Posted on July 22, 2018 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
July 22 – 28, 2018
We Are Most Like God When: We Work
By TJ Gonzales
We look at them in our most pivotal moments…Google Reviews! What does the review say? How many stars? Will I enjoy a similar experience? The difference between an excellent family dinner and the need for pepto-bismol hangs in the balance.
Yes, we often look for exceptional service in everything. Restaurants, hotels, cars, insurance policies, children’s programs, etc. We want people with excellent work ethic to earn our business. I can’t be the only one who stops eating the entrée when my glass of water needs a refill, right?
For most of the world, work is an inflow. A way to feed selfish ambitions, gain accolades and elevate among peers for personal prideful reasons (the bad kind of pride). God invites us to think of work as an outflow. A way to provide for our families, care for our friends and for those in need. We have the opportunity to serve others with our God-given abilities, and in doing so, we glorify God in our work. And this makes work of every kind absolutely meaningful!
At one point in my life I worked in construction doing dry-wall sanding. The job was physically demanding and being covered in dust every day was not glorious at all…until I noticed how God was inviting me to glorify him in my work. In addition to focusing on my work, I started praying in the homes we would sand. These houses would be the living spaces for singles, married couples, newborns, big families, small families, people I would never meet but could benefit from prayer. So I prayed for them. My view of work changed when I noticed how my work nested inside of God’s overarching work on earth. His work to restore people back to Himself.
Like a google review, excellent work brings good attention to the worker. Except when we gain attention, we are right in directing it toward God. It is crazy to think that the world gives God a review based on our work, but it’s true. As we learned from Sunday’s message, we will enjoy our work more and more as we learn to leverage our abilities for God’s purposes in serving others. We do this to direct creation back to its Creator, to show the world that he is good.
“If God is satisfied with the work, the work may be satisfied with itself.” C.S. Lewis
Observe, Reflect, Apply: What is work for you? (What is your day-to-day work?) How might God be inviting you to glorify Him in your work? What does your “google review” for your work look like?
{personal reflection and bible reading plan}
As you read the verses each day, make notes of questions you have about what you’re reading as well as answering the reflection questions below. Grab a friend or two to discuss what you are learning and what God is doing in your lives.
To dive deeper into Luke 10-11, CLICK HERE or on the image below and check out this great video from Seth Davidson.
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Prayer is simple in theory but can be very hard. We talk all the time, but talking to God can be scary and bring up emotions that are difficult for us to process. What challenges do you have with prayer?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: How frustrated would you be knowing that you are casting out demons by God’s power, but only to be accused of working for Satan? I know I wouldn’t have been able to stop from giving sarcastic and angry responses. How do you react when you’ve been falsely acccused of something?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: The analogy of letting your light shine is used all the time and in many ways. We even have children songs about it, “This title light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…..” Instead if letting this idea pass by because of its commonality, take 5 minutes and pray asking God to reveal to you what this means for you.
Observe, Reflect, Apply:In today’s world we would say that Jesus just called everyone out for being fake. The Pharisees act holy in public but do evil in private. To be honest, I think we all do this to some extent. Some of us more than others. When do you act fake? Why do you do it?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Jesus is still on his role and getting more specific about the Pharisees being fake. Let’s get more specific with ourselves and our own fake nature. What is God calling you change? How will you let God help you change this about yourself?
Observe, Reflect, Apply: In N.T. Wright’s translation there is a line in this scripture that reads, “and beware of all greed! Your life does not consist of the sum total of your possessions.” Is there more than one kind of greed? If so, what ways does greed show up inside you?
{community discussion questions}
We weren’t meant to experience the life of Jesus alone, so we encourage you to rally a few others to discuss what you are hearing, reading, and reflecting on together. Whether you are meeting as a Journey Community group, talking with a few friends throughout the week, or bringing up spiritual conversations around your table at home, feel free to use some of these questions as conversation starters on your journey.
Can you name a takeaway or challenge from the Sunday message?
How has that been relevant, challenging, or meaningful to your life this week?
What have you observed about God, Jesus, yourself, others, or God’s plan for you from these readings?
Where do you need a breakthrough from God this week?
Who do you need to share what you’re learning about God with?
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources).
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get a free Bible for your phone, tablet, and computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
Please visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and share what you are learning, questioning or experiencing. We love conversations!
