"Work Worthy"
September 6, 2004

The Old Testament Lesson: Proverbs 24: 10 - 12
The New Testament Lesson: Colossians 1: 9 - 14

To remind people that their jobs in life are part of their call to labor for God

I.  All of our earthly life is a preparation for eternity
    A. Story about the guy who meets St. Peter at the gate
        1. St. Peter asks, “Where do you want to spend eternity?”
        2. Guy responds, “I have a choice?”
        3. given 24hours in each place to make up his mind
        4. His 24 hours in heaven are very nice.
            a. People floating around, playing harps and singing.
            b. Everybody seems quite happy.
        5. When he goes to Hell, he is greeted by Lucifer himself.
            a. Takes him on a tour of Hell.
            b. Shows him the club with beautiful golf course, tennis courts, pool
            c. Takes him out to a great meal: Lobster and steak buffet.
            d. provides lavish suite to spend the night and sends back to St. Peter
        6. St. Peter asks if he’s ready to make a choice.
            a. Heaven’s very nice, but Hell seems like lots of fun.
            b. When he gets to heaven, finds people writhing in torment, etc.
            c. Satan: “Yesterday we were campaigning. Today we got your vote.”
   B. I’ve discovered, people have some strange ideas about Heaven.
        1. Have an image that it is all about rest.  Doing nothing but singing.
        2. But they forget that this life is a preparation for eternity.
            a. I don’t think it’s logical for there to be a great disjunction.
            b. That the activities we engage in will be completely different.
            c. When one is an apprentice in carpentry they work with wood.
            d. When one is an intern, they practice medicine.
            e. Why then do we believe that in heaven we will rest when on Earth we work?
   C. It is my contention that we work on Earth to prepare for Eternal work.
        1. Of course, that work will not be subject to the frustrations we know
        2. Instead of being a duty, it will be a joy.
            a. Instead of being left undone, we’ll experience completion.
            b. instead of mindless repetition, we will know only purposeful labor.
            c. Work in heaven will be what work on Earth was intended to be.

II.  Means that all of our life, incl. work, is sacred, dedicated to God
   A. There is no separation between sacred and secular for the Christian.
        1. What we do in worship, though special, is not separately holy.
        2. All of our life is the sphere in which God works.
            a. everything that happens can teach us about the Lord.
            b. We are never separated from the presence of God.
        3. Everywhere we are is a place in which God works through us.
            a. When we work in the church, God is using us.
            b. But the things we do in society are also the work of God.
            c. We are called to use our gifts and skills for the welfare of all.
   B. Our “secular” jobs, therefore constitute part of God’s call on our life.
        1. While we have employers who sign our checks, they aren’t our boss.
        2. Ultimately, we are each one working for God
            a. God is the one who has directed us to our labors.
            b. God is the one whom we must please with our work.
        3. As we offer our service, we are called to work in a worthy manner.
            a. Our service to people and our effort in labor certainly have human recipients.
            b. But out Christian perspective is that God is the true employer.
            c. In the end, it is our Father in Heaven that we are trying to please!
            d. Our best reward for worthy work will come from our divine Master
        4. I remember a story about a father who was a cabinet maker.
            a. He was known was the best in the county.
            b. He took his son on as an apprentice and taught him the craft.
            c. One day, his son had finished a dresser and called for inspection.
            d. Father pointed out that the underside of the drawer was still rough.
            e. “Why bother?  No one else will know its there!”
            f. The father said “I’ll know its there!”
   C. The way in which we labor may be our most important witness.
        1. It really doesn’t matter what your call is.
            a. You may be a boilermaker or a home maker.
            b. You maybe a doctor, lawyer, or teacher.
            c. You maybe a shop keeper or a zoo keeper.
        2. You are called to give your best everyday as a witness to your love for people in the name of Jesus Christ.

     Work is not the thing we do in order to enjoy life and serve God.  Our labor, whatever it is, is integral to our purpose in the world.  Our jobs are part of our call to faithfulness.  We need to remember that the way in which we work reflects on our commitment to Christ and is a display of our Christian Character.

     When Paul prays that the Colossians may lead a life worthy of Jesus’ name, he means everything they do and perhaps especially in their jobs.  I want you to know that Laura and I echo that prayer in our own prayers.  We pray that you may sense God’s purpose in everything that you do and that you may grow in your spiritual understanding, using your knowledge of God to fill you with joy in his service! Amen!

And as you go from this place, may you walk in the way of Christ Jesus and May God always find you faithful!