071512 christians in the marketplace jory leong
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Transcript of 071512 christians in the marketplace jory leong
Good morning!
1. Marketplace Misunderstood
2. Marketplace and the Bible
3. Marketplace Christian
1. Marketplace Misunderstood
2. Marketplace Misunderstood
Work is part of the curse
after the Fall
Work is a gift from God
Work is a gift from God – Eccl
3:13; 5:18-19
God Himself is a Worker – Gen
2:2
God commends & commands
work long after the Fall – Gen 9:1-
7; Col 3:23; 1 Thess 4:11
Work is a gift from God
“Work is a
consequence of
creation; not the
fall; the fall has
aggravated the
problems without
destroying its joys” John Stott
Work is a gift from God
2. Marketplace Misunderstood
Only Christian work has
any real spiritual value
All legitimate work has
essential value to God
Gnosticism & Greek’s dualism
view
All of life is to lived under Christ’s
lordship – Colossians 3:17
What matters is our intention /
motivation
“Sacred” vs “Secular” Work
1. Marketplace Misunderstood
2. Marketplace and the Bible
• Jesus made 132 public appearances in New Testament - 122 were in the marketplace
• Jesus told 52 parables - 45 had a marketplace context
• The book of Acts recorded 40 divine interventions - 39 were in the marketplace
• Jesus’ first 12 disciples were marketplace individuals, not clergymen
1. Marketplace Misunderstood
2. Marketplace and the Bible
3. Marketplace Christian
Excellence
Ethical
Edifying
3. Marketplace Christian
3. Marketplace Christian
Excellence
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do,
work at it with all
your heart, as
working for the Lord,
not for human
masters”
Ephesians 6:7
“Serve
wholeheartedly,
as if you were
serving the Lord,
not men”
NOT 100% Commitment …
3. Marketplace Christian
Ethical
Colossians 3:22 “Slaves, obey your
earthly masters in everything; and do it,
not only when their eye is on you and to
curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart
and reverence for the Lord ”
Colossians 4:1 “Masters, be just and fair
to your slaves. Remember that you also
have a Master - in heaven”
Indira Gandhi
“My grandfather once
told me there are two
kinds of people,
those who do the
work and those who
take the credit.
Try to be in the first
group - there is less
competition.”
3. Marketplace Christian
Edify
1 Cor 10:23
“All things are lawful for me, but not all
things are helpful; all things are lawful
for me, but not all things edify.”
Are you a workaholic?
Proverbs 23:4
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
have the wisdom to show restraint.”
Are you a workaholic?
Rick Warren
“How to keep your
profession from
being an
obsession”
Are you a workaholic?
1. Are you always in a hurry?
2. Does your “To Do” list have more in it than you can accomplish in a single day?
3. Does doing nothing drive you up a wall?
4. Do you find it difficult to say “No” to opportunities?
5. Do you feel guilty when you relax?
Are you a workaholic?
6. Do you frequently find it difficult to turn your mind off at night when you go to bed?
7. Do people around you tell you, you ought to slow down?
8. Do you procrastinate about taking vacations?
9. Do you have to get sick to slow down?
10. Do you ever take business related reading material into the bathroom?
Excellence
Ethical
Edifying
3. Marketplace Christian
1. Marketplace Misunderstood
2. Marketplace and the Bible
3. Marketplace Christian
Bill Bright Loren
Cunningham
Francis
Schaeffer