DOERS ARE AWESOME!

We live in a culture that does not want to compare or act as if some things are better than others; they attempt to create equality in every situation. That is foolishness. Or, as the farmer would say, "HOG WASH" (which, as you might imagine, is worthless).

Look at what God records as greatness in the later days of David's life.

2 Samuel 23:8 “These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.”
vs. 9 “And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:”
vs. 10 “He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.”

One guy was amazing because he DID MORE than the others; he killed 800 enemies at one time by himself! That is one tough dude!! Another guy fought and fought and did not let up until the battle was won, and everyone followed after him just to pick up the "spoil" or good stuff the dead guys had.

Abishai also went above and beyond in killing 300 enemies with his spear; but, he was not good enough to be mentioned in the first three mighty men (verse 19).

vs. 18 “And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.”
vs. 19 “Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.”

In other words, God said, "This man is better; that soldier is great, but not as good as those men over there” and on and on. God places people in positions like ball players with their stats. God notices the DOER'S!!

God did not say some were great because they had such good motives; He noticed their deeds! God did not exalt men because of their intelligence but because of their production.

More men are listed in order of their greatness:

vs. 22 “These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.”
vs. 23 “He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.”
vs. 24 “Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,”

Understand that God notices what people do! A person who does more is honored!

God recognizes work!

Proverbs 24:12 “...shall not he render to every man according to his works?”

Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

Revelation 2:23 “...all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”

While we await Christ's return, God uses rewards as motivation to keep us going.

2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
vs. 9 “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”

I am a bit weary of our training cute little boys; I long to see us raise up some men who can work and produce. Who cares how orderly our lives are if we will not step out in the power of God and "DO SOMETHING."

Those "Mighty Men" David wrote about were rough. Those men were not warm and delicate guys whom you might be happy for your daughter to bring home; they were men who defended a nation and honored their king.

Notice what Jesus says about the churches as He sends them word through the Apostle John:

Revelation 2:2 “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:”
vs. 9 “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”
vs. 13 “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.”
vs. 19 “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.”
Revelation 3:1 “...I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”
vs. 8 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”
vs. 15 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”

God honors those who labor in prayer; not a moment of silence but long hours in prayer.

Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”

Let us hear it for the guy who works hard, who digs deeper, who labors longer, who fights through the times of despair, and who works on when others quit! In the ministry, we need no more cute lecturers; we need workers who get out in the trenches and spend long hours soul winning, studying, visiting, and working to build a church. Let us lift up our applause for the bus captain who visits longer, who sees more new prospects, and who comes up with more promotion to fill up his bus!

1 Thessalonians 2:9 “For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.”

We are here to work!

Let us honor the guy or gal who hits harder, works longer, and produces more for the glory of God!

God is looking for preachers who labor!

2 Timothy 2:6 “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12 “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;”

1 Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

God says those who "labour in the word and doctrine" are worth double pay — WOW! That is SO politically incorrect! Pay workers who work harder? Some might say… “Of all the nerve; there ought to be equal pay for all!” — surely one would say that if he is lazy or an idiot!

…lest we forget the admonition of James:
James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

God has called us to DO — not know — to DO; He did not tell us to sit around sharing our thoughts. WORK!

Pastor Goddard