Career or Calling (Chinese)

Intro:

Today I’m talking about how our Christian faith is supposed to change how approach our work, our jobs.

The context of this passage will help you see this point better.Some people in the church of Corinth were teaching that once you became a Christian, it was necessary to change your social status or situation. e.g if you’re married then you should become unmarried. You should stop having sex with your spouse. Its more spiritual. If you’re uncircumcised you should become circumcised. Or some were saying the opposite i.e If you’re circumcised you should become uncircumcised (there really was a procedure). Again its more spiritual they said. So Paul responds that all this doesn’t really matter. Marriage is good, singlehood is also good. Circumcised also can, uncircumcised also can. It doesn’t matter. What matters is being faithful Christians in whatever condition you are in. If you were married when you became a Christian, then be a faithful married Christian. Thats why he lays down this general principle: Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. And then he illustrates this principle in the context of work. Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble youSo he’s saying that if you were a slave when you became Christian, don’t worry about it. Being a slave is not less spiritual. It doesn’t matter. Thats not your primary calling. You are a Christian. And you can be a faithful Christian even as a slave. None of you (I hope) are slaves here (having to study for exams doesn’t count). But this is still relevant to us. There are some who after becoming believers think they had to quit school or quit their jobs to go into seminary and “full-ministry”. Because they thought thats the only way to really serve God. But this understanding that some jobs are sacred and others are only secular is wrong. Its actually very medieval Roman Catholic.In the 15th century, only the priests were regarded as spiritual. If you really wanted to serve God you had to join the monastery. Become monks or nuns. But in the Protestant Reformation the church recovered the understanding that all believers are priests. With that we also rediscovered that all work can be a calling from God. You can serve God in whatever job. When I say ‘whatever job’ of course I mean any lawful job. If you're a directing pornographic movies you definitely need to change your job. But if you were a lawyer when you became a Christian, be a Christian lawyer. In fact think about the word “profession” e.g Accountant is my profession. The word “profession” was used because its in our jobs where we profess our faith in Christ. We’re always tempted to compartmentalize our life into what is sacred and what is secular. Even without us realising it. Many Christians think of work as something we must do only to survive and then we try ‘serve God’ after work/outside work. So in our free time we’ll volunteer in church programs etc Or we think of work only as the way we earn money to tithe and support those who really are serving God. e.g Sending money to missionaries or organisations that are involved in social work. Or at most we think that the workplace is a good place for us to befriend and evangelise non-Christians. Now let me stress thats all good and true. Keep using your spare time to serve in church etc. We need more worship leaders. VBS needs more volunteers etc. Money isn’t everything. But everything needs money. So keep sending your money to all those good organisations. Keep befriending and evangelising your non-Christian friends. In fact thats an area I think we are very poor in. So we need to work on that one.Do all that but understand also that in and through our work we are also serving God.We believe God supplies our needs right? But how? Yes He can provide for us miraculously, but most often He does it through people.The Bible tells us that its God who heals all our sicknesses. Yes He can miraculously heal but most of the time He heals through doctors, nurses, pharmacists etc. Don’t think that if you’ve prayed and have faith, its wrong to see a doctor. As if its either God or the doctor. But its not either or. Its not like if the doctor heals you then its not God. God heals through doctors too. He gave them the wisdom and skill to be trained in their field and to correctly perform the operations etc. We should thank God for them. The Bible also tells us that its God who always feeds us. We were even taught to pray “Give us our daily bread”. Yes God can send manna from heaven, but most of the time He feeds us through farmers and those in the food and beverage industry. There are many people who travel late at night and they got nothing to eat. And then drive past McD. As unhealthy as McD is, its a gift to travelers! So yea if you’re a chef or working in restaurants you’re providing for people’s needs. And there’s great worth in that to God. Even so-called “blue-collar” jobs, even the most menial kind of work, have worth when we’re helping our fellow man meet their needs. Think about rubbish collectors. We don’t think very highly of them. We certainly don’t pay them much. But imagine if there were no rubbish collectors. And rubbish just kept piling up outside your house. You could literally die!So there is value in that work. I better move on. Some parents are worried their kids don’t want to study anymore and just wanna be rubbish collectors.All I’m saying is that as a Christian, you can find joy and purpose in any job. Whether your a missionary or a mechanic. A hotel manager or a housekeeper, a doctor or a driver etc. (Btw house-wives are all of these in one right?). It doesn’t really matter what job you have. We can serve and glorify God in any career. All work has spiritual value, when we love God and love our neighbour. Thats the first point. Our primary calling as Christians helps correct either an overspiritual or underspiritual view of our calling in work.

