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[We have discovered in our study through Colossians that our New Birth in our Lord Jesus Christ has wrought a spiritual resurrection in our hearts and lives.  This resurrection ought to transform the way we live our lives.  We ought to live, 

·        [For eternity rather than for the moment (vs 2).]

·        [In glory rather than as the worldly – Living in holiness, mercy, kindness, meekness, forgiveness, and compassion (vs 8, 12-17).]

·        [In resurrection families and all their wonder (vs 18-21).]

·        [As resurrection wives, husband’s, children, and parents.] 

[But we are not done discovering the impact of the resurrection upon the Christian life.  We now discover in our text that there is also a resurrection service to be done.  This is referring to the work of our lives.  We ought to work, in the work that we do, whatever that work might be, as resurrection servants.] 

[Secular Work Attitudes – It seems that there are many in our day that look at the word work as a dirty four letter word.  They don’t like work.  Many don’t want to do work.  Many seem content to let someone else do all the work and they just do whatever they want to do and someone else ought to support them.  The fact is that God made people to work.  The Bible says,] 

[Genesis 2:7-8 ⁷ And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. ⁸ And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.]

[Genesis 2:15 ¹⁵ And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.]

[God made mankind and made us with purpose, God made us to do various kinds of work.  People need to understand that work is not an evil in our lives, it is part of the purpose of our lives.  People ought to work and be productive in their lives.  The Bible states,] 

[2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. ¹¹ For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. ¹² Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. ]

[You will find satisfaction in your work if you understand that God made you to work and be productive in your life.  Now, in our text, we discover the characteristics of the resurrection servant or worker.  Learn to apply these characteristics in your service, whether as an employee, as the self employeed, or as the business owner and you will find glorious results and fulfillment in and through your work.] 

A.     A Resurrection Employee Is, 

1.      Given To His Work (vs 22; Titus 2.9-10) [– Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: - It is a great thing to have a job and to be able to earn a living.  If you have a job you need to be thankful for your job.  A child of the resurrection ought to be the kind of employee every boss dreams of having.  Christians ought to be the hardest working, happiest and most honest employee in a business.  If you are a child of the resurrection then you ought to,] 

a.      [Take responsibility for your work – . . . not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; . . .  -  Resist the attitude that you only need to do the minimum that you can do to keep your job.  A business cannot prosper and grow if its employees are not willing to help it succeed.  I have known many an employee who would work when the boss was around, but when the boss was not around he would play and goof off.  When you are hired for a job, you will succeed in your job if you take responsibility for your work at all times.  Don’t be an employee who only works when they are being watched.] 

b.      [Be focused upon your job - . . . but in singleness of heart, fearing God: - When you are at work be at work.  Give forty hours of work to your boss for forty hours of pay.  I have met many people who go to work and then try to do everything but work.  To be single of heart means to be the employee that you were hired to be.  Don’t go to work and work on your personal endeavors while on your bosses dime.  Do what you were hired to do.] 

[Titus records it this way,] 

[Titus 2:9-10 ⁹ Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; ¹⁰ Not purloining [to embezzle or steal], but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.]

[My Christian friend your boss ought to be able to trust you in every way.  You should not have to be asked to do anything twice and you should never steal anything, not even the smallest thing from your employer.  How you conduct yourself at work is a reflection of your walk with Christ and your employment ought to build up your testimony and witness for our Lord.] 

2.      Grateful For His Work (vs 23; Eccl 9.10) [– And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; -  This deals with your attitude while at work. Or while doing your work.]   

[Heartily - ψυχῆς (Gk) - life, soul; a many-sided word with the meaning derived from the context; (1) as the derivative existence of all living creatures, including human beings life-principle, physical life, breath (AC 20.10; RV 8.9); (2) as earthly existence in contrast to supernatural existence life, natural life, one’s life on earth (MT 6.25; AC 20.24; RO 11.3); (3) as the nonmaterial inner life of human beings for which the body serves as a dwelling place soul, inner self (MT 11.29; 20.28)^[1] ] 

[Hence, put life into your work, bring a vibrancy out of your employment.  Be a lively, happy, joyful kind of employee.  Have you ever met someone who either hated their job and was miserable in their job or had worked in their job until they were essentially dead in their job.  We have all likely met or had a teacher that was bitter in her teaching, those were the teachers we wish we never had.  But at the same time most of us have met many a teacher who loved to teach and brought life into her classroom.  Or perhaps you have met a man who loved his job and worked joyfully in his job.] 

[Illustration – Carlos The Plumber – I once met a plumber in Atalnta, Georgia Who clearly loved his work.  He smiled and laughed and joked all the time while he was working.  I have seen that man working on some of the nastiest plumbing problems while smiling and laughing in the midst of his work.  He clearly brought life with him when he worked.] 

[This is what is meant by working heartily in whatever you do.  Bring life into your work or bring life out of your work.  Get it into your heart and mind that God made people to work as a part of their lives and you will find life in the midst of your work.] 

[Ecclesiastes 9:10 ¹⁰ Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.]

3.      Guarded In His Work (vs 24-25) [- Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. – How many of us think of our daily work as the work our Lord has given us to do.  But our text states that even while you are at work you are serving our Lord Jesus Christ.  You ought to work at your job as though your job is the work our Lord has given you to do and you ought to do your work as unto our Lord.  I take this to mean that I should,& 

[Do My Very Best In My Work - I have met many people in my life that would say things like, “Well, that’s good enough for government work.”  Or “It’s not the best I can do but its good enough for now.”  I believe that we ought to do our best at everything we do.  We ought to Do Our Utmost For His Highest.  My Friends understand that your paycheck is not the only reward you will get for your daily work.  Our text reveals,] 

[Colossians 3:24-25 ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.]

[Our Lord Jesus Christ is holding you accountable for your daily work and he will either reward you or He will repay you for your wrongs.] 

B.     A Resurrection Employer Is (Col 4.1) [ Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. – Not only do we find a word given here for resurrection employees but we also find counsel for resurrection employers. A Resurrection Employer ought to,] 

1.      Be Generous [- Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; . . . – Everyone knows that people go into business to make a profit or to prosper.  There is nothing wrong with making a profit, but it is important that business owners remember that there is more to being successful than just making a profit.  Companies need good trustworthy, productive employees they can trust in order to be profitable.  Hence a wise resurrection employer will be generous,] 

a.       [In Compensation - . . . give unto your servants . . . – Good employees are hard to find and keep and the best way to keep a good employee is to pay them fairly and pay them regularly.]   

b.      [In Correction – . . . give unto your servants that which is just and equal; . . . – I note here that an employer is to be just.  An employee that is exceptional in his work ought to be treated such, an employee that is marginal in his work ought to be warned and corrected.  It is important for employees to note that how they respond to a correction that might be given will undeniably affect their work relationship.  If they hear a correction and make the needed adjustments then they can become a valuable asset to their employer.  If they become bitter; complaining and gossiping about their boss and company they will hurt their job and harm their future with their company.]  

2.      Be Guided (Col 4.1; Deut 8.18) [- . . . knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. – Even a business owner is accountable to our Lord Jesus Christ.  Business owners must always remind themselves that their success and prosperity is given by our Lord.  The Bible reminds us,] 

[Deuteronomy 8:18 ¹⁸ But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.]

C.     A Resurrection Christian Is (Col 3.1) [- If ye then be risen with Christ, . . . – As we have studied our way through Colossians we have discovered that a Resurrection Christian is,]  

1.      Regenerated by Christ [– Born again.] 

2.      Renewed in Christ [– Has a transformed mind and a new way of thinking.  He has set his mind on things above and his eternal future to come.] 

3.      Resolved to live for Christ [– Christ is real and a part of his life.  He has a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and wants to live in a way that honors Christ.]  

CrossRoads Baptist Church, June 06, 2010