STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING

Text : I Cor. 15:58→” Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord”.

The church in the city of Corinth was one that had many struggles. It was located in Greece and so most members were gentiles. The city of Corinth was rich and extremely wicked. It was located on both land and sea trade routes and so foreigners passed through. It was a center of idol worship with a host of temple male and female prostitutes.

The Apostle Paul spent about a year and a half establishing that congregation. After Paul left some began to pervert the teachings and to tolerate sin, mostly due to culture. Some of the Christians in Corinth began to doubt the resurrection. Chapter 15 reaffirms the doctrine of the resurrection at length, Vs. 1-11 talks about the resurrection, the essential part of the gospel message. Vs. 12-19 points out that if Christ is not raised from the dead, He cannot save anyone. Vs. 20-28 emphasizes that the resurrection is the proof of Christ’s deity and power.  Vs. 29-34 says that the resurrection is the cause of much of the persecution. Vs. 35-41 gives an assurance that burial is like planting the seed from which the new body grows. Vs. 42-54 emphasizes that an immortal body is required for eternal life. Vs. 55-57 gives the assurance that the resurrection is the ultimate victory over sin.

Vs.58 instructs us as to what our response should be to the anticipation of eternal life. Apostle Paul instructs us to respond in this way : I Cor. 15: 58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

This verse gives a clear picture of our response to the resurrection and the anticipation of eternal life with God.

A. Be steadfast
Steadfastness is the ability to stay faithful in the midst of evil influences. Peter was not steadfast when he went to meet Jesus on the water. (Matt. 14: 28). Later Peter would warn us not to waver in our faith. II Pet. 3: 17-18 →You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled ( steadfast = not stray ) men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. James warned that the lack of steadfast faith would destroy one’s prayer power. (James 1:6-8). Paul told the Ephesians that steadfastness comes as a fruit of spiritual maturity. (Eph. 4: 14) Thus two of the Apostles have warned us not to allow ourselves to be influenced. Satan is always trying to blow us off course.

B. We must be “immovable” from our faith.

Paul makes emphasis by using a second word with a very similar meaning. Our anticipation of eternal life in Heaven is sure and steadfast so must be our faith. Heb. 6: 19 → This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast.
C. We must make an active physical response (“work”), as well as a mental assent.
The Christian must be “always abounding in the work of the Lord,.”  We understand what it means to be “always” doing something. It’s a lifestyle, not just an occasional activity, something by which we’re identified. The Christian is created to “walk” in good works. (Eph. 2: 10, Tit 2: 7, 14 ; 3:1, 14).  Likewise, we understand what it means to be “abounding” in something. It is the opposite of the attitude of many : “Do we have to … ; How much do we…”.  Those who abound in anything freely do more than the minimum. God never gives minimums and He doesn’t accept minimums. We all agree that we must DO “the work of the Lord”, but there are many opinions as to what that work is.

We must first observe that we are not discussing the work FOR the Lord, but the work OF the Lord. We are servants of the Lord and HE is the one who determines the works. Eph 2:10 The question then becomes, “What are the works in which one must abound ?” . “Faith” is listed first because it is the foundation of man’s relationship with God. No one has seen God, but the evidence of His existence is all around us. One’s eternal destiny depends upon the strength of his faith. Jesus Himself defined faith as a “work of the Lord.” John 6: 29 – Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” Thus, faith is a work.

As soon as one abounds in faith, he abounds in “utterance.” Of course, this “utterance” refers to the proclamation of the gospel. Remember: We are instructed to be about “the work OF the Lord.” Our Lord clearly told us what His work is “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost”. Therefore, if we are doing the work “OF” God, we are seeking and saving. He entrusted His ministry to us. In Mk 16:15, we read, “And He said to them, “As you Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”.  Matt. 28:18 teaches us that this command is based upon the authority of Jesus to rule. Thus, to fail to obey is to reject His Lordship. I Pet. 2:9 →But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. We have a purpose in life, – proclaim. But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.

ABOUND in sharing it.

Our abundance of utterance is to be guided by an abundance of “knowledge.” The Christian must “long for the pure milk of the word,.” I Pet 2:2 3. Our primary motivation for studying is to learn how to please God. (not pride ) The more we abound in knowledge of God’ will, the more confidence we have to abound in utterance. God expects us to apply our full strength to the task, to abound in “diligence.” Christians are commanded to serve with diligence. (Must be hard workers for God ). Col. 3: 23-24 →Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. A daily commitment to active service is prerequisite to discipleship. Above all, the Christian must abound in “love.”

You cannot remain steadfast in and immovable from a faith that you have not believed or accepted. Hence place your full faith and trust in Jesus Christ today. Turn from sin, proclaim your faith, and be united with Him in baptism. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

I Cor. 15: 58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. II Cor. 8: 7 – But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in Your work. Let not my toil be in vain. Amen.