PASTOR BOB RUSSELL made an insightful comment a recent post this Labor Day.  He said, In 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed into law that the first Monday of September would be “Labor Day.” It was meant to honor America’s workers and provide a day of rest. More than a century later, many see it as nothing more than the last long weekend of summer.  But maybe we need to rediscover the value of labor.

THE ARTICLE CONTINUED to describe the value of labor.  (By the way, it's a really good article.  CLICK HERE to read the entire post. But what I'd like to challenge you with to day is your labor for the Lord. The Apostle Paul reminds us the value of our work for the Lord.  In 1 Corinthians 15:58 he says, "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, 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."

THE WORK OF THE CHURCH has eternal significance.  I was rather blunt in my sermon yesterday when I said, "May we never get used to watching men and women go to Hell."

IN 1 CORINTHIANS 3 the Apostle Paul divided all of the work we can do as Christians into two categories; work that will last and work that will not.  He looked ahead to the end of our world and described a fire. And in that fire all of our work will be like "wood, hay, or straw"; materials that will be easily consumed by a fire.  And he saw other work described by "gold, silver, and costly stone" that will be purified by the fire.  And the truth is this:  the only thing that we're going to take to heaven with us are those persons and souls that we helped bring to and grow in the Lord.

SEPTEMBER 21 IS NATIONAL BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY.  This is a national program that provides us with an easy opportunity to make a difference.  Simply invite someone to church. Go out of your way to find someone who doesn't go to church and extend an invitation.  Then, on Wednesday, September 7, join us at 6:30 PM when we'll organize at the church and deliver "door hangers" to as many homes as possible to invite people we've never even met to come to chuch on Sunday.

I ASKED THIS QUESTION in my sermon, "Why just come to church when you can be the church?  Why just show up and take up some space when you can be an adventure that’s reaching people for Christ, when you’re making reservations for people in heaven?"  

I ENDED THE MESSAGE LIKE THIS:  Revival must take place in this community and it ought to begin with us!  This is not about marketing the church. This is not about watering down the gospel to make it easier for our society to swallow.  It’s not about putting on a show to entertain.  It’s not about making a name for anybody. It’s not about building a big church or increasing numbers so that we can be proud of our accomplishments.  It’s not about a master plan.  It’s not about tearing down our barns and building bigger barns.  It’s about reaching people! It’s about engaging the hearts and minds of people who live in 2025.  It’s about saving the young and the old alike. It’s about trying with all of our energy to get as many people into heaven as possible. It’s about building a trauma center where lost and sick and hurting people can be healed.  It’s about extending God’s grace to a lost, sinful and fallen world.

I know I’m challenging you today. I know I’m asking you to change your way of thinking in many ways.  I know I’m asking you to sacrifice personal wants and desires.  But I’m asking you to do it in the name of Christ, for the salvation of others and to the glory of God.