Work Matters Genesis, Pslams, Proverbs and Colossians January 1, 2006

Sunday School Lesson – Work Matters – January 1, 2006

This lesson begins a new series of study, “Things That Matter.”

January 1, 2006 – Work Matters – Why should we value work?

January 8, 2006 – Money Matters – Keeping money in proper perspective.

January 15, 2006 – Life Matters – Life is precious.

January 22, 2006 – Character Matters – Why is character important?

January 29, 2006 – Sexual Purity Matters – Live within GOD’S guidelines of sexual and moral purity.

Background scripture: Genesis 1:24-31; 2:8-17; Proverbs 6:6-11; 21:5; Psalm 127:1-5; Colossians 3:18- 4:1.

Focus scripture: Genesis 1: 24-31; 2: 8-9; 15-17; Proverbs 6: 6-8; Psalm 127:1; Colossians 3:22 – 4:1.

Life presents challenges to mankind. Work is a major part of our life. Trying to decide upon a career is very difficult for many people. There are times we pursue one career and discover that we are not cut out for it, so we choose another path. Our goal often is to retire at an early age and live in luxury in a certain place we have described in our minds as the ideal, safe, happy place for the rest of our life.

In our study we will find that work is a gift from GOD. It is important that we balance our life with work, family and relaxation. We need to plan for the future as well.

Let’s read: Genesis 1: 24-31:
24 Then God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that crawl, and the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25 So God made the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and creatures that crawl on the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth,[11] Syr reads sky, and over every animal of the land and the creatures that crawl[12] Lit scurry on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls[13] Lit and all scurrying animals that scurry on the earth.” 29 God also said, “Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This food will be for you, 30 for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth—everything having the breath of life in it. [I have given]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. Evening came, and then morning: the sixth day.

Notice in verse 25 after GOD had made the animals and they were able to live upon earth, HE said this was good. Then HE produced mankind, male and female and HE said in verse 31 this was very good. Male and female made in HIS own image were created and put in charge of the all that GOD had created.
Verse 26 makes the statement, GOD said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth.”

This raises the question to whom is GOD speaking when HE says “let us”? Many believe that the triune GOD is present, GOD – THE FATHER, THE SON and THE HOLY SPIRIT. Others think HE could be speaking to other heavenly beings. Others believe HE is referring to the royal “us”, as in now let’s see what we are going to do next when we think ourselves.

I lean to the trinity of GOD being present. In the book of John, JESUS is referred to as THE WORD. THE WORD has been with us from the beginning.

John 1:1-3:
1 In the beginning[1] Gn 1:1 was the Word,[2] The Word (Gk Logos) is a title for Jesus as the communication and the revealer of God the Father; Jn 1:14,18; Rv 19:13. and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.[3] Col 1:16; Heb 1:2

I think Genesis 1:1-2 is so neat.

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was[1] Or When God began to create the sky and the earth, 2 the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

I think these verses along with the remaining verses describing creation express GOD’S work ethic. You may want to read the first chapter of Genesis to refresh your memory. GOD is creating earth. Notice the word “hovering” in the later part of verse 2.

Hovering connotes the idea of checking it out thoroughly, such as an engineer who has designed a space craft that is to be launched on a long term mission, it must be perfect, functional and every detail thoroughly thought through. There cannot be a mistake. It must be perfect and able to handle every encounter.

GOD is checking out earth before proceeding to the next phase of the strategic launch. All is ready, so-to-speak, press the launch button. GOD is organized and does not proceed to the next step until all is in place to proceed.

When you think about it, we can learn a lot about GOD in this scripture and apply it to how HE can work in our life. When we ask GOD for something through prayer, sometimes HE waits. GOD is sovereign, is all knowing, is all powerful and present everywhere therefore HE is in the best position to answer our request from HIS vantage point. There is often a sequence that must be accomplished. We may not be ready or the circumstances may not be in place for the next sequence to take place.

In Romans 8:26-30 Paul tells us:

26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us[15] Some mss omit for us with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 We know that all things work together[16] Other mss read that God works together in all things for the good[17] The ultimate good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those He foreknew[18] From eternity God knew His people and entered into a personal relationship with them He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.

The focus is on verse 28; GOD is in all things bringing about good. It is not things that are in control and working in our behalf but GOD is directing all things working to bring about the best that can be achieved from a circumstance. When we don’t make the right decisions, GOD still is in there working to help make the best of a mess.

This is why GOD challenges us to work and to do all things as unto THE LORD. Try to do it right the first time. After all we have been created in HIS own image.

What does it mean to be created in HIS image? Many say it is a spiritual, intellectual and moral likeness, not necessarily a physical or material image. We know Moses saw GOD and asked GOD to let him see HIS face. GOD said no. But I will walk by and cover your eyes with MY hand and then remove it when I pass by and you can see the back of MY head. Exodus 33:18-22:

18 Then Moses said, “Please, let me see Your glory.” 19 He said, “I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name • Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”[3] Rm 9:15 20 But He answered, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.” 21 The Lord said, “Here is a place near Me. You are to stand on the rock, 22 and when My glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back, but My face will not be seen.”[4] Jn 1:18

This leads me to believe we are made in GOD’S physical image as well. GOD is creative and HE has also given us a creative nature. Mankind searches for GOD and finds GOD or god in many different ways. But completion and fulfillment occurs when we have found THE TRUE GOD through CHRIST and rebirth.

What a wonderful way to begin the New Year, fully committed to CHRIST as SAVIOR and LORD. Do it now!

JESUS said if you have seen ME you have also seen THE FATHER. Again another reference to let us know we have been created in the image of GOD.

John 14:9-11

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?[5] Jn 10:30,38 The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe[6] Other mss read believe Me because of the works themselves.

We as humans are made in HIS image and we are responsible to GOD for being good stewards of the resources GOD has provided upon earth. We see in the next scripture that GOD planted the garden but man was given the responsibility to work it and watch over it. This is before sin came into the world.

Genesis 2: 8-9; 15-17:
8 The Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He placed the man He had formed. 9 The Lord God caused to grow out of the ground every tree pleasing in appearance and good for food, including the tree of life in the midst of the garden, as well as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.[10] Pr 3:18


15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree of the garden,[16] Gn 3:1–2 17 but you must not eat[17] Lit eat from it from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.”[18] Gn 3:5

GOD gave mankind responsibility to work and manage an ideal place with freedom to choose. GOD placed one restriction upon them, but with the right to choose, verse 17 spells it out. Freedom requires responsibility.
The lure of the unknown is and always will be a strong force in most of our lives. We are made in the image of GOD. GOD loves to create and so do we. We explore and work to uncover and discover. We love to build. GOD ordains work and HE has a plan for each of us spiritually and physically. But when HE says do not eat of a certain tree, don’t do it. That forbidden tree varies with each of us. Stay away from your forbidden tree.

Work is good but too much work along with the wrong motivation can result in many problems. GOD challenges us to allow HIM to guide our life and give us the proper balance of work, family and recreation.

After sin came into the world, work became toil. When we accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR, GOD through the workings of THE HOLY SPIRIT, begins the process of putting work into perspective and restoring the joy of work.

Let’s read: Proverbs was written by King Solomon.

Proverbs 6:6-8:
Laziness
6 Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. 7 Without leader, administrator, or ruler, 8 it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.[9] Pr 10:5; 30:25

Proverbs 21:5:
5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless only becomes poor.[5] Pr 10:4; 14:23; 21:20

GOD led King Solomon to observe the ant and relate the ant’s freedom, diligence and discipline to life.

GOD planned for able bodied humans to work and plan. The ant is an example. The ant does not have to be told what it needs or when to gather its provisions in preparation for winter.

We know what is needed and we should be prepared to meet those needs. We are responsible for managing our time and resources.

There is one key factor in our favor; we can look to GOD to help supply our needs and ask HIM to help us manage our life. GOD does not want us to be reckless with our diligence. In other words get rich schemes are considered as one being lazy and will lead to the poor house.

Let’s read: This Psalm was written by King Solomon.

Psalm 127:2:
2 In vain you get up early and stay up late, eating food earned by hard work; certainly He gives sleep to the one He loves.[1]

“Vain” means empty and falling short of its intended purpose.

Some people point to this verse as a reason not to work.

The emphasis is on people who overemphasized work and ignored GOD. Psalm 127:1 puts it in perspective “1 Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.”

GOD watches over each of us and is our protector, don’t neglect HIM. GOD gives the increase.

GOD expects us to work but HE will help us. When we do an honest days work in an honest profession, we can rest easy at night. GOD provides the rest we need from the cares of the world.

Let’s read - Colossians 3:22 – 4:1:

22 Slaves, obey your human masters in everything; don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but [work]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically,[5] Lit do it from the soul as something done for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord—you serve the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

Colossians 4:1:

1 Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.

Paul addresses work in his letter to the Colossians. It has been estimated there were over 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire when Paul wrote his letter. He did not address slavery but he addressed the work ethic of both the slave and the slave owner. When GOD is in control of our life whether slave or free we are to work as unto HIM. The slave owner is responsible to GOD and should treat the slave as they should. Vengeance is MINE says THE LORD and HE will take matters into HIS hand. We are not to take matters into our hand unless GOD leads us to respond.

A master or anyone responsible for employees is accountable to GOD. Some times employees working for a Christian company think they can take advantage of the company having Christian principles. That is not true. An employee is responsible to work hard for the employer regardless whether it is Christian or non-Christian. The key is for the work to be honest work.
Of course a true slave didn’t have much of a choice but if the master was Christian then chances were the work would be honest.

I know we had Christian folks in the plant who got very upset with their supervisor for not allowing them to read the Bible while they were suppose to be working. There was no problem with them reading their Bible during break but not while they were watching the control panel or equipment.

Work is ordained by GOD. We can abuse work and become a workaholic. We are to balance our work, family and recreation.

I learned late in life that I had to make time for the family.

I know GOD opened doors and gave me success while I was working. The company benefited from GOD working through me to bring about a good result. There were things that I could have never brought about through my own effort. I knew GOD was working in my behalf.

Many of us are in our retirement years. We are still to be diligent in the work of our LORD. We have a wealth of experience and we need to invest this experience in our children, grandchildren and others as our LORD gives us opportunity.

Work is a gift from GOD.

1 Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

FATHER be with each of us, guide us and our families throughout this coming year. We do not know what the year holds but FATHER we know you hold each of us in YOUR hands. May this be the most productive year for serving YOU and our spiritual growth. May we see YOUR handiwork in all we do. We ask this in the wonderful name of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.