248 – Imitating God in Work

248 – Imitating God in Work

Notes by Steve Jaynes

God bless you all in the mighty and Powerful name of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May God bless you all abundantly. The following are the notes from the latest podcast show “Imitating God in Work.” I have all the scriptures written out so it will be easy for you to follow along.

This week we got into the topic of work. What is work? It's not just what you do to get a paycheck. What we can see is that work is something that we do most of the time. Work of some type takes up most of our day. Work includes preparing meals, preparing to get-go to work, taking care of your home. The majority of our time working. What's important is what is our attitude about work. We are to be imitators of God. Since we spend most of our time working we should have an attitude like God would have towards work. Let's take a look.

Ephesians 5:1 – 15 “Be ye therefore followers [imitator] of God, as dear children; ² And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. ³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; ⁴ Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. ⁷ Be not ye therefore partakers with them. ⁸ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: ⁹ (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) ¹⁰ Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. ¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. ¹² For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. ¹³ But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. ¹⁴ Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. ¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,”

In imitating God we are always to walk in love. At work, we negotiate with each other. We talk and share with each other. On the job, we should know everything we can about the job. What are the requirements of the job? What would it take to lose my job? How can I help the job more? You should know everything you can know about the job. You should know because we are to be sharp knowing what's going on around us.

Ephesians 5:16 – 21 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

As imitators of God, we are always being cheerful. A blessing and giving everything we can to the job. We do what God would do.

Ephesians 6:5 – 8 “Servants, [workers] be obedient to them that are your masters [bosses or supervisors] according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; ⁶ Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; ⁷ With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: ⁸ Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”

This is what good believers would act like and be like imitating God. Some of us as we grow in our knowledge of the job could end up being bosses and supervisors ourselves. This is how we should act imitating God.

Ephesians 6:9 “And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”

This reminds me of this verse in Romans chapter 12, It's talking about we're all members in particular. We all have different functions that we operate in the body of Christ. In the body of Christ, some of us in our jobs will be rulers or bosses and supervisors.

Romans 12:8 “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, [An overseer, boss] with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

If we are bosses and supervisors we should be diligent in our jobs while showing mercy and being cheerful.

Philippians 4:1 – 8 “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. ² I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

In any situation, we should be good leaders and workers. Be praying and asking God for help in time of need. If there be any praise think about these things.  

Until the next time we get together, may God bless you abundantly. 

Agape, 

Steve Jaynes 

The Announcer: Maurice Coleman 

Intro and Outro Music: Pamela LoVerme Janovyak, Her version of "Be Thou My Vision" from her CD Behold 

The Two songs by Dan Moran

But you don't have to wait till the next show to continue to learn and grow. Go to stevejaynes.com where Steve has plenty to give in resources to help you continue to learn today. 

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