Keep the Faith In The Marketpalce

Pastor Andrew Burchfield's sermon, "Keep the Faith In The Marketplace," encourages listeners to integrate their faith with their work and daily lives, viewing the marketplace as an essential place for ministry and leadership. The sermon reframes conventional ideas about leadership, wealth, and the role of faith in professional settings, inviting believers to see their work as a calling and an opportunity to positively influence the world around them.

Redefining Leadership and Marketplace: Pastor Andrew reinterprets conventional definitions, broadening their scope to include everyday interactions and environments [1].

• Leadership: Leadership is defined not by title or position but by the ability to positively influence the atmosphere and attitudes of others daily [2]. This definition encompasses various roles, including parents, employers, and employees [2].
• Marketplace: The marketplace is any arena where conversations and influence occur, extending beyond traditional business settings to include schools, volunteer work, and even casual encounters at grocery stores [3, 4]. According to Pastor Andrew, the marketplace is a space for meaning, influence, and moments that honor Jesus [5].

Biblical Basis for Prosperity: The sermon addresses common misconceptions about wealth and Christianity, arguing that God empowers individuals to create wealth and achieve success [6].

• Deuteronomy 8:18: This scripture is foundational, asserting that God gives people the power to generate wealth [6]. The sermon references multiple translations to highlight different aspects of this power [6, 7]:
• NIV: God gives the ability to produce wealth [6].
• New Living Translation: God gives the power to be successful [7].
• Amplified Bible: God gives the power to make wealth, remembered with profound respect [7].
• Pastor Andrew clarifies that the ability to create wealth does not negate the need for hard work or the potential for hardship [6].
• Old Testament Examples: The sermon cites numerous figures to illustrate that faith and prosperity are not mutually exclusive [8, 9]:
• Abraham: A wealthy livestock owner [8].
• Isaac: Successful in agriculture [8].
• Jacob: Managed large flocks and strategically bred animals [8].
• Joseph: Managed a national food supply chain in Egypt [9].
• Boaz: A wealthy landowner and grain merchant [9].
• Solomon: Involved in international trade and shipping [9].
• Lydia: A seller of purple cloth [9].
• New Testament Examples:
• Peter, Andrew, James, and John: Fishermen before becoming disciples [9].
• Matthew: A tax collector before becoming a disciple [9].

Practical Ways to Keep Faith in the Marketplace: Pastor Andrew offers practical guidance on integrating faith into daily interactions and professional conduct. He shares four ways to keep the faith in the marketplace, noting that six more are available on bwc.online [10].

• Conversations: Words have the power to shape the world [10].
• Referenced Scripture: Colossians 4:6 advises that speech should be gracious and thoughtful [11].
• Character: Personal integrity influences one's impact [12].
• Referenced Scripture: Proverbs 10:9 states that integrity ensures security [12].
• Creativity: Innovation is a divine gift for solving problems and shaping the future [13].
• Story of Bezalel from Exodus 31:2-5, who was gifted in creating the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant [14].
• Consistency: Consistent actions create significant influence [15].
• Referenced Book: The Atomic Habit by James Clear highlights the power of small, incremental improvements [15].
• Referenced Scripture: Luke 16:10 emphasizes faithfulness in small matters [15].
• Analogy of a Guitar: To underscore the importance of consistency, Pastor Andrew uses the analogy of a guitar. He explains that just as each string on a guitar must be properly tuned to create harmonious music, different areas of our lives (emotions, appearance, desires, physical health, and eternal perspective) must be consistent to live in harmony with God's will [16, 17]. Each string represents a different note: E, A, D, G, B, and E [16]. When one aspect is out of tune, it affects the overall quality and effectiveness of our lives and witness in the marketplace [16, 17].