More Than A Job- God’s Purpose In Your Work
Teaching Notes
More Than a Job: God's Purpose in Our Work
Many Christians struggle to see how their Monday through Friday work connects to their faith. We compartmentalize our lives, keeping Jesus in the "Sunday bucket" while treating our careers as separate from our spiritual calling. But what if God has a bigger vision for your work than just earning a paycheck?
Why Your Work Matters to God
When Jesus enters our lives as Savior, that's just the beginning. He wants to become Lord of every area - including our careers. Too often we tell Jesus, "Please don't go in that room" when it comes to our work life. But God doesn't see our lives as separate buckets. Your life is one big bucket, and He wants to be Lord of all of it.
The truth is, you're already in full-time ministry. Following Jesus isn't a job title - it's a lifestyle. All of life is worship, including every task and every workday.
What Does It Mean to Work for God?
Paul writes in Colossians 3:23: "Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Notice he says "whatever you do." Whether you're a teacher, first responder, accountant, custodian, CEO, or stay-at-home parent, God has given you unique gifts to honor Him through your work.
Your calling isn't to become someone else, but to become the best version of who God created you to be. Whether it's your first job, a job you hate, or your dream job, God designed us for work and wants our work to be an act of worship.
Raising Your Vision for Work
We need to stop thinking about "church work" versus "secular work." All work is sacred to God when done with the right heart. Consider this:
Real estate agents and builders aren't just selling houses - you're creating environments where families connect and thrive
Teachers aren't just transferring information - you're creating safe environments for children to become who God intended them to be
First responders aren't just dealing with emergencies - you're creating a safe framework for society to flourish
Even if 70% of people aren't fully satisfied in their jobs, and 90% regularly wish they didn't have to go to work, God sees your labor as sacred and valuable. He honors your work even if your boss doesn't.
What Does Biblical Work Look Like?
In Ephesians 6:5-7, Paul addresses workers in the Roman Empire. When he uses the word "slaves," he's not referring to the oppressive slavery we know from history, but to bondservants in Roman households - a system of social advancement where people could work their way up to freedom and wealth through excellence and integrity.
Paul's message is clear: "Serve wholeheartedly as if you were serving the Lord, not people." Even if you're in the lowest position, your work is royal work when done for Christ.
A Word to Bosses
Paul also addresses employers: "Masters, treat your employees in the same way and stop threatening, knowing that he who is both their master and yours is in heaven." If you're a boss, you should strive to be the best boss on the planet because you work for the best boss - Jesus. Create a culture of servant-based leadership, just as Jesus modeled.
How Work Becomes Worship: Honor, Heart, and Hustle
Honor Your Boss
One primary way to honor God at work is by honoring your boss. This means assuming the best and seeking understanding where you have doubts. When there's a gap between your expectations and understanding, you can choose to fill it with trust rather than suspicion, gossip, or complaining.
Operating with a "benevolent bias" - believing the best until proven otherwise - can transform your work environment. When was the last time you simply thanked your boss for the job? Gratitude combats entitlement, which is the kryptonite of the workplace.
Work from Your Heart
Paul says to work "not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart." If we're going to reach our cities for Christ, how we work matters. Is there anything different about you in your work environment?
Imagine if all the employers in your city compared notes on their best workers. What if they discovered the common denominator was that these employees all loved Jesus? That's the kind of witness that transforms communities.
Hustle Hard
Paul calls us to "serve wholeheartedly" - to work hard whether anyone is watching or not. Excellence in our work, even in mundane tasks, becomes an act of worship when done for God's glory.
Two Purposes of Work
Work as Provision
If you're faithfully showing up to a difficult, thankless job to provide for your family, that's worship that matters to God. He sees your sacrifice and honors your faithfulness.
Work as Mission Funding
For those blessed with significant resources, God may be calling you to fund His mission on earth. Your business success isn't just for personal wealth - it's an opportunity to advance God's kingdom through generous giving.
Life Application
This week, transform your work into worship with these practical steps:
Pray at your desk or workplace door: "Jesus, I'm working for you today"
Take an honor action - thank your boss or serve a coworker without expecting anything in return
Take an excellence audit - identify one lazy habit and replace it with something productive
Consider taking a generosity step if God has blessed you with resources
Remember, God didn't just make us to make a living - He made us to make a difference. When you realize you're working for God, even simple and ordinary moments take on eternal significance.
Ask yourself: How can I honor God through my work this week? What would change if I truly believed I was working for Jesus every day? How might my witness at work impact my coworkers and community for Christ?
Setlist
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
The Joy- The Belonging Co.
God So Loved- We The Kingdom
Mighty Name of Jesus- Hope Darst
Build My Life- Pat Barrett
WFC Speedway
Beautiful Surrender- Bethel Music
You've Already Won- Shane and Shane
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)- Chris Tomlin
Tremble- Mosaic MSC
Be sure to save our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sunday’s set!
