The Work Of The Lord 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Why Aren’t More People Involved? Lack of Conversion Wrong View of Local Church Lack of Understanding of Individual Responsibility Failure To Understand That Success of Local Church Demands Individual Effort Lack of Sincere Dedication and Commitment

What Does It take to be an effective Christian? He who plants and he who waters are equal, and each shall receive his wages according to his labor. (1 Corinthians 3:8 RSV) What Does It take to be an effective Christian?

What Does It Take? A Powerful Faith Example: The 12 Spies (Numbers 13:17-33; 14:11,12) Matthew 17:14- 21 James 2:14-26

What Does It Take? A Joyful Heart See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 NKJV)

What Does It Take? A Continual Reliance Upon Prayer. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. (James 5:16-18 NKJV)

What Does It Take? A Personal Love. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NKJV)

What Does It Take? A Persistent Effort. I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2 RSV) See Luke 18:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:58

Being Effective In The Work Of The Lord! Faithful Joyful Prayerful Love Persistence

Don’t Forget! "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 NKJV) Believe (Mk. 16:16) Repent (Acts 2:38) Confess (Rom. 10:9,10) Be Baptized (Acts 22:16) Keep Seeking Things Above (Col. 3:1-3)

Sources Outline Material by Mark Copeland A Study of Personal Evangelism by Gene Taylor Powerpoint Outline by Bob Buchanon