INTRODUCTION
Work. How does that word make you feel? What images does that word produce in your mind? Do you view work as good or bad? What do you think of work?
Many view work as a burden. For them, work is something to be avoided. Rather than something which gives them dignity, work is viewed as demeaning. Why is this? Why do many view work as a burden? Whatever happened to the idea of the dignity of work? Whatever happened to taking pride in work well done? Have we, as a society, become lazy?
There was a man applying for a job. The manager reviewing the application said, “I’m sorry I can’t hire you, but there isn’t enough work to keep you busy.” The applicant replied, “You’d be surprised how little it takes.”
Of course, it is not true that our society can be categorically labeled as lazy. On the other hand, we might ask ourselves whether we sufficiently promote the value of hard work. To the extent we do not, is the problem one which should be laid at the feet of business, or parents? I heard of a farmer who had several boys. He worked those boys extremely hard around the farm. One day one of the neighbors pointed out that it wasn’t necessary to work the boys that hard in order to raise a crop. The farmer, quietly but firmly responded, “I’m not just raising a crop. I’m also raising boys.” Perhaps the real education concerning the value of our work ought to be held in the classroom of the home.
A few years ago there was an issue up for vote called the “Right To Work”. This morning we will look at the “Right Way To Work”.
READ EPHESIANS 6:5-9
It has been estimated that more than 1/3 of the population of Rome was in slavery during the time of Paul. We have one letter that dealt with a run away slave and his master in Philemon.
Slaves were not treated well by there masters. The Roman statesman Cato said, “Old slaves should be thrown on a dump, and when a slave is ill, do not feed him anything. It is not worth your money. Take sick slaves and throw them away because they are nothing but ineffective tools.”
This is just one example of the attitudes that people had toward slaves. It is important that we remember this when we are looking at applying these passages to ourselves.
Sometimes we feel that we can justify our work habits because of lack of pay, poor conditions, etc. We need to remember that Paul was admonishing people who were slaves. If we dislike our work so much that we are not willing to give our best, at least we are free to move on to another job.
I worked in a factory of over 400 people, I’d say that 70% of them did not like what they were doing, many of them spent more time trying to get out of work that doing it. Instead of trying to do something with themselves to find a better job, people just complained.
I struggled with a poor attitude many times to the point that I let it affect the other areas of my life. As I preach this message, I want you to realize that I really struggled with this issue when I was in the factory. It is my hope that this message will encourage you if you are struggling with your job.
Some will look at this passage and say that it doesn’t apply today, but I believe that we can apply the principles found in this passage to the employee, employer relationship.
Let us look at the Right way to Work!
SERMON
The Right Behavior. Verse 5.
1. Obedient. The word is a present tense indicating uninterrupted obedience.
2. We are not to just be obedient to get our way, but all of the time.
3. As Christians we should be the model of proper behavior and obedience. When our boss tells us to do something, he or she should be able to count it as done!
4. We are called to please God, one way to do it is to be obedient to our bosses.
5. Our obedience will help to verify our testimony about Jesus to others.
The Right Perspective. Verse 5.
1. “According to the flesh.”
2. We know that the submission relationship with our employer or masters do not last eternally. The people we have to deal with are not going to be the one’s who judge us, it will be God.
3. If we realize who we are really serving, then we can endure things we do not like!
The Right Attitude.
1. Fear and trembling.
2. The idea here is not to cower in fear, but instead it points to a great moral anxiety resulting from the thought of failure to carry out the task that God has called you to.
3. 1 TIMOTHY 6:1 Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and {our} doctrine may not be spoken against.
4. Joe Theismann enjoyed an illustrious 12-year career as quarterback of the Washington Redskins. He led the team to two Super Bowl appearances--winning in 1983 before losing the following year. When a leg injury forced him out of football in 1985, he was entrenched in the record books as Washington’s all-time leading passer. Still, the tail end of Theismann’s career taught him a bitter lesson: I got stagnant. I thought the team revolved around me. I should have known it was time to go when I didn’t care whether a pass hit Art Monk in the 8 or the 1 on his uniform. When we went back to the Super Bowl, my approach had changed. I was griping about the weather, my shoes, practice times, everything. Today I wear my two rings--the winner’s ring from Super Bowl XVII and the loser’s ring from Super Bowl XVIII. The difference in those two rings lies in applying oneself and not accepting anything but the best. January, 1992 - R.D.
5. The place that we work is our field of service to the Lord. Our attitude can make or break us.
6. The noted English architect Sir Christopher Wren was supervising the construction of a magnificent cathedral in London. A journalist thought it would be interesting to interview some of the workers, so he chose three and asked them this question, "What are you doing?" The first replied, "I’m cutting stone for 10 shillings a day." The next answered, "I’m putting in 10 hours a day on this job." But the third said, "I’m helping Sir Christopher Wren construct one of London’s greatest cathedrals."
The Right Motive.
1. COLOSSIANS 3:23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
2. Our motive is not to just please people, but God! 1 Samuel 16:7 God knows heart!
3. We are to do our work as if we are doing it for Jesus Himself!
4. (1 Cor 10:31 NASB) Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
5. God has not called all to the preaching ministry or the foreign missions field, but we can serve Jesus whether we farm or work in a factory.
6. Maybe we are stuck in jobs we do not like because we are not faithful in the work that we already do? Matthew 25:21. EXAMPLE FROM SALARY JOB.
7. When we are Christians we are not just doing well only when the boss is around, but all of the time (Not by way of eyeservice)
8. We do not just do the minimum required of the job. READ VERSE 7.
9. We are motivated to do well because of our love for Jesus!
A Word To The Boss.
READ VERSE 9!
CONCLUSION
There are three basic reasons for being good employees.
1. We are really serving Christ. Verse 9
2. It is God’s will for His children
3. Our reward is more than a paycheck. Verse 8.
