Transforming Work Through God's Commitment and Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unwavering Commitment

God's unwavering commitment to us is a foundational truth that reassures us of His constant presence and love, regardless of how distant we may feel from Him. Just as our biological parents remain our parents regardless of our relationship status, our Heavenly Father remains committed to us through Jesus Christ. This truth helps us approach our work with confidence, knowing we are cherished and valued by God. When we understand that God's commitment to us is unchanging, we can find peace and assurance in our daily tasks, knowing that we are never alone and that our efforts are seen and valued by Him. [01:45]

Isaiah 49:15-16 (ESV): "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt distant from God. How does knowing that His commitment to you is unwavering change your perspective on that experience?

Day 2: Work's Inherent Challenges

The curse of thorns and thistles introduced in Genesis 3 explains why work is inherently challenging. Despite these difficulties, work remains a significant part of God's design for human flourishing. Recognizing this helps us persevere through work's hardships, understanding that these challenges are part of a larger, divine narrative. By acknowledging that work is meant to be challenging, we can find strength and resilience in knowing that our efforts contribute to a greater purpose. This perspective allows us to face our daily tasks with a sense of purpose and determination, trusting that God is with us in every struggle. [05:54]

Ecclesiastes 3:13 (ESV): "Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man."

Reflection: What specific challenges are you facing in your work right now? How can you see these challenges as part of God's larger plan for your growth and flourishing?

Day 3: Work Reflects God's Image

Every task, no matter how mundane, is dignified and meaningful because it reflects God's image. This perspective transforms our view of work, allowing us to see it as a form of worship and a way to honor God. By doing our work unto the Lord, we find significance and purpose in even the smallest tasks. When we understand that our work is a reflection of God's creativity and purpose, we can approach our daily responsibilities with a renewed sense of dedication and joy, knowing that we are participating in God's divine plan. [10:10]

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: Think about a mundane task you do regularly. How can you approach this task as an act of worship and a reflection of God's image?

Day 4: Community-Focused Work

Our work should contribute to the well-being of others, fostering a sense of communal interdependence. This mindset shifts our focus from personal advancement to communal benefit, aligning our efforts with God's heart for community. By using our gifts to build others up, we participate in a divine pattern of mutual support and blessing. When we view our work as a means to serve and uplift those around us, we can create a positive impact that extends beyond our individual efforts, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose within our communities. [18:32]

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: How can you use your unique skills and talents to benefit your community today? What specific actions can you take to support and uplift those around you?

Day 5: Eternal Reward for Work

Our earthly efforts, though marred by thorns, will be rewarded and perfected in heaven. This eternal perspective encourages us to remain faithful and diligent in our work, knowing that our labor is not in vain. The promise of heavenly reward motivates us to give our best, trusting that God will honor and expand our work in eternity. By keeping our eyes on the eternal significance of our efforts, we can find motivation and joy in our daily tasks, knowing that our work has lasting value and will be honored by God in the life to come. [31:36]

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Reflection: How does the promise of eternal reward change your attitude towards your current work? What steps can you take to remain faithful and diligent in your daily tasks, knowing that they have eternal significance?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we continued our "Make It Rain" series by exploring how to make it rain in our work lives. We began by reflecting on God's unwavering commitment to us, even when we feel distant from Him. Just as our biological parents remain our parents regardless of our relationship status, our Heavenly Father remains committed to us through Jesus Christ. This foundational truth sets the stage for understanding the significance of our work.

We delved into the concept of work being inherently challenging due to the curse of thorns and thistles introduced in Genesis 3. Despite these challenges, work remains a significant part of God's design for human flourishing. We examined how Jesus modeled a life of rest and trust in God, even amidst His busy ministry. By viewing God as our ultimate CEO, we can shift our perspective on work, recognizing its inherent value and significance.

We discussed four key ways work is transformed when God is our CEO. First, work is always significant because it reflects God's image. Every task, no matter how mundane, is dignified and meaningful. Second, work should be focused on the community, not just personal advancement. Our efforts should contribute to the well-being of others, fostering a sense of communal interdependence. Third, work serves as a sign of God's kingdom, a hidden yet powerful testimony of His wisdom and love. Finally, work is honored and expanded in heaven. Our earthly efforts, though marred by thorns, will be rewarded and perfected in eternity.

In conclusion, we are encouraged to take the pressure off ourselves, knowing that our work is significant, community-focused, a testimony of God's kingdom, and will be honored in heaven. By trusting in God's sovereignty and viewing our work through His lens, we can find joy and purpose in our daily tasks, making it rain both here and in eternity.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Focused Work**: Our work should contribute to the well-being of others, fostering a sense of communal interdependence. This mindset shifts our focus from personal advancement to communal benefit, aligning our efforts with God's heart for community. By using our gifts to build others up, we participate in a divine pattern of mutual support and blessing. [18:32]
5. Eternal Reward for Work: Our earthly efforts, though marred by thorns, will be rewarded and perfected in heaven. This eternal perspective encourages us to remain faithful and diligent in our work, knowing that our labor is not in vain. The promise of heavenly reward motivates us to give our best, trusting that God will honor and expand our work in eternity.

### [18:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:56] - God's Commitment to Us
[01:45] - Relationship with Our Heavenly Father
[02:31] - Personal Story: Working in Construction
[03:23] - The Challenges of Work
[04:37] - Genesis 3: The Curse of Thorns
[05:54] - The Hardships of Work
[07:19] - Jesus' Example of Rest
[08:48] - God as Our CEO
[10:10] - Work is Always Significant
[11:38] - Ancient Views on Work
[13:14] - Jesus as a Worker
[14:43] - The Importance of Work
[15:57] - Work Focused on Community
[17:15] - The Story of Cain and Abel
[18:32] - Building Community Through Work
[19:51] - Dorothy Sayers on Work
[21:03] - The Impact of Selfless Work
[22:14] - Translating Work into Community Benefit
[23:39] - Personal Story: Starbucks Encounter
[25:06] - Work as a Sign of God's Kingdom
[26:28] - Wisdom in the Public Square
[27:46] - Being a Light in the Workplace
[28:48] - Representing Jesus in Our Work
[30:17] - Work Honored in Heaven
[31:36] - Eternal Perspective on Work
[33:02] - The Joy of Work in Heaven
[34:22] - Conclusion: Making It Rain

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Genesis 3:17-18, what are the consequences of Adam's disobedience regarding work? How does this relate to the challenges we face in our work today? [04:37]
In Genesis 1:28, what command does God give to humanity regarding work? How does this reflect God's original design for work? [10:10]
How does Jesus' example of resting in the boat during a storm illustrate His trust in God as His ultimate CEO? [07:19]
What does Matthew 25:21 suggest about the relationship between faithfulness in our earthly work and our responsibilities in heaven? [31:36]

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding the curse of thorns and thistles in Genesis 3:17-18 help us persevere through the difficulties in our work? [05:54]
What does it mean for our work to reflect God's image, as suggested in Genesis 1:28? How can this perspective change our approach to even the most mundane tasks? [10:10]
How can viewing God as our ultimate CEO transform our attitude towards our work and reduce the pressure we feel? [08:48]
In what ways does the promise of eternal reward in Matthew 25:21 motivate us to remain faithful and diligent in our work despite its challenges? [31:36]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did remembering His unwavering commitment to you through Jesus Christ help you approach your work with confidence? [01:45]
Think about a current challenge you are facing in your work. How can recognizing it as part of the "thorns and thistles" curse help you persevere and find meaning in it? [05:54]
Identify a task in your daily work that you often view as insignificant. How can you reframe this task as a reflection of God's image and a form of worship? [10:10]
Consider how your work benefits the community. What specific actions can you take to ensure your efforts contribute to the well-being of others rather than just personal advancement? [18:32]
How can you be a light in your workplace, representing Jesus through your actions and attitude, even without explicitly sharing your faith? [27:46]
Reflect on a dream or passion you have that feels unfulfilled. How does the promise of eternal reward and expanded work in heaven encourage you to remain faithful in your current responsibilities? [31:36]
Think of a person in your workplace who might be struggling. What is one practical way you can show them support and remind them of their significance in God's eyes? [23:39]

