THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE – 3 Addicted To The Work Of Christ

“15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints)… 17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied…” (1 Corinthians 16:15, 17). KJV

Loved ones, as we endure our Spiritual Battle against Satan, there are a host of little-known characters in the Bible who are great examples. As found in our text, one such example is Stephanas. Paul wrote, “And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other” (1 Corinthians 1:16).

Notice in 1 Corinthians 16:15-18, that Paul said the household of Stephanas had "addicted" themselves to the ministry. Stephanas was enthusiastically dedicated to God and His work. He and his whole household had devoted themselves to the Lord (cf. Joshua 24:15).

We often think that any addiction is bad. Many people today are addicted to various harmful or even evil things, such as illegal drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. An addiction compels you to do something. It becomes something that drives you or constrains you. Addicts will often say they want to quit, but their addiction controls them.

Many would also think that an overcommitment to religion is likewise bad. The term "religious fanatic" carries a bad connotation. However, when we are truly committed to God and His ministry, addiction is good. “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead” (2 Corinthians 5:14).

Clearly, God’s people are to approach work differently than the rest of the world does today. Our Father in heaven takes notice of how we handle even our smallest everyday tasks (Luke 16:10). In fact, God directs us to put our might into each task.

While God has often commanded grand and important things from His followers, He also makes it a point to encourage hard work no matter what the task may be. We are to perform every work—no matter how seemingly insignificant—as though it is in service to God.

Christians should want to work hard and care deeply about what we do. In Ephesians 6:5-8, the apostle Paul encourages us to have a strong Christian work ethic, revealing that our service is done “to the Lord, and not to men.”

Whatever responsibility we are tasked with should be fulfilled with care and attention, doing the very best job we can as if it were given to us by God Himself. This gives us direction and purpose in our lives—things that everyone desperately needs.

Stephanas did not look for an excuse not to be involved in the work of the Lord, nor did he expect others to do the work. He could not sit idly by while either the work was undone or others labored.

He understood the words of Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”

Hard work is a gift of God and man’s heritage (Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:13, 22; 5:18). Hard work that is satisfying is one of the few things that Solomon doesn’t conclude to be “vanity.”

Sometimes one may say in jest, "Work doesn't bother me a bit. I can sit and look at it all day." When it comes to religion, that humorous statement is true far too often. It seems that the majority of church members can sit and look at the work of the church all day yet never try to do much.

The old preacher joke is that 10% of the church does 90% of the work, and it seems that the joke is not far from the truth. Stephanas was undoubtedly part of the 10%.

Stephanas and his house were some of the few personally baptized by Paul, and his house is said to be the "first fruits" of Paul's labors in Achaia. His family understood that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). They understood priorities.

If we cannot say that we are giving our Christian faith our all, then our priorities are woefully misaligned. Many intend to do things for God, but other things keep getting in the way. However, when a person is addicted or devoted to something, nothing gets in the way. A drug addict will do virtually anything to get his drug.

According to Jesus Christ, the first great commandment is to “love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength” (Luke 10:27). We show and prove our love by keeping God commandments (John 14:15). We cannot afford to be half-hearted with something this important.

If we aren’t putting everything that we have into our relationship with God, then we are missing a vital aspect of our Christian lives. This is a matter of priority and effort, and while we can easily deceive ourselves, God will not be deceived into accepting a half-hearted way of living.

A good work ethic is applicable to every aspect of our lives—including our relationship with God. God will judge people by their works. Solomon writes that “God will bring every work into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Hard work will affect how God sees fit to reward us once we are resurrected. This is a sentiment backed up in Paul’s writings, which confirm that God will “render to each one according to his deeds” (Romans 2:6).

We don’t have to be perfect, but we do have to be showing effort to improve, working hard every day to get closer and closer to God. Someone who is following God with all his or her might—striving to reach “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13)—will get better at it day by day.

While a good work ethic sounds like a small thing, it is in increasingly small supply in the world today. In our service to man, we are serving God. If we wouldn’t deliver half-hearted work to God, then we shouldn’t do so for anyone else. Whatever the task, it is up to us to complete it with diligence and care.

Christians are called to be examples to the world, showing the effect that God has in their lives through their works. Lazy, half-hearted works are signs of weak Christian values. Diligent, hearty works, on the other hand, boast of God’s work ethic living in you.

In Colossians 3:22-25, Paul echoes this statement, commanding Christians to work “heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” He goes on to reveal that God will reward each person for the measure of his or her works.

Stephanas was part of the church in Corinth, a church with many problems. The congregation did not have enough concern for Paul, but Stephanas and two others did the work the entire church should have been doing (1 Corinthians 16:17). Their desire to help Paul and his ministry was their number one priority.

In Philippians 2:13-15, we are told that Christians are to “do all things without complaining and disputing,” which will make us “shine as lights in the world.” A hard worker who does not complain or fight and is attentive in his or her job will always stand out in a crowd because these qualities are rare and highly sought-after.

Christians are to stand apart from the rest of the world by diligently working at whatever task we are assigned. In our jobs, in our lives and in our extraneous responsibilities, we should be striving to demonstrate the utmost care, effort, and dedication in everything we do.

We are to make God’s priorities our priorities and put fulfilling our commitments and responsibilities before recreation and entertainment.

Paul said he was a “debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise” (Romans 1:14). Where is the church in your list of priorities?

We are to be controlled by the Spirit. "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). When we place ourselves under the control of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), His sword will compel us to do things that may seem foolish to the world. We will be busy working for the Lord.

God and His church need many more to addict themselves to service. An addict does not wait for someone to offer to satisfy his addiction. He seeks it out. Thus, one devoted to the service of God does not wait to be asked to do something.

God was a volunteer. God voluntarily gave His Son on the cross. Jesus voluntarily gave His life. When God needed a messenger, Isaiah said, "Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8). David volunteered to fight Goliath (1 Samuel 17:32). Nehemiah volunteered to go back and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:5).

All of these, and others as well, took it upon themselves to do what they knew was a duty. They considered it a privilege and would not shirk the work. Yet, many Christians will not do anything unless asked, and even then, they act as if they are doing you a favor by helping. We need to remember that we do not work for any man; rather, we are working for God.

The work of the church is for every member, not for "them" (whoever “them” might be). The unsaved always need to be taught. The sick, mournful, weak, and aged always need help and encouragement. We must do our duty and not wait for some "organized program."

We can rest assured that God will reward our labors. "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (Hebrews 6:10).

Alvin York, a great military hero of WWI, was once asked why he did the deeds of bravery that he performed. He simply stated in his Tennessee mountain English, "I seen my duty and done it." Could you make that same statement regarding the work at your congregation?

Practice hard work in your life and then apply those lessons in your Christian Walk. Give everything you can to every task at hand, shining as a light in both this world and the next.

Shared with you by Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35)