the scepter should not depart from Judah until Shiloh come; unto him should the gathering of the people be. The prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14 predicted the virgin birth. He said, “A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel, God with us.”

Now I have only quoted three passages in the Old Testament predictions about the coming of Jesus. There’s something of a mystery about His coming but that mystery clears up when you see the predictions in the Bible about Him.

There is a second Evidence:

The Manner of His Coming.

When Jesus replied to these people He said, “You know both me and you know where I come from and I have not come of myself, but He who sent me is true.” He said He had been sent by the True One. Now who might that be? Moses asked when God called him from the back side of the desert, “Whom shall I say sent me?’ And God said to Moses, tell them, “I AM” hath sent you.” The prophet Isaiah speaking about God said there is no one like God. Who would they compare Him to. Jesus said, “He that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I AM from him, and he hath sent me.”

It is possible for us to know God, too. Not in the same sense in which Jesus has known Him, but in a very real sense we can understand God. And the manner of Jesus’ coming is very clearly set forth here. No one else has been able to make such claims. He was known by His neighbors and His family to be sure and yet He was unknown by them. The reason being He had been sent from God. That is the manner of His coming.

There is a third Evidence:

The Miracles of His Coming.

They were not able to take Him. They would have but they were not able because His time had not yet come. They tried it but it did not work. We can very confidently say Jesus’ life was kept until the time came for them to take Him. He Himself was a miracle. We are told in this text that many believed on Him because of the miracles which He performed. His miracles testified to His truthfulness. Thirty-eight are recorded in the Gospels that Jesus performed during His three and a half years of ministry. No wonder they said, “When Christ comes will he do more miracles than these that this man has done?” Of course not, because He was the Christ.

Both His birth and His death were miracles. He was born of the virgin. No one else had been, or ever has been. He gave His life on the cross for you and me. He dismissed His spirit and sent it back to God. He said on one occasion, “Nobody takes it from me. I lay it down of myself. Then I take it up again.” His whole life was a miracle. The miracles of His coming are clear if you will study the record carefully.

The answer to the question then is this: He is the very Christ. Yes, on the ground of these evidences: the mystery of His coming, the manner of His coming and the miracle of His coming. If you study the record carefully you will find that the answer must be yes, this is the very Christ. Have you believed on Him?

Hello friend and welcome to Hope for Today. My name is J. Mark Horst; I’m your friend
and Bible teacher. The program you’re listening to is produced by Heralds of Hope, an
international Gospel radio and literature ministry. Each week the Bible teaching broadcasts of
Heralds of Hope circle the globe in English and 21 other major languages.

The Bible is the only source of lasting hope. It is God’s Holy Word. You know as well as
I do that we can’t rely on the words of men because men change. Think of all the unkept promises
people have made, maybe even specific promises to you personally. But God is unchanging, He
keeps His promises. His Word is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Psalmist, David, said
in Psalm 119:89, “Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in Heaven.” You and I can depend on
God’s Word.

Because God’s Word is unchanging and reliable, we share this teaching with many people
around the world in different languages. And we receive many testimonies of lives that have been
transformed by the power of the Gospel.

are available, but they are expensive. The average person can’t afford to buy one. We look
forward to expanding our Bible distribution ministry there.

Now in just a few moments, we’ll present today’s teaching, “Obedience Opens
Understanding.” But before we do, let’s pray. Gracious God our Heavenly Father, we bow in your
holy presence. We acknowledge You as the giver of every good gift. We worship you and praise
your name.

And now, Father, as Dr. Yoder comes to teach us from your Word, open my heart and the
heart of each person listening to receive what you have for us today. Help us to see how obedience
opens our understanding. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Now, here’s Dr. Yoder.

Obedience opens understanding. Many people have hesitated to believe because they were
not able to understand. They have the mistaken notion that they must understand everything before
they believe, when really it is the other way around. We believe and then we understand. All of us
have asked questions from our childhood. To us they were important questions. We probably have
some questions that are still unanswered.

