09/05/2026
“The Christian Laborer”
This weekend our nation recognizes the American Worker. We celebrate “Labor Day”. We will recognize the professional and common laborer; we will recognize the worker of every class and every type. It is the work force that keeps the economy going and makes this nation strong. They do not ask for a handout or believe anyone owes them anything. They ask for a day’s pay for a day’s work. As George Bailey in the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” (played by Jimmy Stewart) said, “They do the living and dying in this town”. The American worker, the backbone of this great nation!
Yet, in the Church we often ignore “The Christian Laborer”, those who labor in God’s kingdom. We often view the Christian laborer as the elder’s or deacon’s, the preacher, youth minister and secretary, those who have a specific role and perform the tasks they have been assigned. But this is a very narrow view. The apostle Paul when dealing with the brethren in Corinth reminds them that every Christian plays a key part in the function of the Church. The issue at hand was “spiritual gifts”, in their ignorance they claimed superiority over one another by the nature of the gift one possessed. Paul claims that everyone in the Church stands equal and he demonstrates his point using the human body. He says, For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. He goes on to say, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” (1 Cor. 12:12, 18) As the body is made up of many different members each member plays a significant role. Anyone who is honest does not view one part of their body more important than another. So, it should be in the Church. We should recognize that each one who is a child of God is a laborer in His kingdom. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10) We are “…an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” (2 Tim. 2:21b) Paul commends the brethren of Thessalonica for their “work of faith and labor of love”. James the brother of Jesus tells us “that faith without works is dead”. So, there are those who labor in benevolence, seeing to others as they have need. And there are others who labor in evangelism, sharing the good news of the Gospel with our friends and neighbors. Some labor in assuring all things are always ready for the assembly of the saints so they may worship God in spirit and in truth. While others work diligently on the grounds, keeping the hedges trimmed and grass mowed. And unlike the pompous religious leaders of the first century (the Pharisees) who sought the praise of men and this being their reward these individuals use the gifts that God has given them in humility, seeking only to praise Him in their faith and labors of love. Each of us as Christian’s labor in living godly lives, in endurance and perseverance so that we might make “the teaching about God our Savior attractive”. And these labors do not go without recognition. They will follow us as God’s children into eternity. Note what John the revelator said, “Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." (Rev. 14:13b)
To God be the glory and honor in the labors of His people. God be praised for “The Christian Laborer”!
Mark Auten
Sermons for September 6th, 2026:
A.M. Worship: What Doth Hinder Me
P.M. Worship: He Makes All Things New
