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J.R. Miller

Nothing which is done for Christ is lost!

Psalm
J.R. Miller • January, 10 2009 • Audio
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Choice Puritan Devotional

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https://www.gracegems.org/08/05/done.html

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The sermon "Nothing which is done for Christ is lost!" by J. R. Miller emphasizes the doctrine of vocation and the transformative power of a life fully consecrated to Christ. Miller argues that every aspect of a believer's life, including daily tasks commonly viewed as secular, holds intrinsic value when performed with the intention of glorifying God. He supports his argument with scriptural references such as Matthew 10:42, which highlights the eternal significance of small acts of kindness done in Christ’s name. The practical significance of Miller's message lies in the encouragement for Christians to integrate their faith into all areas of life, arguing that even the mundane tasks can be sanctified and become avenues of divine service. This perspective aligns with Reformed teaching that emphasizes the Lordship of Christ over every part of life, reinforcing that nothing done for Him is wasted.

Key Quotes

“Nothing is trivial or indifferent, which it is our duty to do.”

“A life which every day gives its blessings to another... does more for the world than he who but once in a lifetime does some great thing.”

“The greatest duty of a Christian is to do what Jesus would do, and to behave as He would behave if He were precisely in our place and our circumstances.”

What does the Bible say about doing work for Christ?

The Bible teaches that all work done for Christ is valuable and meaningful.

In Scripture, the act of working for Christ encompasses everything we do as an offering to Him. Colossians 3:23 exhorts believers to work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. This reflects a theological understanding that faith in Christ implies full surrender of our lives to Him, thus elevating mundane tasks into acts of worship. Everything we do—be it sweeping, plowing, or any daily task—takes on sacred significance when done out of love for Christ and aimed at glorifying God.

Colossians 3:23, Matthew 10:42

How do we know that nothing done for Christ is lost?

Scripture promises that any service rendered for Christ will be rewarded, affirming that no act of kindness is in vain.

The assurance that nothing done for Christ is lost stems from the teachings of Jesus, who states in Matthew 10:42 that even the smallest gestures, like giving a cup of cold water, will be rewarded. This eternal perspective on our actions emphasizes the significance of both great and small deeds done in Christ’s name. Our daily life, interwoven with acts of kindness and obedience, contributes to God’s kingdom and reflects the essence of a life devoted to Him. Therefore, all actions motivated by love for Christ, regardless of their perceived scale, hold eternal value.

Matthew 10:42

Why is glorifying God in daily tasks important for Christians?

Glorifying God in our daily tasks reflects our faith and dedication to Him, making every aspect of our lives an act of worship.

Glorifying God in our daily tasks is essential because it embodies the essence of faith—transforming everyday activities into expressions of worship. As Christians, recognizing that God owns us by creation and purchase, we should aim to infuse our work and interactions with His love and purpose. Each mundane task, when carried out with the intention to please God, contributes to His glory and aligns with our calling as believers. By doing so, we testify to the sacredness of our everyday lives, emphasizing that nothing is too trivial for God's attention when performed with a heart of love.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Sermon Transcript

Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors

100%
Nothing which is done for Christ
is lost. By J.R. Miller Every truly consecrated
life, with all its faculties, has been given over to Christ.
Faith implies full surrender. You are not your own, you are
Christ's. Christ owns us first by right
of creation, then by right of purchase. We acknowledge His
ownership and all that it includes when we receive Him as our Savior
and Lord. The first question, therefore,
of the new believer is, what will you have me to do, We want
to begin to work for our new master. A heart of love for Christ
makes the sweeping of a room, the plowing of a field, the sawing
of a board, the making of a garment, the selling of a piece of goods,
the minding of a baby, as acceptable to God as the ministry of angels. One way of working for Christ,
therefore, is to be diligent in the doing of life's common
daily tasks. The true giving of ourselves
to God exalts all of life into divine honor and sacredness. Nothing is trivial or indifferent,
which it is our duty to do. We are never to neglect any work,
however secular it may seem, in order to do something else
which appears to be more religious. There are some people who would
be better Christians if they paid more heed to their own daily
business, attended fewer church meetings, and did less religious
gossiping. We need a religion which puts
itself into everything we do. The old shoemaker was right when
he said that when he stands before the great white throne, God will
ask, what kind of shoes did you make down on the earth? We must
do all our work for the judgment day, our common, everyday tasks,
as well as our religious duties. The carpenter must get his religion
into the houses he builds. The plumber must get his religion
into his plumbing. The tailor must get his religion
into his seams. The merchant must get his religion
into his sails. All our work we must do for God's
eye. It is the little things which
all of us can do in Christ's name which, in the end, leave
the largest aggregate of blessing in the world. We need not wait
to do great and conspicuous things. A life which every day gives
its blessings to another, and adds to the happiness of some
fellow being, by only a word of kindness, a thoughtful act,
a cheering look, or a hearty hand-grasp, does more for the
world than he who but once in a lifetime does some great thing
which fills a land with his praise. Nothing which is done for Christ
is lost. The smallest acts, the quietest
words, the gentlest inspirations which touch human souls leave
their impress for eternity. If you give even a cup of cold
water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely
be rewarded. Matthew 10 verse 42. A young girl was asked what it
meant for her to be a Christian. She replied, I suppose it is
to do what Jesus would do, and behave as Jesus would behave,
if he were a young girl and lived at our house. No better answer
could have been given. The greatest duty of a Christian
is to do what Jesus would do. and to behave as He would behave
if He were precisely in our place and our circumstances. This Puritan devotional has been
brought to you by Grace Gems, a treasury of ageless Sovereign
Grace writings. Please visit our website at www.gracegems.org,
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J.R. Miller
About J.R. Miller
James Russell Miller (20 March 1840 — 2 July 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
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