Vocation

I. The Good Work of God

God’s work in Creation.

God’s work in Providence.

God’s work in Salvation.

God’s work in Sanctification. (Ephesians 2:10)

God’s work in Glorification – Jesus still labors to prepare a place for his own.

II. The Good Work of Man

Man is created in the image and likeness of God.

Man is to do the work of the Great Commandment – loving God and loving neighbor.

Man is to do the work of the Cultural Mandate. Work is not a result of the fall.(Genesis 1:26-29)

Man is to do the work of the Great Commission. (Matthew 28)

Man is to do this work of God six days a week. This is 85% of man’s life. His vocation is his means of loving God and loving his neighbors. All work is worship. All work is sacred. Every believer is a priest. Work is worship at home, at school, or in the marketplace. Most are not called “away from their fishing boats.” Martin Luther wrote, “Your work is a very sacred matter. God delights in it, and through it he wants to bestow his blessings on you. This praise of work should be inscribed on all tools, on the forehead and the faces that sweat from toiling.” (Exodus 20; Ecc. 3:12-13; 1. Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17; 3:23; Eph. 6:5-8)

Man is to do work in such a way that it is a testimony — people see our good works and learn to glorify our Father.

Man is to do the work of God until he calls us home or returns. (Matthew 24:46)

Illustration: Jesus

Illustration: Paul (2 Thessalonians 3:6-10)

III. The Bad Work of Satan

He encourages us to be negative towards our work. (Ecclesiastes 2:4-10)

He encourages us to be lazy in our work. (Proverbs 6:6-11; 26:12-16; 1 Timothy 5:8)

He encourages us to be immoral in our work.

He encourages us to be idolatrous in our work. It becomes our identity and not a means to an end.

He encourages us to be enslaved in our work. It becomes our master. We become workaholics. There is no time for rest or other priorities.

He encourages us to lust for retirement — another lie that will not satisfy. Life is not a beach chair or a golf course. One may retire from a certain employment, but one ought not retire from work or service. One should steward well their age, experience, and wisdom. One should see laziness as a sin, regardless of age.

Illustration: The Parable of the Talents

Illustration: The Parable of the Unwise Steward

Illustration: The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars