March 30, 2008 Sermon Notes

Pastor Marty Grubbs -- March 30, 2008
“The Gift of Work”
Life Strategies series, part one

“So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing?  How long before you  get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy – do you know what comes next? Just this: you can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!” -Proverbs 6:9-11 The Message

Thoughts on work …

1.  Work hard.

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” -Proverbs 14:23
“If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” -Thessalonians 3:10

2.  Work for rewards beyond the paycheck.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” -Colossians 3:23

3.  Work to achieve a goal.

“… the precious possession of a man is diligence.” -Proverbs 12:27 NASB

4.  Work to provide for your family.

“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” -I Timothy 5:8

5.  Work quietly.

“… lead a quiet life … mind your own business ... work with your hands … so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.” -I Thessalonians 4:11-12

6.  Work so you can give.

“… but [he] must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” -Ephesians 4:28

“You do work like you just did, and you can do anything!”  Gus, in The Ultimate Gift

 

 

A morning thought...

In the Old Testament, we read the story of Joseph who wore the coat of many colors. He was sold by his brothers as a slave and from there, found himself in Egypt. Before all of this, he had strangely experienced dreams of what he might become, where bundles of wheat even bowed down to him in honor.

Little did he know then that after many trials and difficult times, he would become the king’s chief assistant and be known as one of the great Hebrew men of history. His leadership saved his own family from starvation. The story ends with his own brothers humbly bowing at his feet in honor of his power and love for them.

Joseph could not have achieved his dreams had he not been sold into slavery, had he not had to deal with hardships, and had he not learned what it was God desired for him to do with his life. Each of us has a dream, a purpose, and a journey to fulfill. What is it that God is calling you to do?

—George R. Skramstad, 2008