Take This Job and LOVE It!

Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer PhDFamily Worship Center

Colossians 3:17, 22-25 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him… 22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

Colossians 3:17, 22-25 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

Part One: Take Your

Wrong Perspective

and Change It!

It is INCORRECT that work was part of the curse in Genesis.

• Work was not part of the fall it is part of the nature of God!• The first picture of God in the Bible

is as a WORKER.• Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God

created the heavens and the earth.

It is INCORRECT that work was part of the curse in Genesis.

• Genesis 2:1-2a Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done,…”

It is INCORRECT that work was part of the curse in Genesis.

• Genesis 2:15 15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.• Man was created in the garden and

given work to do.• He also was involved in creativity

with naming the animals.

It is INCORRECT that work was part of the curse in Genesis.

• Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”• The term “helper” was NOT at all a

derogatory term… God Himself is referred to by the term!

All this was before the fall and the curse.

It is INCORRECT to perceive a difference between sacred and

secular work.

Its INCORRECT to perceive a difference between sacred and secular work.

• The secular view disconnects life into a spiritual and a perceived “real” dimension. God and work don’t overlap in this distorted view.

Its INCORRECT to perceive a difference between sacred and secular work.

• Dangerous view that leaves you to think your value and identity comes from the work you do.• Can make an idol out of your career

with God and family in a back seat.• If God is the center of our lives He

should be invited to work with us.

Its INCORRECT to perceive a difference between sacred and secular work.

• God gave Adam and Eve a job that had nothing to do with evangelism or church work.• Temporal vs. Eternal.• It is wrong to think that only the

eternal matters.

Its INCORRECT to perceive a difference between sacred and secular work.

• GOD CREATED THE TEMPORAL AND TIME.• God wants us to enjoy the labor of

the temporal too.• The Holy Vs. The Unholy.

Its INCORRECT to perceive a difference between sacred and secular work.

• It is wrong to think only “holy” work is spiritual and pleasing to God.• All of life is sacred to God.• God isn’t calling everyone to do

“holy” work; He is calling everyone to do work in a “”holy” way.

Its INCORRECT to perceive a difference between sacred and secular work.

• Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life writes, "Work becomes worship when you dedicate it to God and perform it with an awareness of his presence." (Page 84).

Its INCORRECT to perceive a difference between sacred and secular work.

• All work is sacred when you do it for the Lord… Colossians 3:23-24 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

The Legitimacy of Your Work.• All work comes back to maintaining

and providing for God’s creation.• Non-legitimate jobs include things

that are illegal like drug dealing & stealing.

The Legitimacy of Your Work.• There are jobs that may be legal but

are still unethical in God’s view such as abortion work, pornography industry etc. They might be legal but they are not benefiting God’s creation.

Part Two: Take This Job and LOVE It!

Being Happy In Your Work Doesn’t Depend on the Work You Go Too; It

Depends on Your Attitude You Bring With YOU!

God wants us to enjoy our work and prosper in

our work.

When you get a job don’t stop

looking for work!

Christians should be the best

employees and employers

on the planet.

Work is a Gift from God! From the Book Your Work Matters to God

• Through work we serve people.• Through work we meet our own

needs. • Work allows you to exercise the gifts

and abilities God gave you.

Work is a Gift from God! From the Book Your Work Matters to God

• God expects adults to provide for themselves and not mooch off others. Scripture says, “If one will not work, neither let him eat!” 2 Thess. 3:10.

Work is a Gift from God! From the Book Your Work Matters to God

• Through work we meet our family's needs. God expects the heads of households to provide for their families. He says, “8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. I Tim. 5:8.

Work is a Gift from God! From the Book Your Work Matters to God

• Through work we earn money to give to others. Ephesians 4:28—Let him who steals, steal no longer but rather let him labor performing with his own hands what is good in order that he may have something to share with him who has need.”

Work is a Gift from God! From the Book Your Work Matters to God

• Through work we love God. Your bring your tithe (tenth of earnings) and He blesses your work and your other 90%.

Take This Job and LOVE It!Parody by Pastor Mark

TAKE THIS JOB AND LOVE IT I’M WORKING IT FOR THE LORD

GOT AN ATTITUDE THAT REFLECTS MY FAITH; NOW THERE’S SO MUCH MORE I’M LIVING MY LIFE WITH HIS PURPOSE

NOW, SO WORK’S NO LONGER A CHORE TAKE THIS JOB AND LOVE IT

I’M WORKING IT FOR THE LORD.