Work II

Heb. 12:1-2 – Run race fixing our eyes upon Jesus, the Author (source, initiator) and Perfecter (finisher, bringing it to maturity and perfection)

Jesus is the source and initiator of the new life that we have in Him.  He is also the means of completing that which has been begun (sanctification).

What does it mean that Jesus is the means or power to complete what has been begun in justification?

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches he who abides in me and I in him he bears much fruit.”

“Abiding in the vine then comes to be nothing more nor less than restful surrender of the soul to let Christ have all and work al as completely as in nature the branch knows and seeks nothing but the vine.”

Which of the basics is this?

1)       lordship of Christ

2)       intimacy with the Father – union with Christ

Are you setting time aside daily to sit at His feet and listen – abide in the vine “restful surrender” ?

Why is a Biblical view of work so important?

1)       we spend majority waking hours there

2)       American business culture is antithetical to Biblical truth

The tide is pulling us the wrong direction

        -money, power, authority

        -entanglements, overworking, consuming

                3)    American church culture

                                -doesn’t address issues

                                -if does, frequently chides us to not be “worldly” and be involved in church work

What is the result of this in many Christian businessmen?

                Tension torn apart by horses moving in different directions

1)       give your life to work

2)       work doesn’t matter at all

Why do we go to work?

1)       Created with ability and God-given desire to cultivate, make beautiful and bring order – imitate God in creation. Gen. 2; 1 Thess. 5:11-12

2)       In the process of doing work we come into contact with people and thus have opportunities to serve others. Matt. 5:16 let your light shine; Matt. 28:19-20 as you are going…

Tension:  “It’s all about great work à financial success status”

                  “It’s all about ministry only one thing eternal”  “2 things eternal”

How do we define success in work (or any other thing we do) ?

“Faithful in the utilization of the resources given (time, money, relationships, ability) in a manner that is honoring to God.”

Success in God’s eye is not neces. same as world’s standard of measure.

Col. 3:23 Lord Christ whom you ultimately serve, please

                        In order to properly apply above 2 key concepts

1)       what about money vs. work – connection how hard work vs. income

2)       what about authority – really Christ we serve

 Money

                If I believe that my income is dependent upon how hard I work

                                God owes me

                                Independence from God

                                Tend toward overworking

                       Three thoughts/principles

1)       God determines our level of wealth

a.        Deut. 8:17-18

b.       Prov. 10:22

c.        Ecc. 9:10-11

d.       Matt. 6:25-26

2)       Be careful of how you spend the few hours you have

a.        Eph. 5:16

                                                                                                   i.      Actual time at work – fences

                                                                                                  ii.      Mental energy – disengage/spouse

3)       Live your life with a view that this is temporary

a.        Ps. 139:16

b.       John 9:4

c.        “This is not my home”…Cemetary vision

 Authority FM work I

 Next week

                Review work

                                -partnership/unequally yoked – 2 Cor. 6:14; 1 Cor. 15:33

                                - competition – Prov. 20:22; 24:17; Matt. 5:39; Rom. 12:17

                Dec. 5, 19 Choices

                                -children, accountability, purity, purpose, church, trusting God

                                - finish end Jan.

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