WEBVTT 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:21.280 In this series, we are looking for Christ-centered solutions for everyday problems. 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:25.199 I hope the messages in this series are encouragement to you. 00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:28.399 Try to follow Christ every day. 00:00:33.119 --> 00:00:41.920 Does a joy uh fill your heart as you watch this caravan of kiddos exit through that door and make their way to children's church? 00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:52.880 An environment where our kindergartners, first, and second graders have the opportunity to hear the life-changing truth that is found in God's word. 00:00:53.840 --> 00:01:05.200 An environment where our kindergartners, first, and second graders open God's word and they encounter the one, they learn about the one who is the capital T truth, Jesus Christ. 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:08.640 And here's what I want us to understand this morning. 00:01:08.959 --> 00:01:13.599 That's not only the purpose of children's church, right? 00:01:14.239 --> 00:01:23.519 That's the purpose of God's church who gathers in this sanctuary and in sanctuaries across our community and world at times like this on a Sunday morning. 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:34.879 We have the opportunity to open God's word together and to hear his life-changing truth that is written for us. 00:01:36.319 --> 00:01:37.760 Hear that again, congregation. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:46.079 This is an opportunity and a privilege to gather with God's people and to study God's word together. 00:01:46.400 --> 00:02:00.239 Because in the pages of God's word, we hear the story, we learn about, we have the opportunity to encounter face-to-face with the one who is the capital T truth, Jesus Christ. 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:09.360 And in this room, we're going to encounter Jesus as we continue our current series, Life Hacks. 00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:16.960 All because in this series we are applying Christ-centered solutions to everyday problems. 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:27.840 We're bringing Jesus, who lived on this earth 2,000 years ago, who now reigns in heaven at the right hand of God the Father. 00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:37.280 We are bringing that very same Jesus to bear upon the problems that you and I face on an everyday basis. 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:45.759 That is the life-changing truth of God's word at work in your life and in the life of your family and in the life of our church. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:53.120 And I want you to remember these biblical Christ-centered life hacks are not a quick fix. 00:02:53.520 --> 00:02:55.039 What did we say in week one? 00:02:55.199 --> 00:03:01.759 We talked about how these biblical Christ-centered life hacks often will require repetition. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:05.280 It's going to involve a process in our life. 00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:08.960 It's going to demand that you adopt a new habit. 00:03:09.680 --> 00:03:14.479 And so one sermon on one specific problem isn't enough. 00:03:14.560 --> 00:03:16.479 It's something we have to work on. 00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:24.240 So let me just remind you of what we talked about in weeks one and two, because I hope you're still working on it. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:29.599 I hope you're still processing what God is calling you to. 00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:38.319 So in week one of the series, we tackled the biggest problem that each of us face: the human heart. 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:42.560 Do you remember the prophet Jeremiah's assessment of the human heart? 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:49.520 Prophet Jeremiah said that the human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. 00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:58.879 The human heart utters all sorts of lies and it hardens us towards the presence of God. 00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:01.599 That's a pretty big problem. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:05.199 That's why we need a Christ-centered solution. 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:13.280 Another prophet, the prophet Ezekiel, described that solution when he talks about God promising the gift of a new heart. 00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:14.960 A heart that is what? 00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:17.279 Tender and responsive. 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:18.319 Tender. 00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:22.720 That means you're aware of God's presence in the world. 00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:26.639 You're aware of how God is at work in your life and you're responsive. 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:31.600 You hear God's voice, you read God's commands, and you obey. 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:33.680 You follow through. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:44.800 And then we talked about, remember, we talked about this suggestion, this prayer called a daily review or a daily examine? 00:04:44.959 --> 00:04:53.040 That at the end of the day we ask God first, show me where you were at work, help me to be tender to your presence. 00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:59.279 And then God help me kind of review my responses throughout the day. 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:04.160 Did my responses throughout this 24-hour period reflect the character of Christ? 00:05:04.399 --> 00:05:06.160 Demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit? 00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:09.759 Were they led and guided by the Holy Spirit? 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:13.199 How's your heart? 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:15.120 You got to keep working on it. 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:16.800 It's a really big problem. 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:23.279 And then last week in week two, uh, we broached the problem of time. 00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:28.480 And remember, our core problem when it comes to time is how we prioritize time. 00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:42.319 Too often we choose what is urgent over what is important, what's optional over what's essential, the immediate over the ultimate, what's a waste over what is wise. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:44.639 It's a big problem. 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:48.240 We need a Christ-centered solution. 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:54.160 And we found that solution in that story about the two sisters, Mary and Martha. 00:05:54.800 --> 00:06:02.800 And in that story, what we learned is that there is really only one true priority in life, and it is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:05.439 He is the one who is always what? 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:06.800 Essential. 00:06:07.040 --> 00:06:11.040 Time with him is always time wisely spent. 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:19.279 And so I just asked you at the end of last week's sermon, you know, let's set some priorities in our life. 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:22.160 Let's set the priority in our life. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:24.079 Did you follow through? 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:29.839 I remember that first idea was just to establish a daily and a weekly rhythm for you and your family. 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:32.879 Like to clear the calendar. 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:41.279 And then put the priority of Jesus on the calendar and then let everything else kind of fill in the blank space around Jesus. 00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:46.800 And then the second step was to evaluate your calendar and commitments. 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:55.120 We may have to say no, we may have to back out, we may have to cancel some plans because Jesus is the priority. 00:06:56.879 --> 00:07:08.720 Again, I urge you to continue to apply those Christ-centered solutions because they are so practical and they are life-changing truth for you and for your family. 00:07:11.519 --> 00:07:14.480 But we need to move on today to a third problem. 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:16.639 Third problem is this. 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:23.199 I want us today to talk about the problem we face when Monday morning rolls around. 00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:26.800 The problem we face when we go to work. 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:35.920 Whether we work inside the home or outside the home, or our work because of our season in life is our volunteer opportunities. 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:40.240 Let's talk about Monday through Friday. 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:42.560 TGIF. 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:45.120 Are you familiar with that acronym, TGIF? 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:52.800 I remember that acronym first because of the uh Friday night block of programming on ABC when I was a kid. 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:53.920 Do y'all remember that? 00:07:54.079 --> 00:07:55.920 Perfect strangers, right? 00:07:56.160 --> 00:07:59.439 Um Family Matters and uh Full House. 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:02.160 That was TGIF programming. 00:08:02.639 --> 00:08:06.000 And those four letters, TGIF, stand for what? 00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:11.519 Thank goodness it's Friday! Thank goodness it's Friday. 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:23.439 But those um four letters, that acronym, not only make a declaration, they actually I think ask us a question. 00:08:23.839 --> 00:08:25.120 And here it is. 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:30.720 Why am I so thankful when Friday rolls around? 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:34.960 Isn't it just another day of the week? 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:37.600 Another night on the calendar? 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:43.919 Why am I so thankful when Friday rolls around? 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:50.960 Maybe you're thankful because you know I get to turn off the laptop and go to the game. 00:08:51.440 --> 00:09:03.919 Or you think, I'm thankful on Friday afternoon because I get the opportunity to put down the briefcase, hang up the backpack, uh, take out my golf clubs, pull out my fishing pole. 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:08.080 Now I get to spend my time how I want to. 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:15.200 Or you think about that you get to exchange your suit for a pair of shorts? 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:20.480 You're thankful because on Saturday morning you don't set an alarm. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:43.519 Ultimately, I think all of us are thankful when Friday rolls around because we have this opportunity on Friday evening to shift, to shift from the frenzy and the demands of the work week to the promise of relaxation on the weekend. 00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:46.960 But you know what? 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:51.919 It never seems like Monday is that far away, does it? 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:55.200 Monday's always looming in the background. 00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:59.120 The weekend is never long enough. 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:09.759 And sooner than you know, like just like snap of the fingers, Saturday, Sunday are over, and Monday's here. 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:17.120 And on Monday morning, um we exchanged T G I F for these four uh letters. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:20.480 I made this up, O-N-I-M. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:22.399 O-N-I-M. 00:10:22.720 --> 00:10:26.799 And it stands for, oh no, it's Monday. 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:29.919 Oh no, it's back. 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:32.480 Oh no, it's here again. 00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:37.039 Why do people say it's oh no, it's Monday? 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:44.960 Maybe for a student, you're going to school and you look ahead for the work that is required this next week and you say, oh no, it's Monday. 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:47.919 I have three tests and two quizzes and a paper that's due. 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:55.919 You say, oh no, because the workload over the next five days feels really overwhelming. 00:10:56.480 --> 00:11:04.320 Or you say, oh no, it's Monday because you know, the moment I walk through the door at the office, I'm gonna see my boss face to face. 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:08.399 And just to be honest, my boss is really unreasonable and really unlikable. 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:10.080 I don't want to be around that person. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:12.080 Oh no, I have to see him. 00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:20.240 Or you say, oh no, because of your coworkers or your classmates. 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:25.279 And you're just tired of all the gossip and the snide remarks and the rude comments. 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:37.120 You're tired of going to a place 40 plus hours a week and just being surrounded by meanness, being surrounded by people who are just negative all the time. 00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:41.120 Or, oh no, it's Monday. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:58.879 Because, you know, I'm gonna spend 40 plus hours over the next week at a job and behind a desk and working on an assignment or completing a project or finishing up a task, and in the back of your mind, you know, I'm gonna spend 40 plus hours on all of these things, and I don't even know if it matters. 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:02.240 I don't know if it even gives any value. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:19.840 And maybe in the back of your head, you know, uh when it comes to work and in an office environment, you know, it does matter to my family because I'm gonna earn a paycheck, and it matters to them to have a roof over their head and food in the refrigerator and clothes in the closet, gas in the tank. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:25.759 It matters, there's value to them, but you maybe in your heart you're thinking, does it matter to God? 00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:30.799 And does it matter to anyone outside of the four walls of my home? 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:35.200 For those reasons and so many more. 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:51.759 Um, according to the Gallup uh polling group, only 20% of people in the United States, people who work outside the home, strongly agree with the statement that they like what they do every single day. 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:54.559 Think about that. 00:12:54.720 --> 00:13:00.879 20% of people in our country strongly agree I really like my job. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:03.279 I really enjoy going to work. 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:20.159 That means 80%, 80% of you say to yourself on Monday morning, oh no, it's Monday, oh no, I have to go back, oh no, I have to go to school, oh no, I have to sit in my office, oh no, I have to go to that meeting. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:26.399 And maybe that's why, according to the CDC, that um 9 a.m. 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:31.600 on Monday morning is the peak time for cardiac events in the United States. 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:37.440 We're aware of this. 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:45.919 And so many of us we we think of work, uh, we put it under the heading of a necessary evil in life, don't we? 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.840 Work is the necessary evil. 00:13:48.080 --> 00:14:01.919 Work is the drudgery that I endure, uh, the pain I put myself through so that I can get to all the things in life that make me happy, that give me fulfillment, that I learn and I love to enjoy. 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:06.480 All of us are just kind of living for the weekend, Monday through Friday. 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:12.080 We can't wait for Friday evening and Saturday morning to roll around. 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:22.159 But that mindset where we just endure work so we can enjoy the weekend presents all of us with a really big problem. 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:27.919 Statistics and scripture are in agreement on this. 00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:42.720 Listen, statistics, what sociologists have learned by surveying and doing interviews and what God's word declares, the truth above any other lower T case truth, are in agreement on this. 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:50.399 Meaningful work, meaningful work is a critical part of a fulfilling life. 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:58.559 Meaningful work is a critical, vital part of a fulfilling life. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:02.320 That means work isn't a necessary evil. 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:05.840 Work is necessary and it's good. 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:25.200 So that same Gallup poll that I mentioned earlier determined that whether or not a person likes their job is the most determinative factor in whether or not that person experiences overall well-being in their life. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:41.679 In fact, on that same poll determined this: that people who enjoy their job are actually twice as likely to be thriving in their overall life as people who don't enjoy their job. 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:44.879 So that's the statistic. 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:52.159 And maybe some of us we don't want to take statistics very seriously, and we're like, I don't know if I trust this polling company. 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:56.720 I don't know if they've got an agenda that wants people to think that they should have a job. 00:15:56.799 --> 00:16:06.639 I don't know where we land on that, but I think maybe we're all in agreement that God's word is true and we should trust God's word and we should let God's word guide us and shape our lives. 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:09.279 Proverbs uh 12, 24 says this. 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:12.799 It says the diligent find freedom in their work. 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:17.360 The lazier oppressed by work. 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:20.879 Hear that first phrase again. 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:24.559 The diligent find freedom in their work. 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:34.080 Freedom and work aren't uh two words that we generally bring together, are they? 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:41.279 Instead, I think of work, generally, we think of work as what? 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:44.159 Back to the pits, right? 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:47.840 Back to the place you don't want to go. 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:52.399 But God's word says that work can be freeing. 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:55.039 That means work can be fulfilling. 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:59.840 You can enjoy your life not just on Saturday and Sunday. 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:07.119 You are meant to enjoy your life, to enjoy even your work on Monday through Friday. 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:13.680 You see, we can actually have a change in mindset, according to God's word. 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:18.400 From oh no, it's Monday to thank goodness it's Monday. 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:20.559 Praise God, I've got a job. 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:22.960 Woohoo! I get to go to work. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:27.680 Thank goodness it's Monday, I get to go to school. 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:32.240 Awesome, I get an opportunity to learn, and my own kids are like, ugh. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:48.160 That new mindset from oh no, it's Monday to thank goodness it's Monday, it's founded upon, I think, this twofold biblical uh truth. 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.799 This twofold biblical truth. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:52.559 We have to understand work rightly. 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:55.200 And here's how we need to understand work rightly. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:59.759 Work is a gift and a grind. 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:06.720 Work is a gift and a grind. 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:26.559 And child of God, if you want to find freedom and fulfillment and even enjoyment Monday through Friday, when you work outside the home, inside the home, or because your seasoned life, your work is the volunteering in our community. 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:33.759 You need to have this mindset that's shaped by this biblical truth that work is a gift and a grind. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:48.400 And to help this truth really take heart, take root in our hearts this morning, um, I want us just to consider a few verses that are found in the very first book of the Bible, uh, the book of Genesis. 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:53.519 And the first verse I want to read for us is uh from Genesis chapter 2, verse 2. 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:55.920 Genesis chapter 2, verse 2. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:57.039 Remember what was our statement? 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:59.279 Work is a gift and a grind. 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:01.599 Genesis 2, 2 says this. 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:10.160 On the seventh day, God had finished his, everybody say that word with me, work of creation. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:17.759 There are all sorts of debates that surround Genesis 1 and 2. 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:26.160 Seven literal days, seven epochs, seven eras, is it historical narrative, is it poetry? 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:35.440 We have all of these debates about Genesis one and two, and then because we're having those debates, we lose details. 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:40.640 Like Genesis chapter two, verse two. 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:48.559 We lose like an important theological truth that applies to our lives. 00:19:49.440 --> 00:20:02.480 Because according to Genesis two, verse two, before a human ever worked on the earth, God worked to create the earth. 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:21.920 For six days, God worked, He created, and that observation is profoundly important when it comes to our conception and our relationship to work. 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:27.920 That before you were ever asked to work, God worked. 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:36.960 You see, uh, there are some of us in this room who coming into this morning, we believed work is a gift. 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:43.519 We believe that, but the reason we believe it is because we think it's a part of an economic philosophy. 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:52.000 Or the reason we believe that work is a gift is because it was a work ethic instilled in us by our parents. 00:20:52.880 --> 00:21:00.000 Or some of us we think, man, work's a gift because I have my dream job and I'm making more money than I ever believed possible. 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:03.359 Work is a gift, I can't imagine anything else. 00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:17.440 But for people of faith, this statement that work is a gift isn't rooted first and foremost in any of those, in an economic philosophy, in a work ethic instilled, or the possibility of a dream job. 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:24.640 Work is a gift, is a reflection of the nature and the activity of God. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:39.359 So in the ancient world, um, the idea of a God who works was unique to the people of ancient Israel. 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:46.319 The other religions, so all the other pagan religions actually taught this about their gods. 00:21:46.480 --> 00:22:00.799 Um, that whoever their gods were, be it uh Molech or be it Baal or all the gods of Egypt, um, those gods, the reason they created people was for people to work for For them. 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:09.200 It was their job and the role of the people, people like you and me, to make sure the gods had food and the gods had drink and the gods had everything they wanted. 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:13.039 And if the God didn't have it, they would take it from the people on the earth. 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:16.240 That was the stories these ancient people told. 