“To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” (Colossians 1:29)
 
Review
In our previous session, we talked about labor. Endeavoring and exerting effort for a cause is a virtue in itself; however, if the purpose and direction of our labor remain bound solely to the things of this world, that labor is inherently futile and leads to despair.
No matter how good worldly pursuits may appear, nothing in this world is eternal. Thus, the author of Ecclesiastes declares that all is vanity, and that everything a person labors for under the sun is ultimately profitless.
Yet this does not imply that every form of labor on earth is meaningless. While there is futile labor, there is also labor that is not in vain. And, whether labor is futile or meaningful depends entirely on the object of our labor.
Laboring for the things of this world ends in futility, for all worldly things will eventually fade and decay. Conversely, if the object of our labor is eternal, that labor will never be in vain. Our efforts will not disappear into nothingness, but will contribute toward that which endures forever.
For this reason, labor spent for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God is never in vain. Neither our physical death nor the final end of this world can strip away its significance. Though all things in this world pass away and perish, the Word of God and His Kingdom endure forever.
We find this eternal reality in the resurrected Jesus Christ. Through His resurrection, Jesus made known to us that death is not the absolute end, but the commencement of a life on an entirely different plane—an eternal life in communion with God. This reality serves as the driving force that enables us to remain steadfast, unshakeable, and pressing on toward the goal regardless of our circumstances.
We previously examined an exemplary figure of such labor in Scripture: the Apostle Paul. Throughout Christian history, it is difficult to find another individual who labored as extensively to testify to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and expand the Kingdom of God.
So, how was he able to maintain a life of relentless labor without giving up, even amidst severe hardship and suffering? It was because he knew that his labor in the Lord was never in vain, that the Lord acknowledged his toil, and that an eternal reward awaited him at the end of a life of suffering and labor.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:58:
“Therefore, 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.” (1Cor 15:58)
This is the very word that we—who are called for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the establishment and expansion of God’s Kingdom and will on this earth—must keep in mind. Our labor in the Lord is not in vain, for it contributes to the building up and expansion of the eternal Kingdom of God.
Near the end of his laborious life’s journey, Paul wrote in a letter to Timothy that served as his final testament:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7–8)
This word applies equally to all Christians today. A crown of righteousness is prepared for us, and it will be granted to all who love His appearing. Yet, if we truly desire to be worthy of receiving that crown, we must fight the good fight. Even when suffering comes and labor grows heavy, we must continue to keep the faith and run the race God has appointed for us. At the end of that path, the Lord Himself will welcome us.
He will greet us, saying: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21). This is the day that we as Christians must fix our eyes upon.
 
The Labor of the People of the Kingdom of God
Today, building upon our previous session, let’s dive deeper into the concept of "the labor of the people of the Kingdom of God." Paul said in Colossians 1:25–29,
“I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” (Colossians 1:25–29)
From this passage, we discover three crucial elements of the Apostle Paul’s labor: the purpose of the labor, the direction of the labor, and the power of the labor.
The purpose is to fulfill the word of God. The direction is to present every person mature in Christ Jesus. And the power driving this labor is “He who works in me mightily”, which is Jesus Christ.
 
Labor: A Devotion of Love
First, let us examine the meaning of the word ‘labor’ itself. In verse 29, Paul states that he "labors". The Greek word translated as "labor" here is kopiaō (κοπιάω).
This word signifies far more than simply working hard; it means to exert oneself to the point of utter exhaustion, being completely poured out in effort. Consequently, the term encompasses both the act of laboring and the resulting fatigue. When we dedicate our energy intensely toward something, physical and mental fatigue naturally follow. Thus, labor and weariness are inextricably linked.
We see this meaning of kopiaō as physical weariness in John 4:6:
“Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.” (John 4:6)
This passage describes Jesus passing through a town in Samaria. At that moment, Jesus was deeply fatigued from His extensive ministry and travels, and He sat down by the well to rest. The Greek word translated as "wearied" here is kopiaō.
So, kopiaō extends beyond diligent work to include the state of exhaustion brought about by that exertion. This represents the nature of the labor we, as Christians, should pursue. Biblical labor is not doing merely what is comfortable or convenient; it involves pouring out all our energy and passion, even when it leaves us thoroughly spent and weary.
Living a life of such labor is undeniably difficult. Yet, there is one reality that makes it possible: love. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 1:2–4:
“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you” (1Th 1:2-4)
This was a word of encouragement written by Paul to the church in Thessalonica. Paul thanked God upon hearing of their faith, love, and hope. Crucially, their faith, love, and hope were evidenced by concrete fruit in their lives: their faith showed in their works, their love in their labor, and their hope in their patient endurance under persecution. Upon observing these fruits, Paul affirmed their election by God.
This love must form the foundation of our labor as Christians. Love, by definition, knows no limits; it possesses the power to make the impossible possible. When we truly love someone or something, the labor expended for that object is boundlessly given. In fact, it is hardly viewed as a burdensome toil.
This was the nature of God’s love and labor toward us. God loved us so deeply that He spared no sacrifice or exertion to save us from sin. With boundless zeal, He planned our salvation, revealed it, and brought it to completion through His Son, Jesus Christ.
God’s love is the source of our love and labor. Our human strength and capacity are limited, but God’s love is endless, and His power is infinite. Only when this divine love is poured into our hearts can we live lives that labor even beyond our natural strength.
Because God’s love for us is infinite, may our labor for Him and His Kingdom reflect that same boundless devotion. The Lord will remember our labor and will build His Kingdom through it. Therefore, I encourage you that we may labor together all the more for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the Kingdom of God.
 