This is a very important topic. Just check your schedules.

For adults, most of our waking hours is at work. Its what we spend most of our time and energy doing.

To be a slave was to be at the lowest position in society. Yet its written here: “Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.” Paul’s not teaching that slavery is good and you must stay as a slave. He says “if you can gain your freedom, do so”.If you can improve yourself then go ahead. But his point is even if you can’t improve your situation, even if you have to remain as a slave its okay. Don’t worry about it. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person.Remember how I said at the beginning we often think of our jobs as our identity. That our profession is who we are. But this kind of thinking can destroy us. When we confuse our careers with our identities then if we’re rich and successful we’ll become proud. We’ll think “I’m successful!”. Better than all these losers who are stupid and lazy. The Bible has a lot of scary things to say to the proud. Pride comes before the fall. So this is a serious problem that successful people need to deal with. And what about those who experience failure? If our careers are our identities and we experience failure then we’ll feel that "I’m a complete failure". Crushed by disappointment. Tim Keller puts it like this: “When work is your identity, success goes to your head, and failure goes to your heart.” Senior citizens I haven’t forgotten about you yet. Some retirees are really enjoying their retirement. Perhaps a bit too much. But you know many retirees sink into depression. Especially those who enjoyed their work and were good at it.They used to be someone important. Now that they’ve retired they feel useless. They’ve lost their purpose in life. They’ve lost who they are. But your calling in work is not as fundamental as your calling in Christ. See as a Christian, even if you are as low as a slave, thats not your identity. Thats not who you are. Who you truly are is the Lord’s freed person. There is no higher calling than that. So if you’ve recently been demoted or lost your job or if you’re in a career that people just look down on, remember who you are in Christ! You can’t be promoted further up than this. You already are the top! You’re the child of the King of Kings. There are no salary raises or bonuses higher than this. You already have an eternal inheritance waiting for you. And you will never retire from that. Nothing can ever change who we are in Christ. All that we have in Christ is secure. Remember those who are called are justified and those who are justified are glorified. Its 100% guaranteed. And what about those who are successful? Notice how Paul humbles them. “For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price...Notice how Paul uses the gospel of Jesus to both humbles us and lifts us up. If you’re a low-class slave, remember you’re the Lord’s freed person. If you’re a high-class free person, remember you’re actually the Lord’s slave! Why are Christians described as slaves of Christ? In the Roman Empire many became slaves because they couldn’t pay off their debts. So they were sold into slavery. Slaves were allowed to earn something on the side and eventually buy their freedom.Because of our wickedness we too have debts before God. Debts that we can never settle. Morally bankrupt, we are slaves to sin and death. Yet God Himself settled the debts for us. He bought our freedom not with cheap stuff like gold or silver but with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus. The Cross where Jesus died. Jesus received what we deserved, so that we can receive what we didn’t deserve: Forgiveness of sin, and eternal life with God. All that we are, all that we own actually belongs to Him then. So if you have a successful career, great! But remember you’re still God’s slave! Still a sinner saved only by grace. All that you have is by God’s grace. So how can you boast? How can you look down on others? For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?Optional: . So thats the second point: Our Christian calling enables us to handle failure or success. Rich or poor. We’re all equal in Christ through whom we have an unshakable identity. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.

So much so that our job becomes our identity. Think about how we usually introduce ourselves. First we’ll state our name “Hi my name is...” and then we’ll state our profession “I’m a....”.

