I. EXORDIUM:
Are you the LORD's worker?
Yes. 2 Timothy 2:15
2 Timothy 2:15 (Amplified Bible)
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers/unbelievers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To show that GOD gave us His Standards and gave us jobs/careers on earth so that He can demote and promote us, we are working for the LORD and not to men.
IV. TEXT:
Colossians 3:23 (Amplified Bible)
Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,
V. THESIS:
Praise, worship, glorify, adore, bless, honor, acknowledge and thank You very much LORD JESUS because You are always watching us, and You see the labor and toil I do at my workplace and You will reward me.
VI. TITLE:
We are the LORD's workers, not men
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: Apostle Paul
B. Date written: Between 60 to 64 A.D.
C. Purpose: To exhort and edify believers
D. To whom written: Church in Colosse, a city of Asia Minor
E. Main themes: Church, as body of CHRIST. CHRIST as Head of the Church. Warnings against trusting worldly wisdom
F. Keywords: CHRIST - the Head of all
Colossians 2:10 (Amplified Bible)
And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].
G. Key verses:
Colossians 2:9-10 (Amplified Bible)
For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature].
And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].
VIII. MAIN BODY:
Colossians 3:23 (Amplified Bible)
Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,
Colossians 3:23 (King James Version)
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
A. Whatever you do, do it heartily
"Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul),"
Colossians 3:17 (Amplified Bible)
And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.
Psalms 47:6-7 (Amplified Bible)
Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises in a skillful psalm and with understanding.
Psalms 119:10 (Amplified Bible)
With my whole heart have I sought You, inquiring for and of You and yearning for You; Oh, let me not wander or step aside [either in ignorance or willfully] from Your commandments.
Psalms 119:34 (Amplified Bible)
Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law; yes, I will observe it with my whole heart.
Psalms 119:145 (Amplified Bible)
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord; I will keep Your statutes [I will hear, receive, love, and obey them].
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (Amplified Bible)
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the place of the dead), where you are going.
1 Peter 1:22 (Amplified Bible)
Since by your obedience to the Truth through the [Holy ] Spirit you have purified your hearts for the sincere affection of the brethren, [see that you] love one another fervently from a pure heart.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (Amplified Bible)
So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.
It's the attitude of our heart. We know the Real Boss or Judge that sees it all is JESUS. And He rewards us with either demotion or promotion. Men tires and sleeps, and they can no more see what you're doing or not doing, but GOD sees it all and He rewards. That's why even in my work place I try to please Him not men. Men might ridicule and insult you, but GOD judges and He sees what's done to you, and He will promote you and demote another that only works for eye-service or as men pleaser. The more human bosses are not watching you, the more work you pour to your job because GOD is the Judge who sees your work.
Psalms 75:6-7 (Amplified Bible)
For not from the east nor from the west nor from the south come promotion and lifting up.
But God is the Judge! He puts down one and lifts up another.
Remember we have an audience of one, that One is JESUS CHRIST, the One that we can easily please, and not men. We ought to please Him when we are in prosperity (successful in every venture irregardless of money)
Psalms 35:27 (Amplified Bible)
Let those who favor my righteous cause and have pleasure in my uprightness shout for joy and be glad and say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.
Let the LORD be magnified because He takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.
B. To the LORD and not unto men
"as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,"
Ephesians 6:6-7 (Amplified Bible)
Not in the way of eye-service [as if they were watching you] and only to please men, but as servants (slaves) of Christ, doing the will of God heartily and with your whole soul;
Rendering service readily with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to men,
1 Peter 2:13 (Amplified Bible)
Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
1 Peter 2:15 (Amplified Bible)
For it is God's will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons.
Our Real Boss is seated on GOD's right hand judging us, judging our works. He demotes and rewards.
Matthew 12:36 (Amplified Bible)
But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak.
Romans 14:12 (Amplified Bible)
And so each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God.
1 Peter 4:5 (Amplified Bible)
But they will have to give an account to Him Who is ready to judge and pass sentence on the living and the dead.
Have a heart doing all things to please the LORD not men. The LORD JESUS CHRIST alone is the Judge and He judges our works according to His Standards not men's standards.
IX. CONCLUSION:
Praise, worship, glorify, adore, bless, honor, acknowledge and thank You very much LORD JESUS because You are always watching us, and You see the labor and toil I do at my workplace and You will reward me.