Sermon Clips

1. "You know, your relationship with your heavenly father is a lot like that. You may feel distant from him. You may feel like you've messed up too bad, or you can't approach him now. But listen, his commitment to you, his desire to celebrate you, his desire to cherish you, and his commitment, if he makes you his child through Jesus Christ, ain't nothing you can do about it. It don't rub off. It doesn't go away. And so I just want to remind all of us, if you're feeling a little bit, on the outs from God, he is not on the outs from you." [02:31] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Work is hard, man. If you notice this, work is hard. Work has all kinds of pressures, all kinds of stresses. There's all kinds of weird conflict. There's all kinds of weird conflict. There's all kinds of weird conflict. The people have at work. Well, the wrong person was hired over here. Well, I thought I was going to get this role, but now they have it. Now I'm butting heads with this person. Now we're not seeing eye to eye. Then, you know, the boss forgot to order that thing and now they're blaming it on me. And now I have to go out of town. I have to have this conversation. All I want to do is want to get home. I want to get some rest. And yet around and around this merry-go-round we go, there's just hardship after hardship after hardship." [05:54] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus Christ lived from a place of rest. Jesus Christ. I mean, he had a lot of work to do. And he never shied away from work, but we find him, the Bible declares that he was asleep in the boat while the storm raged around him. There's Jesus taking a nap. He's completely unperturbed by his situation. Why? Because he trusted his heavenly father. And see, to explain it a little different way, Jesus understood that the heavenly father was his real CEO. He said, he said, God's my CEO. God's my boss. And I just trust his sovereignty." [07:19] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Work is always significant. Whatever you're doing, wherever you are, whether you are the house mom, you are the mechanic, you are the bank teller, you are the cashier, whatever you do, whatever your work is, it is significant in the eyes of God. Because when you and I do it, we are imaging God. See, I can't love my work and you can't love your work. We don't see it as significant. If we don't really believe that in some way we're representing a good God, like the God of work, we can't really enjoy it the way that we're supposed to." [10:10] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You don't have to make yourself significant. Jesus has already made the work significant. So take the pressure off. So what do we do? Number one, we know that work is always significant. Number two, work is focused on the community. Work is focused on the community. You see, we have to check our motives. We have to be careful because we can build our own little kingdoms. We can say, I'm going to do work so that finally they'll know I'm going to step over this person. I'm going to aim at the promotion. I'm going to do whatever I've got to do just so that I can do it." [15:57] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "I wonder what it would be like if we just all started to see the people around us and said, it's not about me. And it's not about my agenda. It's about the community. It's about what I bring to the other lives around me. I wonder Bob Goff says every act of selfless love is a declaration of faith. And I think he's right. So work is always significant and work is focused on the community." [25:06] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Can I encourage you that you in the role you're in right now, wherever you are, maybe you're a student, maybe you're at your first job, maybe you're getting along in your career. Maybe now you're retired and you just have these different places that you go where you're plugged in, wherever you are, God knows how to get glory for himself. And he's placed you right there. And he's placed you right there. And he's placed you right there. And he's placed you right there so that you can be a sign and a wonder to say, you who, you who come this way, come this way. Look at Jesus. Look at his ways. Look how wise he is. Look how adoring he is. Look how fantastic and forgiving he is." [26:28] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You don't have to be the pastor. You don't have to be the preacher because God has strategically placed you right where you are to do the work that you're supposed to do in your context. You are a mission. You are a message from God to the people around you. Somebody say, take the pressure off. Take the pressure off." [28:48] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "You don't have to make all your dreams come true here. Some of us, you've got these things that are burning inside of you and you're passionate about stuff and time is going by and you're like, Oh, I feel like I'm running out and, and, and I could do so much more. And it's all slipping. Oh, away from me. Let's go to the text. I want you to see Jesus is explaining how it works when someone dies and they come up to the father and the father says, here's what's going to happen now based on what you did. And he's going to talk about work and this work really what that is. It is your work. It's every place you were faithful. It's every place you were obedient. It's every place that you were personally devoted to Jesus Christ." [30:17] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "You don't need to worry about the people that are always seeming like they're ahead of me. I don't need to worry about the people that are always cool and always pizzazzy and up on the tech trends and always understand all the software. I don't need to worry about these, those people because the only thing that God is going to ask me about is the work that he gave me to do. So I might as well get my eyes off everybody else and say, I'm just going to do the work I've been given and I'm going to do it great. That's how I'm going to do it because the day is going to come when God's going to reward me for this work." [33:02] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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