Lunch Bucket Christians Series

1 Timothy: Doing Church God’s Way

North Coast Church

Message #9 September 16-17, 2006

Dr. Larry Osborne

Lunch Bucket Christians

Serving God in the Workplace

1 Timothy 6:1-2

Sermon Outline

Note: PowerPoints and Small Group Worksheets

for this sermon are available at www.northcoastchurch.com.

~ Read The Passage: “so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.”

GETTING STARTED:

Roman Slaves - Radical Christianity

1 Timothy 6:1-2/ Galatians 3:26-29

~ 1/3 to1/2 the population

~ Via Debt, Sold by parents, War, Choice, Birth

~ Radical Christianity:

Gal 3:26-29 ~ Equal in Christ

Illustration: Jim Spangler Nursery!

~ Today’s Wage Slaves

THE SEARCH

FOR THE PERFECT JOB

Genesis 3:17-19

 It probably doesn’t exist.

 It’s Adam’s fault!

IF YOUR BOSS IS A JERK 1 Timothy 6:1

Respect & Obey Anyway Because. . .

 It makes God look good.

Titus 2:9-10 & 2 Corinthians 5:20

Titus 2:9-10 ~ Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

2 Cor 5:20 ~ Ambassadors

~ It’s not all about us!

~ God’s reputation is more important than my rights!

~ People decide what they think of God based on what they think of us!

 It will save your neck!

Proverbs 16:14 & Proverbs 20:2-3

Prov 16:14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it.

Prov 20:2-3 ~ A king’s wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life. It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

~ Only a fool riles a Rhino

~ Big, Dumb & Ugly But can do serious damage!

Illustration: Marie Hoffman I showed him!

 It’s the best way to get ahead.

Proverbs 27:18/ Daniel 1

Prov 27:18 He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

~ Daniel & Joseph ~ Brought success to Godless bosses!

 It’s what God says to do.

1 Timothy 6:1/ 1 Peter 2:18-21/ Proverbs 3:5-6 & Proverbs 16:25

1 Pet 2:18-21 ~ with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

Prov 3:5-6 Lean not on our own understanding

Prov 16:25 Seems right but leads to death

cf Retail: Treat the jerk with respect Not because they deserve it. Because it’s part of your job!

IF YOUR BOSS IS A BELIEVER 1 Timothy 6:2

 Never take advantage of the relationship.

~ Why we don’t have a job directory

~ Customers expect a price break

~ Workers expect grace for a bad job

WHEN WORK ISN’T WORKING OUT

Two Key Questions

 Am I being asked to do anything unethical?

Daniel 1 & 6/ 2 Timothy 3:12

 If Yes: Obey God, not man – accept the consequences.

 If No: Obey the boss.

 Can I quit?

1 Corinthians 7:17 & 21-24/ Psalm 15:1-4/ Philippians 4:11-13

1 Cor 7:17 & 21-24 Bloom where planted but if you can gain your freedom – do so.

Ps 15:4 ~ Keep Our promises!

Phil 4:11-13 Content in prison!

 If Yes: Move on.

 If No: Make the most of it.

CLOSE: Goal: Everyone would want to hire Xtians

INVITATION? Everyone wants a job. Not everyone wants to work!

Available as a North Coast Church Podcast - www.northcoastchurch.com

Join us as we move out into our community to share the love of Jesus in practical ways. We are asking that each Growth Group participate in at least one service project this year. Let’s head out and see what the Holy Spirit does in our community!

Last year quite a few groups came up with their own service projects. That is awesome; keep it up! In order to facilitate connecting Growth Groups with service opportunities, we have contacted several organizations around our community. Visit our Website to find opportunities to serve and register your Growth Group for a service project.

Website: www.NorthCoastChurch.com/Service

If you have questions about how to connect your group with a service project, call Casey Yorman, Pastor of Community Service, at 760.724.6700 ext 165.

Service Opportunities include working with...

Bread of Life

• Serve dinner

Green Oak Ranch

• Fix-it projects

Michaelle House

• Dinner with residents

North County Solutions for Change

• Serve dinner

Pregnancy Resource Center

• Donate baby items

St. Clare’s Home

• Fix-it projects

Straight From the Heart

• Sort donations

Vista ROC

• Fix-up a home

North Coast Church Thrift Shop

• Sort donations

"You have put gloves and overalls on the Gospel, and your message is