“THE CROSS AND THE CHRISTIAN’S WORK”

1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Phil.2:12-16
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning,
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

The Gospel at Work…

The Character of God…
God delights in work. (Gen. 1-2; Ps. 104:10-30; Prov. 8:27-31; Jn. 16:8-11)
He works for us and He works through us.
God designed our work. (Gen. 1:26-30; 2:15-17; Ex. 20:9)
By His grace, for our good, and for His glory.

The Sinfulness of Man…
Work is a mark of human dignity. (Gen. 1:26-30; Ps. 8).
We are stewards of creation.
We are developers of culture.
Work has been marred by human depravity. (Gen. 3:16-19)
Though work was designed to be fulfilling, it is frustrating. (Rom. 8:20-22)
Though work was designed to be purposeful, it feels pointless.
(Eccl. 1:2-3; 2:18-26)
Though work was designed to be selfless, it becomes selfish. (Gen. 11:1-4)
Two primary distortions of work:
The idolatry of work… (Ex. 20:3-5; Ez. 14:3-7;
Prov. 23:4; Mk. 10:17-31)
We overvalue work, thinking that it provides ultimate meaning.
We fail to see God’s limits for our work.
We resist rest.
Idleness in work… (Prov. 6:6-11; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:6-15)
We undervalue work, thinking that it has little to no meaning.
We fail to see God’s purposes for our work.

The Sufficiency of Christ… (Mat. 11:28-30; Rom. 3:21-30; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 1:3-14)
Christ’s work has secured our salvation (freeing us to rest in His work
as the only superior work).
Christ’s work has secured our significance (freeing us from idleness in work).

The Necessity of Faith…
We are free to worship God wholeheartedly as we work. (Mat. 22:37-38;
Eph. 6:5-9; Col. 3:22-24)
Work honorably (with integrity).
Work humbly (with respect).
Work eagerly (with joy).
We are free to love others selflessly in our work. (Mat. 22:39-40;
1 Thess. 4:9-11)
Provide for your family.
Serve your co-workers and customers.
Better our world.
Care for the needy.
We are free to trust God completely with our work. (Prov. 16; Rom. 8:28-30)
Be confident in His reign.
Be responsible with your rest.
Be focused on His reward.
The Urgency of Eternity…
We are looking forward to a new earth…
Where everyone and everything will work perfectly. (1 Cor. 15; Rev. 21)
We are living now for the sake of eternity…
Work hard to adorn the gospel of God. (Titus 2:9-10)
Work strategically to advance the mission of God. (Mat. 28:18-20)
Build meaningful relationships.
Weave gospel threads.
Engage un-reached peoples.

Thanks pastor David!