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  LABORING IN THE LORD
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: Christian leaders are not doing God's work apart from Him, but
rather they are obedient instruments through whom God works, relying on
His energy and grace.

Topics: "Divine Empowerment", "Labor in the Lord"
Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 15:10-16, Colossians 1:29

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes that Christian leaders are not independent agents
performing God's work but rather obedient instruments through whom God
accomplishes His purposes. He clarifies that while believers are called
to labor in the Lord, it is essential to recognize that their efforts
are empowered by God's grace and energy. Tozer cites 1 Corinthians 15:58
and Colossians 1:29 to illustrate that true labor in the Lord is not in
vain, as it is God who works through us. The sermon encourages believers
to fully commit to their calling, understanding that their work is a
partnership with God.

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CONTENT
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Certain passages of Scripture, if carelessly read, might give the
impression that God delegates some of His work to Christian leaders to
do for Him as a manufacturer might sublet to others certain items in a
contract; such, for instance, as First Corinthians 15:58, "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." In First Corinthians 16:10 Paul says plainly that
Timothy "is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am," but we must
never understand from this that these men did a work of God apart.

Rather they were the obedient instruments in whom and through whom God
wrought His own work.

Any misunderstanding about this is cleared up by the explanation of Paul
in Colossians 1:29, "To this end I labor, struggling with all his
energy, which so powerfully works in me"; and First Corinthians 15:10,
"I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that
was with me."

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/laboring-in-the-lord/
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