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It's coming to the end of March 2007 - 1Q of 2007 is almost over! Let's look back at what we've been sharing:
1. Challenge ourselves to be Christians in the workplace. What does this mean?
(a) basic level - at least survive so that you re-appear in church on Sunday
(b) intermediate level - apply biblical principles in the way we work, so that we are honest, responsible and encouraging.
(c) advanced level - specifically glorify God by being overtly Christian - by sharing the good news with, or praying for our colleagues or sharing credit with God (in front of our colleagues) for things that work well
(d) super-duper level :) transformational Christianity - effect sea changes in the way work is done and in corporate philosophies to incorporate Christian principles
2. Let's take time to think about where we are on this scale.
...
3. Now that you've decided where you think you are, let's think about what we can do so that we can go further in the remaining months of the year.
4. What are some of the basics? Read the Word. Come to Him in prayer. Stay in community. Do the work.
5. Which is more important? When I find myself asking this question, I am reminded of the story of Jesus and the paralytic in Matt 9:1-9:
Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!" Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
6. Jesus knew that in men's eyes, SAYING "your sins are forgiven" is easy but "get up and walk" is hard. But in God's eyes, they're the same. Both require His awesome power in order to have any meaning. Similarly, I think instinctively it sounds easier to simply read the Bible, do a bit of prayer, even attend cell group, as opposed to actually doing anything about it. But that's just me. Different people have different personalities. But really, ALL these activities require God's very presence. Otherwise they don't mean anything more than someone just SAYING "your sins are forgiven" with no power.
7. Let's consider if we are getting these basics done. First, we actually have to be doing them i.e. read the Word, pray, stay in community and preach the gospel. Then consider if we have fallen into the deception of simply doing these things with no power. One piece of evidence that we may not be doing these things with power is that we only do some of them. If we read the Word with power, we must be praying. We must be staying in community. We must be preaching. Otherwise, it's just reading, rather than READING (see James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says"). If we stay in community, we must be encouraged or encouraging others to read the Word, pray and preach. Otherwise, it's just turning up for fun. And so the same applies to prayer and preaching.
8. Phew. These things are tough. But if God means something to us, then He ought to MEAN EVERYTHING. After all, don't you remember that we mean everything to Him?
Before the world began you were on his mind
And every tear you cry is precious in His eyes
Because of His great love
He gave His only Son
EVERYTHING was done so you would come
Nothing you can do
Could make Him love you more
And nothing that you've done
Could make Him close the door
Because of His great love
He gave His only Son
Everything was done
So you would come
Come to the Father
Though your gift is small
Broken hearts, broken lives
He will take them all
The power of the Word
The power of His blood
Everything was done
So you would come
So you would come - Hillsongs Australia (1997)
9. God bless you and see you all tomorrow at 1 pm as usual :)
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5: 14-16
1. Challenge ourselves to be Christians in the workplace. What does this mean?
(a) basic level - at least survive so that you re-appear in church on Sunday
(b) intermediate level - apply biblical principles in the way we work, so that we are honest, responsible and encouraging.
(c) advanced level - specifically glorify God by being overtly Christian - by sharing the good news with, or praying for our colleagues or sharing credit with God (in front of our colleagues) for things that work well
(d) super-duper level :) transformational Christianity - effect sea changes in the way work is done and in corporate philosophies to incorporate Christian principles
2. Let's take time to think about where we are on this scale.
...
3. Now that you've decided where you think you are, let's think about what we can do so that we can go further in the remaining months of the year.
4. What are some of the basics? Read the Word. Come to Him in prayer. Stay in community. Do the work.
5. Which is more important? When I find myself asking this question, I am reminded of the story of Jesus and the paralytic in Matt 9:1-9:
Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!" Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
6. Jesus knew that in men's eyes, SAYING "your sins are forgiven" is easy but "get up and walk" is hard. But in God's eyes, they're the same. Both require His awesome power in order to have any meaning. Similarly, I think instinctively it sounds easier to simply read the Bible, do a bit of prayer, even attend cell group, as opposed to actually doing anything about it. But that's just me. Different people have different personalities. But really, ALL these activities require God's very presence. Otherwise they don't mean anything more than someone just SAYING "your sins are forgiven" with no power.
7. Let's consider if we are getting these basics done. First, we actually have to be doing them i.e. read the Word, pray, stay in community and preach the gospel. Then consider if we have fallen into the deception of simply doing these things with no power. One piece of evidence that we may not be doing these things with power is that we only do some of them. If we read the Word with power, we must be praying. We must be staying in community. We must be preaching. Otherwise, it's just reading, rather than READING (see James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says"). If we stay in community, we must be encouraged or encouraging others to read the Word, pray and preach. Otherwise, it's just turning up for fun. And so the same applies to prayer and preaching.
8. Phew. These things are tough. But if God means something to us, then He ought to MEAN EVERYTHING. After all, don't you remember that we mean everything to Him?
Before the world began you were on his mind
And every tear you cry is precious in His eyes
Because of His great love
He gave His only Son
EVERYTHING was done so you would come
Nothing you can do
Could make Him love you more
And nothing that you've done
Could make Him close the door
Because of His great love
He gave His only Son
Everything was done
So you would come
Come to the Father
Though your gift is small
Broken hearts, broken lives
He will take them all
The power of the Word
The power of His blood
Everything was done
So you would come
So you would come - Hillsongs Australia (1997)
9. God bless you and see you all tomorrow at 1 pm as usual :)
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5: 14-16
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