One of the secrets to understanding spiritual truth is obedience. This is an important
principle. Obedience is closely related to belief. Some people think they must understand
everything before they can believe. Others think they must understand everything before they will
obey. But I want to point out to you that OBEDIENCE OPENS UNDERSTANDING.

This comes to the surface so well in the discourse of Jesus in John 7:14-24.:

14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15 And the Jews marveled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or
whether I speak of myself.
18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that
sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye
about to kill me?
20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.
22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the
fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not
be broken, are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the
sabbath day?
24 Judge not according to the appearance but judge righteous judgment.

In these verses we can develop several PROPOSITIONS from which we must conclude that
obedience opens understanding.

The First Proposition is,

For the people it meant you go to school; it meant you get an education. They looked at
Jesus while He was teaching and said, “How can this man teach never having gone to school?” He
doesn’t know very much; he’s never been to our schools. I know what it means to work hard for

an education, to spend long hours at a study table. I know what they meant, yes indeed, but Jesus
went on to say it’s not so much where you have spent your time, at this or that educator’s table, it
is whether you know Him. For Jesus it meant a proper relationship to God because He explained
that anyone who does the will of God shall know whether His teaching is of God or not. He said,
“I speak what God gives me,” and He challenged them to believe and do.
I want you to especially notice how Jesus said, “If any man will do his will, he shall know
of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” I point out to you that you
must earn your right to speak and when you obey, great areas of understanding are opened to you.
In that way proof is forth coming. Before you turn off Jesus’ words, make sure that you test them.
Don’t just walk away from this and say, “No, there is nothing to it.” Do what He says and see
whether I’m not right that obedience opens understanding.

A Second Proposition is

Jesus said, “Moses gave you the law and nobody keeps it.” We all acknowledge that Moses
is the lawgiver. Maybe we should change that just a bit; Moses was the law revealer for God gave
him the law. We can read about this in the Old Testament in the book of Exodus. Moses went up
on the mountain and God gave him the law. But in that law was this statement: “this do and thou
shalt live”. Yet Jesus, looking in upon the situation of His day, said nobody keeps the law. Well, I
could add, were Jesus here today He would say the same thing, nobody keeps the law. Yet in His
day and ours some of the people who are strongest in their condemnation of another are those who
do not practice the law themselves. So, it was in His day. He said, “You don’t keep the law but
you condemn me.”

Now how could that be? The law of Moses was given to be kept. Now before you take
sides, my friend, make sure you do not condemn in others what you allow in your own life. I’m
speaking to you right there, right now.

There’s a Third Proposition:

Jesus used the illustration of circumcision. That right was given to Abraham many years
before Moses came on the scene. That’s why Jesus said it wasn’t of Moses, it was of the fathers.

God instructed Abraham that the circumcision should be done on the eighth day. It could at times
fall on the Sabbath day. In the time of Jesus, it was important enough for them to go ahead with
the circumcision. So, in order to keep this law of the circumcision they set aside another law, the
law of the Sabbath. This law took first place. Then Jesus raised a very important question with
them because He had healed a man on the Sabbath day. He said, “Are you going about to kill me
because I made a man every bit whole on the Sabbath day?”

He questioned their form of reasoning. Well, I do too, don’t you? If to circumcise a boy
baby on the Sabbath day is right, then surely to heal a man, make him whole, would also be right.
Such basic truth we must all meet. Before we decide we must make sure we have all the facts.
Truth must be faced with honesty. We cannot shirk it.

From Jesus’ words we must conclude simply that obedience brings depth of understanding.
These propositions make that very clear: you must earn the right to speak; the law of Moses was
given to keep; such basic truth everyone must meet. I urge you to listen to Jesus.

Thank you, Dr. Yoder for that helpful teaching. My friend, can you testify to this truth that
obedience opens understanding? If you can, we’d like to hear your experience and your testimony.

You can send your testimony to us by e-mail using this address, [email protected].
That email address again is, [email protected]. Or you may write to Hope for Today,
Box 3, Breezewood, Pennsylvania 15533. And, when you send your testimony you can also
request a printed manuscript or an audio CD of this teaching, “Obedience Opens Understanding.”
We’d be happy to send this teaching to you.

Once again, the quickest way for you to send your testimony to us is to send an e-mail to
[email protected]. Or you may write to Hope for Today, Box 3, Breezewood, Pennsylvania Remember; you can request a free copy of this teaching, “Obedience Opens Understanding.” It’s available in print or on an audio CD.

And don’t forget our Bible teaching programs are available to you all the time and any time
at the website, twr360.org. That’s twr360.org. Thousands are logging on to the site for spiritual
nourishment and blessing. You can join them and be blessed too!

Now friend, I urge you to tune in next week as we continue study in the Gospel of John. In
his teaching, Dr. Yoder will speak on the subject, “Is This the Very Christ?” You won’t want to
miss that. And until then, keep looking for that blessed HOPE.

The history of Christianity is quite checkered. It seems sometimes it flourished greatly. Other times it was in retreat.

During the first century, Christianity spread far across the world. Tradition tells us that Thomas, the disciple who said he would not believe Jesus had resurrected until he saw the nail prints in His hands and thrust his hand in His side, went to the country of India. Even today there is the St. Thomas Church in India. Another tradition tells us that Mark (John Mark) went to Egypt, though there seems to be little verification of that.

As the church spread across the Roman Empire, strange ideas filtered in. One was that to be holy one must live alone, completely isolated from society. On my 1962 visit to Mt. Athos in Greece, I saw firsthand how this aloneness functions.

The separatist movement began even before the Christian era. The Qumran community on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea in Israel pioneered the idea. Qumran was practically unknown until 1947 when by accident the first scrolls were found by a shepherd boy. We know the Qumran community was separated from general society and concentrated on holiness. They were there, scholars believe, from 150 years before Christ until A.D. 70.

Going back to Mt Athos, the monastic idea sprang out of Christianity. Transportation on the mountain was walking, donkey back, or ship. My friend and I took a ship journey. As we rounded the south end of the peninsula, the hermit huts were clearly visible on the mountain slopes. Hermits do indeed withdraw from society, rarely coming out of hiding. To them society is evil; therefore they have little to do with people.

It appears that hermits have overlooked a basic principle Jesus spoke of when He showed the disciples where and what the source of evil is. The Pharisees were complaining that the disciples were eating without washing their hands. To the Pharisees that was a source of defilement. Jesus explained that the heart is where defilement comes from. Observe Matthew 15:17-20:

Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

To be sure, there is no way anyone can get away from the source of evil by that definition. Therefore, separation from society does not make a person holy until the heart has been cleansed. The heart and mind are closely related.

The apostle Paul put it right in Romans 12:1-2:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

What does “transformed by the renewing of your mind” mean anyway? I repeat, the mind and the heart are closely related. Transformed by the renewing of your mind means refusing to let the world press you into its mold. Instead, be transformed, be changed in the very essence of your being by renewing your mind. The mind is, after all, the source of action. Sometimes we speak of “thoughtless action.” That may be our easy way out. From our study of I Corinthians, you might have concluded that Paul was a loner, somewhat monastic perhaps. Some of his teaching came on pretty strong. Now in this my last message I hope to help you see the other side of Paul.

In I Corinthians 16:13-24 Paul pled for a WORKING TOGETHER.

13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

14 Let all your things be done with charity.

15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and [that] they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with [us], and laboureth.

17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

21 The salutation of [me] Paul with mine own hand.

22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you.

24 My love [be] with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Let me show you the basic underlying PRINCIPLES Paul enumerated for Working Together. The first principle is:

13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

14 Let all your things be done with charity.

To rally the Corinthians, Paul issues the “call to battle,” I would say. He gives four commands. Notice them in verse 13. “Watch ye” literally means “Stay Awake!” So many are lulled to sleep, and much can lull us to sleep. So Paul would say, “Arouse yourself!”

Then “stand fast in the faith.” There is something unique about the word “stand.” It is in the present tense and stresses the thought “keep standing.” Don’t let winds or others move you around. Do not yield to any pressure. Stand fast in the faith. Do not weaken.

“Quit you like men” is very interesting, especially in our feminist society. It doesn’t say “quit you like women.” It says “quit you like men.” Be courageous! Be manly! Take your position and hold it.

“Be strong!” Show yourself brave. Don’t buckle under pressure. You may talk to yourself in private. But how you perform in public reveals who you really are.

Take these four great ideas, and translate them into your personal life. “Watch ye. Stand fast in the faith. Quit you like men. Be strong.”

The overarching experience is love. Paul says in verse 14, “Let all your things be done with charity.” That’s the great word for love, agape. It is the bonding for working together.

To the church at Philippi, Paul wrote in Philippians 2:2-3:

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

See what I mean?

The first principle for Working Together then is The Conviction of Love.

The second principle is:

15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and [that] they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with [us], and laboureth.

17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

There is a very interesting concept in verse 15: “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,).”

Stephanas was an early believer in Corinth. The apostle Paul refers to him right at the beginning of his letter. In the first chapter, he speaks about Stephanas’s household. There was some debate in Corinth as to who should be the leader, and the apostle Paul related this in chapter 1 verses 14-17:

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

So Paul had a special relationship with the household of Stephanas. Stephanas’s addiction was self-imposed. He was willing to be spent in behalf of the ministry. He was addicted to the ministry of the saints. We wish we knew more about Stephanas’s family. These are the brief references we have, but they tell us a lot. They tell us what kind of man Stephanas was.

Then Paul goes on the say, “Submit yourself unto such.” Catch some of the spirit. Cooperate. Help where you can. The hymn writer put it this way, “Go labor on, spend and be spent.” That was Stephanas. He was addicted to the service of the saints.

Then there are two other saints named here, Fortunatus and Achaicus, refreshers. Paul said they refreshed him. These are the kind of people needed. You can be one. Tell your preacher, “I am with you. I am praying for you.” Be a refresher. I am talking about working together, and I am talking about the second principle, The Addiction to Service.

The third principle is:

19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

21 The salutation of [me] Paul with mine own hand.

22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you.

24 My love [be] with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

First of all, Paul referred to the churches in Asia. There was a church in Antioch, a church in Lystra, a church in Iconium, and a church in Derbe. There may have been more than these. There were more by the time John the apostle was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. In the opening verses of the book of Revelation, he addressed the messages from Jesus to seven churches. They were Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. These churches in Asia were greeting the believers in Corinth: “The churches of Asia salute you.”

Then there were house churches. Paul referred to Aquila and Priscilla and the church in their house. Aquila and Priscilla were not pulpit people. They were private people. They helped Apollos learn the truth more fully. But here they were in their house church. These were cell groups, an intimacy often lost in larger congregations. Many people prefer smaller congregations. Mega-churches have to create cell groups to have the interaction, intimacy, and fellowship expected in the church.

Then Paul said, “All the brethren greet you.” They say, “God bless you.” And then he said, “Go greet one another with holy affection.”

There are certain cultures where the mouth kiss is not appreciated or practiced. But if you understand this to say “holy affection,” then it fits any and all cultures no matter how the affection is expressed. Greet one another with holy affection. I have observed that now it is more of a hug in many situations than a kiss.

Finally, Paul gave a warning: “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema.” What does that mean? A Greek dictionary has “Doomed to destruction.” Apparently, it means beyond recovery. If a person does not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, he is beyond recovery, doomed to destruction. It is a very solemn warning to be sure.

The word Maranatha is a combination of two Chaldean words meaning “The Lord Cometh.” Praise the Lord.

Paul’s final salutation is “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” That was Paul’s identifying mark. Even in Paul’s day some people tried to write letters and sign them as though he had written them. Therefore he made it clear that this was his identifying mark.

