I. Our Work is a
from God
(Genesis 1:27–28) — 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
(Genesis 2:15) — 15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
II. Our Work is
the Lord
(Colossians 3:22–24) — 22 … obey your earthly masters [people in authority] in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you [“ophthalmodoulia” = eye-service] and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence [fear, worship] for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
III. Our Work is an
to Follow
(2 Thessalonians 3:6–12) — 6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle [refusing to work, lazy] and does not live according to the teaching [passed down with authority] you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example [“mimeomai” = to reproduce]. We were not idle [undisciplined, lazy] when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.