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:20.400 But not the God of Israel. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:30.319 The God of Israel got to work while all these other gods said, Oh, I'm just here to relax, I'm here to have a life of leisure, I'm here for no one to interfere with my life. 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:33.839 You do the hard work, you do the heavy lifting. 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:46.160 In fact, in ancient Greece, um there were laws passed in cities that said, if you were a citizen of this city, you cannot have a job. 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:48.000 You cannot work. 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:50.480 Work is only for slaves. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:23:02.319 In fact, the the philosopher Aristotle argued in one of his writings that to have a fulfilling and a meaningful life would be you need to be unemployed. 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:10.720 Because then you had all this spare time to contemplate all of the higher thoughts and higher planes of this world. 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:18.000 And so the God Zeus, who's at the top of their pantheon of gods, you know who Zeus was? 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.680 He was a God who didn't work. 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:31.039 He was a God who liked to play, he was a God who liked to relax, he was a God who liked to drink a lot of wine, he was a God who just had a good time all the time and took what he wanted. 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:33.200 He took advantage of people. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:36.960 That's why the Greeks didn't want to work. 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:45.119 By contrast, God's word tells us that Yahweh, the one true God of Israel, works. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:52.960 The ancients outside of Israel, they believed because their gods did not work, that work was demeaning. 00:23:55.200 --> 00:24:10.640 But the people of Israel, because their God worked before they ever had a job, they saw that all work was dignifying, that work had the potential to ascribe value and bring fulfillment and even enjoyment in a person's life. 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:16.319 And so God, in the creation story, what does he do? 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:23.519 Not only does God work, he invites us to work with him. 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:27.599 He invites us to receive the gift of work. 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:39.759 Later on in Genesis chapter 2, verse 15, we read, The Lord placed the man in the garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:47.599 God places Adam in Eden to work. 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:52.319 To tend and watch over the garden. 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:55.039 So to hear this. 00:24:55.279 --> 00:25:09.119 God has placed you in El Doredo, whether you work inside the home, outside the home, or your work because of your season of life, is volunteering and serving in this community. 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:12.799 God has put you like He placed Adam in Eden. 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:20.559 He has put you in El Dorado to tend and to care for and to watch over this community. 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:26.400 And this is a big kind of shift in our mind on work. 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.279 You see? 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:32.720 So work according to Scripture is for the sake of other people. 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:40.480 It's not Adam, you're gonna work and it's gonna make your life better. 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:43.599 You're gonna work and you're gonna have more. 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:50.000 You're gonna accumulate, you'll have more money, you'll have a bigger home, you'll have newer cars and nicer clothes. 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:53.359 No, Adam, your work is to what? 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:58.720 Watch over and care for the creation I'm putting you in the midst of. 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:16.960 Uh, to love our neighbor as ourself. 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:19.599 That's when we say work is a gift. 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:30.000 It's our opportunity to partner with God in the world and to fulfill what he's already begun to do in caring for his creation. 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:37.599 And it's easier for some of us because of our occupations to see how that's true. 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:50.480 It's easy, I think, or the line, the connection is clear for teachers and coaches and nurses, people who care for people on a daily basis, invest in them day in and day out. 00:26:52.559 --> 00:27:07.200 But it's the same is true for lawyers and um bankers and people who work for the road department and uh people who work in city government and people who are real estate agents. 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:16.079 Um, you name the profession, trainers, whatever you do, you are the fingers of God in the world. 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:20.880 Work is a gift, you get to partner with God. 00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:23.279 Do y'all know who the name Martin Luther? 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:28.559 Familiar with the name Martin Luther, the great, you know, start of the Protestant Reformation. 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:40.720 Luther kind of helps us think through how all of these occupations that are too many to name in this room this morning can be the fingers of God in the world. 00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:47.519 Um, Luther one day in part of his writings is reflecting upon this verse, Psalm 147, verse 13. 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:49.920 Psalm 147, 13 says this. 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:57.039 It says, He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within. 00:27:57.920 --> 00:28:02.240 He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses the people within. 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:10.240 The bars, that's symbolized in the Psalm 147, the safety, the security, and the well-being of a city. 