The Work of God Today

On May 24, 2001, Erik Weihenmayer did the impossible. He and his team of 19 climbers reached the peak of Mount Everest. For two months, they had fought against driving snow, near hurricane-force winds, oxygen deprivation and freezing temperatures of 30 degrees below zero, with each of them at some point battling fevers, nausea and varying forms of dysentery.

Standing on the summit of the world’s tallest mountain is a monumental achievement. Yet it was even more so for Mr. Weihenmayer—he is blind!

Since then, he has climbed other summits across the world, kayaked the Grand Canyon, and co-founded a non-profit organization based on helping others overcome their personal obstacles. He is fueled by the belief that “what’s within you is stronger than what’s in your way,” and he does not allow his blindness to limit his achievements.

Mr. Weihenmayer is not alone. Many others throughout history have achieved amazing feats because they were moved to work based on belief in a life purpose—a vision of what they can do and how it can impact the rest of mankind.

Religion is often the bedrock of such a purpose. Sometimes, this produces good results—think of Mother Teresa dedicating her life to acts of charity—but more often, it leads to evil results—think of Hamas soldiers killing 1,200 Israelis in Allah’s name.

Now realize that such individuals do these things on human steam. What happens when true religion is involved? What happens when the God of the universe is backing such endeavors?

This is the case for the Work of God! Throughout millennia, God’s people have accomplished incredible works. We have a driving force that supersedes all these examples throughout history. This is because we have been called to an awesome purpose that will impact all of mankind and leave a legacy that will last for eternity.

We each have a responsibility and a vital role to play in God’s Plan, now more than ever as we see the era of man’s rule coming to a close. So, let’s review just what is God’s Work today and how we individually can do our part to fulfill it.

Two Great Commissions

The Work of God is an all-encompassing term describing the Church’s two commissions: preaching the gospel (Mark 16:15) and feeding the flock (I Pet. 5:2).

The first commission involves spreading the truth of the Bible to a confused world. This is the vehicle by which God calls people into His Church. Without the many books, booklets, World to Come broadcasts, articles, magazines, websites and so much more, the world would not be exposed to the truth.

Just consider your calling. How did you come in contact with the Church? More than likely, it involved some form of interaction with the many materials produced by The Restored Church of God.

Our job collectively in doing the first commission—preaching the good news of God’s soon-coming Kingdom—continues the Work Jesus Christ did in the first century. Acts 2:40-47 shows that when the truth is preached to the masses, many take note and get baptized. Ministers of Jesus Christ are to be “fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19)—casting lines into the water with the goal and hope of bringing “fish” into the boat.

Consider a few recent comments from what we call “church inquiries”—those interested in attending services with us. Notice they all mention some form of God’s Work with which they have been in contact.

Minnesota: “I gain more and better understanding of the Word of God by reading the literature and magazine articles of The Restored Church of God.”

Arkansas: “I love your teaching materials and how God has given you the ability to open up Scripture and teach His Word, peeling back the layers of deeper understanding while always backing your topic with scripture! Thank you for your dedication to, and not backing down from, speaking the true gospel!”

New York: “I have been looking for a Church for the last two years, ever since I discovered that I do not believe in the Trinity. I watch your broadcast on YouTube, and I just want to worship the one true God in Spirit and truth.”

These are some of the potential “fish” God can bring into His Church because of the work you have done to support the first commission. But hearing the gospel, coming in contact with God’s Church and being baptized are just the first steps in God’s great Work.

The second commission is to feed the flock of God. Think of it this way: once a “fish” has been brought into the boat, it turns into a “sheep,” joining the flock of God’s Church. And just like a shepherd tends to the sheep—ensuring none of them go astray or are stalked by predators—the other aspect of God’s Work is to continually feed, protect and guide His people in every way possible.

Brethren, we are the sheep that directly benefit from this all-important commission.

Consider God’s Sabbath and Holy Days—commanded assemblies that bring brethren together throughout the year. On these days, the Church is fed spiritually and has the opportunity to grow in unity through fellowship. This is also true of socials, Ambassador Youth Camp, singles events, Spokesman Club and so much more. There are endless ways the Church of God feeds the flock today and continues to do God’s Work.

But what role do you play as an individual?

Your Part

The apostle Paul admonished Timothy to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (II Tim. 2:3). Like soldiers in an army, we have been enlisted to do God’s Work.

The Work of God involves individuals doing their part in the greater body.

Continue with the army analogy: If one soldier does not fulfill his duties properly, it directly impacts the other soldiers around him. Imagine going into battle with others in your troop. You rely on them to watch your blind spots and protect you the same way you are trying to protect them. If one person does not do his job effectively, he puts the whole troop in harm’s way.

The same is true in God’s Church when doing the Work. If one member of the Body of Christ (I Cor. 12:27) does not participate in the Work, it affects the whole Church. Others are then forced to pick up the slack.

It is essential to understand that we are not just called into God’s Church to receive salvation. We are drafted into the Church to do the Work as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. This is our responsibility! This is how we can fulfill our calling!

Christ said in John 5:17, “My Father works hitherto, and I work.” If the Father and Christ both work, we might ask ourselves, “Am I doing my part?” While we individually do not go out and preach the gospel to the world, proselytizing to the public, there are many ways we can support the Work of God.

