Labor Day 2010
Happy Labor Day
Not just a day off or the end of summer, but a day to celebrate the American Worker
What would the world be like if people didn't work?
Alabama - 40 Hour Week (1985)
There are people in this country who work hard every day
Not for fame or fortune do they strive
But the fruits of their labor are worth more than their pay
And it's time a few of them were recognized
Hello Detroit auto worker, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line
Hello Pittsburgh steel mill worker, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line
This is for the one who swings the hammer, driving home the nail
For the one behind the counter, ringing up the sales
For the one who fights the fires, the one who brings the mail
For everyone who works behind the scenes
You can see them every morning in the factories and the fields
Working together like spokes inside a wheel
They keep this country turning around
Hello Kansas wheat field farmer, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line
Hello West Virginia coal miner, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line
This is for the one who drives the big rig, up and down the road
For the one out in the warehouse, bringing in the load
For the waitress, the mechanic, the policeman on patrol
For everyone who works behind the scenes
With a spirit you can't replace with no machine
Hello America let me thank you for your time
It's an inspiring song
A reminder that our country is great because of people who work hard. the song is a tribute to them, to us.
A reminder that the greatest asset this country has is the human resources - that is what makes us great.
Work isn’t something we always associate as a theological topic, but the Bible does talk about work. Even from the very beginning.
Work is God's idea
Genesis 2:15
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
After the Fall work became a lot harder, but even before the Fall man was placed in the Garden to work. Work is a good thing.
A bad day on the golf course is better than a good day at work.
Exodus 20:9 - Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
Thought continued on the NT
2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NIV) - In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.
2 Thessalonians 3:11–13 (NIV) - 11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
God's Kingdom Requires Workers
Ever read Numbers
Not the most popular book in the Bible
A few unique stories from the Wilderness Wanderings of the Hebrews
Balaam's Donkey
The Bronze Serpent
It's starts as a census
Moses commanded by God to count all the people
He gets all the people together divided by tribes (1:5-15)
These tribes coincide with the 12 sons of Jacob who was renamed Israel by God
Jacob was Abraham's grandson - to whom the promise was made that his descendents would be a great nation.
Why - to see what the people had in terms of human resources.
Who would be able to fight.
Each one of these tribes are assigned a location around the tabernacle - a traveling temple of sorts.
When you look through that list - one son is missing - Levi
But he doesn't count the tribe of Levi
Levi has a special work - taking care of the tabernacle itself
These people were called priests - they oversaw the religious work of the people
Then who would be able to serve in the tabernacle work.
They were given assignments to make sure the tabernacle -make sure everything was in order.
When the people moved the Levites were charged with moving the tabernacle and all its furnishings - and there were specific instructions on how to move things.
There's lots of work to do among God's people!
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Revelation 1:4–6 (NIV)
John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
A change in thought in the NT is that all of us are priests - all of us are responsible for the work of the kingdom, not just a special tribe.
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
We were made to work and we were made to work in the church
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) - For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Two principles
We all have a gift / work
We are all priests
I don't like to brag, but indulge me
We have a beautiful campus
Auditorium
Classroom space
Prayer Garden is amazing
And now this multi-use facility that will be opening soon
Stage, gym, kitchen, youth area - Wow!
I just like to look!
But a reminder
The greatest asset this church has is not the buildings
The greatest asset we have are the human resources - you
It's men and women like you who faithfully serve this church
Today I want to remind us of that
And I want to commend you
PACOC - 168 Hour Week (2010)
There are people in this church who work hard every day
Not for fame or fortune do they strive
But the fruits of their labor are worth more than we can say
And it's time a few of them were recognized
Hello nursery worker and Bible school teacher, let me thank you for your time
You're working hard for the kingdom, and blessin' us all the time
Hello Mary and Martha ladies, let me thank you for your time
You're working hard for the kingdom, and blessin' us all the time
This is for the ones who serve the cookies, at vacation bible school
For the ones warming up taquitos, at CTW
For the ones who serve in worship, the ones who serve the meals
For everyone who works behind the scenes
You can see them every Sunday and Wednesday in the eve
Working together like spokes inside a wheel
They keep this church turning around
Hello video projection worker, let me thank you for your time
You're working hard for the kingdom, and blessin' us all the time
Hello World Bible School workers, let me thank you for your time
You're working hard for the kingdom, and blessin' us all the time
This is for the ones who bag the groceries, who donate beans and soup
For the ones who host our teens, and those who lead small groups
For those who visit sick ones, for all who write those checks
For everyone who works behind the scenes
With a spirit you can't replace with no machine
Hello Park Avenue Church of Christ let me thank you for your time
It's an inspiring thing to see - Spirit-filled people working together to make this church a great place.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
