Colossians 3:22-4:1

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Colossians 3:23f.).
Audio Sermon: Colossians 3:22-4:1

Work is a God-provided means to serve God. Though your work is your responsibility, He is your Lord-collaborator. God does not intend for your work to have as its goal the dry bones of mere utilitarian economics. Your work in God’s behalf is ennobling.

God does not want you to become anesthetized by your marketplace. In your marketplace you are charged with the responsibility to “do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.” You are to do your earthly business with a heavenly mind. Why? You are doing your work “as for the Lord, rather than for men” – your mission is souls, not dollars.

The standard you have adopted as your own is not the standard of the world. Rather, your standard is the standard of the Lord. It is a higher standard than the world’s standard. The world’s standard is a gold standard; whereas the Lord’s standard can only be found in sacrifice.

God says, “It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Do you? Is your service directed more toward your clients/patients/customers/bosses/shareholders, or toward the Lord Christ? Does the Lord Christ define your marketplace attitudes and activities, or is your marketplace your definer?

When you do your work heartily, your work-product will be as excellent as you are capable of providing. Be mindful, choosing excellence is the result of one’s commitment to delay his immediate personal gratification. Nonetheless, excellence will result in eternal gratification.

How do you begin to work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men?

* “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Prov. 16:3).

* “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Prov. 16:9).

* “Buy truth, and do not sell it, get wisdom and instruction and understanding” (Prov. 23:23).

Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Your greatest strength is to capture the mind of Christ so that you take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (II Cor. 10:5). Your most disabling weakness is to think man’s thoughts rather than God’s thoughts because when you think like man rather than God you will discover that “you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s” (Mt. 16:23).

Anticipate obstacles and opportunities. Jesus says, “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?” (Lk. 14:28). Be willing to make the appropriate sacrifices.

Commit yourself to persevere in staying focused upon excellence in every area of your work. How does the Christian stay focused upon work-excellence? God says, “Lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1f.).

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO!