Your Labor Is Not in Vain

[Music] service morning and I would like to start off with uh Hebrews chap 12. I'll be reading verses uh 1 and two. uh Hebrews chapter 12 1 and2 and it says over here therefore we also since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ens snares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us looking onto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. I'd like us to to set our attention on let us set aside every weight and the sin which so easily ens snares us. As we were coming here, um, I was talking to to some people in our bus and I said, "When we look around, there's temptation everywhere. There's temptation on the left, there's temptation on the right, there's temptation down below, there's temptation all up above." But we have to endure. We have to endure because over here it says looking unto Jesus looking onto oh Lord consider my meditation give heed to the voice of my cry my king and my God for to you I will pray my voice you shall hear in the morning oh Lord in the morning I will and direct it to you and I will look up for you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness ness, nor shall evil dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood. The Lord uphores the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. But as for me, I will come into your house in the multitude of your mercy. In fear of you, I will worship toward your holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their inward part is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue. Pronounce them guilty, oh God. Let them fall by their own counselss. Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against you. But let all those rejoice who put their trust in you. Let them ever shout for joy because you defend them. Let those also who love your name be joyful in you. For you, oh Lord, will bless the righteous. With favor you will surround him as with a shield. May the scripture bless us today and bless our hearts when we're looking through um an answer. uh when God is God seems to be so distant often times his voice is very ever so faint and so when we are seeking God we're seeking him obviously through prayer um uh be as open as David was to God where he was willing to open his heart out um uh you know regardless of what other people may have thought of him but be genuine before God in in your prayer times he genu genuinely desires for us to be honest with him. And today we have um a brother Ethan. He has prepared a song uh on the piano by the name of Blessed Assurance. And then afterwards a group of us youth will come out and sing a song in Russian um that translates to um I want to learn how to love. And so yeah, Ethan Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Uh this is a song that we're actually dedicating to Emma. Um she has served this church uh for from ever since she was young. Um because she grew up here. And it was crazy because um now uh as we're growing older, she's getting married and whatnot. And it was funny when we were first starting as a youth, we would always joke uh amongst each other, who would be the first to marry, who would be the first to get married. And it was always Emma. It was always Emma that we would always point to because she was and her desire to have kids um was something that uh everyone just expected Emma would probably be married off first. And so we have a song in Russian that will be singing um with the words of uh want to learn how to love. And it's a song to uh to everyone uh learning to love especially in the hard times and learning to seek uh your friends and your family and even God um when times are tough um who to run to and who to depend on. As Christians, we are here to learn to depend on each other and also on God. And so um may this song be a blessing for everyone. Fore! [Music] Foreign! Foreign! [Music] Preaching [Music] yard [Music] now [Music] She has all [Music] You [Music] might show me [Music] yours. [Music] What the You got I am now is the true [Music] she [Music] night. He got he got [Music] so much [Music] will chase your chase. I am the true [Music] He's trying to go. [Music] Praise God. Well, praise God, my dear friends. Um, thank you uh group for that uh beautiful song. The words were I want to learn how to love um and forgive. Uh that's the that's the hard one, right? To to love and to forgive. Um because sometimes like not always things go our way, but the Lord teaches us to forgive and to love. And today um my message is going to be a little bit different because we have two little I guess announcements that we're going to be discussing. But um before that happens, I wanted to share a little message. And that's going to be in First Corinthians, that's page 1,664. First Corinthians page 1,664 vers chapter 15 verse 58. Let's do a little bit earlier. Verse 15. Now this I say, brethren, that the flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. In verse 58, therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. As a runner that that only receives his medal when he or she crosses the line. So also those who remain faithful in labor will receive their reward. Over here it's interesting because it says knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. To labor for the Lord you have to be first in the Lord. And I bring up this example sometimes where if I go to McDonald's right now and I start cleaning up the tables and washing their dishes, they never hired me. I don't get a reward for that. But doing the same thing, being hired, now I get the reward. And my dear friends, those who labor for the Lord, those who are in the Lord, know one thing that your labor is not in vain. Sometimes our labor could be shorter than others. Our run could be shorter than others. There's those that that run the 100meter dash, right? That's a sprint. Then there's those that do the 200, the 400 meter, the mile or the marathon. Everybody has their run on this earth. Everyone is running for something, but you will receive your reward only if you're running in the Lord. And I want to encourage those who are steadfastly working for God's kingdom that your labor is not in vain. In the Lord, your labor is never empty. It is bearing its fruit. Even though we might not know how significant our labor could be, but in a company, every person is equally as important. From the manager to the person that's washing the dishes to the person that's wiping the floors to the CEO. If they are not doing their job, it doesn't matter of your position, you will be removed. So don't think just because you're doing something small that God doesn't see you. Oh, he does. Be faithful in that and he will bless you. It's hard to to sometimes endure to the end or stay faithful because when we go to work and we work our shift, we work our two weeks, we know that there's a paycheck that we're looking ahead for. We know that there's a payday coming for our labor. But when we work for the Lord, we don't see it in two weeks. We don't see it in a month. And there's times we could get discouraged. But know one thing, my dear friend, that for God, our time is like one day. And when we come to heaven, he will make sure you get your payday. He will make sure you get your paycheck. And it's not going to be a payday where you're gonna spend it and need more of it, but it's going to be for eternity. But this this labor, this labor, it can only be done when we're here on earth. It can only be done while we are alive. It's going to be too late. to labor for the Lord when we're already there, it's going it's going to be too late. If you're running If you're running, run like you're going to receive the ultimate reward. And in ministry, not everybody who receives a reward is the ones on stage. God has his people everywhere. When I was picking up um James this morning, brother James, he went into a gas station and some lady over there was giving him gospel tracks. People are laboring everywhere. And some people think, well, I got to be on stage for it to count. No, my dear friend. God has his people everywhere. But like a laborer they have to sacrifice, right? Like a laborer we have to sacrifice. Like what do we sacrifice when we go to work? One, we sacrifice our time. The second thing that we have to do is we have to put in our effort because a l because a lazy worker nobody wants Those two things we have to do for God's kingdom as well. When we are laboring, we cannot be lazy about it. Sometimes we we are too afraid to give up what we're holding on to when God is calling us to do something, I'll say, greater for his kingdom. My last week's message at the second service was Jesus gave up his entire life for you and me. What did we give up for him? Sometimes that hour that hour in the day we don't have we don't want to give up to him. He gave his entire life up for us. What have we given up for him? How are we laboring, my dear friends? We are working for God's kingdom. And those that that are maybe sitting here and never submitted their life to your author and creator. You can do that today. And you can start collecting your hours today because every second that you spend laboring for the Lord, you will be rewarded. My second question is for all of us. Where are we laboring? Where are we laboring? Like I said, it can't only be on the stage of a church. It can be where you live. It could be where you go to school. It could be where you go eat. It could be where you hang out. How are you laboring for the kingdom of God? How are you laboring? Just as you labor at your earthly job, know this. God has called you and me to a greater labor. Labor in the Lord. Labor in his field. labor for his kingdom. And today we're going to do a little bit something different because one of our very good laborers is departing. God has big plans for her, I would say. And about a year ago when we started cooking breakfast for us, for the church, for the homeless. I came up to to this person and I said, "Emma, would you like to take on this ministry?" I don't remember how it all went down because my memory is not good. I