Work as Divine Calling: Reflecting God's Image

This morning, we reflected on the profound connection between our work and our identity as people made in the image of God. From the very beginning, God designed humanity not as an afterthought, but as an essential part of creation—so much so that the earth itself was incomplete without someone to work and care for it. Our work, whether paid or unpaid, grand or seemingly mundane, is not a punishment or a mere necessity, but a calling and a gift. God’s intention was always that we would join Him in cultivating, stewarding, and beautifying the world, reflecting His creativity, order, and goodness in all we do.

Genesis 2 reveals that work is woven into the fabric of who we are. We are not just similar to the rest of creation in our physical makeup, but we are uniquely set apart to bear God’s image, exercising authority and responsibility over the world. Naming the animals, tending the garden, and bringing order out of chaos are all ways in which we mirror God’s own creative acts. This means that every task—no matter how small—has dignity and purpose when done for God’s glory.

Yet, the reality of the Fall means that work is often difficult, frustrating, or undervalued. Still, God’s rhythm of rest and worship remains, reminding us that our worth is not in our productivity, but in our relationship with Him. We are invited to see our daily labors as opportunities to join God in His ongoing work of redemption, bringing His character and presence into our workplaces, homes, and communities.

Rather than carrying the crushing burden of “changing the world” on our own, we are called to trust that God is the one who transforms, and we are His instruments. Whether we are artists, teachers, managers, or retired, each of us has a unique role in building God’s kingdom—reflecting His beauty, justice, and love in the world. Our influence may seem small, but in God’s hands, every act of faithfulness can have eternal significance. As we go into our week, may we do so with the awareness that we are ambassadors of Christ, sent to bring His hope, peace, and goodness wherever we are placed.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Work as a Divine Calling, Not a Chore Work is not a result of the Fall or a necessary evil, but a fundamental part of God’s good creation. We were made to work, to cultivate, and to steward the world, reflecting God’s own creativity and order. Even when our jobs feel mundane or difficult, we can find purpose and dignity in knowing that our labor is a participation in God’s ongoing work. [34:02]
• 2. Our Unique Role in Creation While we share much in common with the rest of creation, humanity is uniquely set apart to bear God’s image. This means exercising authority, responsibility, and creativity in ways that reflect God’s character. Naming, shaping, and caring for the world are not just tasks, but acts of worship and partnership with God. [30:52]
• 3. Redefining Success and Influence The world often tells us we must “change the world” to have value, but Scripture reminds us that it is God who brings transformation. Our calling is to be faithful in the everyday, trusting that God can use even the smallest acts of obedience to accomplish His purposes. This perspective frees us from the pressure of self-driven achievement and invites us into humble partnership with God. [37:47]
• 4. Reflecting God’s Character in Our Workplaces Our jobs are not just about tasks, but about relationships and influence. By embodying Christ’s love, integrity, and hope in our workplaces, we become living witnesses to God’s kingdom. Simple choices—refusing to gossip, showing kindness, speaking openly about our faith—can have a profound impact, building God’s kingdom one interaction at a time. [40:03]
• 5. Work as a Means of Redemption and Mission Through Christ, our work is redeemed and given new purpose—not just to provide for ourselves, but to serve others and advance God’s kingdom. Whether we are employed, retired, or unable to work, we are all called to be ambassadors of Christ, bringing His light and hope into every sphere of life. Our daily faithfulness is part of God’s larger story of restoration.
  
  ** [44:41]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:50] - Introduction to Uganda Ministry Update
• [03:05] - Prayer for Uganda and Our Gathering
• [23:34] - Reflections on Privilege and Provision
• [24:17] - Prayers for Students and the Work in Uganda
• [24:58] - Transition to Genesis Series: The Meaning of Work
• [25:33] - Common Attitudes Toward Work
• [26:42] - Genesis 2: Creation and the Purpose of Work
• [27:16] - Authority and Purpose in Creation
• [28:17] - Humanity’s Unique Role in Creation
• [30:52] - Bearing God’s Image Through Work
• [32:33] - Creativity and Stewardship in the Garden
• [34:02] - Work as Identity and Calling
• [37:47] - Trusting God to Change the World
• [40:03] - Reflecting Christ in the Workplace
• [44:41] - Work as Redemption and Mission
• [46:16] - Closing Prayer and Sending Out
• [52:04] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Reading

Genesis 2:5-15 (ESV) — 5 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. 14 And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Genesis 1:26-28 (ESV) — 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) — 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Genesis 2, what was missing from creation before God made man, and why was this significant? ([27:39])
2. What specific tasks did God give to Adam in the garden, and how do these reflect God’s own actions in creation? ([30:52])
3. In Genesis 1:28, what does God command humanity to do, and how does this relate to the idea of “dominion” and “subduing” the earth? ([32:33])
4. How does Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19-20 connect to the original calling given to humanity in Genesis? ([42:02])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that work is not a punishment or a result of the Fall, but a calling and a gift. How does this understanding challenge common attitudes toward work today? ([34:02])
2. The act of naming the animals is described as a sign of authority and relationship. What does this suggest about the kind of responsibility God gives to people? ([30:52])
3. The sermon mentions that our worth is not found in productivity but in our relationship with God. How does this perspective affect the way someone might approach their job or daily tasks? ([34:27])
4. The idea of “changing the world” is discussed as both inspiring and burdensome. According to the sermon, what is the difference between trying to change the world on our own and joining God in His work? ([37:47])

Application Questions

1. The sermon encourages us to see our work—whether paid, unpaid, grand, or mundane—as a calling from God. What is one area of your daily life or work that you usually see as “just a chore”? How might you approach it differently this week, knowing it can be an act of worship? ([34:02])
2. Think about your current job, studies, or main daily responsibilities. In what ways can you reflect God’s creativity, order, or goodness in what you do, even if it feels small or unnoticed? ([32:33])
3. The sermon challenges the idea that we must “change the world” to have value. Have you ever felt pressure to make a big impact? How can you shift your focus to faithfulness in the everyday, trusting God with the results? ([37:47])
4. In your workplace, home, or community, what is one practical way you could reflect Christ’s character this week—such as refusing to gossip, showing kindness, or speaking about your faith? ([40:03])
5. The sermon says that rest and worship are part of God’s rhythm for us, reminding us that our worth is not in our productivity. Are you making space for rest and worship in your week? If not, what is one step you could take to build this rhythm into your life? ([34:27])
6. For those who are retired, unemployed, or unable to work, the sermon affirms that everyone has a role in God’s kingdom. What are some ways you can serve or influence others for Christ in your current season of life? ([44:41])
7. The sermon ends by reminding us that we are ambassadors of Christ wherever we are placed. Who is one person you regularly interact with who might need to see or hear about Christ’s hope through you? What is one thing you could do or say this week to be an ambassador to them? ([46:16])