Speaker 1 0:15

All right . So the power of co-laboring with God and this is one of those topics that every week that we do a fearless faith session , one of the things I do is I always say , okay , god , what do you want me to share ? What do

Introducing Co-Laboring with God

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you want me to share today ? And today I got up . I had a big webinar last night . Maybe you were on there we had a lot of people on in our last night Maybe you were on there we had a lot of people on . We had over 350 people register and we had about 50% of those people were on last night . So it was a huge thing .

Speaker 1 0:48

And I got up this morning early . I was up late last night , up early this morning , and so I hadn't had a lot of time to think about what I wanted to share today . And I just sat down at my desk this morning . I was like , okay , god , what do you want me to talk about ? And this thought came to my head about co-laborers with God . And , to be truthful , when I said that a post from my buddy , ray Higdon and I'm going to pull it up real quick so I can read it to you he posted it yesterday on Facebook and that quote actually came to my mind , and that quote was let me just make sure that I'm reading it correctly oh yeah , and here was the post . He said trusting God , isn't you relying on him to do the work for you ? And that post came to my mind this morning when I started thinking about this co-laboring with God concept , and so for me , that's what came to mind and that's what we're going to talk about this morning . So just a reminder , guys , as you're here , do me a favor , just comment , heart it , let me know that you're here . And that helps me , okay , so it helps the group too . It helps us to push this out to more people in the group . So one of the the one second here , there we go . So one of the verses are the verses of scripture I want to start with this morning . That is very important , and I'm going to read this and this will kind of set the tone for what I want to talk about here . And I've got a bunch of other verses too I want to refer to , but 1 Corinthians 3 , starting in verse 5 . And so I want you to listen to this , and I'm reading from the Passion

Every Person Has a Ministry

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Translation , and you can read this in many other translations . I really like how the Passion Translation puts this and I just want to be clear too to you guys that there's no one translation , because I see this debate a lot . There's no one translation that is perfect . Every translation has errors . The goal is when you're going to the scripture .

Speaker 1 2:54

I love to compare and contrast different translations . It broadens the understanding . It helps me see things . I also like to go in and use and look at some of the Greek words that things are .

Speaker 1 3:06

One of the great softwares that I use that I love . I've been using it for many years . It's called eSword , so e-sword , and it's a great app . You can put it on your computer , you can put it on your phone . When I go to church on Sunday , I got my Bible on my phone and I pull up eSword on my phone and I can go and I can pull up all different translations . I can compare and contrast .

Speaker 1 3:28

But anyway , this verse here , 1 Corinthians 3 , verse 5 , I like how the Passion Translation puts it and it says who is Apollos really , or who is Paul ? Aren't we just both servants through whom you believed our message ? Aren't each of us doing the ministry the Lord has assigned to us ? So this is very important . I want to point this out , and then we're going to continue here . Every single one of you have a ministry . Okay , now , if you are not a faith-based person , you might go . I don't have a ministry , but you do . Whether you accept that idea or not , it's true , because you have something that you're passionate about . Every one of us have something that we're passionate about , and the goal of that passion that is in you for something it wasn't just put there by chance . You have this passion because God put that in you . He gave you the talents to carry it out , he gave you the wherewithal to go out and share the message that you need to share with people , and my message and my mission is to help others , equip others to go out and share that message . So everybody has a part in what we do , and so one of the things that he says here and there , we're both just servants and each of us is doing the ministry the Lord has assigned to us . So question is what is the ministry that the Lord has assigned to you ? A couple of weeks ago , we had Tom on and Tom talked about how his mission was really to go out and help people understand the idea of gratitude . He talked about a story . If you guys haven't checked that , log into the members area and check that it's here in the group also . But you want to check that story out ? Everybody has a mission and everybody has a purpose that God has assigned them .

Speaker 1 5:26

Okay , so let's continue in verse six . I was the one who planted the church and Apollos came and cared for it , but it was God who caused it to grow . Very important , okay . When we talk about co-laboring with God , this verse is very crucial . I was the one who planted . This is Paul speaking . I was the one who planted the church and Apollos came and cared for it , but it was God who caused it to grow . Let's keep going . Verse 7 , this means the one who plants is not anybody special , nor the one who waters , for God is the

Faith Requires Action

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one who brings the supernatural growth . Now , the one who plants and the one who waters are equally important and on the same team , but each will be rewarded for his own work . Verse 9 , we are co-workers . That word co-workers means co-laborers or fellow laborers with God , and you are God's cultivated garden , the house he is building . So here's the thing , and I have to be reminded of this on a regular basis myself .

