Transforming Work: Serving Christ with Integrity and Excellence

In every aspect of life, whether at home, in the workplace, or in our daily routines, the call is to follow Jesus with wholehearted devotion. This means allowing Christ to transform not just our beliefs, but our approach to work and vocation. Just as smoking meat is a slow, patient, and intentional process, so too is the journey of discipleship. The Holy Spirit works within us over time, shaping our character and infusing every part of our lives with the aroma of Christ. Even when change is not immediately visible, God is at work, and our faithfulness in the ordinary becomes a powerful witness to those around us.

Drawing from Colossians 3:22-24, the invitation is to see all work—regardless of status, recognition, or compensation—as service to the Lord. Paul’s words, written to a society where many were slaves, offer a radical reorientation: our true Master is Christ, and our work matters because it is ultimately for Him. This perspective is not limited to those with traditional jobs; every person has a vocation, a purposeful activity that contributes to the flourishing of others and reflects God’s creative intent.

Three guiding principles emerge: work with integrity, work with excellence, and work with an eternal perspective. Integrity means doing what is right even when no one is watching, motivated by reverence for Christ rather than the desire to please people. Excellence is not about perfection or public recognition, but about offering our best as an act of worship, knowing that God values faithfulness in every task, no matter how small. An eternal perspective reminds us that our ultimate reward is not a paycheck or human praise, but the inheritance we receive from Christ. This knowledge frees us from striving for worldly approval and anchors us in the truth of God’s promises.

As we approach our daily work, the prayer is for Christ to transform our mindset, making even the most mundane tasks holy and meaningful. In communion, we remember that our identity and hope are rooted in Jesus’ sacrifice, and we are invited to live as people shaped by grace, holding fast to the truth that sets us free.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Integrity in Work: True integrity is demonstrated not by outward performance but by inward sincerity, doing what is right even when no one is watching. This kind of integrity is rooted in reverence for Christ, not in the desire for human approval. When our actions are shaped by a pure heart, we reflect the character of Jesus in every environment, making our work a quiet but powerful testimony. [41:45]
• 2. Excellence as Worship: Excellence in our tasks is not about achieving perfection or gaining recognition, but about offering our best as an act of worship to God. Every task, whether seen or unseen, becomes sacred when done with care and commitment for the Lord. This transforms even the most ordinary responsibilities into opportunities to honor God and point others to Him. [46:57]
• 3. Eternal Perspective: Keeping an eternal perspective means recognizing that our true reward comes from Christ, not from earthly success or praise. This mindset enables us to persevere in difficult or unnoticed work, trusting that God sees and values our faithfulness. It frees us from the tyranny of comparison and striving, anchoring our hope in the inheritance that awaits us in Christ. [52:07]
• 4. The Slow Work of Transformation: Spiritual growth is often slow and hidden, much like the process of smoking meat. The Holy Spirit works deeply and patiently within us, shaping our character over time. Even when we cannot see immediate results, we are called to trust the process, knowing that God is forming us into the likeness of Christ for His purposes. [58:52]
• 5. Communion and Identity: Remembering Christ’s sacrifice through communion grounds our identity in His grace and not in our performance. This act of remembrance is a call to return to the truth that sets us free, to live as forgiven people shaped by grace, and to let that truth inform every aspect of our lives—including our work. In Christ, even the most ordinary moments become part of something extraordinary. [62:52]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [27:47] - Worship: Following Jesus Anywhere
• [29:56] - Introduction to Discipleship in the Workplace
• [30:34] - The Brisket Analogy: Slow Transformation
• [33:19] - Discipleship is Slow and Intentional
• [35:14] - Reading Colossians 3:22-24
• [35:57] - Historical Context: Work in Roman Society
• [37:15] - Reframing Work as Service to Christ
• [39:44] - Three Observations on Work
• [40:23] - Integrity: Working When No One is Watching
• [45:46] - Excellence: Working for the Lord
• [50:50] - Eternal Perspective: True Reward from Christ
• [53:31] - Trusting the Process: Lessons from Smoking Meat
• [56:52] - Pulling It Together: Our True Identity
• [58:52] - The Slow Work of the Spirit
• [60:12] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
• [64:51] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Reading

Colossians 3:22-24 (ESV) — _Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 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._

Observation Questions

1. According to Colossians 3:22-24, what is the motivation Paul gives for how we should approach our work?
2. In the sermon, what analogy does the pastor use to describe the process of spiritual growth and transformation? ([31:15])
3. What are the three main principles the pastor draws from the passage about how we should work? ([39:07])
4. How does Paul’s instruction about work challenge the way people in the lowest positions of society might have viewed their daily tasks? ([37:15])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that integrity means doing what is right even when no one is watching. Why does Paul connect this kind of integrity to “fearing the Lord” rather than seeking human approval? ([41:45])
2. The pastor describes excellence as offering our best as an act of worship, not for recognition. How does this change the way someone might approach tasks that seem small or unnoticed? ([46:57])
3. The sermon talks about having an “eternal perspective” in our work. How does knowing that our true reward comes from Christ affect the way we handle discouragement or lack of recognition? ([52:07])
4. The analogy of smoking meat is used to describe spiritual growth. What does this analogy teach about the pace and visibility of transformation in a Christian’s life? ([33:19])

Application Questions

1. Think about your current work or daily responsibilities (whether paid, unpaid, at home, or elsewhere). In what specific ways could you approach these tasks “as for the Lord and not for men” this week? ([45:46])
2. The sermon emphasizes integrity—doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Can you recall a recent situation where you had to choose between what was right and what was easy? How did you respond, and what would you do differently next time? ([41:45])
3. Excellence is described as giving your best as an act of worship, not striving for perfection. Is there a task in your life right now that you tend to do half-heartedly? What would it look like to offer your best in that area this week? ([46:57])
4. The pastor shared a story about being known as the “church guy” at work, and how quiet faithfulness opened doors for spiritual conversations. Is there someone in your life who might notice your faith by the way you work or live? How could you be more intentional in your witness? ([49:35])
5. The sermon encourages us to keep an eternal perspective, especially when our work feels unnoticed or unrewarded. When have you felt discouraged by a lack of recognition? How can remembering your “inheritance from the Lord” help you persevere? ([52:07])
6. The analogy of smoking meat highlights the slow, patient work of the Holy Spirit. Are there areas in your life where you feel like you’re not changing fast enough? How can you trust God’s process and remain faithful even when you don’t see immediate results? ([33:19])
7. During communion, we are reminded that our identity is rooted in Christ’s sacrifice, not our performance. How does this truth free you from striving for approval in your work or daily life? ([01:02:52])