A major way to help spread the truth to the world is through our tithes, Holy Day offerings and freewill offerings. When we support the Work financially, it allows Headquarters to produce, print and distribute all forms of materials to interested individuals around the world.

But our ability to support the Work in this way requires employment and income. If we find ourselves unemployed, make a job of finding a job. If you already have a job, strive to grow yourself more effectively in your responsibilities. As God did with Joseph throughout his life, He can grant you favor in the sight of men, and you may find yourself in a position to contribute in greater ways to God’s purpose.

But there are endless other ways we can do the Work. If we have a fixed income and cannot give as much financially, consider these other avenues of support.

Serve in your congregation by helping with the planning or preparing of meals and social events. There may be a need for more helpers with things like setup, ushering, sound or flowers. You can also look for the needs of brethren in your area and jump in to help them outside of Sabbath services. Speak with your minister to determine where you can get involved.

Fundraise! There are so many ways to bring in extra funds, and nothing is too small to make a difference.

You can also help further the reach of the truth through platforms like Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter).

Continue to improve yourself by applying what you learn through your regular Bible study and the messages you hear each week. Never forget how important your example is to those around you. Peter’s first epistle shows that by setting the right example for those around us, our spouses, family members, friends, co-workers and acquaintances take note and may want to improve themselves too (I Pet. 3:1-2).

Read Exodus 35 and 36 for inspiration. Ancient Israel was commissioned to build the tabernacle, and each individual contributed so much that they had more than enough for the work. They came with willing hearts, and God filled them with the knowledge, wisdom and workmanship needed to apply their craft (Ex. 35:31, 35). You too may have talents you have not yet discovered!

Remember that one of the easiest ways to support the second commission is through fellowship. “Iron sharpens iron” (Prov. 27:17) and the camaraderie you build through staying in contact with one another can help boost morale when feeling down.

And perhaps the most important way we can support the Work is through our prayers. Recall what the apostle James said in chapter 5 of his book: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (vs. 16). You can support both commissions by praying for others in the Church who are going through difficulties, that God would continue to strengthen, lead and prepare His people for the Kingdom, that He would inspire the messages that are prepared by the ministry and the other materials produced to feed the flock, as well as for the other administrative aspects of the Work. Also, pray fervently for God’s guidance on what He wants you to do—recall that ancient Israel worked according to the wisdom that God put in their hearts.

All of these are powerful ways we can actively do God’s Work!

Work as Though There Is No Tomorrow

Procrastination is a trap that is very easy to fall into. Everyone at times has said something like, “I’m just so busy today, it is going to have to wait until tomorrow.” But the question becomes, what if tomorrow is just as “busy” as today? What if we do not have tomorrow?

Proverbs 27:1 says, “Boast not yourself of tomorrow; for you know not what a day may bring forth.” God instructs us to live our lives as though we may not have tomorrow. We must not rely on days in the future as though they will be here.

In Psalm 90:12, Moses asked God to “teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” He fully understood the detriment of procrastination and wanted God to help him remember that he only had a short time in this life.

Consider an example from the news: Stephen Sutton, a 19-year-old cancer victim in the United Kingdom, won the hearts of thousands through a fundraising campaign for the Teenage Cancer Trust, raising over $6 million—their largest-ever campaign. He was motivated by the principle of working as though there is no tomorrow. Before he died, Stephen told The Guardian, “I don’t see the point in measuring life in terms of time anymore. I’d rather measure life in terms of making a difference.”

Stephen’s example should resonate with all of us. He was diagnosed with cancer at age 15. He knew that his time was short, and that pushed him to work harder. Within four years, through his efforts, a staggering sum was raised to benefit young cancer patients. Consider how much more we can do through our commitment to the Work with the power of the God of the universe backing us!

Other examples could be cited of people accomplishing near-impossible feats. But we actually can do what is impossible: “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

Let’s adopt King Solomon’s mindset: “Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you go” (Ecc. 9:10).

We only have a limited number of days in this life to fulfill the Work God has given us. We must not take the easy path and put it off.

No Excuses!

The Church of God as a whole continues to do the Work just as Paul did in the first century. He told the Corinthians, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel” (I Cor. 9:16).

Paul understood that doing the Work now has eternal implications. He did not want to stand before God’s throne at the reckoning and be found lacking (Rom. 14:12). We, too, should think like this and ask what God and Christ might say about our works. Will we be excited to report the many things we did for God’s Work, or will we be ashamed?

The lessons from the parable of the pounds and talents apply here (Luke 19:11-27; Matt. 25:14-30). We must go out and do our best with the time God has given us. This is how we can have confidence when we stand before God in His Kingdom.

Never forget that every little bit we do each day makes a difference. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Cor. 15:58).

You are evidence that God’s Work is being done. Without the devotion of God’s Headquarters staff, ministry and members in nations around the world each doing their part, we would still be lost in the tangled web of this world’s religious confusion.

Consider that there may be others out there like you were, just waiting for the truth to find them. We each have a “necessity” laid upon us. Be filled with this great purpose and go out to work!