Speaker 1 6:42

Sometimes , we get caught up in the idea that everything we do is dependent upon our own ability . And this , honestly , this is exactly what the devil wants you to believe . He wants you to believe that . He wants you to believe that you have to do it all on your own , because the moment you believe that your stress levels can go up , your fear can be increased , and that's ultimately what he wants . See , but when we have God in our corner , and when we recognize God , that he is in our corner , we can then go and do something with peace and know that , hey , I'm going to do the best , that I know how , I'm going to do the best with the abilities that God has given me and I'm going to go out there , but I'm going to rely on God for the results . And this is the mindset shift that we want to have as believing entrepreneurs , because a lot of times we're looking for results . Now , here's the thing we always want to be improving . You can't just go out there and give a half-hearted effort and then expect God to fill in the gaps . You have to give it everything you got .

Speaker 1 7:50

The scripture says in many different places that when you do something , do it with everything you have in you . It says work heartily unto the Lord . The scripture says Work heartily unto the Lord . In other words , put everything you got into it , invest in yourself , invest in your skill sets , invest in you . And when you do that , as you do that and as you take action , doing the best that you know to do , that's where God can fill in the gaps , because he knows you're putting your heart and soul into what you're doing and you're doing it heartily unto God and not unto men . That's what the scripture says .

Speaker 1 8:28

So , guys , if this is gelling with you , I'd love to see some comments and hearts as well . We've got a few people watching , but I'd love your feedback too . So here we go . I'm going to share a couple more verses with you on this , because I believe that this is such an important thing for us to get as believers , especially believing entrepreneurs . So 1 Corinthians 9 .

Speaker 1 8:50

So we just shared this , this , but we are fellow workers . You are god's field , god's building . Philippians 2 13 . For it is god who works in you , both to will and to work for his good pleasure . Again , this goes back to what paul was saying . Okay , in verse 5 . Who is apollos really ? Or who is paul ? Aren't we both just servants through whom you believed our message ? Aren't each of us doing the ministry that the Lord has called us to ? You see the skills , the passion you put in your part . God inspires that within you and the results you leave up to him . You continue to do your best , you continue to press forward and learn and do the things you know to do , but God will supply that . So , james 2.7, . This is why understanding that real faith in God , real faith in our Lord and Savior , jesus Christ ,

Working Heartily for the Lord

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james 2.7, . So also faith by itself , if it does not have works , is dead . So when we have faith , it must be followed by works .

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Now , there's a very important distinction here . Okay , we are not saved by our works . This is very important to understand . Salvation is very important to understand . Salvation is a gift . Salvation is a gift . It's very easy to receive salvation .

Speaker 1 10:21

Okay , so we are not justified by our works . The scripture makes that clear . We are justified by the work of j Jesus , by his works justified us . So make sure you understand that when you are doing works , you are always going to fall short . Always , no matter what we do , we'll always fall short . But that's where we have the mediator , jesus Christ , between us and God . He fills that gap for us and that's why that's important to understand . So when you fall short , you just simply hey , god , I'm sorry , please forgive me , I'm moving forward . Jesus filled that gap for me and worked to not do it again . It's really that simple . So that's very important .

Speaker 1 11:09

So faith is followed by works , co-laboring with God . This is this back and forth we have with God Ephesians 2.10, . For we are his workmanship , created in Christ Jesus for good works , which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them . John 15.5, . I am the vine , you are the branches . Whoever abides in me and I in him , he it is that bears much fruit . For apart from me , you are the branches . Whoever abides in me and I in him , he it is that bears much fruit . For apart from me , you can do nothing . Huge , that's a big deal From . Apart from me , you can do nothing . God says in the scripture with God , all things are possible . Okay , colossians 3 , 23 and 24 .

Speaker 1 11:52

Whatever you do this goes back to what I was saying here Work heartily as for the Lord and not for men , knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward . You are serving the Lord Christ . So , whatever you do , work heartily for the Lord and not for men , and this is a reminder I need too . I'm not saying this I have this perfect all the time . I certainly don't . I always a work in progress too , but this is such an important thing for us to remember to know Okay , so work heartily unto God . Proverbs 16 , 3, . Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established . So when you do your part , say it to God . You know what God . I'm going to do my best . I'm going to do the best that I know I'm leaving the results up to you . But it says when you commit your work to the Lord , your plans will be established . Your plans will be established Unless .

