Worship An Alternative Lifestyle

Well, I guess…considering the economy, I ought to be happy I even have a job

Worship- to declare worth or value

Christian Worship- to declare the worth or value of God as ultimate

Everything else finds it's rightful place

Event vs. Lifestyle

Nature Music Word Answered Prayer She actually said "Yes" to a date! 10 Lepers…

All of them= response

Worship is the natural response of the redeemed to the revelation of God

Worship is the natural response of the redeemed to the revelation of God - Event - Lifestyle

Worship as a Lifestyle - Romans 12:1 Response of the redeemed to the revelation of God

Worship as a Lifestyle How I live my life is worship: Self, things, plans, people are ultimate OR- God is ultimate

A. Ministers decide to go into the ministry. And God responds by blessing them with gifts and abilities

B. God calls people into the ministry. And those who follow are empowered by God to carry out the ministry God calls them to

A. Or… B.

Why just ministers?

Genesis: Name animals Fill the earth and subdue it Fall: Nature will fight you

“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field….

…By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return” - Genesis 3:17-19

Genesis: God made labor The Fall made labor hard Labor hasn't stopped

Spiritual Gifts, Abilities, Personality, Passion God has fit you for a job And fit a job for you Your job is a calling

How you work is How you worship

How you work is How you worship (Proclaim God as ultimate)

"Oh, God…work?" "Work is God!"

"Oh, God…work?" (Worship of self and leisure) Misunderstands: Calling and Purpose

"Work is God!" (Worship of ego, avarice, security) Misunderstands: Identity Security and Brevity

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you…

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you… - Drama-free - MYOB - Work

…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody - 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody - 1 Thessalonians 4: Respect of unbelievers= witness - Not needy or a drain on anyone

Work is a gift and a calling How you work is How you worship

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. 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.

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat”

We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

Willingness to work Follows God's commands and Fulfills calling

Work is a gift and a calling How you work is How you worship

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need - Ephesians 4:28

Stealing= expecting others to pay for my life Purpose for work= more than just me… To bless people in need

"My boss is unreasonable" "My workmates dump All the work on me" "I hate my company"

Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people- pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people- pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. - Not just enough to get by - Not just when they're watching

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ - Colossians 3:22-24

The Calling of work Negates the rationalization Of the lazy

How you work is How you worship

"Oh, God…work?" - Calling, Command, Gift from God - Witness to unbelievers - To help people in need

"Work is God!" Christian Worship- to declare the worth or value of God as ultimate

Work as a calling - Excellence (as to the Lord)

Work as a calling - Excellence (as to the Lord) - Balance (God is ultimate, so…)

Work as a calling - Excellence (as to the Lord) - Balance (God is ultimate, so…) - Excuseless (boss isn't the issue) - Greater Purposes (not a drain on others, witness, help those in need)

Work as a calling - Excellence (as to the Lord) - Balance (God is ultimate, so…) - Excuseless (boss isn't the issue) - Greater Purposes (not a drain on others, witness, help those in need) Empowered!

Ax me anything!

Convicted… John Became a believer

Am I idle When I could work?

Does anyone owe me Anything?

Based on how I handle myself, What would people at work Say about my faith?

Do I work hard To have something extra to give To people in need?