Work as Agents of God

I. Introduction

A. Handel’s Messiah – Written for the glory of Christ

B. Our work has three functions in this passage.

II. Representative – We are vice-regents of God. We are agents of His for good in this world

A. Explanation

1. Words to concentrate on

a. Image – We are made in the image of God.

i. The word image is often translated as an idol.

A. The idol would be created by a person as a reminder or even a container of the gods – They would fashion something into what they perceived was the image of the God

B. Everywhere else in the world people make an image of God, but God makes us in His image.

ii. We are created in His image for all creation to see a representation of God – Through our actions and attitudes.

b. Likeness –

i. These are Hebrew couplets – a repeating of the idea, but with a different word

ii. And yet the word carries the idea that we are to be like God in the world – We should be the likeness of His goodness, His righteousness, His wisdom

c. Dominion – This is a term of kingship

i. In the ANE, often a King would be seen as the child of god, but God gives that designation to His created people

ii. We are to be co-regents of God and His authority over the earth

iii. Implications – Stewardship of all things on the earth and of His goodness in the earth

2. The image of God within us is marred by the fall and the sin-nature in us

3. And yet, as people whose faith is in Christ, we become the likeness of Him

a. 2 Corinthians 3:18

b. Romans 8:29

B. Application

1. God created us for His glory and to bring His glory to the world

2. We find our greatest Joy when we see ourselves as His agents wherever we go

3. We are not called to a dual life of religious and secular, but to an integrated life where we are the co-regents of God in our day-to-day life

4. It begs the question, how to display the image of God in my work?

III. Creative

A. Explanation

1. At the beginning of this chapter, we see God creating the universe and then he brings order to it as He separates the light and darkness, the land and sea

2. Illustration - There is a scientific theory called entropy – Everything is trying to return to a place of Chaos and disorder – Like an old house. As long as it is lived in and maintained it will continue to be solid, but let someone move out of it for about 10 years and you will see it in a different state – This is the fallen world and the way it works.

3. But we are called to, like God, bring order to the chaos

4. Our work is an example of bringing order – It is how civilization works together for its betterment – Why we have malls, roads, and restaurants – People each lending their part, as image bearers, to creation

5. We are called to fill the earth and subdue it

B. Application

1. There is beauty in what we do

2. It is why we can distinguish between art and trash – The animals cannot tell the difference.

3. A dog will just as easily lift its hind leg to a Monet as a fire hydrant

4. It’s why we are moved by a beautiful song

5. In the same way, an animal doesn’t work in the same way we do – They do not create culture and civilization as we do

6. Your work is a contribution to creation bringing order and beauty out of chaos

IV. Relational

A. Explanation

1. Do you notice the plural pronoun for God = “us”?

a. There are many different ideas as to why, but most theologians have settled on the idea that it is the inter-relational aspect of the trinity

b. There is interworking cooperation of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

c. Then we are told that He is making us in His image – We are to be interrelated, as well.

d. We are corporately to have dominion over creation

2. There is also the distinguishing of man and woman being made in His image – Both are likewise to be a part of this work over creation

3. God blessed “them” and said to them that they are to be fruitful and multiply and fill. The earth and subdue it

B. Application

1. We are to work together to subdue the world

2. We are not an island to ourselves, but we work together for His glory

3. In our fallen world, we see so many people seeking to return the world to chaos instead of cooperatively helping to bring about His good

4. This is why He has created the church – the body of Christ

5. We are to work together in the church to bring about His glory in the world together.

V. Conclusion

A. What are you doing in your realm to bring about the Kingdom of Christ? How are you using your work to form and create something for god’s glory

B. It can’t just all be about you

C. John Piper on the American Dream

D. You have purpose and meaning through your work – You are an image bearer of God bring order to the chaos

E. God is using you for His glory through whatever it is you do – From the homemaker who is raising Godly children, to the builder making places of residence to live it, to the baker making food, to the painter who brings beauty

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Romans 8:29 (ESV)

29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

The story of the Hallelujah Chorus

The story of the Hallelujah Chorus is an interesting tale. First, the name is actually Hallelujah; however, as this portion of the highly acclaimed Messiah is typically played and heard separately, it has adopted the name of Hallelujah Chorus.

In 1741, George Frideric Handel composed Messiah and what we know now as the Hallelujah Chorus. While designing and composing Messiah, Handel was in debt and deeply depressed; however, the masterpiece was completed in a mere 24 days. (Takes 2 hours and 20 minutes to perform)

Despite his mental and financial state, the Hallelujah Chorus’s birth story is a glorious one. After Handel’s assistant called for him for a few moments, the assistant went to Handel’s work area because he received no response from Handel. Upon entering the room, the assistant saw tears emerge from Handel’s eyes. When the assistant asked why Handel was crying, Handel proclaimed, “I have seen the face of God,” while lifting up the composition of the Hallelujah Chorus, which ended up being the crowing achievement of his career.

The lyrics in the Hallelujah Chorus are derived from three passages of the New Testament of the Bible, Revelation 19:6, Revelation 19:16, and Revelation 11:15. Revelation 19:6 reads, “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omipotent reigneth.” Similarly, Revelation 11:15 states, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Lastly, “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords,” is from Revelation 19:16.

The Hallelujah Chorus has its own tradition that has emerged over time. A standard practice is for the audience to stand while this portion of Messiah is performed. This tradition began by the example of King George II. It was understood that whenever the King stood, everyone else was supposed to as well. For over 200 years, this tradition has remained. Few people know exactly why the King stood at this time. Speculations for this standing ovation range from King George II showing respect for the piece and its importance to the King seeking relief from his gout.

Upon his death on April 14, 1759, George Frideric Handel was largely known and recognized by many famous composers, such as Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven. His fame lives on in his masterful compositions.

John Piper on the American Dream – From Passion Oneday in 2000

I know that not everybody in this crowd wants their life to make a difference. There are hundreds of you – you don’t care whether you make a lasting difference for something great, you just want people to like you. If people would just like you, you’d be satisfied. Or if you could just have a good job with a good wife and a couple good kids and a nice car and long weekends and a few good friends, a fun retirement, a quick and easy death, and no hell – if you could have that, you’d be satisfied even without God.

That is a tragedy in the making.

Three weeks ago, we got word at our church that Ruby Eliason and Laura Edwards had both been killed in Cameroon. Ruby was over eighty. Single all her life, she poured it out for one great thing: to make Jesus Christ known among the unreached, the poor, and the sick. Laura was a widow, a medical doctor, pushing eighty years old, and serving at Ruby’s side in Cameroon.

The brakes gave way, over the cliff they went, and they were gone – killed instantly.

And I asked my people: was that a tragedy? Two lives, driven by one great vision, spent in unheralded service to the perishing poor for the glory of Jesus Christ – two decades after almost all their American counterparts had retired to throw their lives away on trifles in Florida or New Mexico. No. That is not a tragedy. That is a glory.

I tell you what a tragedy is. I’ll read to you from Reader’s Digest what a tragedy is. “Bob and Penny … took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their thirty-foot trawler, play softball, and collect shells.”

That’s a tragedy. And people today are spending billions of dollars to persuade you to embrace that tragic dream. And I get forty minutes to plead with you: don’t buy it. With all my heart, I plead with you: don’t buy that dream. The American Dream: a nice house, a nice car, a nice job, a nice family, a nice retirement, collecting shells as the last chapter before you stand before the Creator of the universe to give an account of what you did: “Here it is Lord – my shell collection! And I’ve got a nice swing, and look at my boat!”

Don’t waste your life; don’t waste it.