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(Click refresh or reload for current message) "Not
In Vain"
Message
summary: Amidst
the
inevitable
setbacks and
disappointments
Paul and all
who follow
Christ will
encounter he
gave this
charge to
Christ's
followers: “Therefore,
my dear
brothers,
stand firm.
Let nothing
move you.
Always give
yourselves
fully to the
work of the
Lord, because
you know that
your labor in
the Lord is
not in vain”
(1 Corinthians
15:58).
Note:
Due to
excessive
noise due to
hanging
drywall a
podcast was
not prepared
for this
message
"For
you yourselves
know,
brethren, that
our coming to
you was not in
vain" (1
Thessalonians
2:1).
This last weekend we went to New England where we lived in the 90's where I pastored a church in Taunton, Massachusetts. This year the church is commemorating their 95th anniversary. It was started just before Christmas in 1928 by a businessman, Albert A. Augat who served for 30 years. Over
the last 95
years the
church has had
eight pastors,
including Greg
Wheaton, who
is now
serving. Of
note, to the
best of my
knowledge, the
church has
never been
impacted by a
pastoral
scandal, for
which we give
thanks to God.
Christian
leaders are
held to a
higher
standard but
far too many
let down their
guard and fall
into disrepute
leaving a
stain on the
church and a
poor testimony
to their
community and
beyond.
![]() We
were so
pleased to
observe the
work carrying
on nearly 25
years after we
left as well
as seeing the
familiar faces
and new ones.
We sensed a
healthy
vibrancy among
the people.
The church has
outreach
ministries to
the needy and
homeless, a
good number
who set up
camp near the
church, which
is located on
a busy
highway, US
Route 44.
Taunton
was founded in
1637 by
members of the
Plymouth
Colony. It
is one
of the oldest
cities in the
United States,
founded only
seventeen
years after
the Pilgrims
landed in
Plymouth in
1620, which is
located 20
miles to the
east of
Taunton.
It
is known as
the Christmas
City with a
large display
on the town
green which
still includes
a nativity
scene on
display each
Christmas
since 1913.
Yes, even in
New England!
In
my sermon I
reminded the
congregation
that our labor
in the Lord is
not in vain,
applying this
to those who
faithfully
serve in this
spiritually
hard area of
our country,
and for all
who are
faithful to
the ways of
the Lord.
We
rightly speak
of the
importance of
having
stalwarts of
the faith
planted in our
churches, but
we also know
the importance
of seeing new
life through
those who are
newly born of
the faith. It
helps us to
remember the
early days of
our coming to
faith. It
fills the
church with
fresh vigor
and excitement
much like
having a new
baby in a
family.
Perhaps that’s
why Jesus
described it
to Nicodemus
as being “born
again” in
John 3:3.
Believers face discouragement from time to time or even for extended periods because of their seeming "lack of success". Contributing to this mindset are comparisons with others, our own expectations, expectations from others and a resigning attitude of "Am I really making a difference here?" I have found that the potential for discouragement does not lessen with age. In fact the challenges associated with aging can actually intensify periods of discouragement. Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers several months after his rather short period of ministry there. We are told that during his time of ministry "some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women" (Acts 17:4). But we have no record of the number actually converted or any discipling activity following this or the setting up of a church. There’s certainly no record of a church building being erected. Paul and his ministry associates were run out of town shortly after he began to see the fruit of his labor. What chance would the fledgling group have to survive or to sustain themselves and develop into a church of believers? Yet when Paul, along with Silas and Timothy, set out to write a letter to “the church of the Thessalonians" he placed his confidence in God and was assured that his ministry to the Thessalonians had not been in vain. He wrote, “For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain". Another version states, “You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure". What a wonderful assurance to have in spite of the apparent setbacks and disappointments. “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
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Year-end
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"Your
Labor is Not
In Vain"
Watch
on YouTube
Paul Zach
& Madison
Cunningham
![]() The
church
presented us
with a Bible
box made by
Steve Higgins,
(far right) a
long time
church member.
Pastor Greg is
pointing to
the engraved
message on the
cover, It's a
Bible verse I
often quote,
"Encourage one
another daily,
as long as it
is still
today" (from
Hebrews 3:13).
We'll share
more about the
story behind
this tomorrow.
![]() It
was nice to
see Cliff
Jones, who was
just a young
boy when we
left that
area. He is
faithfully
serving the
Lord, working
as a
mechanical
engineer and
raising a
large family.
The
Nativity on
the Green in
Taunton, MA.
Perhaps they
are waiting
for Christmas
day to place
Baby Jesus in
the manger.
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We
want to thank
all who
financially
support our
ministry. We
realize there
are many fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support at
this time but
if you would
like
information
about making a
donation to
our ministry
see here.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world. ![]() ![]() Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Daily
Encouragement
on:
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