The Purpose of Labor: Fulfilling the Word of God
Let us now move to the next aspect: the purpose of labor. Colossians 1:25 states:
“I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God...” (Colossians 1:25)
Paul states here that the purpose of his labor is to "fulfill the word of God." What does this mean? It carries a deeper meaning than general obedience to God’s commands.
Paul defines what he means by the "word of God" in the subsequent two verses:
“...the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:26–27)
Here, Paul uses "the word of God" and "the mystery" synonymously. The word of God Paul seeks to fulfill is this divine mystery. Paul explains that this mystery was long hidden across ages and generations, but has "now" been revealed to the saints. He adds that God willed to make the glorious riches of this mystery known abundantly not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. And what is this mystery? It is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Thus, the purpose of Paul’s labor was to fulfill the word of God, which refers specifically to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul desired for the glory of Christ—God's hidden mystery—to be proclaimed richly among the Gentiles. For this reason, he labored to the point of exhaustion, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever he went.
While reading the Book of Acts last week, one particular verse caught my eye. It is Acts 20:26.
“Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.” (Ac 20:26)
Paul uttered these words during his final farewell to the elders of the church at Ephesus. It might seem like an unusual statement for a farewell address. What did he mean by saying he was "innocent of the blood of any of them"?
To understand Paul’s intent, we need to look to the Old Testament metaphor of the watchman in Ezekiel.
The role of a watchman was to sound a warning regarding approaching danger from an enemy. If the watchman failed to give warning, the people inside the city could not prepare, leading to bloodshed and death. In such a scenario, God declared that He would hold the watchman accountable for their blood, because the watchman's failure to warn was the direct cause of their destruction.
God said in Ezekiel 33:6,
“If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.” (Ezekiel 33:6)
However, if the watchman warned the people of the coming danger and they chose to ignore it, God declared that He would not hold the watchman responsible for their blood. The watchman's duty was not to save them directly, but to deliver the message and warning. God said to Ezekiel:
“So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” (Ezekiel 33:7–9)
This context lies behind Paul’s declaration to the elders: "I am innocent of the blood of any of you" (Acts 20:26). By stating he was innocent of their blood, Paul was testifying that he had fully declared the entire word entrusted to him by God, withholding nothing. Paul explicitly states in the very next verse:
“For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” (Acts 20:27)
Paul’s assignment was not to save every person in Ephesus, but as an appointed watchman, to faithfully deliver the message entrusted to him by God—the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and of Jesus Christ. Paul executed that duty faithfully. Therefore, he could declare with a clear conscience that he was clean from the blood of all people.
Furthermore, Paul was now commissioning the Ephesian elders as 'watchmen.' Following his example, he sent them back to the Ephesian church to rightly and fully declare the word of God. That was the 'labor' Paul entrusted to them.
This same responsibility rests upon everyone who has heard the Word of God and the Gospel. If we have heard, believed, and received salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ to become the people of God, we all are now called to be watchmen.
We must proclaim the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to those who have not yet heard it and do not know the salvation of God. This must constitute the substance of our lifelong labor as citizens of the Kingdom of God.
When we eventually stand before God, what will He ask us? Will He ask how impressive our achievements were, or what great status we attained? No; He will ask how faithfully we sought to share the Gospel with those He placed around us.
Around us, there are believers, but also non-believers. Among them, you may be the only Christian they encounter in their entire lifetime. If they remain unsaved because we failed to share the Gospel, we cannot be free from that responsibility. In other words, we would not be able to declare that we are innocent of their blood. That is a sobering truth.
How much must one labor to make a confession like Paul’s? Faced with this question, I feel deeply humbled and aware of my own shortcomings. Yet, I do not wish to give up, for the race of faith entrusted to me by God remains ahead.
Reading Paul’s bold testimony to the Ephesian church gives me a single life goal: to be able to confess before God and those around me at the end of my earthly journey, "I have labored faithfully as a watchman and fulfilled my calling." May this be your confession as well.
Before His ascension, Jesus commanded His disciples:
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)
The Gospel was fully completed when Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again. That work is finished and perfect in itself. However, the news of this Gospel has not yet reached every nation. Multitudes in this world remain in sin and death, having not yet heard this blessed news.
That is why we, having received this good news first and obtained salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, must live lives of dedicated labor. As Christians, the purpose of our labor is not personal comfort or the accumulation of worldly wealth.
The purpose of our labor must be to fulfill the Word and will of God—taking the blessed news of salvation accomplished through Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth and proclaiming it to all nations.
 
Conclusion
Today, we have considered the meaning and purpose of Christian labor. Biblical 'labor' means more than working hard; it involves pouring out all our strength and energy to the point of utter exhaustion. Furthermore, the purpose of this labor is to testify to the Gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
In light of this Word, let us reflect on our own lives and our labor as Christians. May we live lives of deeper labor fueled by God’s love—striving, sharing, and proclaiming the Gospel.
May Jesus Christ be testified, proclaimed, and glorified through our lives and labor; may many souls be saved and returned to Him; and may the Kingdom and will of God be established. Let us pray together.
 
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for revealing to us through Your Word today the true meaning of labor.
Lord, we confess that while we have often been quick to exert ourselves for our own comfort and worldly advancement, we have been sparing in our labor for Your body, the church, and for the Gospel. Forgive us for setting limits on our devotion and for laboring only as much as was convenient for us.
We confess that we are able to stand here today only because of Your labor of love that sought us out. Our salvation was accomplished through Your exertion and the suffering of the cross.
Lord, as those who are indebted to that love, grant that we may no longer serve out of mere duty, but willingly spend all our strength out of the love You have poured into our hearts. Help us to live lives of greater labor to fulfill Your Word and to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, the hope of glory. Through our lives and effort, may the mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ be clearly revealed to the world, and may we experience the joy of seeing many souls return to You.
We acknowledge that in our own strength we grow weary and stumble. Work mightily within us by Your power and fill us with the Holy Spirit, so that today and throughout this coming week, we may live truly dedicated lives for Your Kingdom within the abundance of Your love.
We thank You, Lord, for saving us and entrusting us with this mission. In the precious and exalted name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
 
[Reflection Questions]
1. Have you recently poured all your time and energy into something? Have you ever labored to the point of utter weariness and exhaustion for the Kingdom of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
 
2.  Everyone who has heard, believed, and received salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ is also called to be a watchman who delivers that news. Do you believe that you have been given this mission? What kind of effort do you think is required to fulfill it? Who are the people around you that you need to share the Gospel with?

“Therefore, 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.” (1Cor. 15:58)
 
Review
Let’s continue our series on the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is a realm where God rules and reigns through His people. This kingdom officially began in full force when Jesus Christ came for the first time, yet it has "not yet" come in its complete fullness.
Because we are currently living in the tension between this "already" and "not yet," we often feel a discrepancy between the Kingdom of God we experience now and the Kingdom of God that will arrive in the future.
Christians tend to respond to this discrepancy in two extreme ways.
One is unrealistic optimism. This is the view that human effort and progress will ultimately build a utopia on this earth. Christians with this perspective actively engage in environmental, social, and political issues with the mindset that they will establish the Kingdom of God through their own strength and labor.
Of course, as the people of God, our efforts and labor to establish and expand God's Kingdom on earth are truly precious. At the same time, however, we must acknowledge that our efforts have limits, and that the Kingdom of God will ultimately be completed only when Jesus returns.
The other perspective is desperate pessimism. This view holds that despite human effort and progress, the problem of sin will never be resolved, and the world is ultimately doomed to perish in sin. Christians with this mindset close their eyes to the various problems existing in the present world. They do not view the Kingdom of God as God's reign that we are called to build, but merely as an escape route.
Neither of these is a biblical perspective. Christians must not remain silent about the problems occurring in the world, yet at the same time, we must not think that our efforts alone can bring about the perfect Kingdom of God on earth.
The most important biblical attitude we must hold as citizens of the Kingdom of God is to humbly acknowledge our limitations—that we cannot do it all—while doing our very best in what we can do, no matter how small it may be. This is called biblical realism.
This is well expressed in Reinhold Niebuhr's prayer:
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." — Reinhold Niebuhr
No matter how much we do our absolute best as individuals, the problems and sins of this world will never fully disappear until the end of time. Nevertheless, we must never give up the mission God has entrusted to us.
Offering today the devotion and obedience we can give, no matter how small, while hoping for that day when the Lord returns and the complete Kingdom of God is realized on earth—that is the life we as Christians must live in this era of the "already" and "not yet." For our present labor for the Kingdom of God will never be in vain.
The Lord will use our small devotions to perform great works beyond our imagination. Therefore, our posture as citizens of the Kingdom of God must not be to look only at reality, doubt, and shrink back, but to trust and rely on God as we continuously press forward.
 
