Isn’t odd how we celebrate work by not doing anything? This past week we celebrated Labor Day. It is a day designed for end of summer do-it-yourself projects, firing up the grill one more time, enjoying a slice of juicy, ripe watermelon with a lingering sunset, and pulling out the Rubbermaid tub full of sweaters. Or is it?
This past Sunday morning we examined the origination of Labor Day. We saw how it began as a time meant to consider the poor working conditions of the American laborer in the mid-19th century. As more and more American factory workers pressed for better working conditions and wages, a holiday to celebrate those factory workers and their efforts was born. Unfortunately, these efforts are lost in the fray of department store sales and “unofficial” end of summer activities that are taking place over a hundred years later. Let’s take a moment in the next few weeks to reflect upon those who put their jobs on the line for the benefit of others who came after them.
After reviewing the history of Labor Day, I asked a few members of our congregation to speak about what they do for a living. We had a nurse, phlebotomist, and a veterinarian describe what they do in the course of an average day. As a side note, we will be changing our name from Eastpoint Family Church to Eastpoint Family Memorial Hospital in the coming year. Just kidding, we need to attract more specialists first. By listening to these job descriptions, we were able to see how God blesses each individual with special gifts and talents that no one else has.
In the next part of the message, I asked an important question—“Why Work?” One doesn’t have to look far to find God’s answer to this question. Numerous times through the Old and New Testament, God tells us that food, necessities, shelter, etc. is only available through work. Solomon and Paul, the apostle, tell us what a righteous individual does receive and what a slothful person does not receive (see Proverbs 16:26 and 28:19; I Thessalonians 4:11, 12 and II Thessalonians 3:6-15). As we extrapolate from Solomon (Proverbs 16:26), if hunger drives the laborer to work, then hunger for God should drive us to work for God and do whatever we can for Him.
In this work for God, we should ask Him to give us “inspired work”. This is work that displays God’s beauty and honors Him. If that is the cleaning of the church, do it as unto the Lord. If that is the mowing of the lawn, do it as unto the Lord. If that is the collection of the offering, watching the nursery, cooking for events, etc, do it as unto the Lord. Honor and glorify Him through your service to Him. Take this same work ethic to your regular workplace, your home, your relationships, everywhere. If you honor God through every aspect of your life, you will not only get the attention of God, but also of your coworkers, your family, your friends, and anyone else you may meet in a public place. The apostle Paul describes this in I Thess. 4:12 when he writes, “…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders…”. He knew that our daily lives speak volumes, and at a much higher decibel, than our lips every will. We also need to remember that we are constantly sowing seed in our daily lives. How you live your daily life could determine the grade and quality of the soil where you are sowing.
We will leave this Sunday morning on a good note, though. Just as you have been asked to work in the fields of the Lord, so is the Master hard at work, too. Search Philippians 1:6 for one of God’s job descriptions.
Sunday evening we were blessed by the presence of John Heide, a missionary to those folks who reside in their 50’s-plus. This is a harvest field that hasn’t been touched by any of God’s laborers, and John and his wife have volunteered their lives to reaching this ever increasing population within the American borders. Because of illnesses, loneliness, finances, etc., a large number of these people commit suicide. John and his wife are stretching out with both hands in an effort to gather as many as possible for God’s harvest. Remember the Heides in your prayers; ask God to grant them words of wisdom, hearts of compassion, and Godly inspiration for this new and burgeoning mission field.
We have many things coming up these next few weeks. Keep your corneal tissue exposed (“Keep your eyes peeled”) for upcoming announcements and testimonies. We are seeing exciting events take place at Eastpoint Family Church.
Have a blessed week,
Pastor Claude
This past Sunday morning we examined the origination of Labor Day. We saw how it began as a time meant to consider the poor working conditions of the American laborer in the mid-19th century. As more and more American factory workers pressed for better working conditions and wages, a holiday to celebrate those factory workers and their efforts was born. Unfortunately, these efforts are lost in the fray of department store sales and “unofficial” end of summer activities that are taking place over a hundred years later. Let’s take a moment in the next few weeks to reflect upon those who put their jobs on the line for the benefit of others who came after them.
After reviewing the history of Labor Day, I asked a few members of our congregation to speak about what they do for a living. We had a nurse, phlebotomist, and a veterinarian describe what they do in the course of an average day. As a side note, we will be changing our name from Eastpoint Family Church to Eastpoint Family Memorial Hospital in the coming year. Just kidding, we need to attract more specialists first. By listening to these job descriptions, we were able to see how God blesses each individual with special gifts and talents that no one else has.
In the next part of the message, I asked an important question—“Why Work?” One doesn’t have to look far to find God’s answer to this question. Numerous times through the Old and New Testament, God tells us that food, necessities, shelter, etc. is only available through work. Solomon and Paul, the apostle, tell us what a righteous individual does receive and what a slothful person does not receive (see Proverbs 16:26 and 28:19; I Thessalonians 4:11, 12 and II Thessalonians 3:6-15). As we extrapolate from Solomon (Proverbs 16:26), if hunger drives the laborer to work, then hunger for God should drive us to work for God and do whatever we can for Him.
In this work for God, we should ask Him to give us “inspired work”. This is work that displays God’s beauty and honors Him. If that is the cleaning of the church, do it as unto the Lord. If that is the mowing of the lawn, do it as unto the Lord. If that is the collection of the offering, watching the nursery, cooking for events, etc, do it as unto the Lord. Honor and glorify Him through your service to Him. Take this same work ethic to your regular workplace, your home, your relationships, everywhere. If you honor God through every aspect of your life, you will not only get the attention of God, but also of your coworkers, your family, your friends, and anyone else you may meet in a public place. The apostle Paul describes this in I Thess. 4:12 when he writes, “…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders…”. He knew that our daily lives speak volumes, and at a much higher decibel, than our lips every will. We also need to remember that we are constantly sowing seed in our daily lives. How you live your daily life could determine the grade and quality of the soil where you are sowing.
We will leave this Sunday morning on a good note, though. Just as you have been asked to work in the fields of the Lord, so is the Master hard at work, too. Search Philippians 1:6 for one of God’s job descriptions.
Sunday evening we were blessed by the presence of John Heide, a missionary to those folks who reside in their 50’s-plus. This is a harvest field that hasn’t been touched by any of God’s laborers, and John and his wife have volunteered their lives to reaching this ever increasing population within the American borders. Because of illnesses, loneliness, finances, etc., a large number of these people commit suicide. John and his wife are stretching out with both hands in an effort to gather as many as possible for God’s harvest. Remember the Heides in your prayers; ask God to grant them words of wisdom, hearts of compassion, and Godly inspiration for this new and burgeoning mission field.
We have many things coming up these next few weeks. Keep your corneal tissue exposed (“Keep your eyes peeled”) for upcoming announcements and testimonies. We are seeing exciting events take place at Eastpoint Family Church.
Have a blessed week,
Pastor Claude
