LABORERS TOGETHER 
Pastor Bob Chroninger          Trinity C.U.  11-22-98 P.M.  		  1Corinthians 3:1-9    	 
	Have you ever had a co-worker who was a real joy to work with? Or perhaps one that was
 a "bear" to get along with?  It is not always easy to work with others.. the nature of human 
 nature is such that we rebel, get discouraged, and complain a lot.  But... here is a concept 
 that is great... we are co-laborers with God... think of that... and of others... 
I.  THE PRIVILEGE & CHALLENGE.. of Working Together 
  A. The Privilege.. 
    1. It is a high calling..  Phil.3:14 
    2. It is a good thing.. 1Tim.3:1.. (office of a bishop) 
    3. It is a Big Job... bigger than we are... 
	- He gives a life to live which we can't live without Him
	- He gets the glory, we get the blessing 
  B. The Challenge.. 
    1. Of learning to work together.. Ecc.2:9,10  "two better than one"
	- dealing with solutions, rebuke, correction..
	- loving even when there are differences... 
    2. Of appreciating the gifts and abilities of each other 
    3. Of accomplishing much for God.. 
	Deut 32:30 How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their
 	Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up? (KJV) 
II.  THE PURPOSE.. of Working Together   1Peter 5:1.. 
  A. Feed The Flock.. nourish, shepherd 
    1. Pastors and Elders are God's expression of His love & concern 
    2. Pastors and People.. all need feeding and leading..
	- we can only be to each other what Christ is to us 
  B. Take The Oversight.. 
    1. Responsible for the spiritual care... & communication of the Word 
    2. Accountable to God for the "flock".. Ro.14:12; Heb.13:17 
  C. To Be An Example.. 
    1. Leaders... serve willingly not by constraint  1Pet.5:2 
	- With right attitudes and a willing spirit out of love 
    2. People.. we all serve.. not for what we can get out of it...
	- But.. as a ministry to the Lord.. "as unto the Lord"  Eph.6:5,6,7
	- As those who live in "glass houses".. others may, you may not! 
	- They shall know you are my disciples... Jn.13:34,35 
 ** Remember the Incentive... "the coming of the Great Shepherd.." 
III.  THE PROBLEMS.. of Working Together.. usually personal.. 
  A. One of Pride.. "don't appoint a novice".. 1Tim.3:6 
    1. We all want to be strong and right.. 
    2. God can use us if we are weak and wrong.. but yielded 
  B. One of Conflict.. leaders usually get it... Look at Moses... 
    1. Three days from the Red Sea.. bitter water..  Ex.15:22,23 
    2. Forty five days out of Egypt.. whole group murmured  16:1 
    3. At Rephidim.. no water.. ready to stone Moses..  17:4 
    4. Aaron, the "right hand man," built a "golden calf" Ex.32:1-8 
  C. One of Discouragement.. probably the biggest.. 
    1. Moses.. asked God to kill him... Nu.11:10-15 
    2. Elijah.. great victory.. 1Kings 19:4-10.. "let me die" 
    3. Jonah.. "take my life.."  Jonah 4:3 
    4. Jeremiah.. the day he "quit"  15:10, 20,21 - his circumstances got worse.. but 
        his attitude got better !! 
IV.  THE POWER.. to Work Together..  It is God... 
  A. He carries the biggest part of the load... Mt.11:28-30 
  B. He Has Resources Unlimited..  Phil.4:13; 4:19 
  C. He gives jobs far bigger.. so He can help us become "bigger". Acts 1:8, etc.
     THINK OF ABRAHAM... NOAH... JOSEPH... DAVID... DANIEL... ME..YOU...US... & GOD!!