Psalm 104:14-15 & 2Thessalonians 3:6-15

Manly Work.

1. Man is designed to work.

   1. Man was created by God to work.

• Genesis 1:26-27; Gen 2:5, 8, 21-22.

  1. Sin brought toil, pain to man's work.

• Genesis 3:16, Genesis 3:17, Genesis 5:29.

  1. God's mandate to exercise dominion governs us even in sin.

• Genesis 4:26

• Man needs to work.

  1. The biblical meaning of "work."

• Exodus 20:9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
• Genesis 2:3 , Exodus 20:10, Psalm 107:23, Proverbs 22:29, Proverbs 24:27

  1. The biblical purpose of work.

     1. Provide for your household (eat). 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 1 Timothy 5:8, Prov 27:23-27.

     2. Provide for others (give). Luke 12:33, Eph 4:28, 2Cor 9:7.

     3. Provide a witness (light) Psalm 112:9, 2Cor 9:10-11.

     4. Exercise stewardship (gifts and blessings) Daniel 1:17, 1 Kings 7:14, Matt 25:15 ff., Ecc 3:12.

     5. Glorify God (dominion) Gen 2:4, 1Peter 4:11, Ecc 8:16-17.

  2. Man's work and woman's work

     1. Woman will conceive and bear children and nurture the young.

     2. Man will work to provide for his household.

     3. Married men have helpers and together they do the work of being a family.

     4. Specialization.

• Christ redeems man's work from futility.

  1. The joy of work is a gift of God.

• Ecclesiastes 2:24, Matthew 11:28.

  1. Contentment in work is a gift of God.

• Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, 1Tim 6:6-8.

  1. In Christ, work becomes Spiritual again.

     1. We work in obedience to God. 2 Thessalonians 3:11, 2Thess 3:7-9, 2Thess 3:6

     2. We work in prayer to God: confession principle (Psalmist). Psalm 90:16-17.

     3. We work in devotion to God: thanksgiving principle (First fruits) Lev 23:10, Proverbs 3:9-10.

     4. We work for God's purposes: redemption principle (anti-Babel) Matthew 5:14-16. Colossians 3:23-24, 1 Corinthians 7:22.

     5. We work in obedience to God's moral law. Colossians 3:22, Colossians 4:1, 1Tim 6:18-19.

  2. We work as servants of Christ

     1. Household uniform: Romans 13:14.

     2. Household work culture: 2Thess 3:12, 1Tim 2:2

  3. We work and rest according to our Lord's pattern.

• Six days plus one.

  1. We work to glorify God and to enjoy him.

     1. Craftsmanship: Proverbs 8:30-31.

     2. Contentment: 1 Timothy 6:6.

     3. Thanksgiving: Ps 104:14-15.

  2. God is our Master, he crowns our years with goodness.

• Psalm 103:2-5.
• Psalm 128: Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. 2 When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.