The Spirituality of Work
Bayside Community Church
9/25/22

Col. 3:23-24 AMP- “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work
from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for
the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord
[not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest]
reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.”

God Worked:
Gen 2:1-3 NLT -  So the creation of the heavens and the earth and
everything in them was completed.  2  On the seventh day God had finished
his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.  3  And God blessed the
seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested
from all his work of creation.

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God Works:

‍Psalms 111:2-4 NKJV - The works of the LORD are great, Studied by all
who have pleasure in them. 3  His work is honorable and glorious, And His
righteousness endures forever. 4  He has made His wonderful works to be
remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

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God Works In Us:

‍Phil.1:6 NLT - 6  And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will
continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
God Works With Us:
Gen. 1:26-28 NLT - 26  Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our
image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the
sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals
that scurry along the ground.”

27  So God created human beings in his own image.
    In the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.
28  Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth
and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the
animals that scurry along the ground.”

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 Work is not the product of sin, but a major facet of God’s
original plan for human life in his world.

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 “Work becomes worship when you dedicate it to God and
perform it with an awareness of his presence.”

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 You’re identity doesn’t come from your work! You’re Identity
comes from Christ!

 You can’t take your work into eternity but you can take the value
of your stewardship & faithfulness!

 God does not want us to do holy things, He wants us to be holy
people.

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How God Wants Us to See Work

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Eph.6:5-8 NLT - 5  Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and
fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ.  6  Try to please them
all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do
the will of God with all your heart.  7  Work with enthusiasm, as though you
were working for the Lord rather than for people.  8  Remember that the Lord
will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or
free.

1. Through Work We Love God

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 Work is a Gift

Ecc. 5:18-19 NLT - 18  Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is
good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun
during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in
life.  19  And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health
to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a
gift from God.  20  God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take
no time to brood over the past.

 Work for The Lord, Not Man.

Col. 3:17 NLT -   And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Col. 3:23-24 NLT - 23  Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you
were working for the Lord rather than for people.  24  Remember that the Lord
will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are
serving is Christ.

Eph. 6:7-8 NLT - 7  Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for
the Lord rather than for people.  8  Remember that the Lord will reward each
one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

 Work With Honesty and With Diligence

Prov.10:4 NIV - Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring
wealth.
Prov.12:24 MSG - The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are
oppressed by work.

 Be Positive, Demonstrating the Fruits of the Spirit

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2. Through Work We Serve People.
 Love Others &; Remember Who You’re Representing

John 13:35 NLT - Your love for one another will prove to the world that you
are my disciples.”

 Commitment, Productivity, Perseverance, Organization,
Creativity, Communication, Respect, Leadership, Diligence

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Acts 20:35 NIV - In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard
work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus
himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ 

3. Through Work We Meet Our Own Needs.

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 Work Hard but Trust God for the Rest

Phil. 4:19 NIV - And my God will meet all your needs according to the
riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Ex.20:9-10 NLT - 9  You have six days each week for your ordinary
work,  10  but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to
the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any
work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female
servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you.

Mark 2:27 NLT -   Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to
meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the
Sabbath.

4. Through Work We Earn Money To Give To Others

2 Cor. 9:8-11 NLT - 8  And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will
always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.  9  As the
Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds
will be remembered forever.” 10  For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and
then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and
then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11  Yes, you will be enriched in every
way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who
need them, they will thank God.

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 Do Not Expect Something for Nothing

2 Thess. 3:8 NLT -   We never accepted food from anyone without paying
for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.

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