S1 · Session Six of 6

A Long Obedience

Introduction

MINISTRY MATTERS

Starting well is important. But there is something powerful about people who keep serving faithfully over time.

Ministry isn't built only through big moments. It is built through ordinary acts of obedience repeated week after week, month after month and year after year.

There will be times when serving is exciting and fruitful. There will also be seasons when it feels difficult, unnoticed or as though very little is happening.

The challenge isn't simply getting tired.

The greater danger is losing heart.

God calls us to become people who keep doing good, keep serving and keep believing that what we do for Him matters.

Faithfulness is not doing something once. It is continuing to do what is right when the excitement has gone.

Study objective

Galatians 6:9–10 · Colossians 3:23–24 · 1 Corinthians 15:58

Section 01

THE PASSAGE

Galatians 6:9–10 · Colossians 3:23–24 · 1 Corinthians 15:58 · World English Bible (public domain).

Key scriptures

Galatians 6:9–10

9 Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

Colossians 3:23–24

23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord, Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:58

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Section 02

DON'T LOSE HEART

Paul says:

“Let’s not be weary in doing good.”

The Greek word translated weary is enkakeo.

It doesn't primarily mean being physically tired.

It means to lose heart, become discouraged or begin to give up.

That's an important difference.

There is nothing wrong with being tired.

Sometimes tired people need rest.

But losing heart is different.

Losing heart happens when we begin thinking:

“What’s the point?”

“Nobody appreciates this.”

“Nothing seems to be changing.”

“I’ve been doing this for years.”

“Maybe what I’m doing doesn’t matter.”

Paul's encouragement isn't simply:

“Try harder.”

It is:

“Don’t lose heart while doing good.”

Section 03

HARVEST TAKES TIME

Paul continues:

“For we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.”

The words due season translate the Greek word kairos.

It means the right or appointed time.

Think about a farmer.

A farmer can prepare the soil.

Plant the seed.

Water it.

Protect it.

But the farmer cannot force harvest time to arrive.

There is always a period between planting and reaping.

Ministry often works the same way.

You encourage somebody and see no immediate change.

You pray for someone and nothing seems to happen.

You teach someone and wonder whether they listened.

You serve faithfully but don't see obvious fruit.

Not seeing the harvest doesn't mean the seed isn't growing.

Some things God does take time.

Our responsibility is faithfulness.

God's responsibility is the harvest.

Section 04

SERVE THE LORD, NOT PEOPLE

Colossians gives us another reason to keep going:

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men.”

That changes ministry.

People will not always notice.

People will not always thank you.

People may sometimes misunderstand you.

And sometimes the people you serve may not respond the way you hoped.

If people are the reason we serve, people can eventually become the reason we stop.

Paul tells us to look beyond them.

“You serve the Lord, Christ.”

The person you're helping may be standing in front of you.

But ultimately, Jesus is the One you're serving.

That gives ordinary ministry enormous significance.

When you prepare something carefully:

You serve Christ.

When you arrive when you said you would:

You serve Christ.

When you help someone who cannot repay you:

You serve Christ.

When nobody notices:

You still serve Christ.

Section 05

YOUR LABOUR IS NOT EMPTY

Paul tells the Corinthians:

“Always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

The Greek word translated labour is kopos.

It describes hard work—the kind of work that costs you something.

Paul isn't pretending ministry is effortless.

Sometimes serving costs time.

Energy.

Convenience.

Comfort.

Emotion.

But then Paul says something important:

“Your labor is not in vain.”

The word translated vain is kenos.

It means empty or without result.

Paul is saying:

Nothing faithfully done for Christ is empty.

You may not see everything it produces.

You may never know every person it affected.

But if it is done for the Lord, it isn't wasted.

Section 06

SOMETIMES YOU NEED REST, NOT RESIGNATION

There is an important difference between being tired and losing heart.

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah reaches a point where he has had enough.

He sits under a tree and wants to give up.

Notice what God does first.

God doesn't give Elijah a sermon.

He lets him sleep.

Then He gives him food.

Then Elijah sleeps again.

Only afterwards does God begin dealing with what is happening inside him.

That's important.

Sometimes the answer isn't:

“I need to quit.”

The answer might be:

“I need to rest.”

Healthy long-term ministry requires us to recognise the difference.

Rest is not failure.

Sometimes rest is what enables faithfulness to continue.

The goal isn't to serve until there is nothing left of you.

The goal is to build a life in which you can continue serving Christ faithfully over time.

Section 07

FAITHFULNESS HAS A FINISH LINE

Nehemiah gives us a beautiful picture of this.

For weeks the people built Jerusalem's wall.

They carried stones.

They faced criticism.

They faced opposition.

They became tired.

They had to work beside one another.

Most days probably didn't feel spectacular.

But eventually the wall was finished.

Nehemiah 12 describes the dedication.

The people gathered.

Two great choirs walked along the wall.

There was worship and celebration.

And Scripture says:

“The joy of Jerusalem was heard even far away.”

There are seasons for building.

And there are seasons for celebrating what God has built.

But you don't reach the celebration without the days when somebody simply picked up another stone and kept building.

That is long obedience.

Doing the next right thing, faithfully, for as long as God asks you to do it.

Section 08

TALK IT THROUGH

Five questions

Discussion questions

01Think back over these six sessions. What has actually changed in the way you think about serving?
02Paul tells us not to “lose heart” while doing good. What normally causes you to become discouraged in ministry?
03There is a difference between resting and quitting. How can you recognise when you genuinely need rest?
04Paul says we will reap “in due season.” Where are you serving faithfully at the moment without seeing much fruit yet?
05Healthy ministry should multiply into other people. Who is one person you could encourage to begin serving or help grow in ministry?

Section 09

TAKE IT HOME

This is the final session, so don't simply finish the study and move on.

Ask yourself:

What do I want to continue doing differently because of what I've learned?

Then make it practical.

“I will continue to __________.”

Maybe:

“I will serve without needing recognition.”

“I will faithfully carry my part.”

“I will use the gift God has given me.”

“I will ask for help before I become overwhelmed.”

“I will encourage somebody else to serve.”

Choose something you can carry beyond this series.

Because the goal wasn't simply to complete six studies.

The goal is to become someone who serves more like Christ.

Section 10

KEEP GOING

Five short readings

The series may be finished, but keep returning to these passages and allowing God to shape the way you serve.

Key scriptures

ONE — Galatians 6:1–10

Read verse 9 again as a warning about losing heart, not simply getting tired. What helps you keep your heart strong when serving becomes difficult?

TWO — Colossians 3:12–25

Read verses 23–24 carefully. How would your ministry change if you consciously remembered, “I am serving Jesus”?

THREE — 1 Corinthians 15:50–58

Verse 58 begins with “therefore.” Read what comes before it. Why does the hope of resurrection make our work for Christ worthwhile?

FOUR — 1 Kings 19:1–9

Notice how God responds to an exhausted Elijah. What does this teach you about rest and spiritual health?

FIVE — Nehemiah 12:27–43

The wall is finally finished and the people celebrate. What has God done through your service that you should stop and thank Him for?

This week's application

ONE THING TO DO

01Think of one person who could begin serving alongside you or grow in their ministry.
02Have a real conversation with them.
03Encourage them.
04Tell them what you see in them.
05Invite them to take a step.
06Because healthy ministry doesn't simply ask:
07“How long can I keep serving?”
08It also asks:
09“Who am I helping to serve after me?”
10Keep serving.
11Keep growing.
12Keep bringing others with you.
13And when you cannot yet see the harvest, remember:
14“Your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Next steps

Serving Like Christ · Series One · Session 6 of 6

SERVING LIKE CHRIST — COMPLETE

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