To be a slave was to be at the lowest position in society. Yet its written here: “Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.” Paul’s not teaching that slavery is good and you must stay as a slave. He says “if you can gain your freedom, do so”.If you can improve yourself then go ahead. But his point is even if you can’t improve your situation, even if you have to remain as a slave its okay. Don’t worry about it. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person.Remember how I said at the beginning we often think of our jobs as our identity. That our profession is who we are. But this kind of thinking can destroy us. When we confuse our careers with our identities then if we’re rich and successful we’ll become proud. We’ll think “I’m successful!”. Better than all these losers who are stupid and lazy. The Bible has a lot of scary things to say to the proud. Pride comes before the fall. So this is a serious problem that successful people need to deal with. And what about those who experience failure? If our careers are our identities and we experience failure then we’ll feel that "I’m a complete failure". Crushed by disappointment. Tim Keller puts it like this: “When work is your identity, success goes to your head, and failure goes to your heart.” Senior citizens I haven’t forgotten about you yet. Some retirees are really enjoying their retirement. Perhaps a bit too much. But you know many retirees sink into depression. Especially those who enjoyed their work and were good at it.They used to be someone important. Now that they’ve retired they feel useless. They’ve lost their purpose in life. They’ve lost who they are. But your calling in work is not as fundamental as your calling in Christ. See as a Christian, even if you are as low as a slave, thats not your identity. Thats not who you are. Who you truly are is the Lord’s freed person. There is no higher calling than that. So if you’ve recently been demoted or lost your job or if you’re in a career that people just look down on, remember who you are in Christ! You can’t be promoted further up than this. You already are the top! You’re the child of the King of Kings. There are no salary raises or bonuses higher than this. You already have an eternal inheritance waiting for you. And you will never retire from that. Nothing can ever change who we are in Christ. All that we have in Christ is secure. Remember those who are called are justified and those who are justified are glorified. Its 100% guaranteed. And what about those who are successful? Notice how Paul humbles them. “For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price...Notice how Paul uses the gospel of Jesus to both humbles us and lifts us up. If you’re a low-class slave, remember you’re the Lord’s freed person. If you’re a high-class free person, remember you’re actually the Lord’s slave! Why are Christians described as slaves of Christ? In the Roman Empire many became slaves because they couldn’t pay off their debts. So they were sold into slavery. Slaves were allowed to earn something on the side and eventually buy their freedom.Because of our wickedness we too have debts before God. Debts that we can never settle. Morally bankrupt, we are slaves to sin and death. Yet God Himself settled the debts for us. He bought our freedom not with cheap stuff like gold or silver but with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus. The Cross where Jesus died. Jesus received what we deserved, so that we can receive what we didn’t deserve: Forgiveness of sin, and eternal life with God. All that we are, all that we own actually belongs to Him then. So if you have a successful career, great! But remember you’re still God’s slave! Still a sinner saved only by grace. All that you have is by God’s grace. So how can you boast? How can you look down on others? For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?Optional: . So thats the second point: Our Christian calling enables us to handle failure or success. Rich or poor. We’re all equal in Christ through whom we have an unshakable identity. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.

By default we think thats who we are.

Btw when I’m talking about working adults I’m also including housewives. Just because you don’t receive salary doesn’t mean its not a job. And as I’ll point out later, all work has worth to God.

