Apr 30, 2021
248 – Imitating God in Work
Notes by Steve Jaynes
God bless you all in the mighty and Powerful name of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May God bless you all abundantly. The following are the notes from the latest podcast show “Imitating God in Work.” I have all the scriptures written out so it will be easy for you to follow along.
This week we got into the topic of work. What is work? It's not just what you do to get a paycheck. What we can see is that work is something that we do most of the time. Work of some type takes up most of our day. Work includes preparing meals, preparing to get-go to work, taking care of your home. The majority of our time working. What's important is what is our attitude about work. We are to be imitators of God. Since we spend most of our time working we should have an attitude like God would have towards work. Let's take a look.
Ephesians 5:1 – 15 “Be ye therefore followers
[imitator] of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved
us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to
God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or
covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh
saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor
jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of
thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor
unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of
God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for
because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children
of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with
them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but
now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of
light: 9 (For the fruit of the
Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and
truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the
Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove
them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those
things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made
manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is
light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest,
and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee
light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as
fools, but as wise,”
In imitating God we are always to walk in love. At work, we
negotiate with each other. We talk and share with each other. On
the job, we should know everything we can about the job. What are
the requirements of the job? What would it take to lose my job? How
can I help the job more? You should know everything you can know
about the job. You should know because we are to be sharp knowing
what's going on around us.
Ephesians 5:16 – 21 “Redeeming the time,
because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding
what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;
but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the
Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God
and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the
fear of God.”
As imitators of God, we are always being cheerful. A blessing and
giving everything we can to the job. We do what God would
do.
Ephesians 6:5 – 8 “Servants, [workers] be
obedient to them that are your masters [bosses or supervisors] according to
the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as
unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as
the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the
heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord,
and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man
doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord,
whether he be bond or free.”
This is what good believers would act like and be like imitating
God. Some of us as we grow in our knowledge of the job could end up
being bosses and supervisors ourselves. This is how we should act
imitating God.
Ephesians 6:9 “And, ye masters, do the same
things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master
also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with
him.”
This reminds me of this verse in Romans chapter 12, It's talking
about we're all members in particular. We all have different
functions that we operate in the body of Christ. In the body of
Christ, some of us in our jobs will be rulers or bosses and
supervisors.
Romans 12:8 “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, [An overseer, boss] with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
If we are bosses and supervisors we should be diligent in our jobs while showing mercy and being cheerful.
Philippians 4:1 – 8 “Therefore, my brethren
dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in
the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that
they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help
those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement
also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose
names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord
alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The
Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things
are just, whatsoever things
are pure, whatsoever things
are lovely, whatsoever things
are of good report; if
there be
any virtue, and if
there be
any praise, think on these things.”
In any situation, we should be good leaders and workers. Be praying
and asking God for help in time of need. If there be any praise
think about these things.
Until the next time we get together, may God bless you abundantly.
Agape,
Steve Jaynes
The Announcer: Maurice Coleman
Intro and Outro Music: Pamela LoVerme Janovyak, Her version of "Be Thou My Vision" from her CD Behold
The Two songs by Dan Moran
But you don't have to wait till the next show to continue to learn and grow. Go to stevejaynes.com where Steve has plenty to give in resources to help you continue to learn today.
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steve@stevejaynes.com, 207-595-1577 (Please start with a text first so that we both will have the time to fully communicate.)