So, my friend, we have this principle of The Salutation of the Saints. Find your fellowship and joy in the body of Christ in the local assembly in what we call the community of faith.

The principles Paul sets forth in the closing verses of his letter to the Corinthians are good for all times when believers are desirous of Working Together.

Therefore let

Be the overarching principle of unity

Be the self-imposed principle of ministry

Be the bonding principle of fellowship

Operating together these enable the work of our Lord Jesus Christ to go forward. Amen.

Denominations have their forms of government. Some have a governing body of bishops. Others have a single pastor of a congregation. One is called Episcopalian government. The other is called congregational government. Certain denominations emphasize what they call the priesthood of the individual believer. By this they mean each one can plead his or her own cause before God. There is no need to have some other human as a solicitor or mediator.

On the other side are the denominations that teach the individual needs a human intercessor to stand between him and God. That intercessor may be an ordained person in the hierarchy of the church or a human now dead but by hierarchical decree elevated to the position of a saint.

Both forms have pitfalls. The congregational or the individual priesthood group may leave too much up to individual decision, resulting in disunity in the local assembly. Today we call it tolerance. The Episcopalian form may vest too much authority in a few who make up the governing body that sets the rules.

In Paul’s missionary work, he ordained elders in the newly formed churches. At the same time, he retained definite oversight, issuing some decrees “for to keep.” His epistles reflect his concern and control of the various congregations.

In my opening chapter on I Corinthians, I stated that Paul supported what he taught the Corinthians by referring to what he taught in all churches. I want to reemphasize that I Corinthians is not a provincial epistle. It is for the church. And it is for the church today.

Thus Paul apparently considered he had a leadership role to give direction to a number of congregations, reaching even beyond his time. No one in the congregation, in fact, no congregation, was expected to go it alone.

There was what we call the “community of faith.” And yet there was and is a personal accountability as Paul writes in Romans 14:12: “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Let’s now consider I Corinthians 16:1-12 for  COUNSELS FOR THE LOCAL CONGREGATION.

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2 Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and [there are] many adversaries.

10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also [do].

11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

12 As touching [our] brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

Here we have several down-to-earth COUNSELS the local congregation should follow.

The first counsel is:

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2 Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

Did you notice how the chapter began, how the apostle Paul wrote it? “Now concerning the collection for the saints.” You know what? They had no government entitlement! No welfare state of any kind, political at least.

Christians were to help Christians. That is still a very good principle, and one the congregation can well follow. The church at Corinth was to collect an offering for the believers in Jerusalem. They reached beyond their own area. They were to give consideration to the saints in Jerusalem.

We know, as far as politics was concerned, that the Roman government had a system of taxation. Paul teaches us what to do about that in Romans 13. In verses 5-7 he states it carefully:

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

So while the Roman government had a system of taxation, believers should pay their taxes and exercise themselves in the body of Christ, in the local congregation.

There is teaching about stewardship here as well. There are several principles involved. Paul said, “On the first day of the week you are to lay by in store.” So there is to be a regularity, a regular schedule, the first day of the week. Now we generally interpret that to mean Sunday. We should interpret it in the light of the practice of that day, however. The first day of the week began on Saturday at sundown. And that’s probably when they met for worship, sundown after the Sabbath.

Another principle involved here is percentage giving: “As God has prospered him.” What God has given the believer is how he determines what he returns to God. While the tithe is not specifically mentioned here, a percentage in giving is clearly implied.

And there was advance preparation. When Paul comes, it will be all together so there need not be any gathering. In other words, when they brought their offerings on the first day of the week, they apparently deposited them in a church treasury. Some commentators believe this was to be a family project, that the father as head of the house would hold the funds at home.

But there was also here a designation of responsibility. Paul said he would commit the offering to whomever they recommended to take the offering to the saints in Jerusalem. He said if necessary, he would go along. But he was hoping the congregation would be able to select persons of reputable standing to take the offering to Jerusalem.

