WORK

What type of work do you do? Are you a steel worker, a carpenter, an administrative assistant or something else? Let me challenge you to share in a most, THE most important work that can be done on the face of the earth, the work of helping people to a wonderful relationship with Jesus Christ.

That was Paul’s work…

So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. ²⁹That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. Colossians 1:28 - 29 (NLT)

That is my work and that is your work. Take it seriously.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

ONCE

I once was young. I once knew nothing about music. I once lived for myself.

Each of you can probably relate what I’m saying because once upon a time you were not who you are today. All of us grow, learn and become changed people simply with the passage of time.

The same is true for those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ:

This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Colossians 1:21 (NLT)

Even though now you may be a Christian, there was a time in your life when you did not live for Christ. Instead, you lived for yourself. You were “lost.”

Just thinking about that, should cause you to have more compassion for those you know who do not have Christ in their lives. Love them. Be Christ to them. Pray for them, just as someone once loved you so much that He died for you and people around you prayed for you, even if you weren’t aware of it. Don’t be a “snob” or an “elitist” Christian…it turns people away from God rather than to Him.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

GIFT

If someone were to give you an iPod for your birthday, would you leave it in the box and forget about it? What if someone gave you a new car, would you simply park it in the garage and ignore the gift?

God has given every one of His children, those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, a special gift:

However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. Ephesians 4:7 (NLT)

What are you doing with the gift(s) that God has given you?

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

JOB

What is it that you work at? What is your job, your purpose in this life? I’m sure it’s something that is incredibly important to you. If it isn’t, you probably don’t work that hard at it…

but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, Ephesians 4:15 (NASB)

Now that’s a purpose, a job worth working hard at…growing up IN ALL ASPECTS into Christ. He is our model, our “boss”, the one whom we want to please and become like. He is Jesus, the Son of God.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

HISTORY

History was never one of my best subjects in school but as I grew older, I became more interested in it. I still don’t know much but I find it fascinating. Taking a look at which country discovered this or conquered that; which person is considered to be famous or infamous as the case may be, can be a fascinating study.

There is One who existed before all of our known, recorded history and One who will be even after you and I have ceased to live on this planet called earth…

This is what the LORD says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies: “I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. Isaiah 44:6 (NLT)

It may seem incredible to believe but it is even more incredible to try to imagine that intelligent life, if we may thus call humanity, simply “happened.” When man invents something like digital television, a device to open cans or anything else, no one questions or even imagines that those things simply “came into being.”

The Bible starts out, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). It further tells us that this was accomplished through His Son, Jesus Christ, (Colossians 1:16) who said,

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:13 (NLT)

Which is easier to believe, that we just popped into existence by an environmental accident (oh yeah, where did the environment come from?), or that there is a loving God in heaven who made you, loves you and wants you to be with Him forever?

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

SHARE

Do you remember when you were young and your parents told you to share your favorite toy with a brother, sister or even a friend? Sharing weaves us together as a society; it helps us identify with each other as being “human.” Sharing problems with each other can knit us together as well. It helps us realize that we are all in this thing called “life” together.

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NLT)

What is the law of Christ? Listen to Jesus’ own words…

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34 (NASB)

Listen to each other’s problems, empathize, comfort and console. This is love in action, the love of Christ.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD