1Cor1:27-29 Work for the Glory of God

# Work for the Glory of God
## 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

>>>
+ Not as **exegetical** as usual:
  + not **single** passage but many
  + **heartfelt** advice from **Scrip** + **exp**
+ Christian **perspective** on work:
  + for all who have / will have **jobs**
+ My bg in **computers** / technical fields
  + but even **"non-standard"** jobs:
  + "domestic engineer", **non-profit**, church
+ 3 main challenges:

---

## Aspire to be a **fool**, not a professional

## Work to train your **heart**

## Toil for God's kingdom by resting in His **victory**

>>>
+ Each will have 2-3 sub-points
+ Working world has **pitfalls**
+ God has a **purpose** for work
+ **Promise**: find **grace** as we work for God
+ First, a **quote** not from Scripture but
+ Microsoft founder **Bill Gates** to students:
  + limitations of **free-market**
  + don't just go where the **money** is

---
"If innovation is purely **market driven**,

we could have amazing advances in **inventions** 
that leave the world even **more divided**....

---
"If we have **optimism** 
but we don't have **empathy**,

it doesn't 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 about thrill of **discovery**
  + "geeking out" over possibilities
+ but purpose to **help** fellow man
+ Bill + Melinda Gates **Foundation**
  + malaria, clean water, K-12 edu
+ **what** makes "good work"?
  + Worthwhile / **noble**?
  + What if I **can't find** a "noble" job?
+ How do I **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
+ My first **challenge** to you is:

---

# Aspire to be a **fool**, not a **professional**

>>>
+ But can't I pursue **excellence**?
  + **recognised** in my field?
+ Professional world has following **dangers**:

---

## 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, KPIs?
+ To be **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")

>>>
+ World of academia: **peer** review
  + supposed to be **checks** + balances
  + **democratic** process leading to "truth"
+ In reality: often **echo** chamber
  + **popularity** contest
+ **Good** research from unknown group gets ignored,
  + **Bad** rsrch from famous gp gets endorsed
+ Not wrong to be **good** at your job,
  + prophet **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")

>>>
+ Dan. didn't **pursue** recog by guild
+ Being **recognised** for excellence 
  + sometimes leads to **trouble**!
+ If rely on own talent / hard work:
  + less **room** to show God's power:
  + 1 Cor 1:

---

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!
+ Again in 2 Cor:

---

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 own **achievements**
+ but for God's **grace**
  + despite my **failures**
+ Be genuinely honest about **weaknesses**
  + e.g., interview Q: "too hard working!"
+ Highlight God's **strength**
  + **Hero** of story is **God**, not myself

>>>
+ 2nd pitfall: **ambition**: pride in own accomp.
+ James: true **wisdom**:

---

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): turning of daily life
  + **habits**, routines, daily work
+ "Meekness" (πραΰτητι): **gentle**, mild
  + often together with **humility**

---

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
  + wanting to **win** at all costs
+ "Ambition" (ἐριθείαν): day-labourer
  + only in it for **money**
+ Is that **my** attitude towards my job?
  + If so, I need to **change**!

---

By his **good conduct** let him show his **works** 
in the **meekness** of wisdom.

[James 3:13 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ In software dev: myth of **rockstar** programmer:
  + eccentric **genius**
+ Maybe **abrasive**, offensive, misogyn
  + But cranks out **brilliant** results!
+ But all **large-scale** projects are **collab**
  + Egotistical **rockstars** counter-productive
+ "Soft skills" vital: **meekness**: humility

>>>
+ 3rd pitfalls
+ **Entitlement** rather than **grace**
  + Romans: faith of **Abraham**:

---

“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")

>>>
+ Why **pray** before meal?
  + "Thanks for **nothing**, God!"
+ "I earned it, I **deserve** it"
  + "Don't you know how **hard** I worked?"
+ **Transactional** view of life
  + **Paid** for everything,
  + don't **owe** anyone anything

---

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** from God
+ Whenever I feel I **deserve** better
  + about to **blow up** at someone
+ That **breath** I was about to use to tear down
  + is a breath of **life** from God's grace
+ I don't deserve to be **alive**,
  + or have this **job**, or **family**
+ I deserve **hell**: rebel against God's authority
+ Abe's faith not just **believed** God (Gen15)
  + but put in **action** (Gen22 Moriah)

---

## Work for the Glory of God
1. The Snare of Professionalism
1. **The Blessing of Employment**
1. The Grace of God's Work

>>>
+ Pitfalls, but also **purpose**
+ **Why** did God give us work? Not a **curse**
+ God gave **Adam** work in Eden
  + even **before** sin entered:
  + put → serve → keep *(Gen2:15)*
+ But the **toil** is from **curse**

---

# Work to train your **heart**

>>>
+ See my **purpose** in my career as
+ Training my **heart** to be like Christ's
+ 3 **parts** to this purpose:

---

## 2. The Blessing of Employment
1. Rejecting **Idleness**
1. **Sharing** Generously
1. Training our **Heart** Attitude

>>>
+ Paul himself set an **example**: 2 Thes

---

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)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **tentmaker**, paid own way
  + in addition to serving **church**
+ His **focus** not on excellence of tents
  + but serving God in **all** things

