The church of Christ


HomeIntroduction
What's New

At Granby, MO

SermonsReferences
Studies

 

Speaker

Sermon/Lesson Title

Audio   Video 
Text 
 MS Word

Category

Bobby Stafford Work Matters To God        Work

 

Your Work Matters to God

Introduction:

Work is a dirty word for many people.  Others try to avoid it at all costs.  But as we will see in this lesson, your work matters to God.

Body:

I.  The Origin of Work

·  Genesis 1:26-28 “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’  So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” NKJV  Jehovah gave man the responsibility and blessing of caring for His creation.  Work is of great importance to God; so it should be to us also.

·  Genesis 2:5-9, 15 “before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown.  For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.  And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.  The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.  And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.  The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” NKJV  God invested work with both value and honor.  Work is a person’s contribution to God’s world.

·  Genesis 3:17-19 “Then to Adam He said, ‘Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it’:  ‘Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life.  Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field.  In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.’ ” NKJV 

 Sin changed the nature of work.  Because of man’s sin, Jehovah imposed limitations and restrictions on the earth.  Work became more difficult and unpleasant. 

II.  Why Work Is Valuable

·  Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” NKJV  Work, when done appropriately, glorifies God.  Therefore, we should concentrate on living a life that honors and glorifies Jehovah.  (I Peter 2:12) “having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” NKJV  (I Corinthians 10:31) “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” NKJV

·  Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” NKJV  We are created for good works.  He appreciates the good work that we do.  (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19) “Here is what I have seen:  It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.  As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor – this is the gift of God.” NKJV

·  Ephesians 6:5-8 “Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.” NKJV  We work for God regardless of the kind of labor; we are to do it sincerely and from the heart.  (Colossians 3:23-24) “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” NKJV  God wants to be Lord of our work. 

III.  How Is God Glorified through Our Work?

·  Through our work we serve people and meet their needs.  (Romans 12:13) “distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality,”  (I Timothy 6:18) “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,” NKJV

·  Through our work we meet our own needs as well as those of our family.  (II Thessalonians 3:7-10) “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.  For even when we were with you, we commanded you this:  If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”  (I Timothy 5:8) “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse that an unbeliever.” NKJV

·  Through our work we earn money to give to others.  (Ephesians 4:28) “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”  (Proverbs 21:25-26) “The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.  He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.” NKJV

·  Through our work we show that we love God and our neighbor.  (Matthew 22:36-40) “ ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’  Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’ ” NKJV

Conclusion:

This lesson has shown that our work really matters to God.  Whatever we do, we are to do it with all our might because we are working for the Lord Jehovah. He considers our entire life sacred, not just the spiritual. 

Bobby Stafford  April 2, 2017  [Evening]

 

 


 

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

What Does the church of Christ Teach?

The church of Christ on Social Media

 

The Sermons, Bulletin Articles and Bible Studies published in this website are from sound members of the church of Christ and are free to everyone.  We feel the price was paid when Jesus died on the cross.   Please feel free to use any of the content found within this website for the spreading of the Gospel to all. 


Matt 11:28-29
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

The church of Christ in Granby Missouri

516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109