About

Big Apple Chapel is a New Testament based church in New York City, modeled after the pattern of the early church, with a strong emphasis on following Christ as a community of His disciples.

Services
  • Sunday - 10:30 am
  • 520 8th Ave, 16th floor
    New York, NY
  • phone: +1 (973) 837-1041
 

Sermons

BAC Sermons

Work as Worship: Biblical View of Work - part 2
2009-09-27

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I. WRONG Reasons for working

  1. To meet my needs, earn a living, keep body and soul together (Mt 6:11.25-33)
  2. To make a lot of money by working hard (I Tim 6:6-10; Haggai 1:6-7)
  3. To satisfy my desires for power, pleasure, & possessions (1Jn 2:16-17)
  4. To make as much money as I can without going to jail (Mk 4:19)
  5. To develop my sense of worth, significance or ego (Mt 6:26; Jer 9:23-24)
  6. Help the economy by obtaining means to be a good consumer (Dt 28:38-42)
  7. To find security, significance, self-worth, pleasure outside of God (Gen 3:6)
  8. To use the talents God has given  (I Pt 4:10)
  9. To gain a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. (Ecc 2:24-26)
  10. Produce something of intrinsic, lasting value (Ec 2:11; 2Pt 3:10-11; Jn 6:27)

*2Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may have an abundance for every good work.

II. RIGHT Reasons for Working

  1. It is commanded {created with capacity for work - Gen 1:26-28; 2:15...became difficult after the Fall}
  2. It is the channel through which God provides for our needs (2Thess 3:6-15)
  3. It enables us to give generously (Eph 4:28; 2Cor 9:11)
  4. It develops our character and skills for God (1Sam 16:21f)
  5. It establishes our testimony with unbelievers (I Thess 4:11-12)
  6. It provides opportunity to be polished and refined (Js 1:2-4)
  7. Provides opportunity for reward by God (I Pt 2:18-20)

III. Work Can Be A Worshipful Witness……if done Biblically

  1. When in balance (Ps 127:2; Pr 31)            
  2. When gossip-free (Eph 4:29)    
  3. When free of selfish ambition (Js 3:13-18)
  4. When done in wisdom (Eph 5:15-16)       
  5. When done in love (Mt 7:12)
  6. When done with good works (Mt 5:16)
  7. When done as a light (Phil 2:15)
  8. When done with excellence (Ecc 9:l0: Pr 22:29)

IV. Work Can Be ENJOYED……Only if We PLEASE GOD

(Ecc 2:24-26)

  1. Obediently with sincerity of heart (Col 3:22)
  2. With Integrity (1Pt 2:12)                            
  3. Submissively (unjust/unreasonable 1Pt 2:13-20)
  4. With Humility (Pr 22:4; 27 2)
  5. Selflessly (Phil 2:3-5)`
  6. Contentedly (Phil 2:12-15; 4:ll)
  7. Joyfully/Worry-free (Phil 4:4-6)
  8. Diligently (Pr 18:9)

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

  1. What are the advantages to an employer of a Christian employee? Any disadvantages? Would you hire yourself?
  2. What common difficulties of your job could be eliminated if you applied the Scriptural principles of work? What should change?
  3. What are the most valuable assets you have to offer an employer/client?
  4. Does your job match your design and  objectives? If not, why not change?
  5. If Jesus were your direct boss, would your performance change? Should it?
  6. Are you working for an eternal paycheck or just a temporal one?
  7. Which of the TOYL Top Ten Time Wasters and Savers could you apply this week?