The Labor of the Citizens of the Kingdom of God
Building on our previous lesson, today I would like to share about the "labor" of the citizens of the Kingdom of God.
Today, we live in a society where "labor" and hard work are considered virtues. People living in modern society are always chasing after something, working hard and striving to achieve it. From the moment we open our eyes in the morning until we fall asleep at night, we spend our energy for something.
Of course, a life of working hard and striving for something is valuable and beautiful in itself. Yet sometimes, this question arises in our hearts: "What am I laboring so hard for? What is waiting at the end of all this labor?"
While a hardworking life is a virtue in itself, we instinctively know that there is something even more important than the labor itself. No matter how hard we strive and run toward something, if the direction is wrong, the end will only be emptiness and despair.
 
There is a book in the Bible that expresses this "futility of labor" best. Do you know which of the 66 books in the Bible talks about labor the most? It is the book of Ecclesiastes. Although Ecclesiastes is a relatively short book consisting of only 12 chapters, the word labor or toil appears about 40 times. It appears in almost every single chapter.
So, why did the author of Ecclesiastes use the word "labor" so frequently? In fact, the author did not use "labor" in a positive sense. He used this word to expose the vanity and emptiness of human life.
Ecclesiastes begins like this:
“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:2–3)
The author of Ecclesiastes opens with a rather pessimistic and negative statement: "All is vanity." However, "vanity" here does not simply mean having no value whatsoever.
The original Hebrew word translated as "vanity" is Hebel. It carries the physical meaning of "breath," "vapor," "smoke," or "fog."
What do these things have in common? One characteristic is that they cannot be grasped. You know they are clearly there, but when you try to grasp them with your hand, they slip right through your fingers.
Another characteristic is transience. When you exhale breath on a cold winter day, it exists for only a split second and just vanishes.
The author of Ecclesiastes tells us that "everything" in this world is like the breath—something you can never catch no matter how hard you try because they only exist for a moment and just vanish in an instant. Therefore, whatever it may be, the labor we exert to gain something in this world is ultimately in vain because it yields no permanent gain.
No matter how hard we try and labor, no one can enjoy the fruits of their labor forever. Before the absolute threshold of death, and before the cold reality of the world's eventual end, our labor today feels exceedingly vain. No matter what we achieve through hard labor, everything becomes meaningless in the face of death and the end of the world. As the author wrote,
“Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:11)
“So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun...” (Ecclesiastes 2:20)
“As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. This also is a grievous evil...” (Ecclesiastes 5:15–16)
This is a reality that every one of us must face at least once in our lives. As we live diligently working on something, we ask: What meaning does all this labor actually hold? Perhaps you have asked yourself this question as well.
Then, is all labor as meaningless as the Preacher says? Does all our effort lose its meaning before the absolute law of death? No, it does not. The Bible also reveals to us the beauty and eternal value of labor.
To give you the conclusion first: Labor is truly beautiful and possesses eternal meaning in itself when its means, direction, and purpose are aligned with God’s will and used for His Kingdom. That is what we want to focus on today.
 
The Labor of Paul
Now, let’s look at a figure in the New Testament who is famous for his "labor": the Apostle Paul. Paul was a man who truly deserved to be called the "Apostle of Labor." When you carefully examine Paul's missionary journeys and ministry, you wonder how he could have accomplished so much in such a short period.
After Jesus died on the cross, rose again, and ascended into heaven, the early Christian faith spread in less than 30 years far beyond Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria—reaching Cilicia, Syria, Galatia, Asia Minor, Europe, and Rome. While this vast expansion was made possible by the dedication of countless unknown Christians, it cannot be explained without acknowledging Apostle Paul's immense contribution.
That epic history is recorded starting in Acts chapter 13. After being sent out by the church in Antioch, Paul undertook a total of three missionary journeys over roughly ten years, resulting in the Gospel being proclaimed and churches established across numerous regions.
It was not an era like ours where travel is easy, fast, and safe. Paul had to risk his life multiple times just for the act of traveling itself. At times he was shipwrecked, and at other times he had to cross snow-capped mountains. Having nowhere to stay, he must have slept outdoors countless times, and he faced the dangers of robbers. Furthermore, he constantly had to dodge zealous Jewish people who lay in ambush to kill him wherever he went.
In every place he visited, Paul worked tirelessly day after day, preaching the Gospel with tears, teaching, and making disciples. On top of that, Paul was a self-funded missionary. He made tents to cover a portion of his mission expenses.
So, think about all these labors! One body was truly not enough. Yet, Paul never stopped, never looked back, and never settled down. He kept pressing forward toward the goal, living a life of unstoppable labor until the moment of his martyrdom.
Paul recorded his labors in his first and second letters to the Corinthians. Let me read a few verses for you:
“...To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.” (1 Corinthians 4:11–13)
“Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death... On frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” (2 Corinthians 11:23, 26–27)
In these passages and many others, Paul illustrates how much he labored for the ministry God entrusted to him. His purpose was not to boast or show off how hard he had worked, but to defend his calling as an apostle.
Paul truly lived a life of poured-out labor, holding back not even his own life as a drink offering, so that he might finish the work God assigned him—the ministry of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace. That is why he could boldly state that he labored more than all the other apostles. His relentless effort and labor were another proof showing that he was a true apostle called by God.
Paul wrote in Colossians 1:25–29:
“I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” (Colossians 1:25–29)
In this passage, we discover the crucial elements of Apostle Paul's labor: the purpose and direction of labor, and the source of the power of his labor.
Paul lived a life of labor, but his purpose was crystal clear: to fulfill the Word of God, to proclaim and reveal the riches of the glory of the mystery of Jesus Christ to the believers, and thereby to present everyone mature in Christ.
Paul labored his entire life for this work. Yet, he stated that the true driving force of his labor did not originate from himself. Though he exerted all his strength, the true power behind his labor came from the One working powerfully within him—Jesus Christ.
 
Here we discover the fundamental difference between Paul's labor and the labor described in Ecclesiastes: Paul's purpose, direction, and driving force were all perfectly aligned with God’s will.
He labored all his life, but his labor was not for himself, but for God. His labor did not spring from his own human strength, but from the power of Jesus Christ. The direction of his labor was not about accomplishing or achieving status in his own life, but solely about proclaiming and exalting Jesus Christ.
This kind of labor is never in vain. Neither death nor the end of this world can strip away its eternal value. Such labor is never useless! For Jesus Christ—the purpose, direction, and power of our labor—has conquered death, risen again, and promised us eternal life. Therefore, labor done in and for the risen Lord holds eternal significance!
Let us read 1 Corinthians 15:58 once more:
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
This is the word that we, as Christians called to labor, must always remember. The reason we can press on toward the goal without being discouraged or falling, just like Paul, is that we know our labor in the Lord and for the Lord is not in vain and contributes to the eternal Kingdom of God.
We are currently living between the Kingdom of God that has "already" come and the Kingdom that has "not yet" fully arrived. The Kingdom of God came quietly and secretly with the first coming of Jesus Christ, but when Jesus returns, it will come upon this earth in power and glory, clearly visible to all mankind. Looking forward to that day, Christians are called to establish the Kingdom of God on this earth in the present.
Therefore, all Christians should be people who "labor." Until the day the Lord returns, we must dedicate ourselves to preparing His way, preaching the Gospel, making disciples, and establishing God's will on earth. Whatever form it may take, no Christian should neglect this labor. It is the responsibility of those who have received the blessings and privileges of the Kingdom of God.
 
Let us wrap up today's message. As mentioned earlier, labor in itself is regarded as a virtue. Working hard and striving for something is a beautiful thing. However, for Christians, living a "hardworking life" itself should not be the ultimate goal. What is far more important for us is: For what, in what direction, and by what power are we laboring?
If we labor only for the things of this world, it may have its own temporal meaning while we live here, but as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes noted, it will ultimately end in vanity and emptiness. A few generations later, no one will even remember our labor.
Labor for the Lord, however, is different. Our Lord will remember our labor and grant eternal rewards to those who have been faithful and hardworking for Him and His Kingdom. As Christians, the labor we perform for the Kingdom of God is never in vain and carries eternal meaning because His Kingdom is everlasting.
Today, the Lord calls us to a life of labor. He calls us to sow seeds with tears. Yet the Lord does not merely demand that we labor. He calls out to those who are weary and heavy laden, saying, "Come to Me, and I will give you rest."
The reason our labor in the Lord is not a heavy yoke is that the Lord Himself shares that yoke with us, working powerfully within us to continuously supply new strength.
I pray that through each of our labors, the Kingdom of God will be built and expanded in our church, in our homes, in our schools, workplaces, and in this city. May many souls repent and return to Jesus Christ through us. Our Lord will be our strength and our power. So, remember, in the Lord, our labor will never be in vain.
Let us pray.
 
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for entrusting us with the mission of building the Kingdom of God.
Lord, we desire to live more faithfully within this mission. Remembering the example of our Lord, who did not hold back from the immense labor of coming to this earth and dying on the cross for us, help us also to live lives of faithful labor.
Lord, may our labor not be solely for the comfort and well-being of our individual lives. May our labor be accomplished within Your divine will. Be the purpose and direction of our labor, and be the true source of our strength, so that through our labor, the Kingdom of God may be established and Your name widely proclaimed.
Thank You for revealing to us the eternal meaning and purpose of human life and for inviting us into this life. Help us to deeply realize Your grace, abide continuously in it, and live lives worthy of those who have received such grace.
We thank You for all these things, and in the precious name of our Savior Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
 
[Reflection Questions]
What is the "labor" that you are currently pouring most of your time and passion into? What are you laboring to gain? Is the purpose and direction of that labor focused on yourself, or is it aligned with God's will and His Kingdom? How can you contribute to the Kingdom of God through your current studies or work?
 

