CRCF””9-5-10
Labor Day
The first Labor Day parade was held in New York City
on September 5, 1882.
20,000 workers marched in a parade up Broadway
carrying banners that read:
“LABOR CREATES ALL WEALTH.”
“EIGHT HOURS FOR WORK,
EIGHT HOURS FOR REST,
EIGHT HOURS FOR RECREATION!”
This was the desired goal for all American workers.
After the parade was over, picnics were held all over the city.
Celebrants ate Irish stew,
homemade bread and apple pie.
When evening came, fireworks were set off.
And over the next few years,
the idea spread from coast to coast.
All states began to celebrate Labor Day.
In the year 1894 Congress voted it a federal holiday
–a day set aside to celebrate the value and dignity of work.
But we live in a world that, more often than not, adopts THIS mindset (“Hard Work” Slide).
And, if we”™re honest, even we, as followers of Jesus, have the same mindset.
We”™re about to see that Jesus is interested in the work we do and how we do it!
ME
I”™m thankful to have the ability to work and to be currently employed””it really IS a blessing in today”™s economy!
But I need to be reminded of God”™s perspective on my work fairly often.
YOU
Do you go through the work week with God”™s perspective on your work?
You may be thinking, “I didn”™t know God even HAD a perspective about my job!”
GOD
Work was God”™s idea and was given as a gift to humanity before Adam/Eve sinned.
Genesis 2:15 (NLT)
15 The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.
Laziness and failure to work are addressed strongly in the Bible:
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 (NLT)
10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”
11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people”™s business. 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.
Who Do You Work For?
Ephesians 6:5-9
We are to show the world Who we worship by how we work.
As we read these verses, I want to point out that Paul is teaching the Ephesians how to live a life controlled by the Holy Spirit. All of this goes back to . . .
Ephesians 5:18 (NLT)
18 Don”™t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.
VERY PRACTICAL””changes the way we live life!
We are to show the world Who we worship by how we work.
Eugene Peterson
We must take the good news “into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love and becoming like Christ.”
Ephesians 6:5-9 (MSG)
5-8Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.
9Masters, it’s the same with you. No abuse, please, and no threats. You and your servants are both under the same Master in heaven. He makes no distinction between you and them.
We are to show the world Who we worship by how we work.
Andrew Carnegie
The average person puts only 25 percent of his energy and ability into his work. The world takes off its hat to those who put in more than 50 percent of their capacity, and stands on its head for those few and far between who devote 100 percent. (Swindoll, 319)
How often do we look more like this in our efforts at work? (Percentages Per Day Slide)
We are to show the world Who we worship by how we work.
YOU
What”™s your motivation as you work?
Our world says it”™s ALL about MONEY. Now, it IS about money to some extent””and that”™s part of God”™s design.
But there”™s far more to work for followers of Jesus!
Gordon Dahl
Most middle-class Americans tend to worship their work, to work at their play, to play at their worship. As a result, their meanings and values are distorted. Their relationships disintegrate faster than they can keep them in repair, and their lifestyles resemble a cast of characters in search of a plot. (Swindoll, 621)
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Ronnie McBrayer
Too many times we who stand behind pulpits or travel to the “mission field” (whatever that means) monopolize the market on doing God”™s work. But everyone ”“ everyone ”“ has opportunity to do the work of God.
We are to show the world Who we worship by how we work.
What about BAD bosses? Surely we”™re off the hook on working like this for them, right? WRONG!
1 Peter 2:18-25 (NLT)
18 You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you””not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 19 For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
22 He never sinned,
nor ever deceived anyone.
23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.
24 He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds
you are healed.
25 Once you were like sheep
who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
the Guardian of your souls.
We are to show the world Who we worship by how we work.
1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)
19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
Even in tough work environments””and maybe, especially in tough workplaces– we are to show the world Who we worship by how we work.
WE
Think about the impact that we could have in our workplaces and throughout our community if we consistently showed the world Who we worship by how we work.
As we get ready to come to the Lord”™s Table, realize that your job is a key avenue for showing the world what Jesus”™ death and resurrection are really worth!
So as you come to the table, use this time to refocus your perspective on your job and to ask God to strengthen you to work in a way that will show Who Jesus is!
Celebration of the Lord”™s Supper