---

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)](# "ref")

>>>
+ ("busybodies"): work-around
+ not **productive**, missing the target

---

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)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Goal of work is not **leisure**: retire early
+ **Danger** in transition to retirement:
  + when **idle**, purposeless
  + get ourselves into **trouble**
+ Create useless **busy-work**
  + e.g., obsess about arranging **files**
+ Legalistically **demand** others be same
  + to **validate** our importance
+ It is good for us to **work quietly**
  + not be a **drain** on others

---

## 2. The Blessing of Employment
1. Rejecting Idleness
1. **Sharing Generously**
1. Training our Heart Attitude

>>>
+ But not **just** providing for self / family:
+ Extra to **share** generously without worry
+ Eph 4:

---

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)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Not just that **stealing** is bad:
  + There's sth **better** I can do 
  + w/**hands** + time God gave me
+ Doing "honest work": accompl. what is **good**
+ Not only to provide for **own** needs
  + But to **share** with those in need.
+ But if I share, **enough** left for myself?
  + 2 Cor 9 the God whom we serve:

---

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)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Not a **zero-sum** economy!
  + **infinite** God
+ So purpose 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)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **Enriched** for purpose of **generosity**:
  + **wholeness** (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**

>>>
+ 3rd purpose **why** work is a good thing?
  + For our own **hearts**
+ Encountered **bad** work situations:
  + **boss**, coworkers, clients
+ How to **deal**? Col 3:

---

**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)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Often, work **feels** like slavery!
+ in NT: some were **slaves** when became Chr
  + already **in** situation, at company
+ Opportunity to train **faith** in Lord
+ esp when **powerless** at work:
  + God more **powerful** than corporations
+ Work **diligently** at our jobs 
  + out of **reverence** for Christ
+ For all **years** teaching at TWU,
  + had **next** verse on whiteboard:

---

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.

[Colossians 3:23-24](# "ref")

>>>
+ Christ is our **boss** + **reward**
+ Transform **mundane** tasks of the job
  + 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**
  + Find work with **lasting** value
+ 3rd + final **challenge** for you:

---

# **Toil** for God's **kingdom**
# by **resting** in His **victory**

>>>
+ To do **God's** work means:
+ Focus **attention**, time, resources
  + to diligently **submit** to God's call,
+ Knowing that **Christ** has already
  done the **hard** part
+ 2 **parts** to this:

---

## 3. The Grace of God's Work
1. Welcoming His **Return**
1. Steadfast because of His **Victory**

>>>
+ Look **forward**: anticipate
  + imminent **coming** of Christ
  + Keep **perspective** on what matters
+ Look **backward**: remember
  + Christ's death + resur has **won**
  + Not up to us to **save** world
+ Don't **forget** the **day of the Lord**
  is coming soon:

---

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)](# "ref")

>>>
+ What do I **cling** to in this life
  + 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)](# "ref")

>>>
+ "looking for" (προσδοκῶντας): **welcome**
  + **hope**: end to all **injustice**
    + our eternal **reward**
  + **fear**: **examine** every heart
+ "conduct" (ἀναστροφαῖς): turn upon, daily work
+ Not what we **do** to save the world
  + But "what sort" of person we **are**:
+ **Holy** + **reverent**

>>>
+ **Character** manifest in **actions**
+ 1 Cor 15 connects Chr's **future** return
  + with His **past** victory over death

---

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)](# "ref")

---

“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)](# "ref")

>>>
+ If ultimate **aim** of all our work is to
  + **serve** others for **betterment** of mankind
  + **protect** weak, **heal** broken
+ Then only way to truly **achieve** that is
  + **victory** Chr has won over death + sin
+ Work of **saving** people is what Chr
  + **will** bring to completion at return,
  + **has** done already on cross, and
  + **is** doing now through willing hearts
  of His servants:

---

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)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Work of Lord is **not** in vain!
+ We cannot **save** anyone, but we can
+ Be a **clean** vessel to be **used** by God
+ Diligently **persevere** 
  in the work God tells us to do
+ Rest in His abundant **grace**,
  + knowing Chr has **won** the victory
+ (2nd msg on "Playing for the Glory of God")

---

## Work for the Glory of God
1. The Snare of **Professionalism**
1. The Blessing of **Employment**
1. The Grace of **God's Work**

>>>
+ Work has **pitfalls**, **purpose**, and **promise**

---

## Aspire to be a **fool**, not a professional

## Work to train your **heart**

## Toil for God's kingdom by resting in His **victory**

>>>
+ Creator, Provider, Master, coming Saviour
+ **Know** each of our situations:
  + prep for work, looking, starting out, settled,
  + changing careers, burdened, burnt out, cynical
+ Remind us not to seek **man's** approval but Yours,
  + show wisdom in **humility**, not self. ambition
  + trust in Your **provid.**, not own earning.

---

>>>
+ **Thank** You we need not be **idle** / busybodies
 + **work** w/hands to **share** w/needy
 + train **hearts** to serve You in all things
+ In anticip. Your **return**, in light Your **victory**:
 + diligently do Your **work**
 + knowing **we** do not save people, **You** do
+ and You are **faithful** to bring Your plan to pass