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, 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.” (1Co 15:57-58)
 
Review
Over the past two weeks, we have looked at the concept of the "Already" and the "Not Yet" in understanding the Kingdom of God.
The Jews of Jesus' time expected that when the Messiah arrived, the Kingdom of God would be established immediately. However, the Kingdom of God did not come all at once. When Jesus first came to this earth, that Kingdom began very small, quietly, and secretly.
Yet, when the Lord returns, that Kingdom will completely cover the entire world. On that day, the Lord will come in a way that every person on earth will recognize, destroying all evil and making this world entirely new. On that day, our salvation will be completed, we will put on resurrected bodies like Jesus, enter the glorious Kingdom of God prepared for us, and live eternally face-to-face with Him.
This is the ultimate eschatological hope we possess as Christians. Our hope does not lie in the things of this earth; it rests solely in our true home, the eternal Kingdom of God.
It is vital for Christians to live with this hope because it provides the right perspective to interpret the various problems, sufferings, and limitations we face in the present.
We asked this question: If the Kingdom of God has already come as Jesus said, why is the world still full of evil, and why are our lives still imperfect? Why must we continually confront pain, sickness, and weakness?
It is because the Kingdom of God has not yet come in its fullness. Until the day the Lord returns, we will continue to wrestle with these challenges. However, there is a fundamental difference.
When you watch a movie whose ending you already know, no matter what trials afflict the protagonist, and no matter how impossible it seems to overcome, you do not feel anxious because you know that somehow the protagonist will overcome every obstacle and reach a happy ending.
Our current fight is the very same. The suffering, sacrifices, and battles in the Christian life today are real; there are moments when it feels as though there is no way forward. Yet, we never lose hope because we know that in the end, our King Jesus will return and restore all things. We are standing right in the middle of a story whose ending is already decided and whose victory is already secured.
Therefore, no matter how desperate our circumstances become, we can continue to hold onto hope and press forward—because our Lord has not said it is the end yet. This is why we must keep living with an eschatological faith, longing earnestly for the day of the Lord's return, and dreaming of the Kingdom of God that will be completed in the future.
This hope supplies us with the spiritual strength to live out the values of the Kingdom of God without compromising with the injustices of the present world.
 
Life Between the "Already" and the "Not Yet"
So, we are living right now between the Kingdom of God that has "Already" come and the Kingdom of God that has "Not Yet" fully come. This is the mystery of the Kingdom of God.
Then, as those who know this mystery, and as citizens of the Kingdom awaiting its future arrival, with what mindset should we live in this world right now? That is what I want to explore with you today.
After His resurrection, Jesus remained on this earth for forty days with His disciples. And what He focused on during those final days was teaching about the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 says,
"He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3)
As the time drew near for Jesus to ascend into heaven, the disciples asked Him:
"Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6)
Through this short question, we see that the disciples still misunderstood the Kingdom of God.
First, they referred to ‘the kingdom of God’ as "the kingdom to Israel," showing that they had not yet escaped the political and physical concept of a kingdom, which was common among the Jews of that day.
They also misunderstood the timing. They asked if Jesus would restore the kingdom "at this time," assuming that the risen Lord would immediately set up His physical kingdom right then.
In the next scene, Jesus corrects their misunderstanding regarding the Kingdom of God. He said to them,
" It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:7–8)
Here, Jesus corrects both of their misunderstandings. Regarding the timing of the Kingdom, He states that it rests in "the Father's authority," clarifying that it will not arrive immediately, but in the future.
And, regarding the scope of the Kingdom, He reveals that it is not restricted to the physical kingdom of Israel, but that its reign will reach to the ends of the earth.
Along with this word, the Lord entrusted them with a mission, which was to be His witnesses "to the end of the earth", because the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness when the Gospel of that Kingdom is proclaimed to the entire world. As Jesus said in Matthew 24:14,
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matt. 24:14)
This was why Jesus sent them the Holy Spirit so that they could faithfully carry out this mission until the very end.
After saying this, Jesus ascended into heaven before their eyes. But the disciples stood there, gazing intently into the sky. Then two men clothed in white appeared beside them and said:
"Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)
When Jesus ascended, the disciples' focus was entirely fixated on the sky. However, the angels directed their gaze back down to the earth, because the earth was where they actually needed to go.
To stare only at the sky is to passively wait for the Kingdom of God. But what the Lord desires from us is that while holding onto the hope of the Kingdom, we actively and purposefully go out into this world—proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom and building up that Kingdom in this world until He comes again.
This is the mission given to us who live between the "Already" and the "Not Yet." Many people live out their faith passively, merely attending church while thinking only about "the day they go to heaven."
That’s not the right mindset we should have as Christians. If we truly desire the day when our Lord returns to fully establish the Kingdom of God on earth, we must stop staring passively at the sky and go out into the world to which He has sent us.
Jesus said that when the Gospel of the Kingdom is proclaimed to all nations, then the end will come. If we want to welcome that day even a moment sooner, we must actively care about, act upon, and live for the proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom to the entire world.
The purpose of missions is not merely to save a few suffering souls. Missions is the very work that brings about the end of history, expanding and completing the Kingdom of God.
Therefore, missions is not a mere church program; it is the primary mission of everyone called as a church and as a citizen of the Kingdom of God. This is because Christ, the head of the church, commanded it, and it is the most direct avenue through which the Kingdom of God expands.
 
