Labouring to please Christ

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

Sermon notes 

The Christian lives with great hope—which Paul outlines in the previous verses. He begins the chapter with a reference to the knowledge (v1) the Christian is to have and be confident (v6) in.

In these verses he speaks of a confident hope of resurrection to glory. This body in which we groan being burdened, v4 will give way to the glorious body prepared for Heaven. Though hampered by sin and its effects in us in this present life, we have the prospect of deliverance from it all in glory.

He also writes of the ministry of the Spirit to support saints in this life, v5, that while absent physically from the presence of Christ, we may confidently continue to serve Him with the prospect of being with Him for ever, v8.

In the light of these things Paul turns us to consider the service of the Christian in this present life. For the Christian, a true knowledge of what we are by nature, and what we are by grace, what we will be in glory, will stimulate a particular approach to how we live our life, wherefore…

I  THE AMBITIOUS WORK ETHIC OF THE CHRISTIAN.

1. We labour…, v9. Labour > ‘to love honour’. It indicates ambition, an eagerness for advance, a readiness to work diligently to get ahead. The Christian is to be one who applies himself in this way. Cp Ecc 9:10, Eph 6:6, 1Cor 1:58.
2. A desire to please Christ. Accepted is to be in full agreement with, to be well-pleasing to the Saviour. Same term used, Heb 12:28, acceptably. The Christian’s ambition is directed to this end. His approval is all that matters, 1Cor 4:3-4, Rom 14:10. It is the honour that Christ imparts; the promotion that He confers; that is earnestly sought. Cp 1Sam 3:30, Phil 3:14, 1 Cor 9:25.
3. This labour is the means to please Christ now and be accepted by Him in eternity. There is no other way to please the Saviour in this life or to prepare to receive honour from Him when we meet Him. Paul addresses both aspects of the believer’s experience of Christ here: absent and present. To be honoured by Him in this life and to be honoured by Him as we enter His presence, we must labour according to His will.

II  THE THOUGHT OF A DAY OF ACCOUNT STIMULATES THIS EFFORT.

1. Accountability. This is a critical concept that the child of God must ever bear in mind. I will give account for what I do. This is part of the mindset of a servant. My work will be analyzed and assessed. It does matter how it is done! I am not a law to myself. Cp Ecc 12:13-14, Matt 12:36 (n.b. the concept of idle—not working), Romans 2:16.
2. He is speaking exclusively to Christians in this text. This is something that every believer should be aware of. No Christian is exempt from this accountability for work. We must never lose sight of that day. It lies ahead of every saint.
3. Our service will be judged by the King personally. King Jesus will take the throne, Matt 25:31. He will then take account of His servants, Matt 25:19. The terrible majesty of that day is to dominate the thinking of saints, v11 and encourage them to diligent, unstinting effort. The word appear is important. We will ‘be seen’ there! What we are will become apparent/visible in that day. The light of Christ’s own presence and vision will reveal us as we truly are. Cp Heb 4:13.

III   THAT DAY WILL BRING A REWARD FOR WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR THE SAVIOUR.

1. Every child of God will be examined and rewarded. The concept of every one is repeated here. There is the idea of an individual assessment in the wording.
2. The things done in his body. The scope and sphere of service is limited to our body. It is during our physical lifetime that we have opportunity to serve Christ and labour for the honours of that day. How we employ the physical faculties of our body will count on that day.
3. Good and bad labour will be exposed and rewarded accordingly. Inferior Christian ‘workmanship’ will be exposed as well as good effort for Christ. Cp 1 Cor 3:12-15. This thought is to discourage shoddy workmanship and encourage earnest excellence in the present.