1Cor1:27-29 Work for the Glory of God
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# Work for the
Glory of God ## 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 >>> + not as **exegetical** as usual: + not based on a **single** passage + but my **heartfelt** advice + from **Scripture** + **experience** + Christian **perspective** on work: + for all who have / will have **jobs** + particularly if **successful** in career + but even "non-standard" jobs: + "domestic engineer" + **non-profit** work, **church** work + Both **pitfalls** and **purpose** in work + 3 main points: --- ## Aspire to be a **fool**,
not a professional
## Work to train your **heart**
## Toil for God's kingdom
by resting in His **victory** >>> + pitfall: **snare** of professionalism + purpose: **blessing** of employ + promise: find **grace** working for God + First, a **quote** not from Scripture + billionaire innovator **Bill Gates**: --- "If innovation is purely **market driven**, we could have amazing advances in **inventions**
that leave the world even **more divided**.... >>> + 2014 Stanford **commencement** + limitations of **free-market**: + don't just go where the **money** is --- "If we have **optimism**
but we don't have **empathy**, it doesnt matter how much
we master the **secrets of science** -- we're not really **solving problems**,
we're just working on **puzzles**." [Bill Gates, Stanford commencement 2014](# "ref") >>> + science: not thrill of **discovery** + "geeking out" over possibilities + but in order to **help** fellow man + **purpose** + defn of doing **good** + Bill + Melinda Gates **Foundation** + malaria, clean water, K-12 edu + **what** is "good work"? + Worthwhile / **noble**? + What if I **can't find** a "noble" job? + **glorify** God where I am --- ## Work for the Glory of God 1. The Snare of **Professionalism** 1. The Blessing of **Employment** 1. The Grace of **God's Work** >>> + pitfalls → purpose → promise --- # Aspire to be a **fool**,
not a **professional** >>> + can't I pursue **excellence**? + **recognised** in my field? + **dangers** of the working world: --- ## 1. The Snare of Professionalism 1. Chasing the **Guild** 1. Building **Ambition** 1. Earning **Wages** >>> + 1st of 3 **pitfalls**: + **what** defines excellence? + Skill, talent, **effort**? + Sales, ROI, **recognition**? + **recognised** for contributions? + By **whom**? + **Guild**: peers + leaders in same field --- [*Science* magazine, 2013](http://science.sciencemag.org/content/342/6154/60.full "ref") [*Nature* news, 2014](http://www.nature.com/news/publishers-withdraw-more-than-120-gibberish-papers-1.14763 "ref") >>> + academia: **peer** review + checks+balances + **democratic** process ⇒ "truth" + in reality: often **echo** chamber + **popularity** contest + not wrong to be **good** at your job, + **Daniel** was recognised for it: --- The high officials and the satraps
sought to find a ground for **complaint**
against Daniel with regard to the **kingdom**, but they could find **no ground**
for complaint or any fault, because he was **faithful**,
and **no error** or **fault** was found in him. [Daniel 6:4 (ESV)](# "ref") >>> + **recognised** for excellence: + sometimes leads to **trouble**! + didn't **pursue** recog by guild + if rely on own talent / hard work: + less **room** to show God's power: --- God has chosen
the **foolish** things of the world
to shame the **wise** ... the things that are **not**,
so that He may **nullify** the things that are, so that **no man may boast** before God. [1 Corinthians 1:27, 29 (NASB)](# "ref") >>> + feel like have **no** talent / smarts? + **Good!** then God can **use** you! --- Therefore I will **boast** all the more gladly
of my **weaknesses**, so that the **power of Christ**
may rest upon me. [2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)](# "ref") >>> + be recognised, not for **achievements** + but for God's **grace** + despite my **failures** + not just weakness: even **sin**! + **hero** of story is **God**, not I --- ## 1. The Snare of Professionalism 1. Chasing the Guild 1. **Building Ambition** 1. Earning Wages >>> + guild: **recognition** by people + ambition: **pride** in own accomplishments --- Who is **wise** and **understanding** among you?
By his **good conduct** let him show his **works**
in the **meekness** of wisdom. [James 3:13 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref") >>> + true wisdom demonstrated + not in **boastful** words + but **humble** actions + "conduct" (ἀναστροφῆς): daily life + "meekness" (πραΰτητι): gentle, mild --- But if you have bitter **jealousy**
and selfish **ambition** in your hearts,
do not **boast** and be false to the truth. This is **not** the wisdom
that comes down from above, but is **earthly**, unspiritual, demonic. [James 3:14-15 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref") >>> + "jealousy" (ζῆλον): zeal, eager, pursuit + "ambition" (ἐριθείαν): day-labourer + only in it for **money** --- By his **good conduct** let him show his **works**
in the **meekness** of wisdom. [James 3:13 (ESV)](# "ref") >>> + **rockstar** software devs + "soft skills": **meekness**: humility --- ## 1. The Snare of Professionalism 1. Chasing the Guild 1. Building Ambition 1. **Earning Wages** >>> + recognition by others + pride in what I've built + **entitlement** rather than **grace** --- “Abraham **believed God**,
and it was counted to him as **righteousness**.” Now to the one who works, his **wages**
are not counted as a **gift** but as his **due**. [Romans 4:4 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref") >>> + **prayer** for meal: + "thanks for nothing, God!" + "I earned it, I **deserve** it" + "don't you know how **hard** I worked?" --- And to the one who **does not work**
but **believes** in him who **justifies** the ungodly,
his **faith** is counted as righteousness. [Romans 4:5 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref") >>> + life is a **gift** + what I deserve is **hell** + faith in **action**: + Gen15: **believed** God + Gen22 (Moriah): faith **complete** --- ## Work for the Glory of God 1. The Snare of Professionalism 1. **The Blessing of Employment** 1. The Grace of God's Work >>> + pitfall ⇒ **purpose** + **Why** did God give us work? + in **Eden**, God gave Adam work: + put → serve → keep *(Gen2:15)* + but the **toil** is from **curse** --- # Work to train
your **heart** >>> + See your **purpose** in your career as + training your **heart** to be like Christ's --- ## 2. The Blessing of Employment 1. Rejecting **Idleness** 1. **Sharing** Generously 1. Training our **Heart** Attitude >>> + Paul himself set an **example** --- For you yourselves know
how you ought to **imitate** us, because we were **not idle**
when we were with you, ... but with **toil** and **labor**
we worked night and day,
that we might not be a **burden** to any of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (ESV) (p.1/3)
>>> + **tentmaker**, paid own way + plus **church** work --- If anyone is not willing to **work**, let him not **eat**. For we hear that some among you
walk in **idleness**,
not busy at work, but **busybodies**.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 (ESV) (p.2/3)
--- Now such persons we command
and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their **work quietly**
and to earn their **own living**.
2 Thessalonians 3:12 (ESV) (p.3/3)
>>> + goal of work is not **leisure**, retire early + **dangers** in transition to retirement + when we are **idle**, purposeless + ⇒ we get ourselves into trouble + create useless **busy-work** + e.g., arrange files a certain way + legal **demand** others be same + to validate our importance --- ## 2. The Blessing of Employment 1. Rejecting Idleness 1. **Sharing Generously** 1. Training our Heart Attitude >>> + not just providing for **self** / family + extra to **share** without worry --- Let the **thief** no longer steal, but rather let him **labor**,
doing **honest work** with his **own hands**, so that he may have something to **share**
with anyone in **need**.
Ephesians 4:28 (ESV)
>>> + not just that **stealing** is bad: + work not only to provide for **self**: + even former thief can **share** + if I share, **enough** left for myself? --- He who supplies **seed** to the sower
and **bread** for food will **supply** and **multiply** your seed for sowing
and increase the **harvest** of your **righteousness**.
2 Corinthians 9:10 (ESV) (p.1/2)
>>> + Not a **zero-sum** economy! + **infinite** God + not to **store up** blessing for self: --- You will be **enriched** in every way
to be **generous** in every way, which through us will produce
**thanksgiving** to God
2 Corinthians 9:11 (ESV) (p.2/2)
>>> + **enriched** for purpose of **generosity**: + (ἁπλότητα): simplicity, openness, integrity + ultimate goal: **glory** to God --- ## 2. The Blessing of Employment 1. Rejecting Idleness 1. Sharing Generously 1. **Training our Heart Attitude** >>> + **why** work? + not to be **idle** + **share** w/others, to God's glory + for our own **hearts** + how to deal w/**bad** work situation? + **boss**, coworkers, regulations --- **Slaves**, in all things
**obey** those who are your masters on earth, not with **external** service,
as those who merely **please men**, but with **sincerity** of heart,
**fearing the Lord**.
Colossians 3:22 (NASB)
>>> + in NT: some were **slaves** when became Chr + work **feels** like slavery! + opportunity to train **faith** in Lord + esp when **powerless** at work: + God more **powerful** than corporations --- Whatever you do, do your work **heartily**,
as for the **Lord** rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive
the **reward** of the inheritance. It is the Lord **Christ** whom you serve. >>> + posted on my white board + Christ is our **boss** + **reward** + transform **mundane** tasks + into active **faith** --- ## Work for the Glory of God 1. The Snare of Professionalism 1. The Blessing of Employment 1. **The Grace of God's Work** >>> + pitfalls → purpose → promise + invest our **energy** in what is **eternal** + work with **lasting** value --- # **Toil** for
God's **kingdom** # by **resting**
in His **victory** >>> + to do **God's** work means: + focus **attention**, time, resources + **submit** to God's call + knowing that **Christ** has already done the hard part --- ## 3. The Grace of God's Work 1. Welcoming His **Return** 1. Steadfast because of His **Victory** >>> + look **forward**: anticipate + imminent **coming** of Christ + **perspective** on what matters + look **backward**: remember + death + resurrection has **won** + not up to us to **save** world --- But the **day of the Lord** will come like a thief, in which the **heavens** will
**pass away** with a roar and the **elements** will
be **destroyed** with intense heat, and the **earth** and its **works** will be **burned up**.
2 Peter 3:10 (NASB) (p.1/2)
>>> + what do I **cling** to which I know + will be **burned** up? + so should I just **quit** everything + and **wait** for God? --- Since all these things
are to be **destroyed** in this way, what sort of people ought you to be
in **holy conduct** and **godliness**, **looking for** and hastening
the coming of the day of God!
2 Peter 3:11-12 (NASB) (p.2/2)
>>> + "looking for" (προσδοκῶντας): **welcome** + **hope**: end to all **injustice** + our eternal **reward** + **fear**: **examine** every heart + "conduct" (ἀναστροφαῖς): turning upon + not what we **do** to save the world + "what sort" of person we **are** + **holy** + **reverent** --- ## 3. The Grace of God's Work 1. Welcoming His Return 1. **Steadfast because of His Victory** >>> + **character** ⇒ **actions** --- When the perishable puts on the **imperishable**,
and the mortal puts on **immortality**, then shall come to pass
the saying that is written: “**Death** is swallowed up in **victory**.”
1 Corinthians 15:54 (ESV) (p.1/3)
--- “O death, **where** is your victory?
O death, **where** is your sting?” The sting of death is **sin**,
and the power of sin is the **law**. But thanks be to God, who gives us
the **victory** through our Lord **Jesus** Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55-56 (ESV) (p.2/3)
--- Therefore, my beloved brothers,
be **steadfast**, **immovable**,
always abounding in the **work of the Lord**, knowing that in the Lord
your labor is **not in vain**.
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (ESV) (p.3/3)
>>> + work of the Lord is **not** in vain! + **clean** vessel to be **used** by God --- ## Work for the Glory of God 1. The Snare of **Professionalism** 1. The Blessing of **Employment** 1. The Grace of **God's Work** --- ## Aspire to be a **fool**,
not a professional
## Work to train your **heart**
## Toil for God's kingdom
by resting in His **victory**