Text: Eph.4:12-15, 1Tm4:12, Phil.4:8-9, Acts6:3, 2Tm2:2, 15.
Who is an ideal worker?
An ideal worker is a regenerated soul in Christ, who seeks to do God's will in everything committed to their hands, to the glory of God and for the edification of the body of Christ (the Church). An ideal worker supports their pastor or leader towards the actualization of the vision and mission of the church of Christ.
The ideal worker is a worker after God's own heart, who goes about their assignments to the honour/glory of God and to the service of humanity. Like Paul the apostle admonished the Colossians, the ideal worker obeys his or her leader in all things as unto the Lord- Col.3:23.
They also add godly virtues to everything they do within and outside the church because they are ambassadors for Christ- Phil.4:8-9, 2Pet.1:5-8, Eph.6:20, 2Cor.5:20. They are soldiers for Christ, fighting the good fight of faith against all odds and against the kingdom of satan in their God ordained assignments- 2Tm2:3-5, Eph.6:10-18.
Qualities and Traits of An Ideal Worker
1. An
ideal worker is a regenerated soul who has been saved from sin or born again. Since
the main concern of the church is salvation through the preaching of the
gospel, then those who are to champion this course as workers must have
experienced the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. One that is truly saved
appreciates the supreme sacrifice Jesus paid on the cross of Calvary for the
sins of the whole world. Hence, he/she is compelled to obey God through their leaders.
The love and sacrifice of Christ for them constrain them to obey Him in all
things- 2Cor.5:14-21, Jn3:3-5, Prov.15:8.
2.
An ideal worker must be sanctified: This is inward purity exemplified by
the fruits of the Spirit, as
listed in Galatians5:22-26. This is a state of inner/inward purity form all
filthiness of the flesh and the spirit. After salvation, man exhibits certain
godly traits that are evident of the new life, which are eternally visible to
all men but there may still be some bitterness, unclean and evil thoughts
lurking in the heart; at sanctification, this root of inward sin is removed by
the gracious operation of the Holy Spirit. There is complete transformation of
the heart and renewing of the mind. Rom.12:1-2, Lev.20:26, 2Tm2:19-26,
1Thess.4:3-4, 1Tm4:12, 6:14, 2Cor.7:1.
Although
gifts of the Holy Spirit such as Healing, Miracle, discernment, Prophecy,
faith, Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom, … (1Cor.12:1-12) are very essential
in the ministry, they cannot justify/qualify any man before God. However, it is
the Fruits of the Holy Spirit that qualifies a man for the kingdom of God (*Gifts
= 1Cor.12:1-12, Matt.7:21-23, *Fruits = Gal.5:22-26).
3. An Ideal
Worker is a Continuous Learner-Leader and Servant-Leader. He/she continues
to learn and acquire more experience in the process of working for God. They
learn to obey Christ through their leaders and serve wholeheartedly devoid of
eye service, not seeking vain/men glory. They gradually attain leadership
through their faithfulness in followership. They understand that being a church
worker is not for show but for service- 2Tm2:2, 15, Jn13:13-17, Phil.4:8-9,
Matt.11:29-30, Phil.3:12-14.
4. An Ideal
Worker Must Be Filled With the Holy Spirit & Wisdom. Working for God is
a Spiritual assignment, which needs spiritual tools. One of such spiritual
tools is wisdom; it is better than weapons of war for great exploits in the
course of working for God. Wisdom is the right application of what you know
(knowledge)- Knowing what to do per time, how to apply your God-given knowledge
in doing it aright and achieve good results. Eccl.9:18, Prov.4:7-9, Col.4:5-6. Although
prayer with fasting is good, we need the input of the Holy Spirit for wisdom to
pray aright, do things aright and help our infirmities. Our identity in Christ
is exemplified by the presence of His Spirit in us. Rom.8:14,26, Acts6:3,
Eccl.9:18, Prov.4:7-9, Deut.1:13, 15; 34:9.
5.
An Ideal
Worker is hard-working and Diligent. Laziness is not an identity of a true
child of God. Hard work and diligence attract greatness in the kingdom of God. To
be diligent means to act/work with concentration and timeliness. An ideal
worker is not just occupied with frivolities and self; he is not without focus
neither does he work for a showoff. Rather, he is constantly conscious of the
fact that concentrated attention on his God-given assignment is not negotiable
in the kingdom. As such, he is not distracted by what he sees, what people
gossip about him or what he is passing through. Rm12:8,11, Deut.6:7,17,
11:13-14,22-25, Prov.22:29. Paul the Apostle acknowledged the diligence and
zeal of Epaphras, Tychicus, Onesimus, Marcus, Justus and Luke the medical
doctor in Col.1:1-7, 4:5-18.
6. He/She
Must strive to Possess Good Character and Reputation. Good character and reputation bring good recommendation. An ideal
worker attracts God’s recommendation through their character. God gives them
greater task for greater glory; He recommends workers with good characters to
their leaders/pastors for promotion. Acts6:3; Acts13:2; 1Tm3:1-6,8-13. Spiritual gifts without Fruits of the
spirit is dangerous for the future of the worker and the church at large; it
leads to pride and other unwholesome behaviours that ruin the ministry of the
worker. Workers without good character and reputation are a bad image or “bad
advertisers” for Christ and His church.
7. An Ideal
Worker is Dependable, Faithful, Loyal and Trustworthy. Dependability is the
overall result of the other three qualities mentioned here. Faithfulness,
simply put, is doing the right thing, even when no one sees you or watches you,
and with no strings attached. It means loyalty to nothing but the truth,
without any ulterior motive. Faithfulness is straight-forwardness; no deceitful
or doubtful disposition. Your “yes” is yes and your ”no” is no (Matt.5:37). Faithfulness
makes us dependable and trustworthy in the eyes of God and man. It gives us
greater opportunities to be entrusted with greater position and resources. Your
faithfulness as an ideal worker is rewarded with higher responsibilities and
gifts. Matt.25:14-29, 1cor.4:2,17;
2Tm2:2, Numb.12:7, Heb3:2-6.
Faithful
workers are always candidates for promotion; they remain relevant in any
organization, even in the face of
challenges. Lk16:10-12, 19:17-24,
Neh.7:2. In Paul’s letter to the Colossian church, written by Tychicus and
Onesimus on behalf of Paul, he gave special attention to certain ministers who
were faithful workers both in the Colossian church and in Rome. Among these
faithful workers were Epaphras, Tychicus, Onesimus, Marcus, Justus and Luke the
medical doctor- Col.1:1-7, 4:5-18.
8. Availability:
Availability is an identity of an ideal worker. To be effective as a worker, you must be available to serve and render
acceptable service unto God. Isa.6:8.
An ideal worker is a time investor in kingdom assignments- time to pray, time
to study the scriptures, to go for evangelism, to attend services/meetings, and
so on- Exod.18:24-26. The phrase “at all seasons” in verse 26, is an indication
that the judges or workers appointed by Moses were always on ground at their
duty post to attend to the people.
However,
your availability at duty post or time investment in kingdom assignment should
not be at the detriment of your spiritual life, marriage, family, business,
education, etc. An ideal worker does not see his commitment as a burden, for
God loves a cheerful giver- a cheerful giver of time, service, money, talent
and everything needed in the kingdom. 2Cor.9:7, Psa.100:2a.
9. Ideal
Workers in the Vine Yard of God Must Serve with the Right Motive. Some
serve so as to win the heart of their pastor/leader while some serve to impress
certain people in the congregation, but the right motive is to serve “as unto
the Lord” and to the glory of God- 1Cor.10:31, Col.3:23. Prov.20:27,
1Cor.3:3-9.
10.
Ideal
Workers Must have High sense of Responsibility. They don’t run away from
responsibility neither do they give excuses for their failure. Rather, they
always respond to such responsibilities with their God-given abilities and take
responsibility for their actions. Gen.3:9-13, Isa.6:8.
11. An Ideal
Worker Concentrates on His or Her Area of Grace and Skill. Whatever grace
you have, use it to the uttermost, to bring profit into the kingdom of God. Let
not he that is given the grace for ushering struggle to sing in the choir, let
not he that is ordained by God as a teacher struggle to function as a prophet,
and let not he that is meant to be an intercessor in the secret compete for the
pulpit. “Graces” are different. Apostle Paul, in admonishing the Ephesian
church on this matter said he was chosen by God as a worker “according to the
measure of grace and gift” of God- Eph.3:7-9, 4:7, 1-7.
Your
effectiveness as a worker is enhanced when you work and concentrate on your
area of grace and God-given ability/skill. This makes you to achieve results without much struggle and profit for Christ greatly. Rom12:1-8, 1Cor.12:4-7, 1Cor.3:10-14, Eph.3:7-9,
Jms1:17.
12.
Ideal
Workers Possess Obedience, Endurance and Other Virtues. 2Pet.1:5-8, Phil.4:8-9,
2Tm2:3, Isa.1:19.
An
ideal worker, who has been saved and sanctified, finds it necessary to obey
Christ through his or her leaders. They patiently walk and work with their
leaders on the path of endurance towards achieving great results for Christ. It
takes endurance for the choir to continue practicing until they learn their
music. It takes faith and endurance for intercessors to stay awake in prayer
till the Holy Spirit releases them. It also takes faith and endurance for an
ideal worker to hold on to God’s promises in the face of challenges that could
distract them from their duty post.
13. They (must) serve as unto the LORD, not grudgingly but willingly.
2Cor.9:7, Col.3:23. Again, ideal workers work as unto the LORD, not with
selfish ambition but to the glory of God. Eph.6:7,1Cor.10:31.
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