Whatever You Do

Justin Ader (0:00)

Well, good morning again, church.

I'm thankful to be here with you this morning to preach God's good word. It's a joy and a privilege to do so, to worship our Lord Jesus Christ, to open his word together, and to hear what God has spoken to us through his word. If you are visiting with us today, my name is Justin Ader, and I serve this church in many different capacities, including the privilege of preaching God's words to you this morning for Pastor Joshua, who is traveling back from Colorado, where he goes on his annual trip with the motorcycle club, doing ministry out there, and be praying for them as they journey back. They're going to be in Arizona tonight, and then back in Bakersfield tomorrow, I believe. So keep them in your prayers. If you're visiting with us, we're just truly grateful that you're here with us, that you have joined us this morning, and we do pray that you would be blessed as we hear from God through His word. This weekend, our country observes Labor Day, a holiday dedicated to recognizing work and workers, and there is something almost humorous about the way we celebrate it. We have a holiday about work by trying not to work. All right, many people have Monday off tomorrow. Schools are closed, offices are empty, families barbecue, people travel, and for one day we try our best not to think about the emails, the deadlines, the job sites, the classrooms, the customers, the meetings, the chores, and the responsibilities waiting for us when Tuesday morning arrives. But Labor Day also gives us an opportunity to think about something that occupies an enormous portion of our lives. Whether you work in an office, on a construction site, in a classroom, maybe in a hospital or in a shop, maybe on an airplane, behind a computer, in the oil fields, or at home raising your children, or somewhere entirely different, much of our lives is spent working. And because so much of life is spent working, Scripture has a great deal to say about why we work, how we work, and most importantly, whom we are ultimately working for.

That is what I want us to consider together this morning as we turn to Colossians chapter 3

So if you would, please turn in your Bibles to Colossians chapter 3 And as you do that, I want to give us a brief intro to Colossians for context. Now, the Book of Colossians was a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Church in Colossae around 60 to 62 AD. And it was while he was imprisoned in Rome. And he wrote to a church being pressured by teaching. And throughout the letter, Paul keeps bringing them back to one great truth. Christ is supreme and sufficient over every part of life. Christ is supreme and sufficient over every part of life. Now, that includes not only what we believe and how we worship, but also how we work. So, as we come to Colossians 3, verses 23 and 24, Paul is showing us what the Lordship of Christ looks like in the ordinary responsibilities of everyday life. So, let's hear now the word of the living God. Colossians 3, starting at verse 23 Whatever you do, work hardily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. This is the word of the Lord. Let's pray now and ask God to open our eyes to his marvelous truth. If you would, please pray with me.

Our Father in heaven, as we come to your word, we ask that you would give us eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts ready to receive what you have spoken. Father, guard us from distraction, from pride and familiarity, and help us not simply understand this passage with just our minds, but to be changed by it in our hearts and in our lives. By your spirit, show us the glory and lordship of Christ, and teach us what it means to live every part of our lives before him. Where we need conviction, convict us. Where we need encouragement, strengthen us. And where we need correction, humble us. And where we have forgotten that even our ordinary work belongs to you, renew our minds through the truth of your word. Father, help me to preach faithfully, clearly, and in submission to the text so that what is remembered this morning is not the preacher but Christ and what you have said. And we ask all of this in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

There are certain questions that reveal a great deal about the way we understand ourselves. One of the most common questions we ask someone when we first meet them is, what do you do?