Pastor Larry Dela Cruz

The Work of the Master The work of His Church

Foreword
We must and is a must that we work as Jesus worked. Pastor Larry

Our Lord Jesus Christ came here on earth for a Mission. He left the earth and
called servants to continue His work. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. Gods word said, How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS! Were you called by God to serve Him? Truly the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Blessed are the feet of them who bring good news of great joy. They shall shine like stars in the heavens those who bring many to light. Bringing souls to God is the greatest work and the greatest joy one can commit his life into. It is the only work that results into eternal harvest. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest and Apostle of our calling. He is worthy to be emulated in doing the ministry. Nobody can do better than our Master. Let us look deeper into His work. Jesus said, My Father is working until now, and I too am working. (Jn 5:17) We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. (Jn 9:4) Now, are we really working? KEY SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 9:35-38, 35

Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest. KEY THOUGHT: The Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth traveled from one place to another and shared the good news. We too as His disciples ought to imitate our Master. If our Lord Jesus Christ has worked so much in His three years of ministry why could our churches today lie in comfort and care less for the lost souls around them. Many years have passed and the work is abandoned and that is why our churches have not grown and have not produced much and many are lost and not delivered from Satan. We might have been busy with our church activities and programs and thereby neglecting the real WORK.

CONTENTS

Foreword

Urgency of the Work

Core of the Work

Scope of the Work

Details of the Work

URGENCY OF THE WORK

Appoint and send laborers, workers, preachers and evangelists. Our churches should mobilize her people in organizing teams and individuals for this evangelism effort. After much group prayer the Holy Spirit will send workers for this work. Our Lord Jesus has encouraged us to pray to the Lord of Harvest, yes He is the Lord of Harvest and God desires to harvest souls to His kingdom. Our prayer is to bring more workers in His harvest. We are Gods co-worker here. It is His harvest and we are bringing the good news to the world. RO 10:15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!.
Mk 1:17

Jesus said to them, Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people. They left their nets immediately and followed him. Going on a little farther, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother in their boat mending nets. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Mk 9:37

Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.
Act 13:1

Now there were these prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch from childhood) and Saul. 2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 3 Then, after they had fasted and prayed and placed their hands on them, they sent them off.

THE CORE OF THE WORK

The preaching is centered in the gospel of God, the good news of salvation through our Lord Jesus ChristHis finished worked at the cross of CalvaryHis death and resurrection, the redemption and forgiveness of our sins. Then healing from all kinds of sicknesses and diseases and demons cast out will follow them who were sent. The center and the core of the work of our Lord Jesus Christ is the preaching of the gospel of salvation. In Mark 9:35 and in many verses of the Scripture the good news were given great emphasis by our Lord. The reason was many are lost and are in darkness.

Mk 1:14

Now after John was imprisoned, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. 15 He said, The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel!

Mk 9:35

Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness.
Lk 8:1

Some time afterward he went on through towns and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and disabilities: Mary (called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna the wife of Cuza (Herods household manager), Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their own resources.

Lk 9:6

Then they departed and went throughout the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

Christ crucified is the gospel of the Kingdom

1CO 15:1

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 1CO 15:2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 1CO 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

1CO 15:4

and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
1CO 15:11

Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

GAL 3:1

You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? GAL 3:2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? GAL 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
1CO 1:23

but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 1CO 1:24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
AC 8:12

But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.
AC 5:42

And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
AC 8:35

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.

SCOPE OF THE WORK

The scope of preaching the gospel goes from the place you lived to the next town, villages and cities. Our Lord Jesus Christ our Master gave us the pattern how we reach out the lost from villages to villages and cities to cities. Let our churches extend our tents and expand our horizons. Move. Move. Reach out.
MK 1:35

Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer. 36 Simon and his companions searched for him. 37 When they found him, they said, Everyone is looking for you. 38 He replied, Let us go elsewhere, into the surrounding villages, so that I can preach there too. For that is what I came out here to do. 39 So he went into all of Galilee preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Mk 6:6

And he was amazed because of their unbelief. Then he went around among the villages and taught.
Mk 6:53 54

After they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and anchored there. As they got out of the boat, people immediately recognized Jesus. 55 They ran through that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever he was rumored to be. 56 And wherever he would go into villages, towns, or countryside they would place the sick in the marketplaces, and would ask him if they could just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Lk 4:42

The next morning Jesus departed and went to a deserted place. Yet the crowds were seeking him, and they came to him and tried to keep him from leaving them. But Jesus said to them, I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, for that is what I was sent to do. 44 So he continued to preach in the synagogues of Judea.

Lk 8:1Soon

afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, 2and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herods steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.
Lk 13:22

Then Jesus traveled throughout towns and villages, teaching and making his way toward Jerusalem.
Lk 17:11

Now on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was entering a village, ten men with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance,

DETAILS OF THE WORK

It is best that we follow and emulate how our Lord Jesus instructed His servants how we reach out. We can send by two or by groups. Some can do it individually as an evangelist. We proclaim what is our purpose. We bring good news to the people. As we go we heal and deliver people from the works of Satan through prayer. Look for the man of peace or the one who is worthy to receive our message and those who would not we leave them. Eat and drink what is given to you. Do not move from house to house.

