Labourers together with God: (Quality: very good)

[0:00] As the Lord may be pleased to help me, if only but for a few moments, I'll direct your attention to the third chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians and reading the ninth verse.

[0:35] The first epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 9. For we are laborers together with God.

[0:56] Ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. For we are laborers together with God.

[1:17] The Apostle Paul, amongst the Corinthians, had much work to do in putting things in order that Christ may be first, that Christ might be last, that Christ may be all in all.

[1:44] For we read that it had been reported to him from the house of Chloe that there was strife and divisions amongst them.

[2:01] And where did the strife and division amongst them come? It does not seem to be over the teaching of the gospel as such, but rather through decisions that had appeared amongst them.

[2:24] that is, there were some preferring one man, and some preferring another, and so on, and others preferring others.

[2:37] And looking upon them as greater than the other. My friend, and this the Apostle abhorred. And this should every Christian abhor.

[2:52] And for this I say, all Christians need to pray unto God for, lest we should look higher upon ourselves than we ought to think, or lest we should think of others as being preferable to others.

[3:13] For Paul here says, we are laborers together with God. He did not decry those that appeared to be in opposition, or were made in opposition to him.

[3:30] No. But friends, he sets them down upon one ground, as laborers together with God.

[3:41] It already spoken of them as the Lord's servants. And this is the great important thing, isn't it?

[3:52] Whether we be in the pulpit, or out of the pulpit, are we the Lord's servants. If we are not amongst those that serve God, then we are amongst those that serve the devil.

[4:09] Therefore, he speaks here of harmony and unity. He said, laborers together.

[4:21] Not against one another, but together. And goes a step further than that, in that he says, labors together with God.

[4:34] God, my friend, God himself has been the master builder. He's seen fit by the foolishness of preaching.

[4:47] Oh, to bring the gospel home by his Holy Spirit into the hearts and lives of others. Laborers together.

[4:59] We often hear that phrase used, my spiritual father. And sometimes I feel very troubled over that.

[5:14] I believe I understand what people mean. But friend, we need to be very careful on that ground.

[5:26] Yes, putting man higher than he ought to be placed. And I believe that has been a great downfall amongst our churches, friends, over many, many years.

[5:43] That has been so. But oh, may God indeed turn you and turn me to look to him as being together.

[5:57] Those indeed whom God uses. Those who are subject unto the mind and will of almighty God.

[6:09] Laborers together with God. Now I want to draw your attention to this.

[6:20] That all God's laborers, whatever they might be, whether they be those who are doorkeepers, chapel cleaners, or whatever they might be together, those who labor in an extra way, that they might finance the house of God.

[6:50] They're laborers together. But I'll go a step further than this. Why do they do it?

[7:01] Why do they do it? Why do they do it? My friends, because they have this one thing in common, and it's this, that they are brought to love God, and are called according to him.

[7:19] And so Paul, in the previous chapter, says, For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified.

[7:37] Friend, laborers together with the apostle Paul, all names of God, not to know anything among men, save Jesus Christ and him crucified.

[7:54] When we stray from this heavenly principle, we are out of touch, we are going astray, we are not right, but he's undetermined not to know anything among you.

[8:12] Some will say, surely you must agree with me. If you don't agree with me, you'll agree with them. Friend, the people of God, they are brought to agree with their heavenly master.

[8:30] For we haven't always agreed, have we, with him. Do we not recall the days and time when we said, I will not, we have this man to reign over me.

[8:47] Oh, so now, we see that wonderful exhibition of grace, that wonderful example of grace. A man that is changed, a man that is converted, a man indeed, he does not look to himself or to his, but has that single eye to his honour and glory.

[9:15] Labour us together with God. Surely then, there must be that basic principle laid down in our hearts by the Holy Spirit if we are right and doing that which is right all before God.

[9:38] Labour us together. I want to just put it like this. If we're not labour us together with God, what are we striving for?

[9:48] what are we seeking after? What is your goal in life? What is your hope?

[9:59] What is your prospect? Surely, are all the Lord's people is labourers together. But this is God's work and this is his determination.

[10:14] that all that the Father has given Christ shall come unto him. And we read that there's much rejoicing over, there's more rejoicing rather in heaven over one sinner that repenteth than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

[10:43] There's more rejoicing oh I say what a mercy if the ninety-nine are also brought into union and desire with the rest to determine to know nothing among men save Jesus Christ and him crucified labourers together.

[11:13] Surely then I thought are directed in this way yea to the cross of Christ I say what conflict what a struggle oh that Jesus entered into to save his people from their sins and where is the station and place yea they are of his labourers they are indeed are subject to his mind and will to do even as he teaches them and directs them for Peter when being instructed it seems that he was off his guard somewhat for he turned to Jesus Christ and said and what shall this man do what shall this man do as much as say well

[12:20] I've heard enough of what I'm supposed to do hasn't anybody else got anything to do why should it always fall out to me why should I bear the weighted cross why should I bear the ridicule and the sarcastic comments and so on labourers together friend the truth is this the Lord Jesus Christ is gone on before us and he has said to his labourers it is enough it is enough for the disciple to be as their master and the servant as his Lord he has offered the other cheek and ought we not also to offer our cheek in like manner friend labourers together all bearing the burden bearing the cross bearing the truth my friends laid upon us to bear bearing the truth as being that a witness to those round about us labourers together you know at the end of the day when it comes to glory friends amongst the great multitude there it will not be able to there's not one that will be able to say

[14:08] I did much better than you I've been more successful than you have no my friends there are labourers together friend I can do nothing without him is the witness of the gospel you can do nothing without me but again I can do all things says the apostle through him which strengthens me labourers together you know God's labourers whatever capacity they're called to serve in will grow weary and tired they'll need reviving they'll need strengthening friend they'll need feeding also will they not are labourers together when they had teams of horses they used to take one out and rest him and feed him they wouldn't have dreamt of saying well

[15:27] I won't give you as much food you haven't been pulling your weight no my friend the truth is this they all needed feeding for strength and for energy how much more so spiritually I believe this labourers together he never ceases he never endures he always endures and we will be thankful for this for he has said or the psalmist said he neither slumbers nor sleeps he is continuous yet my friend oh indeed he knows we are but labourers and he imparts that time of rest and sleep and able to strengthen and to revive us

[16:34] I want to just speak for a few moments with regards to feeding feeding labourers together if indeed we are brought to feed the flock of God which is amongst us then indeed we must feed upon the same bread which cometh down from heaven we cannot expect we will not want indeed to feed what we once fed upon and what the world feed upon now but oh say unto my soul I am thy salvation oh for him to come and say to us again thou art all fair my love there is no spot in thee labors together my friend he knoweth the ways

[17:42] I take said Job he knoweth he knoweth the way of all his labors right down through the ages labors together you know Job couldn't do Abraham's work and Abraham couldn't do Moses work you say well that is a foolish thing to say they lived in different ages maybe maybe but my point is this it was God who settled down in that particular age and time a time in which he would need them a time indeed he had appointed for them so I believe it to be so in the day and age in which we live but we are still laborers together it is his work that is being carried on we often hear it said we live in a day of small things and comparison is made to former years but the word of

[19:02] God tells us that we are not wise to do so but this is a comfort as God has been the strength of his church as we often sing oh God our help in ages past our hope from years to come our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home why were laborers together in the same capacity as which those saints of old were found they endured until the end so it must be that the church of God today must endure until the end there's one thing also we have in common and it's this the same word of

[20:06] God the same precious gospel laborers together my friend what should we do without the gospel and what would the gospel yield for us therefore let me make this stand and this plead this afternoon that there be no deviation from the instructions of the word of God for these instructions are for the laborers those who labor together friend it's not one doing this thing believing such things and another believing another the multi-phase ideas today are not good not God honoring the multi-phase idea is not for the good of laboring together but surely it's that which is of division and strife within its nature when is it

[21:21] Christians all agree and their distinctions fall when nothing in themselves they see and Christ is all in all laborers together I shall never forget speaking to the late Mr.

