The Church's Ongoing Construction: A Call to Labor
Ezra 5:16b
…and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
Ever since Christ spoke these words in Matthew 16:18b, “…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”, we can truly say as was said of the temple of Jerusalem in our text, “…and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.” What a privilege and an honor to be a member, by spiritual birth through faith in Christ, of His church, and to join Him in His labor! Dear laborer in the vineyard of The Lord, please do understand that though The Lord does the building, we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works! That is, the Lord works with us, for us, and through us to build His church! How shall they hear without a preacher, right (Romans 10:14)? I emphasize this point so that we will be motivated to do our part in His grand master plan; and until the last soul is saved by the Grace of God, we must endeavor to continue in the work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Earth.
Unfortunately, however, many of God’s laborers in His vineyard have heeded the advice of the devil’s “hired counselors” (see Ezra 4:5) who have been paid a handsome fee to counsel against our labor in God’s work, in order to frustrate our purpose. For too long, we have given audience to the naysayers who say it’s too late, it’s too far gone, it’s almost over, etc., and thereby some of us have either slacked off, almost quit, or already quit altogether. But may we stop echoing the words of these lying devilish counselors who have not only advised against us by sending other discouragers but who have come to us personally to sell us their garbage. The truth is, the harvest truly is yet more plenteous than there are laborers to bring in the harvest, and until we pray and God answers our beckoning call for MORE laborers (not less), we must say of the work, “yet it is not finished”.
Now is NOT the time to slow down, take a break, give up, or quit. Now is the time to redeem the time because the days are evil. There’s no time to waste, child of God. Get up! Preach! Sing! Testify! Go on that mission trip! Surrender to that call! Witness to that neighbor, co-worker, friend, or family member! Do it, and do it NOW! The work is not yet finished!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
…and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
Ever since Christ spoke these words in Matthew 16:18b, “…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”, we can truly say as was said of the temple of Jerusalem in our text, “…and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.” What a privilege and an honor to be a member, by spiritual birth through faith in Christ, of His church, and to join Him in His labor! Dear laborer in the vineyard of The Lord, please do understand that though The Lord does the building, we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works! That is, the Lord works with us, for us, and through us to build His church! How shall they hear without a preacher, right (Romans 10:14)? I emphasize this point so that we will be motivated to do our part in His grand master plan; and until the last soul is saved by the Grace of God, we must endeavor to continue in the work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Earth.
Unfortunately, however, many of God’s laborers in His vineyard have heeded the advice of the devil’s “hired counselors” (see Ezra 4:5) who have been paid a handsome fee to counsel against our labor in God’s work, in order to frustrate our purpose. For too long, we have given audience to the naysayers who say it’s too late, it’s too far gone, it’s almost over, etc., and thereby some of us have either slacked off, almost quit, or already quit altogether. But may we stop echoing the words of these lying devilish counselors who have not only advised against us by sending other discouragers but who have come to us personally to sell us their garbage. The truth is, the harvest truly is yet more plenteous than there are laborers to bring in the harvest, and until we pray and God answers our beckoning call for MORE laborers (not less), we must say of the work, “yet it is not finished”.
Now is NOT the time to slow down, take a break, give up, or quit. Now is the time to redeem the time because the days are evil. There’s no time to waste, child of God. Get up! Preach! Sing! Testify! Go on that mission trip! Surrender to that call! Witness to that neighbor, co-worker, friend, or family member! Do it, and do it NOW! The work is not yet finished!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill