In the opening message of the Walking With Faith series, we learn that before we ask 'Is Jesus with me at work?', we have to understand that God Himself is a worker. God invites you into His work, work is part of your calling, and it becomes worship when you walk with faith.
John 5:16-17, Genesis 2:15, Colossians 3:23-24, Romans 12:1
Before we ever ask 'Is Jesus with me at work?', we have to understand that God Himself is a worker. The Father is at work, the Son is at work, and the Spirit is at work right now — and He invites you into His work. Work is not a curse; it is part of your calling. And when you work with faith, your work becomes worship.
Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath at the pool of Bethesda, and the religious leaders are furious. Jesus doesn't just argue about technicalities — He goes deeper: 'My Father is always working, and so am I.' In Genesis 2, God rested on the seventh day, but that doesn't mean He retired. Jesus reveals that the Father is still working, holding the universe together, sustaining life, loving people, healing people. God is not just the God of Sunday; He is the God of Monday morning too. The Father is at work, the Son is at work, and the Spirit is at work right now. The question is: are you working with Jesus, or alone missing the bigger picture of the Kingdom of God?
This is before sin enters the world. Work is not a curse; it is part of our calling. 'Work it and take care of it' in Hebrew is abad and shamar — abad means to serve, to cultivate; shamar means to watch over, protect, guard. Before Adam ever sinned, he was given something to build and something to guard. Work is not just what you do for money. Work is anything God has entrusted you to cultivate and to guard. A parent builds their kids up and protects them. A student builds their skills and protects their future. What is your garden, and what do you need to do in it? Your garden changes over time — the devil wants to convince you that you no longer have a calling because a season has changed. Everything might look dead in winter, but God is preparing your spring. The best thing you can do is look around every day through the week and see what needs to be served and protected by you. That is your literal calling right now.
Paul is talking to bondservants, slaves in the first-century Roman world. Their work is hard, unjust, and unseen. In that environment, Paul says: even if the system is messed up, your work can still be holy if done for Christ. 'Work willingly' means work from your soul, not just with your hands. 'Working for the Lord rather than for people' means your true Boss is Jesus. Every email, every dish, every diaper, every spreadsheet is done to Him. God has infused the act of work with meaning and divine significance. Imagine: your desk is an altar. Your kitchen sink is an altar. Your classroom is an altar. Your retirement schedule is an altar. Every time you choose integrity over cutting corners, kindness over cynicism, excellence over apathy, you are placing that action on the altar as worship. Without faith, you're just doing tasks. With faith, you're walking with Jesus in His work, offering each act back to Him.
This week, examine what your work is. Not just a job where you get money — but what you daily do: chores, school, retirement appointments, everything. Make sure you are taking care of what God has entrusted you with. Worship God with everything you do all day. We have the Spirit of the Lord in us 24/7 — walk with the Lord in every moment of your life.
Spend the week reflecting on this message with daily scripture readings, reflections, and prayers. Each day builds on the sermon and helps you apply biblical wisdom to your life.
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