[21:46] Charlie Buss and I as a younger man would be interested in the past and life of my older friend and he said you can sum it up like this it's all I want to be is a laborer together with God and you know I thought what humility what a faithful laborer he was he never saw great things for himself he wasn't advertised very seldom advertised on the covers of the gospel standard or anything like that he was a faithful laborer together with God and when his work was done it was finished and I believe this that he was taken home to glory and it could be said he heard those words well done thou good and faithful servant enter thou into the joy of thy

[23:01] Lord what are you looking for for your laborers what are your expectations surely it is to be seen in this enter thou into the joy of thy Lord laborers together when we think and speak of heaven it's this when that laborers are drawn to a close their work is finished they go to their long home yes into eternal rest as we speak of it friend and none shall take away that eternal rest and I believe this there will be more ease together in heaven above than they were here below because all that disfigures man here below will be removed then away then because though they are laid into the grave with all their sins and thoughts and failings when they shall be raised again incorruptible their corruptions will be left there friend labourers together oh what joy then awaits the

[24:42] Lord's labourers my friend perhaps this may be some may feel this is a retrograde step and line of thought to some but my friend it is in accordance that we're to gospel Jesus says to his disciples and if any of if they were front row men they were although generally speaking they were fishermen ignorant and unlearned men we read in the Acts of the Apostles yet my friend they were labourers together and what did Jesus say to them what was it that she fell out with one another by the way my friend he knows what his labourers are thinking and behaving one towards the other my friend oh how that must have been a searching time for his labourers is except ye be converted and become as little children ye shall in no ways enter into the kingdom of heaven labourers together

[26:14] I once heard of a lady who Mr John Gosden went to tea with and she was very proud to tell him that the tea service that they were using and the cup that he was drinking out of belonged to Mr Popham and he seemed to take no notice of her whatsoever she told me this herself so she put it another way to him and perhaps what she was saying would sink in and he took no notice at all so later on she said to him again would you like to have another cup of tea out of one of the cups Mr Popham used to drink from and he bluntly said

[27:17] I'd sooner be in possession of the same grace now you may think that sounds hard but that went home to that dear soul it really did yes what my point is is labourers together they have the same values you see their values are not on earthly things earthly sentiments or ideology of man no but all their eyes are fixed on Jesus Christ and him alone labourers together I say what a witness that is of any cause of truth when there is that on a par one with the other you know it's a solemn thing and I notice it in various parts and different countries of the world where the

[28:29] Christian's faith is something like this you start on the bottom bottom plinth which is large and broad then it's built up a second and so a man graduates up and up and up but my friend I find nothing of the like in the word of God but rather just the opposite labourers together oh did not good poor Peter say it was a blessedly taught man many dreadful things in righteousness and yes that ye might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is this your desire can you really say that you know what friend if the

[29:31] Lord favours us with this we shall sink lower but he will sink higher still the conflict must go on still indeed we must labour still we must continue labourers together I often thought of a good Mr.

[29:57] Jopp of black boys you know the poor man he had to lay aside his preaching but he was still a labourer together you know he was a praying pastor for that course I say what a gift that was yes he prayed greatly and often for that course some might say what use is he now he doesn't minister unto us but friend he had the root of the matter within him concerning himself and the church of God yes labourers together so I say as you look upon that in the memory of that dear old man and his weakness and frailty he was stronger than a thousand men put together if he had access at the throne of grace labourers together now I have a point here to make this afternoon and it's this with regards to prayer prayer for yourself prayer for your families and prayer for the church of God all labourers together let not you little ones say that you are not worthy of being taken notice of you're not very important friend may God put prayer into your heart that you might labour night and day for the church of God and for the ministry in this place that you may have free course and be glorified then he will make you a labourer together and what do you and how do these people look in the eyes of the world you say they will say this well they are pathetic indeed they are laughable they will pour scorn and derision but nevertheless under stress and strain they labour together their strength the source of their help it cometh from God and