Worldviews Between the "Already" and the "Not Yet"
Now, let’s talk about a worldview that we must have as Christians as we prepare for the Lord's return and build up the Kingdom of God.
 
1. Unrealistic Optimism
As we have seen, a significant gap exists between the Kingdom of God that has "Already" come and the Kingdom that has "Not Yet" arrived.
And, there are two extreme ways people respond to this gap. The first is unrealistic optimism. This is akin to a utopian viewpoint: the belief that as human technology, science, education, and politics advance, the world will naturally improve and eventually achieve a paradise on earth. This view gained immense traction through modern history alongside advances in science and education.
However, the two World Wars of the 20th century, environmental destruction, and the persistent reality of human sin and injustice despite educational progress proved that this perspective was nothing more than an illusion.
 
2. Desperate Pessimism
The second extreme response to the gap between the "Already" and the "Not Yet" is desperate pessimism. Where the myth of human progress collapsed, skepticism and despair rushed in. Those who hold this view believe that despite any human effort, the world is destined for ultimate destruction.
They argue that when the sun eventually exhausts its life, the earth will be completely consumed with it, and until that day, the problem of sin will persist. Thus, they feel there is no reason to make any effort to improve the world by doing good; enjoying the present moment becomes their highest value.
 
So, which of these two perspectives do you think is correct? Will the world eventually reach a utopia through scientific and educational progress, or will it succumb to a dark, dystopian future despite all human effort?
Christians have also been heavily influenced by these two worldviews. Christians leaning toward optimism attempt to build the Kingdom of God through their own efforts. They actively participate in politics and environmental movements, and pour energy into social service.
While these actions are good and commendable, we must realize that no amount of human effort on its own can fully establish the Kingdom of God.
Conversely, Christians leaning toward pessimism believe there is no hope for this world since evil will never fully disappear. Consequently, they look only toward the day they go to heaven and care little about what’s happening in the world today. Believing nothing will ever change, they abandon all effort.
Neither of these worldviews—optimism or pessimism—is biblical. Optimism looks appealing but is unrealistic; pessimism is realistic but utterly hopeless.
 
3. Biblical Realism
So, is it possible for us to take the strengths of both perspectives? Can we be thoroughly realistic while remaining genuinely optimistic? Yes, we can. That is the perspective presented by Scripture, which is Biblical Realism.
This perspective acknowledges the reality of evil in our current world and admits that human effort alone can never solve it. Yet, at the same time, it does not surrender ultimate optimism for the future, because the final hope described in the Bible lies not in this present world, but in the world to come—the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God possesses both continuity and discontinuity. As discussed last Sunday, the Kingdom of God is not a brand-new creation that completely annihilates the existing world; it is a re-creation that liberates and restores a world previously bound under the order of sin back to its original glory.
Therefore, the Kingdom of God shares continuity with the world we experience now. Every labor and effort we expend for that Kingdom today will not disappear; it will surely contribute to the Kingdom that is to come.
However, the Kingdom of God also features discontinuity. Ultimately, the Kingdom can only be completed when Jesus Christ Himself returns. True fulfillment happens when He judges and destroys all evil at once and makes all things new.
Therefore, the end of the world according to the Bible is neither a man-made utopia achieved through human progress, nor a despair-ridden dystopia where sin remains forever unresolved.
The biblical end is the Kingdom of God. When the Lord returns, the Kingdom He establishes with His own hand will cover the entire earth. Today, we look forward to that day, laboring for the expansion of His Kingdom right now. This is the biblical worldview that every Christian must possess.
Christians who hold this perspective do not fall into despair over the problems facing the world today. Yet, neither do they act as if those problems are none of their concern. They actively do whatever they can to address them, knowing that what they do for the Kingdom of God today contributes to the eternal Kingdom that is coming.
 
