5,3 Living My Calling

Living My Calling

Living My Calling

What is real ministry? what does real worship look like? Does it mean that we are required to be present in this place?

Where do you spend most of your time? If real ministry and real worship is limited to church gatherings, that would mean that the “most of our life” is wasted!

We are called by God is to live our life in a way that HONORS God! We do this as Christians, church members, in our neighborhoods and everywhere we go.

Yes, we do this as Church Members, in our Homes, in our Community and at School/Work.

Today, you are either preparing for a job, looking for a job, working at a job, or you have retired from a job.

Psalm 90:17 KJV 1900

17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: And establish thou the work of our hands upon us; Yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

— our work is a partnership with God!

— our work is a partnership with God!

—(specific verses)

Exodus 35:30–33 KJV 1900

30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; 32 And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 33 And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

Exodus 35:30 KJV 1900

30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;

— Bezalel- Vs30-33

Exodus 35:31 KJV 1900

31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;

— Bezalel- Vs30-33

Exodus 35:32 KJV 1900

32 And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

Exodus 35:

Exodus 35:33 KJV 1900

33 And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

Bezalel had been appointed by God to be an artist and had been endowed by God with the wisdom, understanding, and skill necessary to carry out that appointment. Bezalel used wisdom, understanding and skill to do his art work for God’s glory and for the benefit of the entire nation of Israel.

Bezalel had been appointed by God to be an artist and had been endowed by God with the wisdom, understanding, and skill necessary to carry out that appointment. Bezalel used wisdom, understanding and skill to do his art work for God’s glory and for the benefit of the entire nation of Israel.

Your Workplace can be a Ministry

Our work places can be shaped by our Christianity!

God often does HIs work for the world through the work of his people. He provided for the home and poor though the proverbial woman; He provided for the nation of Israel through Bezalel the artist.

What about the ordinary jobs today? How does God feed hungry children?

-through a farmer on a tractor/ but before he gets on the tractor, someone had to build the tractor. Someone had to prepare and pack the seeds.

-A delivery person—the grocery store—but before either, a truck needs to be built, a contractor needs to build the building, relying on electricians, carpenters, metal workers, computer technicians, etc.

-When God feeds children, He does so through a vast and interconnected web of professionals.

So, today, some of you are about to embark on becoming a CONDUIT of God’s love and provision—as you fulfill your calling through your workplace.

Identifying Your Workplace

So, as you begin this journey, if you are not sure of where God is leading you, please consider the following:

-What is God’s design for this type of work?—basically, God wants those who work at certain places to provide services or products that are in line with Gods plan, as written in His Word.

Our work should be good morally and one that causes our community to flourish. We should approach our work in a way that reflects our devotions to Christ.

-Will my workplace be a perfect workplace? No, remember that people are sinners, we have all fallen short of God’s glory! People, who are sinners, are guilty of directing their heart of worship toward “counterfeit” gods instead of God. Because of that, their “work will be affected by the misdirection of their heart”!

-What is my responsibility in my workplace? -figure out how you can make it the best for God’s glory!

Biblical Examples of Workplace Ministry

Joseph—born into a wealthy family, grew up as a spoiled and immature rich boy. He was his daddy’s favorite son. His brothers decided to sell him.

He ends up in Egypt where he is sold to high level government official name Potiphar. He had gone from “rich boy” to “slave”. Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, falsely accused him, and he wound up in prison.

In prison, he receives illumination from God to interpret a dreams of Pharoah’s butler and baker. Because he was able to interpret the dream, he is hired by Pharaoh and is placed directly underneath Pharaoh.

He had become a devoted man of God—now placed in the most culturally powerful workplace of all—Pharaoh’s government! Joseph was involved in managing disaster relief for Egypt! He was hired to manage Egypt’s food distribution during the 7 years of famine.

KEY—for Joseph to find out God’s plan, he had to be obedient! He viewed his job as a calling and did it unto the Lord

Paul- he was a missionary, a church planter, and a theologian. He didn’t make his living by entirely doing those things. He made his living as a tentmaker!

Acts 18:1–4 KJV 1900

1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

, the physician Luke tells us that Paul designed and manufactured tents and brought them to the market. Paul didn’t stop making tents when he became an apostolic missionary. When Paul made tents, it provided a salary from him so that he could do other things God had called him to do, such as being a church planter and a mentor to pastors.

, the physician Luke tells us that Paul designed and manufactured tents and brought them to the market. Paul didn’t stop making tents when he became an apostolic missionary. When Paul made tents, it provided a salary from him so that he could do other things God had called him to do, such as being a church planter and a mentor to pastors.

Successful Workplace Ministry

a)Acknowledge that the company/business is Gods, not our own.

b)Minister through our actions and show how a Christian company is different from others. Make it a great place to work, because of what Christ has done for us.

c)Whatever you do—-Expose people to the gospel.

A traveler was preparing for a long trip. A friend asked if he was all packed and he said, “Yup, just about. I’ve got my guidebook, a lamp, a mirror, a microscope, a volume of fine poetry, a package of old letters, a song book, a sword, a hammer and a set of books.” “But,” the friend said, “you can’t get all of that in one suitcase.” “Sure I can,” replied the traveler. It doesn’t take much room.” Then he placed his Bible in the suitcase and closed the lid.