KALEO Notes: Doubling Your Effectiveness


Introduction: Missionary David Livingstone once asked the British preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “Who do you manage to do two men’s work in a single day?” Spurgeon replied, “You have forgotten that there are two of us, and the one you see the least of, often does the most work.”

Bible Study: The book of Acts emphasizes the fact that Jesus Christ is our unseen partner, and He is doing most of the work. Acts 1:1 says that the Gospel of Luke (the former book) tells us what Jesus began to do and to teach. The book of Acts tells us what Jesus continues to do and to teach.  See Acts 1:24; 2:33; 2:47; 9:32-35; 16:14. Also notice the consistent use of the preposition through.

  • Acts 14:27
  • Acts 15:4
  • Acts 15:12
  • Acts 19:11-12
  • Acts 21:19
  • Romans 15:18
  • 1 Corinthians 3:5
  • 2 Corinthians 2:14
  • 2 Corinthians 5:20
  • 2 Corinthians 13:3
  • 2 Timothy 4:17

Conclusion: It is not our work for Christ that matters; but His work through us. When we realize that, it cuts our stress and strain in half; and it doubles our effectiveness. Dr. A. J. Gordon visited the World’s Fair in Chicago. In the distance he saw a man robed in bright, gaudy oriental clothes who appeared to be laboriously turning the crank of a pump and thereby making a mighty flow of water. Gordon was impressed with the man’s energy, his smooth motions, and his obvious physical conditioning. He was pumping a tremendous amount of water. Drawing closer, Gordon was surprised to discover that the man was actually made of wood. Instead of turning the crank and making the water flow, the flow of water was actually turning the crank and thereby making him go!

Thus it is with those in the Lord’s work. It isn’t our efforts for Him that achieve the results. The flowing river of the Holy Spirit, channeled through our lives and lips, keeps us going and yields infinite results through our ministries.[i]


[i] Adapted from Robert L. Sumner, Biblical Evangelism (Murfreesboro, Tenn: Sword of the Lord Publishers, 1966), p. 102.


[i] Russell Herman Conwell, Life of Charles Haddon Spurgeon (Edgewood Publishing Company, 1892), 235.