The Work of the Lord, What Is God Calling You to Do for Him?

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The Work of the Lord

What Is God Calling You to Do for Him?

By Pastor Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

출처 https://www.brooklyntabernacle.org/the-work-of-the-lord/

듣기 https://youtu.be/br81Ejz7Uq8?si=r_xYDf8L6qhYffZu

Did you go /to work /today?

Did you get up, apply yourself, and expend energy /toward an assignment at your job?

Work is part of almost everybody’s life.

Now working is not [the way /to please God].

Salvation doesn’t come /by meritocracy

—doing enough good things, so God says, “I check you off; you’re good to go. You can come /to heaven /when you die.”

No, salvation is a gift of grace and unmerited favor

—God /giving us something () we don’t deserve or work /for,

something //that His love compelled [Him] [to offer us through Jesus Christ, His Son] (see Ephesians 2:8–9).

But the Bible does talk /about the work of the Lord, and it’s an all-important subject:

“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” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV).

What is “the work of the Lord”?

It’s the work () we do for the Lord after becoming Christians.

In other words, it’s the work () God is doing in the earth and how He uses [us] [to do it].

That’s why the apostle Paul also wrote, “We are co-laborers with Christ” (see 1 Corinthians 3:9).

The work of the Lord has two prongs to it.

First, evangelism—spreading the good news.

Remember, that’s the last thing () Jesus told [His disciples] [to do] /when He left planet earth:

“Go /into all the world and preach the gospel /so more can come /into the kingdom” (see Matthew 28:19–20).

This takes work and time.

Sometimes it takes tears and praying over people () we’re trying to persuade to open their lives to Christ

and the salvation () He offers.

Second, the work of the Lord involves discipleship, or helping [new Christians] [get strong].

I once watched a show on National Geographic //that showed baby turtles /just after they were born.

They were so fragile—and predators were waiting /for them.

New Christians are vulnerable too. They’re like babies (see 1 Corinthians 3:1–2; 1 Peter 2:2).

Who’s going to take [time /with them], instruct them, warn them, even correct them?

Who’s going to love them?

Who’s going to cry with them?

Who’s going to pray and say, “All right, you messed up.

But come on, let’s go. We’re going to do this thing.

The Lord’s going to help you”?

That’s part of the nurturing process, and it takes [time and energy].

So the work of the Lord is evangelism, spreading the good news /both where we are and around the world,

and discipleship of new believers //who have come /into the kingdom.

But here’s the big disconnect with American Christianity:

We’re self-absorbed.

We have so many pity parties.

[Giving up time, energy, and money /to devote ourselves to working for the Lord, for souls, for the kingdom],

is not something //that appeals /to us. It’s about me, myself, and I.

“God, help [me] [fulfill my dreams].

I need help financially.

I don’t know [when I’m going to get married].

Where’s that woman or man () I’m looking for?”

It’s all about us.

This, of course, is the opposite of the Spirit of Jesus.

The apostle tells us, “Be steadfast. Be firm.

Don’t be going up and down.

Get involved.

Give [yourself] /to it.

It can be through a ministry of the church, a short-term missions trip, singing in the choir, being a prayer warrior.

It could be [handing out food, or spreading the gospel door-to-door].

Don’t be fluctuating. Be firm, because your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Jesus said that the work of the Lord is what brought Him fulfillment:

“My food,” said Jesus, “is [to do the will of him //who sent me and to finish his work]” (John 4:34, NIV).

We all have a work assignment.

I have one.

Part of my work of the Lord is not just pastoring a church in New York City /called the Brooklyn Tabernacle

but also spreading the gospel.

This post will hopefully encourage and build up [people //who believe in [the Lord Jesus Christ].

[The work () we give [ourselves] /to] will bring [us] [the same fulfillment () Jesus had /from doing His work].

Jesus didn’t wake up /in the morning just to hang out.

But that’s the problem of contemporary society.

“Yo, what are you doing /today?”

“I don’t know.

I’m just hanging out.

I be chillin’.”

Well, that is not the best way to spend our lives.

We have work to do, all of us.

It’s a great feeling to wake up in the morning and say,

“What am I supposed to do /today /as part of the work of the Lord?

Let [me] [be Spirit-directed, Spirit-led].”

Decades ago I read that Francis Asbury, a great Methodist preacher, said to his young ministers,

“Though the enemy attacks you /in a thousand ways,

and though there are discouragements /all around you,

you are never happier than when you’re doing the work of the Lord.”

I have found [that] [to be true].

Let’s ask God for strength.

Maybe God has called [you] [to do something], and you even started it but got discouraged.

I know all about that kind of discouragement.

I want [to encourage you today]: let’s do the work () God has called [us] [to do]—the work of the Lord.

Prayer

Father, forgive me /for the times () I focus only on myself.

Shift my heart /away /from my own desires, and fill me with Your Spirit /so I can work alongside You.

Give [me] [the strength and focus] /to step away from distractions today

and faithfully do [the work () You’ve called [me] [to do].

If this encouraged you, you can receive Pastor Cymbala’s weekly blog post by email here.

For More Encouragement

• Listen to the full message by Pastor Jim Cymbala: “Job Openings (The Work of the Lord)”
• Enjoy other resources to help you draw closer to God: “The Call” and “Full Disclosure”
• Visit Pastor Cymbala’s Facebook page