Reinhold Niebuhr's Prayer
I believe Reinhold Niebuhr’s prayer captures Biblical Realism exceptionally well.
He prayed:
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference."
— Reinhold Niebuhr
This prayer is widely known as the Serenity Prayer. Reinhold Niebuhr was a highly influential American theologian who authored several foundational books on Christian ethics. I first encountered this prayer during a Christian ethics class in seminary in Korea, and it completely transformed my perspective.
This prayer articulates precisely what Biblical Realism is. There are countless problems in this world that we cannot solve by our strength alone. For instance, immeasurable numbers of people across the globe suffer from hunger.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, over 700 million people currently suffer from malnutrition, and approximately 9 million people die each year from hunger and related diseases. Every 10 seconds, a child loses their life to hunger.
Even more heartbreaking is the fact that nearly one-third of all food produced globally—about 1.3 billion tons, valued at approximately $1 trillion—is wasted every year. On one side of the globe, people starve to death for lack of food, while on the other side, food is discarded with ease.
So, why does this happen? What should our attitude as Christians be in the face of this reality? The global hunger crisis is just one of innumerable issues. Today, the world is rife with environmental crises, human rights violations, inequality, polarization, disease, epidemics, ethical and employment challenges driven by AI advancement, wars, and refugee crises.
How should we as Christians living in this era view these issues, and with what attitude should we live?
Faced with such desperate circumstances, it is easy to close our eyes to this cruel reality, thinking that nothing we do will ever change the world. In part, that is true—no single individual can solve global hunger. Even the wealthiest person on earth could not achieve it alone.
However, that does not mean there is nothing we can do. We cannot save every starving person, but we can support one child through Christian organizations like Compassion.
What we need is the serenity not to despair over the things we cannot change, the courage to act on the small things we can change, and the wisdom to distinguish between the two.
What would happen if every Christian in the world adopted this perspective and put small actions into practice? Earlier I mentioned that 700 million people suffer from malnutrition annually.
But, do you know how many Christians there are worldwide? Combining Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox believers, there are roughly 2.6 billion Christians—which is almost one-third of the global population.
Then, what if just one-third of those Christians cared about the hunger crisis and sponsored a single child? What if we minimized food waste, lived a bit more modestly, and contributed even a small monthly amount toward ending hunger?
Studies show that the combined wealth of Christians worldwide accounts for more than half of the world's total assets. What if all those resources were used according to God's will? Global hunger would already be solved.
Sometimes we pray: "God, please remember those who are suffering from hunger and solve this problem!" We may think, why doesn't God drop manna from heaven today as He did for the Israelites in the wilderness? Wouldn't that solve the hunger problem instantly?
But the fact is that God has already given us everything we need. The problem does not lie with God; it lies in the selfish faith of Christians who use what God has provided solely for themselves and according to their own will.
So, please never forget that every small act performed in obedience to God's will contributes to building His Kingdom on this earth. Therefore, we must not remain silent about the problems born of sin in this world as if they do not concern us. Instead, no matter how small it may seem, we must find what we can do and do it.
At the very least, can we not pray? At the very least, can we not donate a small amount of money? At the very least, can we not make an effort to throw away less waste? That is how we, as citizens of the Kingdom of God, should live on this earth.
Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:58:
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Cor. 15:58)
Paul encourages us to be immovable and to abound always in the work of the Lord, because our labor in the Lord is never in vain. This means that everything we do for the Kingdom of God today contributes to that glorious Kingdom that will be fully realized at the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Though our efforts may seem insignificant and incapable of producing real change, when placed in the hands of the Lord, things beyond our imagination happen. Our Lord is the One who fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. Our role is not to look at reality with cynicism and doubt, but to offer what little we have to the Lord in faith.
Our labor for the Kingdom of God as Christians will never be in vain. God will use that labor to build His Kingdom. Therefore, we must fix our eyes continuously on the glorious Kingdom of God to come, faithfully fulfilling the mission He has given us today until the very end.
Jesus, who came to this earth, will return in the exact same manner as He ascended into heaven. On that day, the Kingdom of God will be fully realized. Just as John the Baptist was called to prepare the way for the Lord’s first coming, we are called to prepare the way for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
To carry out this mission and prepare the way of the Lord, let us lift up our tired hands and strengthen our weak knees today. May the Kingdom of God come and expand in our lives through our daily living, our small acts of obedience, and our devotion. Let us pray.
 
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, show us once again the glory of the Kingdom of God that is to come, and grant us the grace to press forward with our hope anchored in that Kingdom.
The world today is filled with all kinds of problems arising from sin. We lack the power to fix them on our own, yet we do not want to give up. Help us realize that one day You will return to make all things right, and remind us that You desire to use us in that work. Enable us to carry out the mission entrusted to us right where we are today.
Grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the small things we can, and the wisdom to distinguish between the two. As we wait on this earth, help us prepare the way for Your return, look toward the Kingdom that will come in glory, and labor to build Your Kingdom here today.
We desire to remain steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. Help us know that our labor is not in vain, so that in faith and hope, we may serve, dedicate ourselves, and live victoriously each day.
We pray all these things in the name of our coming King, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
[Reflection Questions]
1. How do you think the world will eventually end? Which worldview is closest to your own: Unrealistic Optimism, Desperate Pessimism, or Biblical Realism? How does your worldview influence the way you live and the big and small choices you make each day?
2. Niebuhr prayed for the serenity to accept the things he cannot change, the courage to act on the things he can change, and the wisdom to distinguish between the two. In what area of your life do you need this kind of serenity, courage, and wisdom right now?
3. From a biblical perspective, the Kingdom of God has already begun with Jesus’ first coming, and it will be fully established when He returns. Everything we do as His people today contributes to the fulfillment of the glorious Kingdom of God that is to come. What small act of obedience or practical step will you take this week to live out and build up the Kingdom of God?