I believe this is an excellent counsel for your congregation today as you collect the offering. Collect it for a purpose. There is one thing I have problems with in many congregations today. They have a budget. So when they receive the offering, the congregation does not know what the offering is being used for. Well, they say, “We have a budget.” But the apostle Paul said, “Now when you receive this offering, designate it for the poor in Jerusalem.” That is nice, I think.

The second counsel directs our minds to how to:

5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and [there are] many adversaries.

Now you might think this hardly has anything to do with the local congregation. But just a moment! The apostle said he was planning to go to Macedonia. Macedonia was in the north, at least to him when he was in Ephesus. Paul said he was going to stay in Ephesus until Pentecost. So Macedonia was northwest of Ephesus across the Aegean Sea. Do you remember how he came on his second missionary journey to Troas and had the vision of the man from Macedonia saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us” (Acts 16:9)? And they went immediately. Looking at the map and the history in the book of Acts, we can see that Macedonia included the towns of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea.

Later Paul wrote letters to Philippi and Thessalonica. They were the churches he established on his second missionary journey. To go to Corinth through Macedonia was probably the best route, especially since there were churches there. He would probably take a ship from Ephesus to Macedonia, go over land to Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, and then take ship along the coast to Athens. That is the way he went the first time. The believers helped him to escape from Berea and take a ship to Athens. That probably was the best route. And then he went overland to Corinth.

Paul said he was going to stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, which tells me something about him. He recognized the religious calendar. Pentecost, of course, was an Old Testament feast day when the people brought their first fruits and offered them to the Lord in the temple. It became a Christian holiday after the Holy Spirit came. Remember in Acts 2 the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, the Feast of the First Fruits.

There was another reason Paul wanted to stay in Ephesus. There was an open door. He said, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” Ephesus was a very important center for the apostle Paul. But it was also the center of idol worship, particularly of Diana of the Ephesians.

Paul’s first visit there created a riot. But he wanted to go back because there was a great open door. We get a look into the measure of Paul’s zeal. Nothing seemed to turn him back. It is a great challenge to me. So the second counsel is Coordinate Your Travel Plans subject to divine guidance.

The third counsel is:

10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also [do].

11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

12 As touching [our] brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

Paul names two itinerant preachers, Timothy and Apollos. Timothy was Paul’s understudy. Paul found him in the town of Derbe, on the second missionary journey. Acts 16:1-5 records that first meeting:

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they all knew that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

That was a wonderful testimony about Timothy, the one Paul expected to go to Corinth. But Paul had referred to him before in this letter, in chapter 4 and verse 17: “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.” Paul had great confidence in Timothy. Although he was a young man, he had purpose and stability.

Later, the apostle Paul wrote two letters to Timothy. They are wonderful dissertations on leadership. So Paul told the Corinthians to give Timothy due respect. They were not to let his youthfulness turn them off.

The second brother Paul referred to was Apollos. Apollos was known for his silver-tongued oratory. He was an effective speaker. But he was also the cause of parties forming in Corinth, as the first few chapters of the book reveal.

Apollos first came into view in Ephesus. The record is given in Acts 18:24-28:

And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For He mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Apollos was born in Alexandria, a city in Egypt built by Alexander the Great, three hundred years before Christ. But Apollos had come to Asia, and he was supported by the brethren. He was instructed by Aquila and Priscilla. He was a compelling speaker. The apostle Paul seemed to regret that Apollos was not willing or ready to adjust his itinerary that would take him to Corinth, but he would come when it was convenient for him.

Paul highly recommended these two fellow servants. Trusted preachers are to be cared for and respected for their teaching and their ministry. You agree, don’t you, that Paul’s counsels are to the point for any congregation even in our day?

To refresh our understanding, I say

Plan your stewardship with regularity and proportionately.

Plan your itinerary with regard for advancing the witness of the Gospel.

Plan your reception of traveling preachers with care, making sure they are faithful servants of Christ.

I say these are good counsels for a twentieth-century congregation.

In my younger days, we used to debate the question, “Which is better, anticipation or realization?” It was a stupid question, I suppose, and debating it was useless, but we did it anyway.

Anticipation holds the future in view, always exciting for its uncertainty. Realization takes the edge off excitement. The look is either now or then, backwards I mean. Of course, the subject lends to the idea of the experience, “Which is better, anticipation or realization?”

The apostle Paul examines how hope functions in Romans 8:20-25. Here is what He said:

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Anticipation then is the essence of hope. When realization comes, hope is no longer needed.

Thus far in I Corinthians 15 Paul has led us through the philosophical maze to faith in the resurrection of Christ. He was well able to do that, having been raised in the city of Tarsus, an independent Roman town, with a Greek university. He led us through the maze and then to the resurrection of all human beings, they that are Christ’s at His coming, and the rest at the end.

From I Corinthians 15:50 we learned that the present order of flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The two are incompatible; that is, flesh and blood and the kingdom of God are incompatible. To inherit the kingdom of God, a radical change must take place. I’ve called it the climax. All leads up to that great event, the climax of human history.

So let’s consider I Corinthians 15:51-58 for my message REJOICING IN THE CLIMAX.

51 Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall 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 shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have 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] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?

56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.

57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord victory?

Now follow me as I bring to you the powerful INCENTIVES Paul uses to call us to Rejoice in the Climax.

The first incentive is:

51 Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.

A mystery in the Bible is not mysterious in the sense of odd or without explanation. Webster’s Dictionary of Synonyms, however, defines mystery thus:

Mystery often, especially in theological use, implies the . . . incapacity for comprehension by human reason. The term is applied specifically to any one of the doctrines of Christianity (such as the Trinity, the Incarnation, or the Resurrection) which have this character.

This means the character goes beyond human reason. It cannot be totally explained by reason alone.

In revealing the mystery, Paul is not using human reason but divine revelation. There is a great difference, friend. The difference between human reason and divine revelation is that a change must take place by an act of God. Corruption cannot become incorruption automatically. Mortality cannot put on immortality without divine intervention. That is very clear.

It will come to pass, not in a long process, but in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. For the word “moment,” the apostle Paul used the Greek word atomo, from which we get our word “atom.” An atom, according to the dictionary, is the smallest particle that is indivisible (however, that does not preclude it from being “smashed”). He says in an atom, in the twinkling of an eye, in an indivisible instant of time. No forewarning! At the last trumpet!

Observe what Barnes comments on this wonderful truth:

The word [mystery] here does not mean anything which was in its nature unintelligible, but that which to them had been hitherto unknown. “I now communicate to you a truth which has not been brought into the discussion, and in regard to which no communication has been made to you.” On this subject, there had been no revelation. Though the Pharisees held that the dead would rise, yet they do not seem to have made any statement in regard to the living who should remain when the dead should rise. Nor, perhaps, had the subject occupied the attention of the apostles; nor had there been any direct communication on it from the Lord Jesus himself. Paul then here says, that he was about to communicate a great truth which till then had been unknown and to resolve a great inquiry on which there had as yet been no revelation.

So the first incentive is The Mystery Revealed.

The second incentive is:

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have 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] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?

56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.

57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now notice “So when.” Those two words are very important in our text. “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality.” The event is coming. The change from mortality to immortality will strip death of its stranglehold on believers! Paul stressed it, “We shall all be changed.”

Death fastened its fangs on the human race when Eve and Adam sinned in Eden. God told them if they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they would surely die. And He made no exception for that.

So now we turn to Romans 5:12-18 to find how Paul explained it:

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Paul elaborates on the results of that first sin and the result of death.

Victory, however, is assured because, as we go on in our text, we see that the word of God comes true. Victory swallows death! This is only true of Christians. The wicked will experience the second death, eternal death. But the righteous will be delivered from death. Death will no longer have dominion over them. Oh, the difference is remarkable. The wicked will experience the second death and never be released from it.

Paul leads us further to understand that the victory is through Jesus Christ: “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Praise the Lord! He is alive. The resurrection is the bedrock of the victory.

When my wife’s mother died, the Lord gave me this poem:

O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?

O death, where is thy sting?

The Son Incarnate came

To live in flesh the same.

Then stood beside the tomb;

With shout He pierced the gloom

Him from earth’s bowels, to bring!

O death, where is thy sting?

The perfect man: a few

With wicked hands they slew.

Though on the cross He died.

With piercing shout He cried;

The fearless gauntlet down to fling!

O death, where is thy sting?

The Prince of Life—too much

He was for icy clutch.

The quaking earth and angel word

Acclaimed Him then the Risen Lord.

To all the hope of life to bring!

O death, where is thy sting?

He comes, He comes again;

Accompanied by His holy train!

Alive! Alive and well!

We shall the chorus swell;

O death, O death, where is thy sting?

Amen. Hallelujah!

So the second incentive is The Victory Regained. Glory in it, my friend.

The third incentive is:

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord victory?

This verse is full of great truth. Paul says, “My beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” “Steadfast!”

The world seems to be full of compromisers. Years ago I was in conversation with a friend of mine about conditions in the world, and he made this statement: “Love is more important than truth.” Do you think that is correct? I don’t. After all, love is not love if it is not true love. And there is much of that today. Truth has been sacrificed on the cross of tolerance. You get that everywhere. Paul called for security. The word steadfast carries the thought of being established. It is a synonym with the next word, “unmoveable.”

The word steadfast carries with it the idea of a seat. Sit down. Don’t be moved about. Don’t be tossed about with every wind of doctrine. Some people are weathercock Christians. They go the way the wind blows. They are like chameleons, changing as the environment changes. That’s not what Paul was talking about. He said, “Be ye steadfast and unmoveable.” And then “abounding in the work of the Lord.” Pressing on!

In this present world, Christ has only our hands. He has only our feet, only our words. He has given us His word that we might go with it around the world. And I must remind you again that the human family is the only species of the earth’s population that communicates with words, as far as we know.

Paul said, “Always abounding in the work of the Lord.” The Lord left the work to us. He said to the disciples, “As you go, make disciples of all nations.” That is what we have inherited. It has come down to us.

And then it is proper for us to expect a reward. “For as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord,” the apostle said. It is proper for us to look forward to the reward. Jesus gave a parable and said that the faithful servant was commended and rewarded. His Lord said, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: . . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21). So we can expect just rewards.

The apostle Paul said he looked forward to the crown of righteousness the Lord was going to give to him, and not to him only, but to everyone who looks for His appearing. I am looking for the Lord’s appearing. I believe therefore that the Lord has a crown of righteousness for me. Praise God! Friend, labor on. God is not unmindful! He will reward you if you are faithful in serving Him.

I must share again from Barnes’s comments on this beautiful passage, showing us the importance of this climax I am talking about:

No other system of religion has any such hopes as this; no other system does anything to dispel the gloom or drive away the horrors of the grave. How foolish is the man who rejects the gospel—the only system which brings life and immortality to light! How foolish to reject the doctrine of the resurrection, and to lie down in the grave without peace, without hope, without any belief that there will be a world of glory; living without God, and dying like the brute. And yet infidelity seeks and claims its chief triumphs in the attempt to convince poor dying man that he has no solid ground of hope; that the universe is “without a Father and without a God;” that the grave terminates the career of man for ever; and that in the grave he sinks away to eternal annihilation. Strange that man should seek such degradation! Strange that all men, conscious that they must die, do not at once greet Christianity as their best friend, and hail the doctrine of the future state, and of the resurrection, as that which is adapted to meet the deeply-felt evils of this world; to fill the desponding mind with peace, and to sustain the soul in the temptations and trials of life, and in the gloom and agony of death!

Praise God! So, friend, I urge you to keep going. The Reward is Realized, Amen.

Therefore, together we can be Rejoicing in the Climax because of

Brings joy

Brings purpose

Brings hope

Amen. Praise God!