Three Benefits of Working for God

Introduction

God worked, therefore we work. That’s the Bible.

God worked in Creation

God worked in Redemption

God is working in Recreation

John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

There are three destructive forces behind our work:

idolatry

over-identifying with our work

idleness

under-identifying with our work

Gospel-clarity is needed here.

absent the gospel, success at work can go to our heads, filling us with pride and a false sense of security

Obadiah 3 “The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, Thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; That saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?”

absent the gospel, failure at work can go to our hearts, leading us to frustration, discouragement, and resignation

absent the gospel, boredom at work can make us productive at all the wrong things

2 Thessalonians 3:11 “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.”

identity

work-as-identity syndrome

the gospel frees us from the work-as-identity syndrome

we do not become what we do; we become who we are in Jesus Christ

Ephesians 1:6 “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

Keller: The gospel frees us from the relentless pressure of having to prove ourselves and secure our identity through work, for we are already proven and secure— IN CHRIST!

Indeed, we need gospel light and power on our work! Thus, Gospel-light impacts our work in three ways.

A New Boss

we work for Christ

Ephesians 1:20–21 “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:”

Philippians 2:9–11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Romans 14:8–9 “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”

Christ is ruler, boss, judge and Lord. He is not Lord of some of our lives; He is Lord of all of our lives!

all areas of our lives should come under the lordship of Christ!

on average, you will spend 90,000 hours at work in your lifetime- a full 1/3 of your life!

your work is no longer your own— it is His! You are to work for His glory

A New Bent

because we are working for God, our work is directed to Him

Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

our work depends on God

Psalm 37:5–6 “Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, And thy judgment as the noonday.”

dependent through prayer

trust (Prov 3:5-6)

daily seeking His guidance

our work should reflect God’s love

be kind to those over us, under us, and around us

infuse our work with love

1 Thessalonians 1:3 “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”

Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

our work should be filled with joy and peace

Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

striving to be a peacemaker

striving to be a joy producer

what does a joyful, peace-making employee look like?

keeping our opinions to ourselves and responding with kindness even when others are unkind

avoiding controversial topics that could lead to an argument

being flexible and pragmatic in order to reach a solution

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

A New Benefit

Let’s face it: God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He doesn’t need our help! Yet, He invites us into the privilege of serving and cooperating with Him.

1 Corinthians 3:9 “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”

What benefits, then, do we derive from working for the Lord?

our faith increases

working for the Lord is not easy; laboring for the gospel’s sake is hard work. Yet, we should do so joyfully and eagerly.

1 Peter 1:6–7 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

are you going about doing something that God has to finish? That’s the purpose of work! Psalm 119:121-128: AIN. I have done judgment and justice: Leave me not to mine oppressors. Be surety for thy servant for good: Let not the proud oppress me. Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, And for the word of thy righteousness. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, And teach me thy statutes. I am thy servant; give me understanding, That I may know thy testimonies. It is time for thee, Lord, to work: For they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments Above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; And I hate every false way.

we cultivate the fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

we learn perseverance

Rocky Balboa: “You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about h ow hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward.”

Table Questions:

Which danger are you most prone to in your work? Idolatry, Idleness, or Identity? Why do you think that is? Explain.

How does the gospel instruct you to overcome this danger in labor?

The lesson describes that we should always be seeking to do something that only God can finish. What are you attempting to do for God in your life that only He can finish? Please share with the table.

How has your professional work been used by God to accomplish the work of the gospel?