Made for Mondays: Work and the Glory of God Sermon: Work and Justice Isaiah 59:3,6-9a  Sermon Summary The Big Idea of this study is that justice issues are very important to the Lord. We can’t be in a right relationship with him without caring for those he cares about. Those of us who have been around for a while can remember when we put a great deal of trust in institutions and corporations. It was shocking to hear of an organization that betrayed the trust of its employees, or customers. Today it is commonplace to hear of outrageous things happening in corporations, the police force, and even the church. Imagine what this means for the generation of folks under 30 years of age. They have never lived in an era when they could completely trust their world.  I’m sure there are many reasons for the suspicion and lack of trust we are experiencing. In this week’s sermon I discuss some of those factors. But regardless of the reasons, we have a responsibility as followers of Jesus to reverse the trend. We are really talking about issues of justice and integrity. Distrust is a direct result of injustice. We all know what it is like to be treated unfairly and the impact is certainly a breach in the relationship. In our text the Lord is reminding Israel of the importance of looking after the disadvantaged. He says that a relationship with Him requires healthy and just relationships with others who are less fortunate than us. Our prayers are hindered when we don’t care about those he cares about.  Questions for Discussion: 1. Imagine growing up in a world where you don’t trust any institution. What would this do to your worldview? Do you see that in the youngest generation? 2. Do you think the Israelite exiles are shocked by God’s response to their prayer and fasting? Why or why not? 3. Notice how the Lord defines fasting, not as abstaining from food, but as caring for the needy. (See verse 6a) 4. What religious duties might Christians think puts them in good stead with God that in reality miss the point Isaiah is making? 5. Read again verses 8-9 and discuss the benefits promised those who care for those who are in need. 6. Discuss this statement “Followers of Jesus disadvantage themselves for the advantage of others.”

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Made for Mondays: Work and Justice

Made for Mondays: Work and the Glory of God Sermon: All For the Glory of God 1 Corinthians 10:31  Sermon Summary The Big Idea of this study is that we need to see our problems and disagreements through Gospel glasses. Knowing the Gospel story and identifying the real problem is essential to bringing glory to God at work, home and in the church. In my lifetime I have pastored through many disagreements in the church. The current Covid controversies are just the latest in a long line of issues that thoughtful, devout followers of Jesus have disagreed about. I can remember when not wearing a tie on the platform was considered irreverent and then there were the worship music wars and the length of men’s hair. I served under a pastor when I was a youth pastor who was convinced that any music with a rock and roll rhythm was from the devil. The Apostle Paul’s advice about a very hot topic in the 1 st Century was to be careful, no matter what side of the controversy we find ourselves on, to do everything for the glory of God. In other words, His reputation is at stake, we need to respond in keeping with the Gospel story. We need to remember what the real problem is, and things like love, respect, generosity and grace need to flavour our conversations. The world will have all kinds of solutions for our problems at work, at home and in society at large. But they locate the problem and the solution as something in creation. But we know something they do not. “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 3-5) Questions for Discussion: 1. When thoughtful, devout followers of Jesus disagree, how are we to respond? Why is this so difficult? Hint: 2 Cor. 3-5 2. Discuss the Gospel story in terms of hero, problem/antagonist, and solution. Discuss how your life responses reflect which story you believe. 3. Have you noticed how in movies and in culture there are other stories being advocated? How do they differ from the Gospel story? Where do they think the resolution will come from? 4. Pick a problem you are encountering and view it through Gospel glasses. What do you see? 5. How does knowing and trusting Jesus make a difference in your work world, family life, and church life?

Made for Mondays: All For the Glory of God

Made for Mondays: Work and the Glory of God Sermon: Idols at Work and the Gospel Solution Exodus 20:4-5  Sermon Summary  The Big Idea of this study is that while work is God’s good idea there are aspects of work that lead to pitfalls in our spiritual lives. Any good thing can become an idol in our hearts. The Biblical view of idols is that they can be anything that takes the place of God in our lives. Even good things can become idols if they are taken too far. Ezekiel 14:3-7 talks about “idols of the heart.” Anything that replaces the Lord in terms or our security, happiness, satisfaction, etc. has become an idol. We should be careful to be on guard against the tendency to allow anything to come between us and the Lord. The history of Israel is of course riddled with examples of them gravitating toward idolatry and the terrible consequences. The problem with idol worship is that it does not lead to good and meaningful lives, it leads to bondage. This is why the Lord wants us to worship him only and rely on him only for our security, happiness and fulfillment. When we worship the Lord he does not abuse us, as idols do, but rather he frees us and leads us toward joy. In John 15:11 Jesus reminds us of this. The danger of idolatry is that it leads to demonic oppression. In both the Old and the New Covenants we hear that demons lurk behind the idols people worship (See Deut. 32:16-17 and 1 Cor. 10:20). While this does not need to be a concern for the spiritually aware Christian, it behooves us to be very careful that Jesus remains the centre in our work world. Don’t give the enemy a foothold. Questions for Discussion: 1. Discuss together the Biblical definition of idol worship as anything we love, serve or derive meaning from more than from the Lord God 2. John Calvin said: “The human heart is an idol factory.” Why do you think that may or may not be true? 3. Discuss why authentic worship of the true God is the antidote to idolatry. 4. Can you think of other things that are good that can easily become idols if taken too far? 5. While material possessions, joy, and power are all good things if kept under the lordship of Jesus, how can we make sure they stay in their proper place? 6. Discuss the importance of being on Mission for the success of our family and work life. By this I mean having a purpose in life given by the Lord that is greater than happiness or money or status.

Made for Mondays: Idols at Work and the Gospel Solution

Made for Mondays: Work and the Glory of God Sermon: Called For Work 1 Corinthians 7:17, Genesis 37, 39-41 Sermon Summary The Big Idea of this study is that while we are made for Monday, we do not always find Mondays easy. We live in a world where people seem to be on a happiness quest. They get in relationships to make themselves happy, buy cars to make them happy and some even take a job to make themselves happy. What if we are shooting for a target that doesn’t exist? We’ve all bought, signed up for and dated what we thought would make us happy and found out that happiness is a feeling and we know that feelings lie to us. This weekend we looked at the story of Joseph from the Old Testament. Joseph was one who had jobs that were terrible. Joseph worked as a slave and worked in a jail, but “(he) succeeded in whatever he did.” (Gen 39:2) Joseph took a job that shouldn’t make him happy and he found purpose in it. What would it look like for us to look at our jobs not as something to bring us happiness, but to bring us purpose? Questions for Discussion: 1. What is something that you bought that you thought would make you happy but didn’t? 2. Have you ever suffered from “can’t wait disease” what did that look like in your life? 3. What does it mean to you to be present in the moment that you are living in right now? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself that you shouldn’t always look to what’s next in your life? 4. In your own words, what is the difference between finding a job with purpose and finding a job that makes you happy? 5. Troy talked about the 3 different brick layers at the end of the message. If you were to describe what you do, your purpose for your job, what would it be? How can you remind yourself of that when your job might be something that you don’t want to do?

Made for Mondays: Called For Work

Made for Mondays: Work and the Glory of God Sermon: Problems at Work Genesis 2:15-17; 3:17-19 Sermon Summary The Big Idea of this study is that while we are made for Monday, we do not always find Mondays easy. Something is wrong with both work and the workers. But fear not, the Gospel has a solution.  The original sin messed up creation. Both humankind and the rest of the created order are tainted by the fall. Adam and Eve hide from God, thorns and thistles begin to grow. The results of the fall reverberate through time all the way to our own generation. We sometimes sum up our frustration with the comment “there are problems at work.” Keep in mind that the problems at work are not just with the projects that get messed up or the delays in processes or the computer crashes, but there are people problems as well. Not only can work be messy, people are messy. The Gospel is not just about saving souls it has all kinds of ramifications for the workplace and all of creation. “God so loved the world” not just the people in the world but the whole world. This includes forests and cities and cultures and workplaces: everything in all of creation. So his redemptive work applies to both the invisible and the visible world and he places us in the middle of all that as his servants in restoring creation. Questions for Discussion: 1. Between 1 and 10, what is your level of frustration at work? Why? 2. Are people problems the most difficult to work with? Why? Maybe all problems stem from people problems? 3. In what ways can you see your challenges as a result of the original sin? What similarities can you see between Adam and Eve’s reaction to their sin and your problems with people? Are there thorns and thistles at work that cause fruitlessness in your endeavors? 4. If the Lord is concerned for all creation and not just people, how might he be wanting to work in your workplace? 5. How might you be involved with and cooperate with his purposes at work?

Made for Mondays: Problems at Work

Made for Mondays: Work and the Glory of God Sermon: Work and the Image of God Genesis 1:26-27 Sermon Summary The Big Idea of this study is that as image of God bearers we reflect God’s image in the way we work.  We work to bring orderliness to creation and work is about service, love and worship. What it means to be made in the image of God has occupied theologians, both Jewish and Christian, since the beginning of time. It is probably best to think of a constellation of characteristics that humankind has in common with God. It also helps, I think, to remember that the basis of the similarities is so that God can share an eternal relationship with us. He made us to share in his presence forever. This week we are learning about the nature of God’s work in creation and how it sets the stage for how we are to work as his representatives. We stand between two worlds: the world of heaven and the physical realm. We represent to creation the nature of God and we present up to God the worship of his creation. As followers of Jesus, we worship and bring deserving praise to God while many of our fellow creatures refuse to acknowledge him. In some way we are carrying the responsibility of all of creation to honour their creator. We need to reframe how we view our work in light of how God worked in creation. Work is meaningful and satisfying when we view it as ordering, serving, and loving creation. It is an act of worship to our creator friend. Questions for Discussion: 1. Do you find Monday mornings difficult? Why or why not? 2. Discuss some of the ways humankind are different from the rest of creation.  How might these differences fit us to spend eternity with God? 3. Discuss your occupation as an ordering activity. In what ways does chaos continue to encroach on creation? 4. Discuss this statement: Chaos or disorderliness is a sure sign that Satan is at work. 5. Is chaos in family life (over commitment, time pressure, etc.) God’s best for you? 6. Talk about your work as service, love and worship. How might that attitude toward work make your Mondays better?

Made for Mondays: Work and the Image of God

Made for Mondays Sermon: Work is God’s Idea Genesis 2:1-3, 15 The Big Idea of this study is that work is God’s good idea; we are Made for Monday. While work cannot provide our self-fulfillment or our identity (only Jesus can) it is a way God continues his work on Earth. Question of the Day: Knowing what you now know about Identity and Self-Fulfillment, what would you say to yourself 10 years ago?

Made for Mondays: Work is God’s Idea

The Big Idea of this week is that Jesus listened for an opportunity to make a difference, not just to make a point. Jesus followers often come across situations where we can help and make a difference, and all that we do is tell them that we are praying for them and wish them well. We have to learn to look for these opportunities. We know that God is working in lives around us. This story encourages us to look for where he is working and helping in areas that we can. Love is an action. We should let Jesus do what he does and meet needs in areas that we can meet. Other scriptures to read: James 2:15-17 Group Questions: What are some of your famous sayings that you hear or say? What are some of the worst clichés that you’ve heard? What’s the opportunity that you wish you could have over again that you missed in your life? Read John 11:1-44 As you re-read that passage, what do you think that John wished he understood as he experienced this first hand? What practical things do you think that you need to remember so you don’t miss the next opportunity? What practical need do you see in your world that you can meet? 

Listen Like Jesus: Listen for Opportunity to Make a Difference

The Big Idea of this study is that often the Lord invites us to participate in his miracles. Faith and obedience are required. Question of the Day: Can you determine to pray for your neighbours? When will you do that? What’s your plan?

Kick Off Sunday: Pick Up a Shovel

The Big Idea of this study is that in order to listen like Jesus we need to learn to ask great questions. Good listeners are curious. Question of the Day: Can you determine to ask clarifying questions in your next conversation?

Listen Like Jesus: Jesus Asked Great Questions

The Big Idea of this study is that in order to listen like Jesus we need to hear more than words. Good listeners are detectives.  Question of the Day:  Think back to your last conversation. Did you pick up on any nonverbal clues? How might you improve your listening skills?

Listen Like Jesus: The Samaritan Woman

This is week 3 of our sermon series "Listen Like Jesus" and this week Pastor Troy dives into John chapter 3 looking at Nicodemus and some of the questions he asked Jesus.

Listen Like Jesus: Listen for Opportunity

In our message today we look at Jesus’ first miracle – turning water into wine.  Our focus is not so much on the miracle as it is on the conversation Jesus had with Mary.   When Mary brought the problem to Jesus – ‘they’ve run out of wine’, Jesus listened with discernment.   He was aware of Mary’s concern but he was also aware of His priorities.  He understood the embarrassment and guilt that could come upon the wedding party if they run out of wine – but he also understood what was most important. Mary told the servants to “do whatever he (Jesus) tells you to do”.   She was willing to ask anything – but also willing to yield everything.  As followers of Jesus, we need to be willing to ask. God wants us to bring our requests to Him – but we also must be willing to yield to His will.   Ask anything – yield everything! Personal Reflection: Is there an area of my life I haven't fully yielded to God?   What is that area?   How will I respond?

Listen Like Jesus: Listening with Discernment

The Big Idea of this study is that for us to truly listen to other people it is more than hearing them, we need to know them. Question of the Day: What one thing can you do to show people that you are listening to them by seeing them?

Listen Like Jesus: Listen to Know

“I Used to Think that God Didn’t talk to me, Now I know that I have selective hearing”

I Used to Think…But Now I Know: Selective Hearing

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