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Psalm 127.1, . Unless the Lord builds the house , those who build it labor in vain . Unless the Lord watches over the city , the watchman stays awake in vain . This is such an important verse . Listen to this Unless the Lord builds the house , those who build it labor in vain . Think about that . Are you building a business or are you building a house and not letting God direct you ? Because it says here that , unless the Lord builds a house , those who build it labor in vain . I don't know about you , but I

God Equips Those He Calls

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don't want to labor in vain . That's not what I want . Do you want to build it in vain ? Probably not .

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Galatians 6 , 9 , and let us not grow weary of doing good , for in due season we shall reap if we faint , not so for those of you out there that are building a business and you're asking that question , why am I struggling ? Why am I not getting the results that I think I should ? God says and let us not grow weary in doing good , for in due season we will reap if we do not give up . Okay , and that is so important . If we do not give up , if we're operating in our assignment that God has given us , sometimes we're thinking man , when is this going to kick off ? When is this going to happen ? It says right here if we do not give up . That's when it will happen at the right time , so important .

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Hebrews 13 , 21, . Equip you with everything good that you may do his will . According in us that which is pleasing in his sight , so God will equip us with everything good that we may do his will . He will give us everything that we need in order to do his will Working in us that which is pleasing in his sight through Christ Jesus , to whom be glory forever and ever , amen . So God's going to give us the tools , the strategies , the people , the places he's going to provide all that for us . The people , the places he's going to provide all that for us . Sounds like an awesome life , doesn't it ? It is , but it only requires one thing from us , and that is faith in him that he's going to fill the gaps for us . We're going to do our best , we're going to invest in ourselves , our skills , the things that we know we need to do in order to succeed , and he will fill in those gaps . Romans 8 , 28 .

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And we know that , for those who love God , all things work together for good , for those who are called according to his purpose . Okay , sometimes your struggle is God working out something in you for good . All struggle is not a bad thing , okay , I think sometimes we get the idea that struggle is bad and struggle is not bad . Struggle is not always fun , but struggle is not always a bad thing , because it's through struggle that we also grow . So it's very important .

Speaker 1 15:54

2 Timothy 2.15, . Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved , a worker who has no need to be ashamed , rightly handling the word of truth . So do yourself , do your best to present yourself to God as one approved , a worker who needs not be ashamed , rightly dividing the word of truth . So our goal is to be in the scriptures regularly . It's to know God's will , and we present our God , ourself , as one approved , when we do that . Okay , here's another great one . This is such an important part of entrepreneurship . I love the scripture because it's so in line with what real , true entrepreneurship is . 1 Peter , 4 , 10 and 11 .

Speaker 1 16:39

As each has received a gift , use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace , whoever speaks as one who speaks oracles of God , whoever serves as one who serves by the strength that God supplies in order that , in everything , god may be glorified through Christ . So , as you've received a gift , okay , as you've received gifts

Understanding True Salvation and Works

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, as you receive , like , for instance , you have the skills and the ability . Because you've co-labored with God , you've done your part , you've invested in you , you've gone . Because you've co-labored with God , you've done your part , you've invested in you , you've gone out there , you've worked together with God , you look for his guidance . And as you receive those gifts , he says to serve one another with those gifts . And you can serve and make a living at the same time . That's the great thing . So when you serve people through your business , okay , you are using it to serve other people , but you also get compensated in return . This is the great thing about what this verse is saying as good stewards of God's varied grace . So you go out there and you serve , okay , and when you do it , you glorify God through that .

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2 Corinthians 9.8, . And God is able to make all grace abound toward you so that you , having all sufficiency in all things at all times , you may abound in every good work . So works are a thing , it's just you have to separate the two and understand that salvation is not by works . The scripture says nobody is saved by works . And if you read the scripture , it clearly states and shows that you cannot be saved and , as a matter of fact , you cannot be saved by works and God won't allow that because he doesn't want any man to go out and boast about it oh look , I'm so holy , I'm so good based on my works and that's how I got salvation . No , the scripture says that's not possible Salvation is not by works , lest any man should boast . That's what the scripture says .

Speaker 1 18:49

So our salvation is by one simple thing . It's just accepting the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Savior . Okay , believing that God raised him from the dead , that's how you receive salvation . It's a simple act of faith and your part that Jesus was the sacrifice for you to have connection with God . So when you accept that you are , you receive salvation . It's not based on your works , but on the works of Jesus . Okay , that's the important part here to understand . But works are very important when it comes to this life . Faith without works is dead . So if your business , if you're working your business , it's very important to know and to understand that works are required in order for you to move forward , investing in your skills , the things that you need to do , and you do your absolute best , that you know how , and God will supply the rest .