Celebrating God's Work in Creation and Our Lives
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Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You today with grateful hearts, acknowledging that You are the Creator of all things. You spoke the world into existence, and Your work in creation was perfect and complete. As we gather here on this Labor Day weekend, we thank You for the gift of work and for the opportunity to reflect Your creativity, purpose, and care in the tasks we undertake.
Lord, we ask for Your presence to be with us as we explore Your Word today. Open our hearts and minds to understand the significance of the work You have done in creation and the work You continue to do in our lives. Help us to see our own work as an act of worship, done for Your glory.
Guide us, strengthen us, and inspire us to labor in a way that honors You. May our time together bring us closer to You and deepen our understanding of Your love and purpose for us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Introduction:
Good morning, church family. As we gather today on this Labor Day weekend, a time when our nation pauses to recognize the value and dignity of work, it’s important for us to reflect on the work of God in creation and in our lives. Work is not just a human endeavor; it is a divine institution.
Today, we will explore how God’s work in creation sets the foundation for our own work, and how His ongoing work in our lives shapes us into His image.
Illustration: The Master Craftsman
Imagine a master craftsman, known throughout the land for his extraordinary skill and precision. His workshop is filled with the finest tools, and his creations are masterpieces—each one unique, perfectly crafted, and deeply valued. Every piece he creates has a purpose, designed with intention and care.
One day, an apprentice enters the workshop, eager to learn. He watches the master carefully, noticing that the craftsman never rushes, never cuts corners. Every stroke of the chisel, every turn of the lathe is deliberate, done with an eye toward the final product. The apprentice marvels at the craftsman’s patience and skill, realizing that the true beauty of the work lies not just in the finished product, but in the process of creation itself.
As the apprentice begins to work under the master’s guidance, he learns that to create something of true value, he must first align his heart and hands with the master’s vision. It’s not enough to simply do the work; he must understand the purpose behind it. The apprentice realizes that the master’s work is not just about making objects, but about instilling in each creation a piece of the master’s own character—his care, his creativity, and his love for his craft.
Transition:
In many ways, this story reflects the work of our Heavenly Father. God is the Master Craftsman, and we are His creations. His work in creation was intentional and beautiful, and His work in our lives is ongoing, shaping us into something that reflects His glory. As we explore God’s work today, let us remember that we, like the apprentice, are called to align our work with His purpose, trusting in His wisdom and guidance.
1. God’s Work in Creation
1. God’s Work in Creation
Let’s begin with Genesis 1:31, which says,
31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
From the very beginning, we see that God is a worker. He labored over the creation of the heavens and the earth, meticulously crafting every detail. Each day of creation was a demonstration of His power, wisdom, and care. When we look at the beauty and order of creation, we are reminded that God’s work is purposeful and good.
Key Point:
The work of creation wasn’t just functional—it was beautiful, intentional, and filled with meaning. As God’s creation, we are called to mirror this by pursuing work that reflects His goodness and order in the world.
Cross references to consider:
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.
12 I have made the earth, And created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.
2. God’s Ongoing Work in Our Lives
2. God’s Ongoing Work in Our Lives
Philippians 1:6 tells us,
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Just as God completed His work in creation, He is also committed to completing the work He began in each of us. This verse reminds us that God is continually at work in our lives, shaping us, molding us, and guiding us according to His purposes.
Key Point:
God’s work in us is ongoing and transformative. Even when we face difficulties in our work or life, we can trust that God is still at work, refining us and preparing us for greater things.
Cross references to consider:
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
3. Jesus and the Father’s Work
3. Jesus and the Father’s Work
In John 5:17 Jesus says,
17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
Here, Jesus identifies the Father as always at work, both in creation and in sustaining it. Jesus, in perfect unity with the Father, mirrors this divine activity. He does only what He sees the Father doing, showing us that our work, too, should be aligned with God’s will.
Key Point:
Just as Jesus worked in harmony with the Father, we are called to align our work with God’s purposes. When we follow Christ’s example, our labor becomes a continuation of God’s work in the world, reflecting His love, justice, and righteousness.
Cross references to consider:
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
4. Our Response to God’s Work
4. Our Response to God’s Work
In Colossians 3:23-24 Paul writes,
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
This passage calls us to view our work as an act of worship. Whether we are working in an office, at home, in the community, or in ministry, our work is an opportunity to honor God.
Key Point:
Our work should be done with excellence and integrity, reflecting our commitment to God. As we labor, we should remember that we are ultimately serving the Lord, who sees and rewards our efforts.
Cross references to consider:
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Conclusion:
As we celebrate Labor Day, let us not only honor the value of human work but also take time to reflect on God’s work—both in creation and in our lives. Let us be encouraged by the knowledge that God is a worker, and He has called us to join Him in the work He is doing in the world. May our work be a reflection of His glory, done with joy, purpose, and the knowledge that we are serving our Creator.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the work You have done in creation and the work You continue to do in our lives. As we labor in our various callings, help us to remember that our work is a reflection of Your goodness and an act of worship unto You. Give us strength, wisdom, and joy in our work, and may we always seek to honor You in all that we do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.