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. You might be wondering why Paul needs to say something like “do not become slaves of human beings”. Who in the world will voluntarily choose to become a slave? Actually, interestingly some people did willingly becomes slaves, to rich and powerful people. They did this to advance their own standing in society. To be a slave of Roman Senator is still to be somebody. You’re a slave of a Senator! You’ll be in his home. So you’ll be close to him and you’ll get to meet all the VIPs in the Roman Empire. So when Paul says “do not become slaves of human beings” he could be meaning this literally. Or he could be meaning it metaphorically i.e “Don’t be a slave to human judgments of what is spiritual or successful etc”. If you’re a slave don’t let it trouble you. If you’re a free person don’t be arrogant. Whether he means this literally or metaphorically doesn’t matter. Because the heart of the issue is the same and its still very relevant to us today. This is sensitive but isn’t it true that in Asia, students, regardless of their talents or interests, are always pushed into the same 2-3 professions? Yes parents love their children and want them to be successful. I understand that. But is it not possible that we are enslaved by human standards of success? Or think about why people overwork themselves. Yes some have no choice. Some have to work 2-3 shifts just to pay the bills. I get that. But some overwork themselves so that they can be rich and famous. So they can wear a certain watch or drive a certain luxury car or boat. And so that certain people will like them and give them recognition and respect. Don’t misunderstand. I’m not discouraging you all from working hard or striving for excellence. In a while I’ll address the lazy people. Those who underwork. But to those who overwork, make sure you’re not being a slave to human approval. Makes sure you’re not enslaved to human standards of significance and financial security. Do not become slaves of human beings. Why? You already have a Master. You were bought at a price. You are now slaves to Christ. We always think of being a slave as something negative, and of course it was. Few years ago there was a movie called “12 years a slave” which is based on a true story and accurately depicts how the African slaves were treated like animals. In general slavery was bad, thank God its abolished. But being a slave in the Roman Empire was nothing compared to what the Africans suffered in the 18th century. Slavery in the Roman Empire was not race-based. There were white slaves and black slaves. White free people and black free people. It wasn’t only blue collar work. Many slaves worked as doctors or financial managers or teachers, educating the master’s children. Also like I said earlier, slaves could buy their freedom. And actually there are benefits especially if your master is good. As a slave, you don’t have to worry about alot of things because its not up to you. You are utterly dependent on your Master. You are under his care and protection. So understand that when you are a slave of Christ, it also means He’s the one who will provide for you. He’s the one who will protect you. That means you can actually rest. You don’t have to overwork yourself. Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat [in vain you overwork]— for he grants sleep to those he loves.Do you know there’s such a thing as a theology of sleep? Sleep is not just good for us physically, its good for us spiritually. We spend 1/3 of our lives just helplessly lying there doing nothing. There’s something humbling about that. The fact that we must sleep reminds us that we are not all-powerful. We can’t do everything. And when we wake up, we realise life has gone on without us. The world is still spinning. We are not in control, God is. So we can rest in Him. Thats why keeping the Sabbath was so important for Israel. It was a sign of faith. And it reminded God’s people that its not about how hard they work but how much God provides. God is their source of security and significance. Those who overwork themselves may need to remember that God is their master. But those of you who underwork also need to remember that God is your master. Let me talk to the retirees again. You may be retired from your career. But you'll never retire from you're calling as a Christian. You may not have the energy anymore, but you have the experience. Please don’t deprive us of your gifts.Continue to serve your Everlasting Lord, in whatever capacity you can. Back to the working population. There are lot of reasons why you’re not giving your best at work. Maybe you don’t like your job. Maybe you think its stupid. I hope my first point earlier proves that you can find fulfillment in any job when its done out of love for God and for your neighbour. Some of you don’t work hard because you don’t like your boss. You think your boss is stupid. Maybe he is. But forget about him. Remember your true Master. Do it for your Lord Jesus. Think of it as serving Him. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human mastersAs Christ’s slave, you represent Him. When you’re at work, its not just your reputation which is at stake but His. So you need to think of how you can glorify God at work. There are many ways. But one of the most basic things is to do a good job. Its debatable whether Luther actually said this but its such a fun quote I’ll share it anyway: The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes - Martin LutherSo how can you be lazy? How can you not strive to do the best you can?You wanna know another easy way to glorify God at work? Don’t grumble. Don’t complain. Seriously, just open your ears and listen to people. Everybody’s grumbling about something. Everybody’s complaining about something. e.g about their work, their boss, their colleagues, the government, GST, the weather, the WiFi etcSo if you just faithfully do your job without complaining, you will shine! In fact thats exactly what Paul said as well. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation”. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky! Indeed when we remember who our Master is, what is there to really complain about? We are already so blessed! We already enjoy so much more than we deserve!I think thats part of what it means to rest in the Lord as well. Instead of always thinking of how things will be better if you had a different boss or a different job, make the best of where you are now. As the saying goes: ‘Bloom where you are planted’. I think thats what Paul intends for us here also. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. This general principle doesn’t mean that you can never change jobs. If you can improve your situation go ahead. Maybe your current work really does feel like slavery. Well Paul did say back in vs 21 “if you can gain your freedom do so”. But it ultimately doesn't matter what job you’re in. Thats secondary. Whats far more important is that you’re faithful in it. That in all that you do, you do it unto the Lord who has graciously called you to be His people through Christ our Saviour.

If you’re a student: yes you’re main focus now is to study. But the studies and exams you’re stressed about now are meant to prepare you for your future working life.

So this is important to everyone.

If you’re retired: basically you’re benefiting from your lifetime of work.

So a Christian view of calling and careers is important and relevant to all.

The passage today is: .

As you can see a very important word In this passage is the word

The word “called” can refer to different things. But we need to understand what Paul means by “called” or “calling” if not we’ll miss his point.

Take for example the word “church”. Nowadays we use the word “church” to refer to the building e.g “Where's prayer meeting? Oh at church loh!”.

But in the Bible, the church never ever refers to a building. It always refers to the people. To the assembly of believers.

Christians are sometimes portrayed like a building e.g we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we are being built up with Christ as the cornerstone etc. But thats metaphorical.

Biblically, the word church never refers to a literal building.

And thats okay. The meaning of words change over time and based on usage. We just need to recognise it and adapt.

So its fine if we refer to this building as the church but when we open our Bibles and read “churches”, we must understand its talking about people not buildings. If not we’ll misinterpret it.

The same thing with the word “called”.

The way the word “called” is always used now is e.g “God called me to be a missionary in Africa” or “I’m called to be an engineer.” So being a missionary or an engineer is their calling.

Again nothing wrong with that. But thats not what is meant here.

The word “calling” or “called” is used about 50 times in the NT. Most of those times “calling” refers to becoming a Christian.

We see this in the first chapter of this letter.

To the church of God in Corinth, [who is the church]? to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people [saints]....

But this calling is not just an invitation.

When God calls you, God brings you to faith. When God calls you, you are saved.

but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Humans are so sinful that the good news about Jesus dying on the cross will be rejected by our natural minds. The gospel wasn’t attractive to either Jews or Gentiles.

Yet why did some believe? Why did you believe?

Because God graciously opened your eyes and convicted your heart to see and embrace the truth.

That when Christ died on the cross, it wasn’t foolishness or weakness, it was the wisdom and power of God.

You believed not just because you heard the preacher call you externally, but because you heard God calling you internally too. Thats what is meant by “called” here.

And its not as if we deserved to be called by God. We weren’t better than others. Paul goes on to write:

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things...29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus...Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” ().

You can’t boast at your friend “Eh you don’t believe in Jesus ah? Why you so stupid?” “See I so smart and spiritual!” You can’t boast like that. You weren’t better than your friend or relative when God called you to faith. You can only stand amazed by His grace.

And those [God] predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Notice all those who are called are justified and glorified.

This means when God calls you, you will believe and be justified. And God will keep you till the end so that you will be glorified in heaven. You won’t lose your salvation along the way ().

In summary: When God called you, is when you became a Christian.

Bear that in mind, as we read the main passage for today which is .

Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

Exposition:

If you’re a believer, being a Christian is your primary calling. And from this passage we can learn how our primary calling as Christians, affects our secondary callings at work.

The context of this passage will help you see this point better.

Some people in the church of Corinth were teaching that once you became a Christian, it was necessary to change your social status or situation.

e.g if you’re married then you should become unmarried. You should stop having sex with your spouse. Its more spiritual.

If you’re uncircumcised you should become circumcised.

Or some were saying the opposite i.e If you’re circumcised you should become uncircumcised (there really was a procedure). Again its more spiritual they said.

So Paul responds that all this doesn’t really matter.

Marriage is good, singlehood is also good. Circumcised also can, uncircumcised also can. It doesn’t matter.

What matters is being faithful Christians in whatever condition you are in.

If you were married when you became a Christian, then be a faithful married Christian.

Thats why he lays down this general principle:

Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

And then he illustrates this principle in the context of work.

Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you

So he’s saying that if you were a slave when you became Christian, don’t worry about it.

Being a slave is not less spiritual. It doesn’t matter. Thats not your primary calling. You are a Christian. And you can be a faithful Christian even as a slave.

Don’t think that just because you’re didn’t go into ‘full-time ministry’ and become a pastor that means you can’t serve God.

There are some who after becoming believers think they had to quit school or quit their jobs to go into seminary and “full-ministry”.

Don’t think that what you do at work has no value to Him.

Because they thought thats the only way to really serve God.

All believers are priests. So all work can be a calling from God. You can serve God in whatever job.

In the 15th century, only the priests were regarded as spiritual. If you really wanted to serve God you had to join the monastery. Become monks or nuns.

But in the Protestant Reformation the church recovered the understanding that all believers are priests.

With that we also rediscovered that all work can be a calling from God. You can serve God in whatever job.

When I say ‘whatever job’ of course I mean any lawful job. If you're a directing pornographic movies you definitely need to change your job.

But if you were a lawyer when you became a Christian, be a Christian lawyer.

We’re always tempted to compartmentalize our life into what is sacred and what is secular. Even without us realising it.

Many Christians think of work as something we must do only to survive and then we try ‘serve God’ after work/outside work.

So in our free time we’ll volunteer in church programs etc

Or we think of work only as the way we earn money to tithe and support those who really are serving God.

e.g Sending money to missionaries or organisations that are involved in social work.

Or at most we think that the workplace is a good place for us to befriend and evangelise non-Christians.

Now let me stress thats all good and true.

Keep using your spare time to serve in church etc.

Keep sending your money to all those good organisations.

Keep befriending and evangelising your non-Christian friends.

Do all that but understand also that in and through our work we are also serving God.

We believe God supplies our needs right? But how?

Yes He can provide for us miraculously, but most often He does it through people.

The Bible tells us that its God who heals all our sicknesses. Yes He can miraculously heal but most of the time He heals through doctors, nurses, pharmacists etc.

Don’t think that if you’ve prayed and have faith, its wrong to see a doctor.

As if its either God or the doctor. But its not either or.

Its not like if the doctor heals you then its not God. God heals through doctors too.

He gave them the wisdom and skill to be trained in their field and to correctly perform the operations etc. We should thank God for them.

The Bible also tells us that its God who always feeds us.

Yes God can send manna from heaven, but most of the time He feeds us through people.

There are many people who travel late at night and they got nothing to eat. And then drive past McD. As unhealthy as McD is, its a gift to travelers!

So if you’re farmer, a chef or working in restaurants you’re providing for people’s needs. And there’s great worth in that to God.

Every job has worth when we’re helping our fellow man meet their needs.

Think about rubbish collectors. We don’t think very highly of them. We certainly don’t pay them much.

But imagine if there were no rubbish collectors. And rubbish just kept piling up outside your house. You could literally die!

So there is value in that work.

I better move on. Wait some kids don’t want to study anymore and just wanna be rubbish collectors and then the parents come find me.

All I’m saying is that as a Christian, you can find joy and purpose in any job.

Whether your a missionary or a mechanic. A hotel manager or a housekeeper, a doctor or a driver etc.

(Btw house-wives are all of these in one right?).

It doesn’t really matter what job you have. We can serve and glorify God in any career. All work has spiritual value, when we love God and love our neighbour.

Thats the first point. Our Christian faith corrects an overspiritual or underspiritual view of work.

To be a slave was to be at the lowest position in society. Yet its written here:

“Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.”

Paul’s not teaching that slavery is good and you must stay as a slave. He says “if you can gain your freedom, do so”.

If you can improve yourself then go ahead. But his point is even if you can’t improve your situation, even if you have to remain as a slave its okay. Don’t worry about it.

For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person.

Remember how I said at the beginning we often think of our jobs as our identity. That our profession is who we are.

But this kind of thinking can destroy us.

When we confuse our careers with our identities then if we’re rich and successful we’ll become proud. We’ll think “I’m successful!”. Better than all these losers who are stupid and lazy.

The Bible has a lot of scary things to say to the proud. Pride comes before the fall.

So this is a serious problem that successful people need to deal with.

And what about those who experience failure?

If our careers are our identities and we experience failure then we’ll feel that "I’m a complete failure". Crushed by disappointment.

