Co-Laborers With Christ

Working With God for His Kingdom

“For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”— 1 Corinthians 3:9, KJV

There is something powerful about realizing that God has not simply called us to believe in Him—He has called us to work with Him.

We are saved by grace. We are redeemed by the blood of Jesus. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit. And yet, in His divine plan, God chooses to allow ordinary people to participate in extraordinary Kingdom work.

The Apostle Paul calls us “laborers together with God.”

We are co-laborers with Christ.

That does not mean we are equal to God. It does not mean God needs us in order to accomplish His purposes. Rather, it means that the God who could accomplish everything without us has graciously invited us to participate in what He is doing in the earth.

What an incredible calling.

We Were Never Called to Sit on the Sidelines

The Kingdom of God was never intended to be a spectator sport.

There are people who need encouragement.There are families who need prayer.There are the lost who need to hear the Gospel.There are broken hearts that need the love of Jesus.There are hungry people who need to be served.There are prodigals who need someone to help point them home.

And God has positioned His Church in the middle of it all.

Jesus said:

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”— Mark 16:15, KJV

The command is go.

Not watch.Not wait for someone else.Not assume somebody else will do it.

Go.

Being a co-laborer means we make ourselves available to the assignment God has placed before us.

Our Labor Is an Expression of Love

Jesus taught us that the greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbor.

Our service should flow from that love.

We don’t serve merely because there is a need. We serve because Jesus is worthy.

We don’t volunteer simply because someone asked us. We serve because we understand that everything we do for the Kingdom matters.

Paul wrote:

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”— Colossians 3:23, KJV

Notice the words: “as to the Lord.”

That changes everything.

When nobody notices, Jesus notices.

When nobody says thank you, Heaven sees.

When the work feels small, God sees the faithfulness behind it.

When we are cleaning, serving, teaching, giving, praying, encouraging, evangelizing, cooking, building, organizing, visiting, or simply showing up—we can do it all unto the Lord.

There is no insignificant assignment when it is surrendered to God.

Co-Laboring Requires Humility

Kingdom work is not about building our name.

It is about building His Kingdom.

Jesus must remain at the center.

John the Baptist understood this when he declared:

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”— John 3:30, KJV

That is the heart of a true co-laborer.

We don’t need the spotlight.

We don’t need recognition.

We don’t need applause.

We simply want Jesus to be glorified.

Sometimes our assignment will be highly visible. Other times, it will happen quietly behind the scenes.

But whether we are standing behind a pulpit or stacking chairs, leading worship or washing dishes, preaching a sermon or praying in a parking lot, the question remains the same:

Am I doing this for Jesus?

If the answer is yes, then the work matters.

Many Members. One Body. One Mission.

The Apostle Paul gives us a beautiful picture of the Church as the Body of Christ.

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”— Romans 12:4–5, KJV

Not everybody has the same assignment.

Not everybody preaches.

Not everybody teaches.

Not everybody sings.

Not everybody leads.

Not everybody stands in front.

But every believer has a place.

Some plant.

Some water.

Some harvest.

Some disciple.

Some intercede.

Some give.

Some encourage.

Some serve.

Some go.

And ultimately, God gives the increase.

Paul explained:

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”— 1 Corinthians 3:6, KJV

That should bring freedom to every servant of God.

Our responsibility is faithfulness.

The results belong to God.

Don’t Underestimate Your “Yes”

Sometimes we think our contribution is too small to make a difference.

But Scripture repeatedly demonstrates what God can do with a surrendered yes.

A little boy’s lunch became provision for thousands.

A widow’s small offering became an example of sacrificial generosity.

A fisherman became a preacher.

A persecutor became an apostle.

Ordinary people became vessels through which God changed the world.

The common denominator wasn’t human greatness.

It was surrender.

God is still looking for people who will say:

“Yes, Lord.”

Yes to serving.

Yes to giving.

Yes to praying.

Yes to forgiving.

Yes to going.

Yes to staying.

Yes to preaching.

Yes to loving.

Yes to whatever He asks.

Our yes may open a door for someone else’s miracle.

There Is Work to Be Done

Jesus told His disciples:

“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”— Matthew 9:37–38, KJV

The harvest is still plentiful.

People are still searching.

Families are still hurting.

The world still needs the Gospel.

And the Church still has a mission.

We don’t have time to waste fighting over who gets credit.

We don’t have time to compete with one another.

We don’t have time to sit on the sidelines waiting for somebody else.

There is a harvest.

There is a Kingdom.

There is a Gospel to proclaim.

And there is a generation that needs to see Jesus.

Let’s labor together.

Our Strength Comes From Him

Being a co-laborer does not mean carrying the work in our own strength.

Jesus said:

“Without me ye can do nothing.”— John 15:5, KJV

That is both a warning and an invitation.

We need Him.

We need His presence.

We need His wisdom.

We need His strength.

We need His Spirit.

Our weakness does not disqualify us when we are surrendered to Him.

In fact, Paul learned to rejoice in his weakness because it created room for Christ’s strength to be displayed.

“For when I am weak, then am I strong.”— 2 Corinthians 12:10, KJV

Our weakness, HIS strength.

That is the posture of a co-laborer.

Finish the Race

Kingdom labor requires perseverance.

There will be seasons when the work is exciting.

There will also be seasons when it is exhausting.

There will be moments when people celebrate what God is doing.

There will be moments when nobody seems to notice.

But faithfulness means we keep going.

Paul wrote:

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy.”— Acts 20:24, KJV

The goal isn’t simply to start.

The goal is to finish.

Finish faithful.

Finish surrendered.

Finish loving Jesus.

Finish loving people.

Finish the assignment.

Finish the race.

A Call to the Co-Laborers

Today, I want to encourage every believer:

You have a place in the Kingdom.

Don’t wait until you feel qualified.

Don’t wait until everything is perfect.

Don’t wait until somebody recognizes you.

Don’t wait until you have everything figured out.

Simply surrender what you have to Jesus.

Give Him your hands.

Give Him your feet.

Give Him your voice.

Give Him your resources.

Give Him your gifts.

Give Him your time.

Give Him your yes.

Then watch what He can do through a life completely surrendered to Him.

We are not working for a distant God.

We are laboring with our Father.

We are serving alongside Christ.

We are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

We are members of one Body.

We are carrying one Gospel.

We are pursuing one Kingdom.

And we are running one race.

So, Church, let’s get to work.

Let’s love Jesus.

Let’s love people.

Let’s serve with joy.

Let’s preach the Gospel.

Let’s lift up the broken.

Let’s strengthen the weary.

Let’s reach the lost.

Let’s build His Kingdom.

And when the work becomes difficult, remember:

We don’t labor alone.

We are co-laborers with Christ.

“For we are labourers together with God.”— 1 Corinthians 3:9, KJV

Our Yes. HIS Amen.

Run the race. Acts 20:24.