From Grind To Glory
Joe Terreri
April 7, 2024

From Grind To Glory

April 7, 2024
Genesis 2:15; Colossians 3:22-4:1


Is work inherently good or is work just a part of life in a broken world?

THE BIBLE BEGINS WITH GOD WORKING.

2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Genesis 2:2

3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:3

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15


Work—and lots of it—is an indispensable component in a meaningful human life. It is a supreme gift from God and one of the main things that gives our lives purpose. But it must play its proper role, subservient to God. Tim Keller in Every Good Endeavor


17a To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’
b “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. Genesis 3:17a-b

18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. Genesis 3:18

> 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken;


for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19


To not find your job to be the primary place of discipleship is to automatically exclude a major part, if not the most, of your waking hours from life with God. The gospel turns your work into a spiritual formation training center. Dallas Willard


22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. Colossians 3:22-25

1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Colossians 4:1

How are Christians supposed to work their jobs?

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Colossians 3:22


1.) DO MORE THAN THE MINIMUM

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… Colossians 3:23


2.) TURN WORK INTO WORSHIP

The gospel frees us from the relentless pressure of having to prove ourselves and secure our identity through work, for we are already proven and secure. Tim Keller in Every Good Endeavor


God doesn’t see secular work as less meaningful than spiritual work.


24…since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. Colossians 3:24-25


3.) EXPECT A REWARD FOR GOOD WORK

As God’s people, we are expected to work our jobs with a sincere heart and do our best as an act of worship unto the Lord.

1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Colossians 4:1

If you’re a boss never forget you will answer to the Boss.


How are you representing Christ in your workplace?