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The Theology of WORK: Reaching People in The Market Place
The Theology of WORK: Reaching People in The Market Place
• PAUL TYPE OF APPROACH (PAULINE) –He was a tent maker (contractor) and he was
with the people in the market/professionals/business and even with the
government officials. Example Lydia who sells purple linen textiles
(garments);Acts 16:14-15 ; 2 Thessalonians 6:6-13 ; Parable of the Talents ; Acts
18:3 - - (some called it liberals or secularized ministries)
• He work with his own hand and still do the ministry.
Do you think it is wrong to work?
• You work because you serve God and to provide oneself & family
and to serve your neighbor.
What is work?
• THE IDEA OF SACRED (SAINT) & SECULAR (SINNER) – these ideas derive from
monastessism.
• MONASTERY- they separate themselves to keep pure and live holy according to
their beliefs that this body is sinner and this world is sinful.
• Puritans/sacred - those who work in the church are holy and spirituals
• Secular – those who work in the world are cursed and sinful.
• These principles are not found in the bible and not a practice of the early church.
• Example of miss applied interpretation - MARTHA & MARY STORY ( Luke 10:38-42).
It explained only the limited time of Jesus for them.
• NOTE: WE CAN’T SEPARATE SACRED & SECULAR WHILE WE ARE ON EARTH WHAT WE
CAN SEPARATE IS THE GOOD AND EVIL DOINGS.
WHAT IS YOUR VOCATION?
• VOCATION derives from the word vocale – which means voice or calling.
• You are called to a certain purpose.
• If your vocation is a teacher then be a Christian teacher.
• If your vocation is a businessman then be a Christian businessman
• If your vocation is a soldier then be a Christian soldier
• If your vocation is a preacher, then preach the Word of God
• You vocation defines your purpose in life.
• Your vocation is the extension of God’s kingdom.
• Know your vocation, you are called to do the will of God.
• NO VOCATION IS GREATER THAN THE OTHER!
MINISTRY IN A WORKPLACE, IS IT POSIBLE?
• MEDIA
• POLITICIANS/ POLITICS
• CELEBRITY
• BUSINESSES
• HOW ABOUT THE CHURCH?
• The business sector are the most influential transformer of the nation.
They are the one who mold our young, and create some paths to our
society. They are the trend setter.
• Most of the businessman are also used by God to see visions. Visions to
develop and transform a rural area into urban cities.
• Thus work/job are being generated. Work is not a curse but our
solution to provide our needs and to help others.
• Half of our lifetime is spend at work. So let us spend it also in creating
ministry at our work place by rejecting the idea of dualism (sacred &
secular) monastesism and accept the idea that work is a blessing from
God and it is part of my worship.
CONCLUSION:
• Although God wants us to fix our mind on things above, he is also concern
to our body, soul, and spirit to kept blameless until He comes.
• God doesn’t separate secular and saint work. All work must be toward to
God and be beneficial to mankind.
• The principle of monastesism by puritans was passed down from centuries
from the monasteries to the seminaries down to the bible schools. But if
you will trace from acts, there were no distinction between so called
secular & saints.
• OUR WORK IS PART OF OUR MINISTRY. It is a blessing from God that allows
you to do your ministry.
• Anyone who understand the theology of work it is the redirection of your
Sunday towards Monday empowering the whole people of God for their
service and ministry in the world.
QUESTIONS?