Faithful Work: Serving Christ in Every Task

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound connection between our faith and our work, drawing from Colossians 3:22-24. We began by acknowledging the significant amount of time we spend working in our lives, whether in paid employment, at home, or in other capacities. The question arises: what is the purpose of all this work? Is it merely for a paycheck, or does it hold deeper significance in our walk with Christ?

Paul's letter to the Colossians addresses a church tempted by false teachings that suggested Jesus wasn't enough. Paul counters this by affirming Christ's supremacy and sufficiency in all aspects of life, including work. He urges believers to set their minds on things above, allowing their heavenly perspective to influence their earthly tasks.

The core of our discussion centered on three key lessons from the passage. First, who we work for is more important than what we do. Our work, regardless of its nature, is ultimately for King Jesus. This truth infuses every task with spiritual significance, reminding us that our work is an opportunity to glorify God.

Second, how we work is more important than where we work. Paul encourages us to work with sincerity and reverence, not just when being watched. This challenges us to avoid idleness and embrace God's purposes in our work, recognizing that our jobs are arenas for discipleship and worship.

Finally, the reward for our work is far greater than any earthly success. Paul speaks of an eternal inheritance, a reward that surpasses any worldly achievement. This perspective frees us from the pressure to measure success by worldly standards and encourages us to focus on faithfulness to God.

As we approach our work, whether it's in an office, at home, or in any other setting, let's remember that our ultimate goal is to serve King Jesus with all our heart. This mindset transforms our work from a mundane task to a meaningful act of worship.

Key Takeaways:

- Who You Work For Matters Most: Our work, whether mundane or significant, is ultimately for King Jesus. This truth infuses every task with spiritual significance, reminding us that our work is an opportunity to glorify God. [09:11]

- How You Work Over Where You Work: Paul encourages us to work with sincerity and reverence, not just when being watched. This challenges us to avoid idleness and embrace God's purposes in our work, recognizing that our jobs are arenas for discipleship and worship. [21:53]

- The Reward Surpasses Success: Paul speaks of an eternal inheritance, a reward that surpasses any worldly achievement. This perspective frees us from the pressure to measure success by worldly standards and encourages us to focus on faithfulness to God. [31:42]

- Avoiding Work as an Idol: It's easy to make work an idol, seeking identity and worth in our jobs. Instead, we must remember that our identity is in Christ, and our work is a means to serve Him, not ourselves. [12:57]

- Faithfulness Over Fruitfulness: Our job is to be faithful to God, giving our all with what we have. We focus on faithfulness and let God determine the fruitfulness of the return. [39:35]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - The Significance of Work
- [00:39] - The Purpose of Work
- [01:12] - Christ in Our Work
- [01:30] - Colossians Context
- [02:14] - Christ's Supremacy
- [03:01] - Heavenly Perspective
- [04:00] - Daily Work and Faith
- [05:14] - Colossians 3:22-24
- [06:21] - Addressing Slavery Context
- [07:16] - Application to Modern Work
- [08:23] - Three Key Lessons
- [09:11] - Who You Work For
- [21:53] - How You Work
- [31:42] - Reward Beyond Success
- [39:35] - Faithfulness Over Fruitfulness
- [40:06] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Colossians 3:22-24

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul emphasize about the nature of our work in Colossians 3:22-24? How does this relate to the idea of working for King Jesus? [05:14]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between working for human masters and working for the Lord? [09:11]
3. What are some of the temptations mentioned in the sermon that can lead us to make work an idol? [12:57]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the eternal inheritance mentioned in Colossians 3:24? [31:42]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of working for King Jesus change the way one might view their daily tasks, whether mundane or significant? [09:40]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our work can become an idol, and how does this affect our relationship with God? [13:29]
3. How does the promise of an eternal inheritance influence a believer's motivation and perspective on success in their work? [31:57]
4. What does it mean to work with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord, and how might this look in different work environments? [21:53]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current work situation. Are there areas where you might be working more for human approval than for King Jesus? How can you shift your focus? [09:26]
2. Consider a time when work became an idol in your life. What steps can you take to ensure your identity remains rooted in Christ rather than your job? [12:57]
3. How can you incorporate the mindset of working for an eternal inheritance into your daily routine, especially when tasks feel mundane or unimportant? [31:42]
4. Identify a specific task or responsibility at work where you can practice working with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord this week. What will that look like? [21:53]
5. Think about a colleague or friend who might be struggling with finding purpose in their work. How can you encourage them with the truths from Colossians 3:22-24? [05:14]
6. Are there any specific distractions or temptations in your work environment that hinder your ability to serve King Jesus wholeheartedly? What practical steps can you take to address these? [10:38]
7. Reflect on the idea of faithfulness over fruitfulness. How can you focus on being faithful in your current role, trusting God with the outcomes? [39:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Serving King Jesus in Every Task
Our work, whether mundane or significant, is ultimately for King Jesus. This truth infuses every task with spiritual significance, reminding us that our work is an opportunity to glorify God. When we understand that we are working for Christ, it transforms our perspective on even the most routine tasks. We begin to see our work as a form of worship, a way to honor God with our time and talents. This mindset encourages us to approach our responsibilities with a sense of purpose and dedication, knowing that our efforts are not in vain but are part of a larger divine plan. [09:11]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: How can you remind yourself today that your work is for King Jesus, and how might this change the way you approach your tasks?