Tim Keller puts it like this:

“When work is your identity, success goes to your head, and failure goes to your heart.”

Some retirees are really enjoying their retirement.

But you know many retirees sink into depression.

Especially those who enjoyed their work and were good at it.

They used to be someone important. Now that they’ve retired they feel useless.

They’ve lost their purpose in life. They’ve lost who they are.

But as a Christian, even if you are as low as a slave, thats not your identity. Thats not who you are. Who you truly are is the Lord’s freed person.

See as a Christian, even if you are as low as a slave, thats not your identity. Thats not who you are. Who you truly are is the Lord’s freed person.

There is no higher calling than that.

So if you’ve recently been demoted or lost your job or if you’re in a career that people just look down on, remember who you are in Christ!

You can’t be promoted further up than this. You already are the top! You’re the child of the King of Kings.

There are no salary raises or bonuses higher than this. You already have an eternal inheritance waiting for you.

And you will never retire from that.

Nothing can ever change who we are in Christ. All that we have in Christ is secure.

Remember those who are called are justified and those who are justified are glorified. Its 100% guaranteed.

And what about those who are successful? Notice how Paul humbles them.

“For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.

Notice how Paul uses the gospel of Jesus to both humbles us and lifts us up.

If you’re a low-class slave, remember you’re the Lord’s freed person. If you’re a high-class free person, remember you’re actually the Lord’s slave!

Why are Christians described as slaves of Christ?

In the Roman Empire many became slaves because they couldn’t pay off their debts. So they were sold into slavery.

Slaves were allowed to earn something on the side and eventually buy their freedom.

Because of our wickedness we too have debts before God. Debts that we can never settle.

Morally bankrupt, we are slaves to sin and death.

Yet God Himself settled the debts for us. He bought our freedom not with cheap stuff like gold or silver but with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus.

At the cross where Jesus died, Jesus received what we deserved, so that we can receive what we didn’t deserve: Forgiveness of sin, and eternal life with God.

All that we are belongs to Him. All that we have we owe to Him.

So if you have a successful career, great! But remember you’re still God’s slave! Still a sinner saved only by grace. All that you have is by God’s grace.

So how can you boast? How can you look down on others?

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Optional: .

So thats the second point: Our Christian faith enables us to handle failure or success.

Rich or poor. We’re all equal in Christ through whom we have an unshakable identity.

For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.

You might be wondering why Paul needs to say something like “do not become slaves of human beings”. Who in the world will voluntarily choose to become a slave?

Actually, interestingly some people did willingly becomes slaves, to rich and powerful people. They did this to advance their own standing in society.

To be a slave of Senator or a Governor is still to be somebody. You’re a slave of a Senator!

You’ll be in his home. So you’ll be close to him and you’ll get to meet all the VIPs in the Roman Empire.

So maybe thats why Paul says “do not become slaves of human beings”.

Or he could mean “Don’t be a slave to human judgments of what is spiritual or successful etc”.

If you’re a slave don’t let it trouble you. If you’re a free person don’t be arrogant.

This is sensitive but isn’t it true that in Asia, students, regardless of their talents or interests, are always pushed into the same 2-3 professions?

Yes parents love their children and want them to be successful. I understand that.

But is it not possible that we are enslaved by human standards of success?

Or think about why people overwork themselves.

Yes some have no choice. Some have to work 2-3 shifts just to pay the bills. I understand.

But some overwork themselves so that they can be rich and famous. So they can wear a certain watch or drive a certain luxury car. And so that certain people will like them and give them recognition and respect.

Don’t misunderstand. I’m not discouraging you all from working hard or striving for excellence. In a while I’ll address the lazy people. Those who underwork.

But to those who overwork, make sure you’re not being a slave to human approval. Makes sure you’re not enslaved to human standards of significance and financial security.

Do not become slaves of human beings. Why? You already have a Master. You were bought at a price. You are now slaves to Christ.

We always think of being a slave as something negative, and of course it was.

Few years ago there was a movie called “12 years a slave” which is based on a true story and accurately depicts how the African slaves were treated like animals.

In general slavery was bad, thank God its abolished.

But being a slave in the Roman Empire was nothing compared to what the Africans suffered in the 18th century.

Slavery in the Roman Empire was not race-based. There were white slaves and black slaves. White free people and black free people.

It wasn’t only blue collar work. Many slaves worked as doctors or financial managers or teachers, educating the master’s children.

Also like I said earlier, slaves could buy their freedom.

But actually there are benefits especially if your master is good.

As a slave, you don’t have to worry about alot of things because its not up to you. You are utterly dependent on your Master. You are under his care and protection.

So understand that when you are a slave of Christ, it also means He’s the one who will provide for you. He’s the one who will protect you.

That means you can actually rest. You don’t have to overwork yourself.

Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat [in vain you overwork]— for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Do you know there’s such a thing as a theology of sleep? Sleep is not just good for us physically, its good for us spiritually.

We spend 1/3 of our lives just helplessly lying there doing nothing. There’s something humbling about that.

The fact that we must sleep reminds us that we are not all-powerful. We can’t do everything.

And when we wake up, we realise life has gone on without us. The world is still spinning. We are not in control, God is. So we can rest in Him.

Thats why keeping the Sabbath was so important for Israel. It was a sign of faith. And it reminded God’s people that its not about how hard they work but how much God provides. God is their source of security and significance.

Those who overwork themselves may need to remember that God is their master. But those of you who under-work also need to remember that God is your master.

Let me talk to the retirees again.

You may be retired from your career. But you'll never retire from you're calling as a Christian.

You may not have the energy anymore, but you have the experience. Please don’t deprive us of your gifts.

Continue to serve your Everlasting Lord, in whatever capacity you can.

Back to the working population.

There are lot of reasons why you’re not giving your best at work. Maybe you don’t like your job. Maybe you think its stupid.

I hope my first point earlier proves that you can find fulfillment in any job when its done out of love for God and for your neighbour.

Some of you don’t work hard because you don’t like your boss. You think your boss is stupid. Maybe he is.

But forget about him. Remember your true Master. Do it for your Lord Jesus. Think of it as serving Him.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters

As Christ’s slave, you represent Him.

So you need to think of how you can glorify God at work.

There are many ways. But one of the most basic things is to do a good job.

Its debatable whether Luther actually said this but its such a fun quote I’ll share it anyway:

If you’re always talking about Jesus at work (which is good) but you’re always late, unable to meet deadlines, and doing a lousy job, something’s wrong right?

The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes - Martin Luther

So how can you be lazy? How can you not strive to do the best you can?

You wanna know another easy way to glorify God at work? Don’t grumble. Don’t complain.

Seriously, just open your ears and listen to people. Everybody’s grumbling about something. Everybody’s complaining about something.

e.g about their work, their boss, their colleagues, the government, GST, the weather, the WiFi etc

So if you just faithfully do your job without complaining, you will shine!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation”. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky!

Indeed when we remember who our Master is, what is there to really complain about? We are already so blessed! We already enjoy so much more than we deserve!

I think thats part of what it means to rest in the Lord as well.

Instead of always thinking of how things will be better if you had a different boss or a different job, be contented and make the best of where you are now.

I think thats what Paul intends for us here also.

Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

This general principle doesn’t mean that you can never change jobs. If you can improve your situation go ahead.

Maybe your current work really does feel like slavery. Well Paul did say back in vs 21 “if you can gain your freedom do so”.

But it ultimately doesn't matter what job you’re in. Thats secondary. Whats far more important is that you’re faithful in it.

That in all that you do, you do it unto the Lord who has graciously called you to be His people through Christ our Saviour.

Career or Calling (Chinese)

1. Corrects an over/under-spiritual view of work

1. Corrects an over/under-spiritual view of work

2. Our primary calling as Christians enables us to handle failure or success

2. Our primary calling as Christians enables us to handle failure or success

3. Our primary calling as Christians helps us to balance work and rest

3. Our primary calling as Christians helps us to balance work and rest

1. Our Christian faith corrects an over/under-spiritual view of work

2. Our Christian faith enables us to handle failure or success

3. Our primary calling as Christians helps us balance work and rest