Remember we have the authority from the LORD. We have His Word. He is with us. He who rejects us and our message rejects the LORD.

Lk 10:16

The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me.

Mt 10:7 8

As you go, preach this message: The kingdom of heaven is near!

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
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Whenever you enter a town or village, find out who is worthy there and stay with them until you leave.
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As you enter the house, give it greetings. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if

anyone will not welcome you or listen to your message, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or that town.
Lk 10:1

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him two by two into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 He said to them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs surrounded by wolves. 4 Do not carry a money bag, a travelers bag, or sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whenever you enter a house, first say, May peace be on this house! 6 And if a peace-loving person is there, your peace will remain on him, but if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in that same house, eating and drinking what they give you, for the worker deserves his pay. Do not move around from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and the people welcome you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in that town and say to them, The kingdom of God has come upon you! 10 But whenever you enter a town and the people do not welcome you, go into its streets and say, 11 Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this: The kingdom of God has come. 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town!

THE ACTS AND THE WORK OF THE APOSTLES

The Apostles and the early Believers continued this Work of the Lord. The book of Acts detailed to us how the early disciples worked in the Kingdom. They have gone from village to cities preaching the Word. They were sent forth to bring the good news. Nothing did stop them. They have fellowship with the apostles and worked together and contributed to all the needs of the saints and the Work of the Lord.

Acts 1: 8

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 farthest parts of the earth.
Act 2: 38

Peter said to them, Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to himself. 40 With many other words he testified and exhorted them saying, Save yourselves from this perverse generation! 41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added.
Act 2:42

They were devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. 44 All who believed were

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together and held everything in common, 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need 46 Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts, 47 praising God and having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number every day those who were being saved.
Act 6:7

The word of God continued to spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.
Act 6:8

Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.
Act 8:4

Now those who had been forced to scatter went around proclaiming the good news of the word. 5 Philip went down to the main city of Samaria and began proclaiming the Christ to them. 6 The crowds were paying attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the miraculous signs he was performing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, were coming out of many who were possessed, and many paralyzed and lame people were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Act 8:26

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Get up and go south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. . 35 So Philip started speaking, and beginning with this scripture proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him. 36 Now as they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, Look, there is water! What is to stop me from being baptized?.... 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any more, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through the area, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Act 11:19

Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message to no one but Jews. 20 But there were some men from Cyprus and Cyrene among them who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks too, proclaiming the good news of the Lord Jesus. 21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
Act 13:1

Now there were these prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch from childhood) and Saul. 2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 3 Then, after they had fasted and prayed and placed their hands on them, they sent them off. 4 So Barnabas and Saul, sent out by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived in Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.

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Act 13:13

Then Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 Moving on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 16 So Paul stood up, gestured with his hand and said, Men of Israel, and you Gentiles who fear God, listen:. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by this one everyone who believes is justified from everything from which the law of Moses could not justify you.42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people were urging them to speak about these things on the next Sabbath.. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city assembled together to hear the word of the Lord..48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began to rejoice and praise the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed for eternal life believed. 49 So the word of the Lord was spreading through the entire region.

Act 20:20

You know that I did not hold back from proclaiming to you anything that would be helpful, and from teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.

Act 28:23

They set a day to meet with him, and they came to him where he was staying in even greater numbers. From morning until evening he explained things to them, testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. 30 Paul lived there two whole years in his own rented quarters and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete boldness and without restriction. Now, we continue the work of the Apostles in our times. Our goal is to bring the souls we have met to the Lord. Make sure we have presented the gospel clearly and they have clearly understood. Conclude the meeting by leading them into confession of faith in the Lord Jesus.

Rom 10:9

because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. 11 For the scripture says, Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. 12 For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Seal the new relationship with the new brethren by getting their names, addresses and contact numbers. Visit them again and set up bible studies so that the Word of God would nurture them and many shall be invited. Families, friends and

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neighbors shall have the opportunity to hear the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Baptize them and bring them to the fellowship of believers.

FINALLY, WE HAVE JUST BEGUN. AFTER WE HAVE BROUGHT THEM INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AFTER THEY HAVE ENTERED THE KINGDOM OF GOD THROUGH NEW BIRTH AND SALVATION THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF GOD THROUGH REPENTANCE AND FAITH IN CHRIST WE TEACH AND PREACH THEM THE KINGDOM OF GOD THE LIFE IN THE KINGDOM (RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT) AND THE POWERS OF THE KINGDOM (FAITH, AUTHORITY, POWER, HOLY SPIRIT, HEALINGS, SIGNS AND WONDERS).

Let us bring much fruit and influence through the Kingdom. Let our churches do the WORK OF THE LORD. People need the LORD and we are the one called to shine unto them and bring the good news.

The QUESTION to our leaders of our churches: Are we working the work of the LORD? Do we and our people reach out for the lost souls? Do we set aside funds for this ministry?

God bless our churches and glory be to Him in the Kingdom. Glory to the Wonderful and Mighty Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

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