don't even remember what I did a week ago, but all I know is that she said yes. And every week, every Sunday morning, those tables were full with food. And that's a true and faithful laborer. And sometimes we think that those people, oh, they're just putting out what they need to do. But just understand that God sees them as faithful as the pastors behind the podium. Oh, they're so precious to God because we are all laboring for one king and for one boss. And it's sad to to see people go, but not for long. Not for long. We wish her back. While many were enjoying their their Saturdays, hanging out with their friends, with their families, Emma was going out shopping for food for eggs, for bacon, for breakfast, to make sure that all of us are fed. While some people were still snoozing Sunday morning, Emma was here bright and early with her team, laboring for the Lord. She was preparing for all of us. And today, well, I guess couple of months ago, how they say at work, put in the two week notice. while Well, Emma put in her two week notice a couple months ago. And I was praying. I'm like, Lord, who are we going to replace her with? Who are we going to replace her with? And how the Bible says the harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. pray to the harvester to send out the laborers. And so I was praying. I was praying, Lord, who are we going to replace her with? Because she was a faithful laborer. Anything I asked, okay, and it was done. But God, he hears our prayers, right? He hears our prayers and he answered. And we will be also blessing brother James on this next ministry. He stepped out because he's he's been nervous. He's like, "Listen, I have to make sure all the food's ready and and he has his team. So, he's probably over there trying to make sure, you know, everybody's doing their job. Maybe uh Brother Ivan could go uh get him. But um I would like for for Emma to come up so we can pray for her. Also from the church, we got a little gift. But I'll say this, this is not your reward. This would be one sad reward. This is just a thank you for all your like weeks in and week out to labor for us. And not only that, but she got a plaque of a breakfast chef of the year. And over here it says, "Thank you, Emma, for your faithful service. Like you have been a huge blessing. Morning Star Christian Church, August 17th." No, I didn't get it today, but counted my days. So, our church, this is the girl that was making the breakfast week in and week out, right, Brother Doug? Those eggs that you were eating, those were Emma's eggs, right? Bacon, everything. Dessert. So I would like for all of us to stand up and bless Emma on her next journey. But Emma, just know one thing. Once you get married, once you get settled down, just know that your spot is always available. Okay? So we are expecting, you know, if if you still want for you to come back. Okay? But uh let's Yeah. Let's pray. Lord God, we bless Emma, Lord Jesus. We bless her, Lord God. God, do you see her next chapter, God, that you have blessed her with, Lord God, and she was laboring day in and day out, week in and week out, Lord God, we ask for your blessing upon her, Lord Jesus, that her future is blessed, that her marriage is blessed, Lord God, and the ministries that you have for her, Lord Jesus. May you bless her, God. God, may you protect her and her family, God, and bless her wherever she will be, God. This is a faithful labor, and we are so thankful that you sent her to us in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Okay, Emma, thank you. Yeah, that's a heavy one. Okay. And um Oh, and look at that. Brother James even got her some gifts, too. And as like I was okay, we can have a seat just for a second. And just as I said that that we are all running and and Emma ran her race. Yeah, it was maybe a 100 meter sprint. It was it was short, but it was sweet. You know, some of us labor or run the 200, some of us 400, some of us a mile, some of us a marathon. We're all running, my dear friends. But it's for the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave his life for you and me. He deserves it all. He deserves it all. And today we will also be praying for James, brother James, like Emma has completed her, I would say 100 meter dash, but now it's your time to start the race. And I've been talking to James and he's nervous and excited. But uh did you want to say maybe a couple words to the church knowing that this is your new cook and chef, James? Here, let me give you a microphone. I'm just thankful and honored to be here and um to be cooking for you guys. It's a pleasure. It's my passion and I just want to thank you very much for the welcome. Um love the church. I appreciate you guys and uh I hope I could measure up with Emma and um make her proud that I'm taking over for her. Um it's a pleasure. Again, thank you guys very much. Okay. Thank you. Yes. Appreciate. Yeah. So, so James, he didn't want to say because maybe he's a little shy, but uh he's been cooking for 25 years. 