Immovable

 Immovable by Don Vess

Last week I spoke from 1 Cor. 15:58 NASB- Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast,immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil (labor) is not in vain in the Lord.

Two words: Steadfast: Grk. Edraios- which has several meanings:

It means to be stationary, such as something that sits in one place for a long, long time.

It describes something that is firm and steady.

It was frequently used in connection with foundations or support structures in buildings.

It portrays something that is strong, unbendable, unbreakable, and permanent, such as a well-built foundation for a large building or strong
column that holds up a roof.

“immovable” It is an “attitude” that we must possess if we are going to be of any value in the Kingdom of God.

Grk. Ametakinetos: Ami-tak-in-ay-tos-

It means-Not easily excited, shaken, or affected.

It describes- Something that is not changeable or unpredictable.

It was also frequently used in connection with stone structures or to refer to people who are known to have strong and unbending character.

Thus, this word portrays something that is solid, unbending, and not easily excited, shaken, or affected; a person, building, or place that is constant, stable, enduring, and dependable.

In other words, not the flighty, fickle, “here today, gone tomorrow,” “on-again, off-again” type of person; rather, this is someone who is constant, stable, dependable. Because the word describes something immovable, it carries the idea of someone whose attitude can be described as:

Rock solid.  Fixed. Grounded. Rooted. Anchored. Unwavering. Permanent. Stable.

I also referred to 1 Peter 5:8- 9 Amp- Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined] knowing
that the same (identical) sufferings) are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.

I want to begin with the next verse-
1 Pet. 5:10 Amp- And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His own eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.

This is part of the process of becoming Solid as a Rock! We have a huge rock out in front o the building that was already here when we bought our building. I assume it is coal. But, if that it were truly a giant piece of coal and if it were put under immense pressure for many years, perhaps thousands of years, it would be transformed into a diamond. How large or
small, I have no idea. I do know it would be significantly less in size that it is now because of the pressure it would be under.

Many times, we want to avoid pressures that come our way. We even have a tendency, to think that maybe God is punishing us, or that we are out of the will of God. But in reality, we are just experiencing this thing called LIFE. Notice, Peter is encouraging the church to
endure the sufferings as they are only temporary. But they have lasting value if we allow God to do his work in us.

We just have to go through the process as we are being transformed and God is desiring to do several things in our lives. There are several things that God is doing as we go through the process.

1. Complete us and make us what He wants us to be:

Eph. 4:11-14 NKJV So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists,the pastors and teachers,  12  to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up  13  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of
Christ. 14  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

2. To made you Established and Grounded: The word Established:

Bebaios- firm, durable, dependable, reliable. You wouldn’t trust life-changing
decisions into the hands of a child. Neither do we entrust novices in the faith with the spiritual welfare of other babes in Christ. They need to be rooted in the faith and grounded in the truth of God’s word. If not, they are like little children, driven by emotions and compelled by fleshly desires (tossed about with every wind of doctrine.)

When you have a Made-up mind concerning Christ and what He has done for you and your position in Him and you strengthen your position by aligning yourself with what God’s word says about you and your position in Him: that you belong to Him, you are His child, He has put His Spirit inside you, anointed you and you have established those truths in your mind, things will change in your life! It’s a guarantee!

The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans:

Romans 1:11 NASB- For I long to long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, THAT YOU MAY BE ESTABLISHED.

3. Strengthen and Settle You (establish) :

Col 1:9 NASB- For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be
filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 STRENGTHENED with all power, according to His glorious might, attaining of all steadfastness, and patient joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us
to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

God is doing a good work in you! You’ve got to believe that. Phil 1:6 AMP- And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He who BEGAN a good work in you WILL CONTINUE until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting (maturing) and bringing it to full completion in you.

This is the goal that God Himself has for you. It is our mission to see that happen.

So, we preach and teach the Word of God that will cause it to be.

Isa 55:9-11 Amp- For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 So shall My WORD be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

When we establish and ground ourselves on the foundation and authority of God’s word. We are in a very unstable world. Truth is the only thing that will stand. Get it inside of you, let it come forth from you. Stand in the power of His might with your full armor on and fight the good fight of faith.

Eph. 6:10 AMP In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

Where are you in your life right now? What are you basing your life upon? Are you centered in Christ and in the Word of God?

If you are then you are Steadfast, Immovable (established) and you will always be abounding in the work of the Lord and your labor in the Lord will never be in vain!