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:12.640 Of a community of people. 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.519 And Luther began to ask himself this. 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:20.400 He began to say, how does God strengthen the bars of a city? 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:26.480 How does God promote the safety, security, and well-being of a community of people? 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:37.680 And I think Luther knew in the back of his mind that God could station the angel Gabriel at the gates to strengthen the bars, but he had never seen God do that. 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:46.000 Or God could station a garrison of angels inside the gates, but Luther had never seen God do that. 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:52.480 So he just continues to mold this over in his mind, and he comes to this conclusion. 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:57.359 He says that God strengthens the bars of the city. 00:28:57.680 --> 00:29:20.720 He promotes the safety, security, and well-being through good government, through good ordinances, through good order, through every occupation, through people who go to work and do it for God. 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:41.440 Luther knew that every vocation has the opportunity to be the fingers of God in the world, seeking the safety and the security and the well-being of the community in which that person lives. 00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:45.119 Let's translate that into contemporary culture. 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:47.440 Let's really bring it home for us. 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:49.039 Psalm 147, right? 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:53.200 Translated into contemporary culture, says that God strengthens the bars. 00:29:53.440 --> 00:30:08.240 He promotes the safety, the security, and the well-being of El Dorado through the work of police officers, through the mayor's office, through people who serve on city council, through road crews to repave roads, right? 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:15.759 Like you need good roads so that people can go to stores and not have their tires blown out every all the time, right? 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:24.000 In a city, like a strong city that promotes well-being, it's a just city, right? 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:37.599 And so God, he says the fingers of God can also be like judges and lawyers and paralegals, people who want to see God's justice reign and the right and things made right and fair. 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:45.680 And God promotes the well-being of a city through a good economy, right? 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.519 Yeah. 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:53.920 For a city to prosper, there has to be an economy that is functioning. 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:58.319 And so you need people to make small business loans, right? 00:30:58.480 --> 00:31:02.000 To give people a chance if they want to start a business, bankers. 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:04.400 You get to be the fingers of God. 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.359 You do. 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:13.519 In a city that is safe and secure needs homes where families can live. 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:18.000 Realtors help with that and builders help with that. 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:22.799 And we need fuel in our cars, don't we? 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:27.440 To get to school and to get to work and to go to the store and to run errands. 00:31:27.920 --> 00:31:37.680 And see, fingers of God, that means guys who uh who work in the oil fields or guys who work at the refinery or work at a gas station or work on cars as mechanics. 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:40.240 They are the fingers of God. 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:54.160 And those who work with children, whether it be a stay-at-home mom or a teacher or a childcare worker, strengthen our bars by investing in the next generation. 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:58.400 Work is a gift. 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:02.400 Thank goodness it's Monday. 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:15.519 Because on Monday morning, God has given me a job, given me the opportunity so I can continue his work in the world and care for this community and make a difference just in even one person's life. 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:29.680 But even though that's the opportunity and that's the gift, it doesn't mean that work is easy, does it? 00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:32.559 Work is not only a gift, what did we say? 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.839 It's a grind. 00:32:34.640 --> 00:32:44.559 And we need to hold those two things together, the gift and the grind, because it sets our kind of um perspective when we step into the day and begin the day. 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:47.839 You know, the story of Adam and Eve, it continues, doesn't it? 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:53.599 They work in the garden, but then sin enters into the world. 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:58.079 And it's all because of sin that work is a grind. 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:04.559 Genesis chapter 3 says this that the ground is cursed because of you. 00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:08.480 All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:12.880 It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:18.400 By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat. 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:35.279 I think many of us we go to work and we're surprised when uh tensions flare up, when problems emerge, and then sometimes the tensions are so high and the problems are so big. 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:36.400 What do we want to do? 00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:38.640 I'm never going back there again. 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:40.480 I can't do it. 00:33:41.359 --> 00:33:45.440 You contemplate like sending in your resignation without another option. 00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:48.799 Like, I can't go there anymore. 