25 years. And um and so he's the chef, but but he uh is competing with with Emma, the master chef. Oh, yes. Yes. So that's why I hope I could um make you happy and proud to take over for you, you know. And um I've talked to James and I've been also praying about it earnestly and I'm like wow sometimes you just wonder Lord are like are we in your will? Are we in your will? you're always asking that uh question and God is just like so involved that he already looked ahead and he brought brother James knowing that sister Emma is going to be departing to her next life which is a a better life I would say. Yes. Okay. Well, let's all stand up and James you can come down. Brother Ivan and Gennady. James right here. You're in the middle. Just uh just kneel down. Yeah. Lord, we asking you to Yes, Lord God. We're in the name of Jesus Christ. Yes, Lord Jesus. Yes. Yes. Yes. Lord Jesus. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Lord God, we thank you for sending us James. Lord God, you're so involved in every small thing, Lord. And we thank you, Lord Jesus. God, we're appointing James in the name of Jesus Christ to this position, Lord God. May he take it seriously knowing that he's not just laboring for us but for your kingdom Lord. And one day when he'll meet you, he will receive his reward, Lord God. Like every laborer, God, that's laboring for you, Jesus. God, we bless him on this position. We bless him in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Be blessed. Thank you. Um, and al together we'll sing a song by the name of Love Lifted Me. [Music] I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stay within, seeking to rise no more. But the master of the sea heard my despairing cry from the waters lifted me. Now safe am I. Love lifted me. Love is to me when nothing else can help. Love is to me. Love is in me. Love is in me. When nothing else could help love lifting me all my heart, you're my love. Jesus completely saves. He will lift you by his death out of the angry waves. [Music] But the master of the sea will lose his will oy your savior wants to be he to love me. Love me when nothing else. Love lifted me. Love lifted me. Love lifted me. When nothing else could come, love lifted me. [Music] Amen. My dear friends, I uh I wanted to to cut this uh service a little bit short because I wanted us to come down over there and have a little uh breakfast for today. Uh it's prepared for all of us today this morning. So, we'll go down there. We'll meet each other. We'll talk to each other. Uh we'll get to know each other. But let's remember the message today is how are you laboring? And if you are not laboring for the Lord or in the Lord, you can give your life to Christ and you can get hired for his kingdom and start receiving your rewards on payday. Amen to that. But like I also um uh we also made these invite cards. They're small, but they're small on purpose so you can put them in your pockets. um if they're kind of big, you know, people uh will toss them, but it's an invite card for people at your work, uh people at your home, people where you live. uh you can pass out these these invite cards and on the back it it has all the uh details and information and it says ask for and they say that if you put your name then people are most likely to come to come. So if you put your name like ask for uh Tim and they come they they'll ask for Tim and then they can sit by Tim and you can say thank you for coming and stuff like that. So, this is a way to labor for God's kingdom. And I call everybody to to pick up these cards if God puts that on your heart. Um, with that said, is there any needs? If there's no needs, just a couple of announcements. Yeah, Christina. Okay. So, so her brother uh he got sick. He got hurt. Yeah. Yeah. So, her brother, he got hurt. He's living at the shelter and there's a lot of aggressive people there and um he got hurt. So, we're going to pray that God uh protects him. Also, Tuesday Bible study at the cafe coffee shop. Thursday Bible study 6 pm here. And Sunday service 9:00 a.m. Okay, let's pray. Lord God, we thank you for this uh beautiful morning, God. And we again, Lord God, thank you so much for sending us laborers, Lord Jesus. We thank you so much, God, for never never leaving us, Lord God, but you answer prayers, Lord Jesus. God, we pray for each person here that came, God. May the word that was spoken today into into each heart, Lord God, knowing that one day, one day, Lord God, we will reap the rewards, God, when we labor in you and for your kingdom. May you bless each person here, Lord God, knowing this and labor for your kingdom, Lord Jesus. We also pray for Scott, Lord. You see, God, that over there, it's a dangerous place out there, God, but you protect him. You protect him there, God. But most importantly, God, you work on his heart, Lord, that he comes to know you as your as his savior. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this daily bread, but deliver us from all evil in Jesus name. Amen. The prayer just kind of like went away from my mind. But be blessed everybody.