“Work That Matters!” Colossians 3:17; 23-24

Hall County Historical Society 2015 Local Legacies Jan CooleyJack Frost Milton Robson The world provides a platform for excellence! Matthew 5:16

Our God is a Working God Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created…” God “at work in the world” God “at work in us” Indeed, work preceded sin in the Garden! “Be fruitful, multiply, subdue it” (Gen. 1:28).

Note the Quality of His Works Psalm 111 Vs. 2 – “Great are His works; they are studied!” Vs. 3 - “Splendid and majestic is His work” Vs. 4 – “He has made wonders” Vs. 5 – “The power of His works!” (the heritage of the nations) vs. 7 - “works of His hands = truth and justice”

Made in His Image, We Are to Reflect Him in All Our Ways Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 5:29). “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10)

Sin Has Corrupted God’s Good Work “In pain you shall eat of the earth all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you.... By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground” (Genesis 3:17, 19). Result: Genesis 11 – “let us build for ourselves” Deuteronomy 8:17 – “my power/strength of my hand made me this wealth”

Good News: Jesus Redeemed Us From the Curse of the Law “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law” (Galatians 3:13). Our work – ALL work – is KINGDOM work! Done in the Spirit (Acts 1:8) As a witness to God – (Col. 3:17). With eternal results (Rev. 14:13)

Jesus Partners With Us For His Purposes “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13) Job description? “love God, neighbor…” (Matthew 22:37,39) “…seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10) “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2)

Since God Has No “Plan B”… How Is Your Response to C-in-C? “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Q: Are you giving your best to the Lord? * time? * talent? * finances?

Standing Before Kings … And THE King! “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men” (Prov. 22:29).