Be Steadfast, Immovable!

Richard Thetford

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” This passage, probably more than any passage in the Bible has helped motivate me in my years of preaching to do the very best I can in any given situation for the Lord’s work, because when I do the Lord’s work, then I can be assured that my work is not being accomplished in vain.

As our family prepares to make our move to Ridgway, Colorado this week, I want to encourage each of you to be steadfast in the Lord’s work here. The teaching and preaching of the gospel of Christ is not always a pleasant task because some don’t want to change their lives to fully serve Him. The preacher has the responsibility to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). Until a preacher is able to come to “preach the word,” then it falls on the men of the congregation to keep the soundness and truthfulness of God’s Word consistent. Each of the men will have to ensure that they are “immovable, abounding in the work of the Lord” in all areas of the local work here.

This will be my last bulletin that I will publish here. I have enjoyed making this bulletin available to all of you for teaching purposes and I appreciate very much the favorable comments that I have received concerning it. I hope and pray that it has been an encouragement to you and another tool for you to use in the teaching of the gospel.

We will truly miss each and everyone of you. You will always hold a special place in our hearts! Our move to the Montrose area to begin a new congregation there will be a great benefit to the Lord’s kingdom on this Western slope of Colorado. Please pray for our efforts as we plant the seed of God in that area.

In closing, let me say this, when you earnestly pursue the Lord’s righteousness, then truly “your labor is not in vain!” May God continue to bless you in His service.