Young People's Group

TO THIS END I ALSO LABOUR

by Pastor Mitch
October 05, 2014

Thanking God For A Momentous Anniversary

Our hearts are full as we reflect over how our 40+1 Church anniversary turned out. The Lord’s name was most certainly lifted up. The Plus One generation was specially featured. The special video produced and shown was well done. The song items were stirring. The message preached encouraged many hearts. The food served was also good. The Lord’s blessings could be clearly seen in all that transpired. Truly, we thank God for a most significant anniversary. This marks the beginning of our 40+2 year of ministry. Let’s be excited about what lies ahead for Bethany.

Having A Tremendous Sense Of Purpose

“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end …” 
Colossians 1:28-29

As we think about the next ten years and beyond, we need to have the tremendous sense of purpose that the apostle Paul displayed when he wrote of this purpose as he sought to fulfil the word of the Lord for his life. He was fully committed to preaching about our Lord Jesus. At the same time, he would also spare no effort in continuing to counsel and to teach the brethren with all wisdom. The extent of the goal is to make everybody spiritually mature. This sense of spiritual maturity is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is found through having a deeper knowledge of Him. Toward this goal, Paul gave his all. As we preach about Him and as we exercise faith in Him and His word, it is our hope that everyone can be spiritually mature in time to come. Let’s have this deep sense of purpose as we press on in this new year of ministry.

Our Part In Labouring And Striving

“To this end, I also labour, striving …” 
Colossians 1:29

What would it take to achieve this goal? It would take lots of hard work. The Greek word for “labour” is “Kopiao”. It sounds like Kopi-o (Coffee without milk in Hokkien). Paul sought to continuously toil for the Lord. He was going to give his all in working hard for Him, no matter how tiring it was for him. Furthermore, serving the Lord would entail striving hard too. The word “striving” in the Greek has the idea of “agonising”. Ministry for Paul would include enduring pain and suffering for the Lord. As Paul toiled, he also strove hard. Paul obviously had to go through some pretty tough situations in life and ministry. He was persecuted on many occasions and yet, he pressed on in working hard for the Lord. He was in prison when he wrote this epistle to the Colossians. Young people, let’s also labour hard and strive on despite what we may be going through in life. This is our part.

God’s Part In Enabling And Empowering

“According to His working which works in me mightily.” 
Colossians 1:29

When we do our part in labouring hard, the Lord would do His part in enabling us. The word “working” and “work” in Greek has the idea of energising. The Lord God would energise us to do His will. Doing the Lord’s work cannot be done by our own energy. It has to be done through the working that works in us mightily. There is the dynamic power of the Lord that we can rely on. This is part of the glorious hope that we have in Christ (Colossians 1:27). The Lord would energise us according to His great power now and for the future. Young people, let’s learn to follow the example of Paul as He sought to serve the Lord. In all our endeavours, whether studying, working or ministering, let’s labour hard and pray hard that He would enable us to fulfil His word.

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