Day 2: Integrity in Our Work
Paul encourages us to work with sincerity and reverence, not just when being watched. This challenges us to avoid idleness and embrace God's purposes in our work, recognizing that our jobs are arenas for discipleship and worship. When we work with integrity, we reflect God's character and demonstrate our commitment to His standards. This means being diligent and honest in all we do, regardless of who is watching. By doing so, we honor God and set an example for others, showing that our faith is genuine and transformative. [21:53]

Proverbs 11:3 (ESV): "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you demonstrate integrity in your work today, even when no one is watching?


Day 3: Eternal Perspective on Success
Paul speaks of an eternal inheritance, a reward that surpasses any worldly achievement. This perspective frees us from the pressure to measure success by worldly standards and encourages us to focus on faithfulness to God. When we understand that our ultimate reward is eternal, we can let go of the need for immediate recognition or success. Instead, we can focus on being faithful in our daily tasks, trusting that God sees our efforts and will reward us in His time. This eternal perspective brings peace and purpose to our work, reminding us that our true value is found in Christ. [31:42]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeking worldly success to valuing eternal rewards in your work today?


Day 4: Avoiding the Idol of Work
It's easy to make work an idol, seeking identity and worth in our jobs. Instead, we must remember that our identity is in Christ, and our work is a means to serve Him, not ourselves. When we place our identity in our work, we risk losing sight of who we are in Christ. Our worth is not determined by our job title or achievements but by our relationship with Jesus. By keeping this truth at the forefront of our minds, we can prevent work from becoming an idol and instead use it as a platform to serve God and others. [12:57]

Psalm 115:4-8 (ESV): "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure that your work does not become an idol, and how can you remind yourself of your true identity in Christ?


Day 5: Faithfulness Over Fruitfulness
Our job is to be faithful to God, giving our all with what we have. We focus on faithfulness and let God determine the fruitfulness of the return. This means trusting God with the outcomes of our efforts and being content with the role He has given us. By prioritizing faithfulness, we align our hearts with God's will and open ourselves to His guidance and provision. This approach allows us to find joy and fulfillment in our work, knowing that we are serving God with sincerity and dedication. [39:35]

1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV): "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."

Reflection: In what areas of your work can you focus more on being faithful rather than worrying about the results, and how can you trust God with the outcomes?

Quotes



"Paul is making it super clear to them and he's writing to them to show them that Jesus is both Supreme over everything and sufficient for all things in their lives. How could he not be sufficient right? Colossians 1 Paul writes he is the image of the invisible God the firstborn over all creation and in him all things were created." [00:02:08]

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human Masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Well, the main idea for our passage today and therefore the main idea for our sermon is this: whatever you do and wherever you do it, work with the attitude, energy, and Excellence befitting King Jesus." [00:09:11]

"The heart of Paul's teaching here is that whether you sweep floors or lead meetings, right, whether you pack lunches or write code, you are working for King Jesus. Whatever you do means exactly that, anything and everything. Right, work doesn't need to have a religious label to be spiritually significant. Your Monday morning spreadsheet is just as much an opportunity to follow Jesus as your Sunday afternoon home group." [00:09:20]

"I think one of our biggest Temptations is to make work an idol, to make work an idol. I know I've definitely fallen into this temptation. You know, one time I found myself extremely discouraged when I was in between jobs. It was really the first time in my life I'd ever kind of been without work, and I found myself really excited about what opportunities God might provide." [00:12:57]

"Slavery in New Testament times wasn't the same as American slavery, but it was still a system of forced labor. In Roman society, slaves could be anything from household help to estate managers. Some could earn or buy or be granted their freedom, but they were still at the bottom. So in one sense, slavery wasn't as bad as the slavery we think of, but it was still really bad." [00:06:21]

"How you work is more important than where you work. Let's get back to Colossians, verse 22: Slaves obey your Earthly Masters in everything and do it not only when their eyes on you and decur their favor but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. So if you've ever sat in a cubicle or a break room or maybe even a high school classroom, chances are you've seen a motivational poster." [00:21:53]

"Paul shows us how we should work at whatever and wherever we find ourselves. He says first kind of how not to work, right, only when we're being watched. Who hasn't been guilty of only working when being watched, as people Pleasers? In fact, I think there's like apps created that you can quickly change the screen, right, so you can if somebody walks in on you and you can suddenly go from playing a game to looking like a spreadsheet." [00:23:00]

"Paul warns us about doing nothing in different places, but he also says that just doing it isn't enough either, right? Our work is not something we do in addition to our walk with Jesus. It's an expression and an extension of what we think of the king. That is what our work is. So picture somebody who's like really jacked, you know, maybe Zay came to mind." [00:27:44]

"The reward for your work is far greater than any success. Verse 24: knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward, you are serving the Lord Christ. Well, why does Paul tell them to work with sincerity of heart as working for the Lord and not for human Masters? Why does he tell them to do it? Because they know that they will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." [00:31:42]

"This idea of what that reward is is what undergirds the whatevers and wherever we work, right? It reminds us that we don't work for the same rewards as the world. We don't need to keep score of our jobs based on money or power or fame or self-fulfillment or putting a dent in the universe. None of that is how the Christian keeps score." [00:33:00]

"Your King has made you who you are, and he has deploys you to work where he wants you to work, and your job is to be faithful to him, to give it your all with everything you have. You focus on faithfulness and let God determine the fruitfulness of the return. It's why I've tried to work a personal motto: work hard, work smart, Trust God." [00:39:35]

"Remember your work matters forever, even if it feels ordinary now, because for the Christian, all work is a gift from God to do for King Jesus. So let's ask him to help us work unto him as we prepare for another work week. Let's pray together. Lord, we do praise you and thank you that you are God who has created us, made us in your image." [00:40:06]

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Transcript
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