[32:37] God alone I say may the church of God here and everywhere be blessed with labourers together in prayer yes we have a quarterly united prayer meetings here and I believe it's right that we do but oh I say oh men ought always to pray and not to faint you know that wasn't put there just to make up the line of words was it oh no my friend God knows that we are subject to fainting fainting it means becoming unconscious indifferent to what is going on around us I believe that is often the case today indifferent to what's going on around us but where do we stand are we labourers together in prayer

[33:50] I have to go one step further and I say do you pray nobody's to know if you don't pray are they but I believe they'll know if you do pray if God hears and answers your petitions because the weight and the force of the answer to that prayer will come home to poor and needy sinners hearts friend labourers together the ministry you know may be ridiculed and found thought with from time to time and I'm not saying there's not a need greatly for it to be enriched but friends have I got labourers here together who seek him day and night that the gospel may be crowned with success or that the dead might hear his voice that there may be an opening of deaf ears and a turning again unto the labourers together friend a labourer my friend is not a person who sleeps is it no who sleeps their life away but my friend a labourer is one that is earnest and sincere a labourer is one that is watching and looking at his guides a labourer my friend may be confined to knocking knocking oh you say what do you mean by knocking knocking at mass's door but he has encouragement for such labourers who are found in knocking yes he said knock and it shall be opened unto you you say

[36:05] I've been knocking for a long time but shall I knock in vain no you cannot indeed knock in vain great mercy done for those doors then to be opened might labourers together oh do we are we labourers together in having that zeal to walking uprightly and circumspectly before all men for people know who we are what we are and where we go are we indeed embarrassed at all because they know who we are and what we are the way we dress the way we live the way we walk are we hiding our light under a bushel friend labourers together now I have a word before I close today and it's this labourers together in the church of God that is in putting on the Lord

[37:24] Jesus Christ and owning him and confessing him are we ashamed of him my friend is a labourer naturally speaking ashamed of his master who employs him shall we be ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ this excuse might be this if I put on an open profession I have no guarantee here that I shall be able to continue friend you won't be able to start unless you are with the Lord Jesus Christ labourers together depending and relying oh upon him to supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus friends you're you're indeed under a new master under new management you may have had cause previously to doubt your reward and your supply but now my friend oh labourers together with God he'll never leave his people lacking in he'll never leave them insufficient yea he'll supply all your needs this is indeed a word of encouragement to such souls to earnestly look and ask the question am I a labourer together done

[39:15] I've even heard people say I could never join the church all the time there are certain other people in the church it's like the labourers saying I can never begin work all the time they're there I wouldn't work with them I say what honour and glory is that to God I believe that's no honour and glory at all oh did not Jesus say to Peter I never finished that did I earlier on what is that to thee follow thou me labourers together that message was not only a message to Peter but it was to all his disciples it is to all his labourers down through the ages whether they be male or female what is that today friend

[40:24] God ever toils and ever seeks to carry on his work that it may be accomplished that it may be done therefore or may we have eyes for no one else than him labourers together now listen with God I believe in that work with God it denotes thee that there is love for those who labour under his leadership and teaching their eyes are to him and to no other or do you sometimes sing from the very heart guide me oh thou great Jehovah pilgrim through this barren land libraries together every step of the way may it be to thy honour and glory may it be for my eternal good may it ever be that thy kingdom might come and that thy will may be done on earth as it is in heaven for we are labourers together with God ye are

[41:49] God's husbandry ye are his building ye are he indeed which has planted you it is he which has established you his building friend we know this that he does all things well oh he is the heavenly potter and he will take out everything that mars and fashions it according to his honour and glory and his divine approval amen