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:54.160 And God's word is just like, don't be surprised by it. 00:33:54.799 --> 00:34:01.920 You should actually be surprised if everything over the course of a single working day goes according to plan. 00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:11.519 Every day there will be thorns, there will be thistles, there will be sweat on your brow because work is a grind. 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:16.719 Sin is not only in the human heart, it impacts the workplace. 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:19.920 It impacts your office and your school. 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:26.639 So, how do we accept the gift and endure the grind? 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:31.599 That's where the really the Christ-centered solution comes to bear. 00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:36.320 Colossians chapter 3, verse 23 says this. 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:45.760 Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:56.079 Work willingly at whatever you do as if you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:12.960 So when you're working with a client, meeting with a student, working with your own kids, remember the work you're doing is for the glory of Jesus. 00:35:13.599 --> 00:35:17.920 And Jesus is better than the best boss. 00:35:18.719 --> 00:35:19.360 Right? 00:35:20.719 --> 00:35:25.440 And so if a conflict emerges, he's gonna listen to you. 00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:34.159 If you don't have the strength to go on, he'll give you the strength that you need. 00:35:35.760 --> 00:35:43.199 And you can endure this grind of work because Jesus is right there with you. 00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:46.639 So, how maybe then we'll close this way. 00:35:46.800 --> 00:35:49.119 How can you apply this Christ-centered solution? 00:35:49.280 --> 00:35:55.519 If work is a gift and a grind, how do I bring Jesus into that gift and grind, right? 00:35:55.760 --> 00:35:58.639 Remember, he's your boss, and here's how you can do it. 00:35:59.280 --> 00:36:05.360 You consecrate the day to him before you go. 00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:09.920 Jesus, I know you've given me this job, and it is a gift from you. 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:11.440 I'm working for you. 00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:22.000 What if you imagined your desk at school, your table at home, wherever you do your work? 00:36:22.159 --> 00:36:25.599 What if you imagined that place to be a holy place? 00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:40.960 A place that's set apart for one of God's children to do work in the world, to tend for and to watch over God's creation. 00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:47.360 Say, I don't necessarily know that I'm equipped for this job, but God gave it to me. 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:51.199 I don't know if I necessarily would always pick this job, but God brought me to it. 00:36:51.360 --> 00:37:00.559 I don't necessarily know if I enjoy this job every single day, but for some reason God gave me this gift, and I want to accept it and know that I'm working for Jesus. 00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:06.800 This was his gift, and he will be with me in the midst of the grind. 00:37:10.880 --> 00:37:17.840 Wouldn't it be great if tomorrow morning instead of saying, oh no, it's Monday, you thought, thank goodness it's Monday. 00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:20.239 Thank goodness I get to go to work. 00:37:21.440 --> 00:37:30.960 Thank goodness I get to partner with God as I teach, as I work in the wool fields, as I see patience, as I care for my own children. 00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:35.519 No matter what your job is, you get to partner with God. 00:37:37.280 --> 00:37:44.880 Not for your welfare, for the welfare of the world around us. 00:37:46.079 --> 00:37:48.719 Let's stand together and pray. 00:37:53.519 --> 00:38:04.159 Almighty God, we thank you that you have given us this door. 00:38:04.400 --> 00:38:07.760 You open the door so that we can partner with you in the world. 00:38:10.719 --> 00:38:12.400 That work is a gift in our life. 00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:15.280 And so I pray and I just ask you right now where you're standing. 00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:21.679 Would you thank God for the work he's calling you to do in this season of life? 00:38:22.400 --> 00:38:28.800 Whether you work inside the home, outside the home, you're a retiree who's serving, volunteering. 00:38:30.719 --> 00:38:35.840 Thank God for how you get to spend your hours Monday through Friday. 00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:37.840 For school. 00:39:01.519 --> 00:39:05.360 The hurdles and the pain you anticipate and you know will come. 00:39:07.679 --> 00:39:12.239 Holy Spirit, remind us that it doesn't make the gift any less good. 00:39:17.840 --> 00:39:21.519 And now, Father, we consecrate the work week ahead. 00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:26.719 You have given it to us. 00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:32.480 We will use it for your glory, your good in this world. 00:39:33.840 --> 00:39:35.679 In Christ's name I pray. 00:39:36.000 --> 00:39:36.639 Amen. 00:39:37.440 --> 00:39:40.639 And that Christ-centered solution as we think about work. 00:39:41.280 --> 00:39:42.880 Be reminded of this. 00:39:43.199 --> 00:39:46.880 As you say, thank goodness it's Monday, thank goodness I get to go to work. 00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:51.360 Christ first worked for you, right? 00:39:53.280 --> 00:39:59.599 He is our Lord and Savior who fulfilled the Father's work on this earth. 00:40:00.239 --> 00:40:02.239 And then at the cross said, It is finished. 00:40:02.320 --> 00:40:03.599 I've finished the work. 00:40:03.760 --> 00:40:06.079 I did what you've called me to do. 00:40:06.719 --> 00:40:10.480 I've announced the kingdom of God. 00:40:19.519 --> 00:40:31.119 And when you accept the free gift of Christ and his salvation, that's when the work you have Monday through Friday can be that offering to God. 00:40:31.360 --> 00:40:35.360 When God redeems the work that you've been called to do in this world. 00:40:37.039 --> 00:40:48.000 During this time of invitation, it's a time to continue to pray, to worship, or to make that choice, that decision, to follow Jesus Christ for the first time. 00:40:49.599 --> 00:40:54.320 Will you say yes to God, however, He is leading you this morning? 00:40:54.800 --> 00:40:55.760 Let's sing.