Well, at the start of every week, God calls us to come to worship him in the name of his Son and in the presence of God the Holy Spirit.
And we are so thankful that we can respond to that invitation from God as we come together to worship.
And we're going to begin by singing from Psalm 100 on page 362.
Psalm 100, and we'll sing the first version of the psalm.
And one of the things I love about this psalm is that it speaks about all the nations gathering to praise the name of God.
And I think it's so exciting for us to start a new week together, knowing that it's not just us that are praising Jesus.
There's people all across the world gathering to praise his name today.
And we can add our voices to that great multitude as we sing these words together.
All people that on earth to dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Let's stand and sing together.
O people that on earth to dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
And we'll sing with you, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
O people that on earth to dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
And we'll sing with you, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
walk he doth
us
be
and for
his sheep
he doth
us
take
enter
then his
gates with
grace
and broached
with joy
his course
and truth
praise
God and bless
his
name
always
are
it
his
soul
to
do
for
why
the Lord
our God
is good
his mercy
is forever
sure
his truth
at all times
he is good
and shall
promise
to
his
death
do
let's pray
together
dear God
our Father
we are so
thankful that
as a new
week begins
that we can
come together
publicly to
worship you
to bow down
before you
our God
and to come
rejoicing in
the reality of
the resurrection
of your son
our saviour
Jesus
we thank you
that as we
come together
you have
promised to
be with us
by your
spirit
we thank
you
that you
are building
your temple
the people
of God
where your
spirit
dwells
and we
thank you
so so
much
that we
have this
time
where we
can come
together
knowing that
you are
with us
and knowing
that we can
hear your
voice speaking
to us
so we want
to start
our week
bowing down
before you
our God
Father
Son
and Holy
Spirit
the only
God
the awesome
God
the God
who has
been so
so good
to us
and so we
come today
rejoicing
we thank you
so much
that you
have not
abandoned us
we thank you
so much
that you are
a God
full of
mercy
and compassion
because we
are so aware
that we
on our own
we have
no right
to come
before you
we've
sinned
against you
and in
so many
ways
we have
turned away
from you
and we
have followed
after idols
and we
have made
many
mistakes
and there
are so
many
things
that you
have
commanded
us
and made
us
to do
and yet
we've
failed
to do
them
and so
we come
confessing
our sin
before you
we are
frustrated
by our
sin
we're
sorry
for it
but we
are also
so so
thankful
that in
Jesus
we can
have
full
and free
and perfect
forgiveness
and we
just come
rejoicing
in the
reality
of the
gospel
that the
blood of
Jesus
cleanses
us
from all
sin
that all
who come
to you
you will
never
cast out
that if
we confess
our sins
you're
faithful
and just
to forgive
them
and oh
these
and so
many other
gospel
promises
are so
good
and we're
so thankful
for them
and we pray
that the
reality of
that gospel
would just
fill and
enrich all
of our
hearts
today
and that it
would shape
every part
of our
lives
we pray
that as we
come together
we will be
drawn closer
to you
and closer
to one
another
and we
pray that
we will be
prepared
and equipped
for the
week ahead
we want
to live
this week
for you
and so
we come
today
with
repentant
hearts
we want
to turn
away from
sin
and we
want to
refocus
on you
and follow
you
in every
part of
our lives
in the
week
ahead
thank you
for everybody
who has
come here
today
those
gathering
in the
building
those
joining
us
online
thank you
for the
privilege
of being
able to
worship
together
we pray
father
that you
would help
each one
we all
come with
different
circumstances
maybe some
of us have
had a really
good week
maybe others
have had a
hard week
maybe for
some it's
been a
mixture of
both
you know
lord
and so
we come
and we
lay our
hearts
open before
you
and we
pray father
that you
would meet
with all
of us
that your
word would
speak to
us
and that
that you
would
nourish
us
and heal
us
where
we're
bruised
and that
you would
teach us
and guide
us where
we need
to be
led by
you
that you'd
encourage
us and
strengthen
us where
we feel
weak
that you
would
challenge
us where
our hearts
are hard
and that
you would
enable us
by your
grace to
live this
week and
every week
of our
lives for
your glory
we pray
for the
work of
this
congregation
we thank
you for
all the
work of
the gospel
that has
been done
here over
many years
and that
continues
at the
moment
we pray
that you
would
bless
abundantly
bless
the
congregation
here
we pray
for
Colm
and for
all the
office
bearers
and for
everybody
involved
in the
different
ministries
that are
undertaken
week by
week
we pray
that you
would
bless
all of
these
bless
every
family
here
every
individual
and we
pray
especially
for the
opportunity
to invite
people to
a back
to church
Sunday
in a couple
of weeks
time
father we
pray that
you would
give
everyone
the courage
to share
an invitation
and we
pray that
you would
be pressing
it onto
people's
hearts
to return
and we
pray that
over coming
weeks they
would see
both
people coming
back who
may be
drifted
and also
new people
coming
who've
never been
before
and we
pray that
you will be
building up
the work
of the
gospel
here
and also
across the
town and
all the
congregations
we pray
that you
would bless
all the
work of
the gospel
that's been
undertaken
here in
Stornoway
and may
the weeks
ahead be
a time
of great
blessing
and a
time where
all of
your people
shine as
a bright
and a
beautiful
light
in a
town that
so desperately
needs the
gospel
so we
just commit
the congregation
and everybody
here to
your care
and we
pray father
for your
help as we
continue on
worshipping you
just now
we also
want to
remember
those in
need and
in difficulty
throughout the
world
praying for
those who
are suffering
especially those
caught up in
conflict
and we pray
for those in
authority and
those who have
power and
influence that
they would use
that power
for good
and that they
would seek to
find solutions
to so much
suffering that we
see around us
we thank you
father that
as we are so
often grieved by
the broken world
that we live in
we thank you
that we can
come to you
and see that
in Jesus you
have provided
healing and
restoration for
every individual
for the whole of
humanity and
ultimately for all
of the creation
how we thank you
for the gospel
and may our time
together just now
fill us anew
with the joy of
the gospel as we
learn more about
what you've done
for us and may
we be equipped to
go on from here
looking to Jesus
serving you
led by your spirit
all to your glory
we pray it in
Jesus name
Amen
well boys and
girls it's really
nice to see you
all here today
I hope you're all
well I hope you've
all had a really
good summer holiday
so I'm going to
need your help
today I know
you're a wee bit
far away from me
but I'm going to
need your help
and I'm actually
I'm glad that
you're far away
from me because
today we're going
to play a wee
game it's called
hearing test
so I'm going to
test your hearing
okay and so you
have to listen
very carefully to
what I'm going to
say so I'm going
to say some words
very quietly and
you have to tell
me if you can
hear them now
you guys are the
only people who
can play this
game the old
people in here
they've got no
chance they're not
going to hear
anything but you
guys can hear the
words and so you
have to listen
really carefully and
if you hear the
word you have to
put your hand up
and tell me what
I'm saying okay so
do you understand
the game yeah you
ready listen really
carefully tell me if
you can hear what
I'm going to say
it's going to get
harder and harder
so I'll start off
with an easy one
okay
sausages
did you hear what
I said
let's say it
again did anyone
hear what I said
what was it
well done
that was very
good how did you
hear you're so
far away
okay right
I'll have to step
back a wee bit
okay make it
harder let's see if
you can hear what
I say this time
bananas
did you hear me
again what did
what did I say
bananas
I said bananas
very good right
I'm going to have
to make this even
harder right
I'm going to I'm
going to stand
further back I'm
going to put a
book in front of
me okay let's
see you can hear
me this time
tomatoes
how did you hear
that that's so
good right last
all right I'm
going to make it
really hard I'm
going to go right
back here stand
right here see if
you can hear me
now okay
fish and chips
you're nearly
right it was
fish and chips
very good oh
well that was
fantastic you guys
have got really
really good hearing
that was so so
good well I'm
very impressed that
was very very good
for the older people
in here that was
just silence
but you guys have
got really good
hearing well done
do you know who's
got the best
hearing of all
God does
the best hearing
of all is God's
he hears everything
never misses a word
nothing is too quiet
for him in fact
even when we
don't open our
mouths and speak
quietly in our
hearts he hears
us and I want you
all to remember
that today and to
never forget it
because what it
means is that
every single time
you talk to God
he hears you
he never misses
anything
never misses a
prayer
your voice
never ever
goes unheard
and so every
time you pray
to God
whether it's in
church here
or at home
as you lie in
bed
or maybe at
school when
you're finding
it difficult
and you even
pray a really
short prayer
and a really
quiet prayer
and maybe you
don't even
open your mouth
God always
always hears
you
he has the
best hearing
of all
and I want you
always to remember
that because it
means that if
there's ever a
time this week
or in any time
in your life
when you are
having you're
finding it hard
when you're
worried about
something or
maybe something's
happened at
school that's
upset you or
maybe you're
going to bed
at night and
you've got lots
of worries
God's always
listening and
you can pray to
him and you can
talk to him
about it and he
will always
always hear you
because his
hearing is
perfect so
please remember
that it's
reminding us of
what a wonderful
privilege it is
for us to be
able to pray to
God we can
pray to him
every day
thanking him
for the things
that are good
and telling him
about all the
things that are
hard and he
always always
listens so
please remember
that this week
and please
remember it for
the rest of
your lives that
God's hearing is
perfect so you
can always talk
to him he'll
always always
listen and
so we're
going to pray
to him just
now together
and we're
going to pray
the Lord's
prayer that
you'll find on
the inside
page of your
bulletin and
we'll pray this
together and
afterwards we'll
let the boys and
girls who are
heading out make
their way to
the hall
our father
which art in
heaven
hallowed be
thy name
thy kingdom
come
thy will be
done on
earth as it
is in heaven
give us this
day our daily
bread and
forgive us our
debts as we
forgive our
debtors and
lead us not
into temptation
but deliver us
from evil for
thine is the
kingdom the
power and the
glory forever
amen you see
information on
your bulletin
sheet about the
provision for
children during the
holidays so please
feel free to make
your way through the
hall if you'd like
to do so but
also children are
so welcome to stay
in for the service
as well if you'd
rather remain here
we're going to sing
together again from
psalm 57 and we're
singing the sing
psalms version which
is on page 75
psalm 57 singing
from verse 7
my heart is
steadfast lord with
music I will sing
awake my soul wake
harp and lyre my
song the dawn will
bring these words
down to the end of
the psalm just
express our praise
and thanksgiving to
God recognizing that
as we live out our
lives among the
nations of the world
we want to honor and
praise and glorify him
at all times so we'll
stand and sing these
wonderful words
together
my heart is
steadfast lord
with music
I will sing
awake my soul
wake our
hello
my
know
my
The Lord of the earth, my songs of you I'll raise.
Great is your steadfast love, which reaches through the sky.
Your constant faithfulness, O Lord, extends to heaven high.
Above the highest ends, O God, exalted thee.
And over all the earth, O best way, your majesty.
Our reading this morning is from 1 Peter chapter 2.
1 Peter chapter 2, it's just nearly at the very end of the Bible.
It's on page 1220 of the Bible I have, but it might be different page numbers in yours.
1 Peter chapter 2, and we'll read the whole chapter together.
1 Peter chapter 2, and we'll read the whole chapter.
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
Like newborn infants long for the pure spiritual milk that by it you may grow up to salvation,
if indeed you've tasted that the Lord is good.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men, but in the sight of God chosen and precious,
you yourselves, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it stands in Scripture,
So the honour is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,
and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence.
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people for his own possession,
that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people.
Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles,
to abstain from the passions of the flesh which wage war against your soul.
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honourable,
so that when they speak against you as evildoers,
they may see your good deeds, and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,
whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
or to governors as sent by him,
to punish those who do evil, and to praise those who do good.
For this is the will of God,
that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
Live as people who are free,
not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,
but living as servants of God.
Honour everyone,
love the brotherhood,
fear God,
honour the emperor.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect,
not only to the good and gentle,
but also to the unjust.
For this is a gracious thing,
when, mindful of God,
one endures sorrows,
while suffering unjustly.
For what credit is it,
if when you sin and are beaten for it you endure?
But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure,
this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
For to this you have been called,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example,
so that you might follow in his steps.
He committed no sin,
neither was deceit found in his mouth.
When he was reviled,
he did not revile in return.
When he suffered,
he did not threaten,
but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins on his body on the tree,
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
By his wounds you have been healed,
for you were straying like sheep,
but have now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.
Amen.
This is God's word,
and may he bless it to each one of us.
Well, before we come back to the passage,
we're going to sing again,
this time in Psalm 61.
And we're singing from the Scottish Psalter version on page 293.
The first two Psalms that we sung have spoken so much of praising God,
rejoicing in his goodness,
and celebrating all the wonderful things that God has done for us.
But we know that that is always just half of the Christian's experience.
As we follow Jesus,
life also brings many challenges and bruises and struggles.
And the amazing thing about God is that as we come to him,
we don't just come with our joys and thanksgivings,
we also come with our sorrows and our struggles.
And that's captured so powerfully in this Psalm.
We're going to sing verses 1 to 4,
and these are a great reminder that we can come to the Lord for shelter and protection
in all the times when we feel like we are struggling.
So for those of you who have had a tough week,
and who are here feeling like your heart is overwhelmed,
this Psalm is just a wonderful opportunity to pour all that out before the Lord,
and to cast yourself into his loving care.
So we'll stand and sing verses 1 to 4,
Psalm 61, to God's praise.
O God, give thee unto my cry,
unto my prayer at end,
from God's voice corner of the land,
my guide to thee I'll say,
What time my heart is overwhelmed,
and in perplexity,
who thou believe unto the Lord,
that higher is the night.
For thou hast for my refuge been,
a shelter by thy power,
and for defence against my foes,
thou hast been a strong turn.
within thy tabernacle I
forever will abide,
and under cover of thy wings,
with confidence behind.
As we turn back to 1 Peter,
let's just pray together for a wee moment.
Father, as we come to your word now,
we pray that our ears and our minds and our hearts
would be open to hear from you.
We pray that you'd help us to understand your word,
help us to apply it to our lives.
May it be written on our hearts,
and may it shape every part of our lives this week,
and for the rest of our lives.
We pray in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Well, we're going to turn back to this passage,
and I'd like to read again a wee section in the middle,
from verse 11 down to verse 16.
Peter writes,
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles
to abstain from the passions of the flesh
which wage war against your soul.
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honourable,
so that when they speak against you as evildoers,
they may see your good deeds
and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Be subject for the Lord's sake
to every human institution,
whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
or to governors as sent by him
to punish those who do evil,
or to praise those who do good.
For this is the will of God,
that by doing good,
you should put to silence
the ignorance of foolish people.
Live as people who are free,
not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,
but living as servants of God.
At this time of year,
many of us are getting back
into the routine of work and school.
Summer is nearly over,
although this year in Lewis,
we're asking the question,
did it ever even start?
But certainly,
according to the calendar,
summer is nearly over.
Most of us have had holidays,
or those of you who still have holidays,
they're going to be over soon.
School has started.
Many of us are back to work again.
And for some of us,
that might be exciting.
For others,
it might be depressing.
For many of us,
it's probably a mixture of both.
Whatever,
however you feel,
getting back to routine,
there's no denying that work and school
are a massive part of our lives.
It's always important to remember,
we spend far more time at work or at school
than we do at church.
And apart from sleeping,
it's the thing that you're probably going to spend
the most time doing
in the week ahead.
And that's true even if you're not
in paid employment,
or if you're retired.
You still have many, many duties
that you have to attend to this week.
Lots of responsibilities to carry.
There's always going to be things
that you need to do.
And all of that still work.
And for those of you who are retired,
I remember speaking to a friend of mine
who has had a very busy retirement.
And I said,
you seem to be as busy as ever.
And he said,
yes,
the only difference is now I don't get paid
and I don't get holidays.
And so,
everyone's busy.
Everyone's working.
It's all work.
And so,
the title for our sermon today
is Back to Work.
And we're going to use that title
to think a little bit
about what the Bible teaches
about work.
And I hope that that will help us all
as we go into the week ahead
and as we head back into routine.
We've got two main headings,
The Theology of Working,
The Opportunity of Working.
So,
first of all,
The Theology of Working.
The biblical theology of work
can be summed up
in three short statements.
Work is brilliant.
Work is rubbish.
Work is being renewed.
Work is brilliant.
Work is rubbish.
Work is being renewed.
And so,
the first of these,
the fact that work is brilliant,
is something that we learn
from the very start of the Bible.
And in so many ways,
work is a wonderful thing.
It's an immense blessing
to be employed,
to be involved in our community,
to have a home to look after,
to be able to use the gifts
and abilities that we have
for a purpose.
And we must never forget
that that's always been part
of what God has intended for us.
When God placed Adam
in the Garden of Eden,
he placed him there
to work it
and to keep it.
You see that in Genesis 2,
chapter 15.
And so,
it's reminding us
that we're all created
to be workers.
Paradise,
in Eden,
includes work.
And of course,
that makes perfect sense
of the experience
that so many people have
and maybe some of you
have had at times
in your life
when we are unemployed
or we're incapacitated
through illness
or some other reason.
And when we have
those periods in life
when we can't work,
it's so hard.
And for many people,
that's debilitating,
frustrating,
and depressing.
And all of that makes sense
from a biblical point of view
because work is part
of what God has created us to do.
In fact,
working is part
of how we bear
the image of God.
So if you think about God,
God's always active.
He's always utilising
his attributes.
He's always accomplishing
his purposes.
He's always fulfilling
his responsibilities.
God's never bored.
God's never wandering aimlessly.
God's never thinking,
I don't have anything to do.
I don't know what to do.
God never experiences that.
He's always active,
always working.
And as his image bearers,
we're to do the same.
And that's one of the
extraordinary privileges
we have as image bearers.
He's given us capacities,
abilities,
gifts,
to do that.
And,
you know,
we can see that
there have been
so many amazing things
achieved
through humans
getting up in the morning
and working.
And,
likewise,
school is the same.
To have an education
is brilliant.
We have been created
by God to learn
and to grow
and to understand.
And so,
I know that
some aspects of school
are rubbish.
There was lots about school
I didn't like.
But,
as a general principle,
to be educated
is such
an extraordinary privilege.
And it's really important
for children,
young people,
to remember
that throughout history
and even still
throughout the world today,
there are so many people
where their one dream
in life
is to get an education.
education.
And that's part
of what we're made for
because we're made
to learn
and grow.
Education is an extraordinary
privilege.
Teachers and school staff
are a precious,
precious gift
from God.
There's so many ways
in which work
is brilliant.
But work is also rubbish.
And experience
tells us
that work
and school
can be really,
really hard.
And sometimes
it's
Monday to Friday
that
brings the most
bruises
and struggles
in our lives.
And again,
the Bible gives us
an explanation
for this.
Adam was given
the mandate
to work
and the Garden of Eden
is an environment
of harmony
and fulfillment
and purpose.
But sin
has brought
a curse.
And as you come
into Genesis 3,
as Adam and Eve
sin against God
and bring
a curse
onto all of creation,
part of that curse
is to turn
work
into toil.
Let me read
from Genesis 3, 17.
To Adam,
God said,
because you've listened
to the voice of your wife
and have eaten
of the tree
which I commanded you,
you shall not eat of it.
Cursed is the ground
because of you.
In pain,
you shall eat of it
all the days of your life.
Thorns and thistles
it shall bring forth for you
and you shall eat
the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your face
you shall eat bread
till you return to the ground
for out of it
you're taken
for your dust
and to dust
you shall return.
And ever since then,
ever since Genesis 3,
sin has had a devastating effect
on work.
And so,
we can work our socks off
striving to accomplish something
only for it to come to nothing.
We can face hostility,
criticism,
and animosity
from the colleagues
that we work with
or from the members
of the public
that we're trying to serve.
We can go into a new day
hoping to do our best
only to be hit
by disappointments
and discouragements
again and again.
We can constantly be under
the crushing pressure
of expectation,
stress,
to make sure we achieve
and do things at work
even though
all the time
it's pushing us
to breaking point.
And at the opposite end
of the spectrum
some of us
could go to work
and really struggle
with boredom
and a lack of satisfaction
feeling like
we've never quite
done the thing
that we really longed
to do.
And for these
and for many other reasons
work can be
really, really hard
and going back to work
or going back to school
after the summer holidays
can sometimes
be a real thought.
Sometimes it just puts
that kind of tension
down the back of your neck
and it makes your heart sink.
Everybody experiences that
from time to time.
If you're experiencing
that this week
or if you experienced it
last week
or whenever it is
you return to work
or school
please remember,
please remember
that God knows that.
please remember
that Jesus cares
for the burdened.
And that's
that's the amazing thing
about Jesus.
He never ever comes to us
expecting us to be strong
and capable
and confident
because he knows
we're not.
He expects us to come
to him
acknowledging
the fact that
oh man
Monday morning's a thought.
My email inbox
is a nightmare.
I don't want to go
to school today.
I am feeling crushed
by the pressure
I'm under.
You can bring
all of that
to Jesus.
Tomorrow morning
and every day
that is hard
you can lean on him.
He knows
that work
is now rubbish.
But we also need
to know
and remember
that work
is being renewed.
The Bible gives us
a coherent explanation
why we all
have that desire
to work
and why it brings
so much
fulfilment to us.
The Bible has
the explanation
for why
at the same time
going to work
on a Monday morning
or going to school
is really hard.
We must never forget
though
that the great goal
of the gospel
the great goal
of God's redemptive plan
is to put right
what went wrong
in Genesis 3.
And so so much
was broken
in Genesis chapter 3
work included
and the gospel
has come to
restore
and heal
all of that.
And so that means
that God's
redemptive plan
and the goal
of the gospel
includes your job
and your education
that the renewal
of the gospel
should affect
all of these things.
And that applies
now
to our lives.
So that means
that following Jesus
and living for him
should make
a massive difference
to how we find
work and school
and the influence
of the gospel
should shape
the way that we live
and behave
and approach
all of these things.
So going to work today
going to work this week
the gospel comes with us.
We don't leave it
at church on Sunday.
It comes to us
and should
comes with us
and should shape
the way we live
and behave
in all the responsibilities
and duties
that we have
in Monday to Friday.
So it all applies now
but like everything
in the gospel
there is a now
and a not yet
because the fulfillment
of all of this restoration
lies in the future
in the new creation
when once again
work will be restored
to being work
without toil
and the curse
of the sin
will be undone
and as we serve Jesus
in the new creation
we will enjoy
that incredible fulfillment
of using the gifts
that God has given us
to serve him
to work together
to accomplish.
I'm sure you've heard
this many many times
but we must never
think of heaven
as playing harps
on clouds.
It's a new creation
a restored universe
where we will
live and serve
together
with purpose
and with all
the curse
of sin
gone forever.
And all of this
is reminding us
that God's word
is teaching us
that work
is a key part
of the theology
that the Bible
presents to us
and so we can go
through the Bible
and we can find
explanations
for all the experiences
that we have
in our jobs
or in our school.
The theology of work
is incredibly important
but one of the
massive lessons
that the theology
of working
in the Bible
teaches us
is that work
gives us
amazing opportunities
and that means
that for the Christian
if you are a Christian
or if you become
a Christian
that means that
a biblical understanding
of work
makes Monday morning
exciting
and that's so important
for anybody
who is not yet a Christian.
One of the mistakes
that we can make
this is
probably easy
to misunderstand
so please don't get me
wrong when I say this
but one of the
big, big, big mistakes
that we can make
when approaching
the gospel
is to think
that it just
fixes eternity.
Now it does
fix eternity
and Jesus does mean
trusting in Jesus
does mean
that we are going
to be safe
on the day
that we die
and he will take us
to be with him
and we will enjoy
eternity with him
in his new creation
and with all our
brothers and sisters
and the eternity
he has for us
is absolutely amazing
but that is not
just what the gospel
does.
The gospel
doesn't just
fix eternity
the gospel
makes a massive
difference now
and there are
many, many people
who are Christians
who think
that life now
is rubbish
but at least
I've got my ticket
to heaven.
That's a really,
really truncated
understanding
of the gospel
that's only half
the gospel
because following
Jesus actually
makes such
a massive difference
to our lives
today
and so
as we go
into a new week
having our eyes
on Jesus
having our hearts
filled with the
truths of the gospel
makes a massive
difference.
The theology
of working
in the Bible
teaches us
that work
gives us
amazing opportunities
and so I want
to unpack that
a little bit more
the opportunity
of working
and what I want
us to see
is that
1 Peter chapter 2
gives us
two clear reasons
why work
and why the
opportunity
of working
is so important.
First of all
your work
and when
keep reminding
when I say work
I don't just mean
the thing you're paid
for
work
employment
school
or whatever
responsibilities you have
in your home
or your family
or your community
your work
is an opportunity
for Christian
contact.
It's an opportunity
for Christian
contact.
Look again at
verse 11 and 12
Peter says
Beloved I urge you
as sojourners
and exiles
to abstain
from the passions
of the flesh
which wage war
against your soul
keep your conduct
among the Gentiles
honourable
so that when they
speak against you
as evildoers
they may see
your good deeds
and glorify God
on the day
of visitation.
I want you to notice
three crucial words
in that passage
in verse 12
among the Gentiles
so Peter is writing
to Christians
who are spread
all across Asia Minor
which is what we would
call Turkey today
you see the place
is listed at the very
start of the letter
and he describes
the people he's writing
to as the dispersion
the Greek word there
is the word diaspora
it's describing people
who are scattered
across various
locations
in the ancient world
and as the result
of that dispersion
these Christians
are not living
in a Christian nation
or in a Christian community
they are living
in a predominantly
non-Christian society
and that of course
explains why Peter
describes them
as sojourners
and exiles
they were living
in a world
that at first
had no interest
in Christianity
Christianity
but over time
during the first century
became more and more
hostile
to the Christian faith
and in which Christians
were not at home
in other words
it was a world
where they did not
fit in
and as we think
about that situation
we would maybe
expect Peter
to say
cut yourselves off
keep away
from
there's a ton
of terrible influences
around you
keep away
from them
flee
from any interaction
with that society
so that you're
not exposed
to unhealthy
influences
and
so many Christians
throughout history
have done that
and
if you read about
the early church
in like the second
and third centuries
one of the things
that you'll often
read about there
is
sometimes people
who became hermits
so went to live
completely on their own
others
who would maybe
form communities
often
as monks
or as nuns
communities
that were kind of
cut off
isolated
from all the negative
influence
in the world
around them
and that pattern
has continued
maybe not to the extremities
that you see
in the early church
but even in our own
island culture
I think that it's
true to say
that
we are often
drawn to that mindset
where we
are conscious
that the world
around us
is becoming
less and less
shaped by the bible
and our instinct
is to retreat
and
to keep away
and to cut
ourselves off
from those
who are
around us
and
I understand
why people feel
like that
and there is
an aspect
in which
part of that
can be helpful
but
it's
dangerous
because
it can leave us
with very little
contact
with the world
around us
and all the time
Peter
is saying to us
Christians
must be
among
the Gentiles
indeed
the whole of the
second half
of this chapter
that we read
is teaching us
about the
Christian's place
in society
we're to honour
those who are
in authority
we're to be subject
to human institutions
we are to
respectfully serve
our employers
and of course
this is just
emphasising what
Jesus himself said
we said
render to Caesar
the things
that are Caesar's
and to God
the things
that are God
and the crucial
point I want us
to notice
is that
here and
elsewhere
in the New
Testament
we're seeing
that God
wants us
among the
Gentiles
in other words
God wants us
among
unbelievers
among people
who don't know
anything about
the Bible
among people
who don't
really care
what
Christian
ethics
are
among
people
who have
got very
little interest
in honouring
God
in their lives
God wants us
among them
and that's
exactly what
Jesus himself
taught
if you go back
to the Sermon
on the Mount
let me read
from Matthew
5
verse 13
Jesus says
you are the salt
of the earth
but if salt
has lost its taste
how shall its
saltiness be
restored
it's no longer
good for anything
except to be
thrown out
and trampled
under people's
feet
you are the
light of the
world
a city set
on a hill
cannot be
hidden
nor do people
light a lamp
and put it
under a basket
but on a stand
and it gives
light to all
the house
in the same
way
let your light
shine before
others
so that they
may see
your good
works
and give
glory
to your
father
in heaven
and so
our work
what we do
Monday to
Friday
is an
opportunity
for Christian
contact
and what's
the purpose
of that
Christian
contact
well
there's a
key word
that appears
in both
the Sermon
on the Mount
Matthew 5
and in
1 Peter
chapter 2
it appears
in verse 16
in Matthew 5
it appears
in verse 12
in chapter 2
chapter 2
of 1 Peter
it's the word
see
God wants
you as a
Christian
to be seen
in society
not hidden
seen
and
the most
outstanding
example
of this
is Jesus
himself
he worked
with people
he walked
with people
he spoke
to people
he went
into the
towns
he went
into the
villages
he went
into the
streets
he went
into the
public
areas
he went
into the
temple
oh he
was seen
he was
constantly
seen
in the
society
in which
he lived
and it's
all reminding
us that
your job
or your
school
class
or whatever
you're going
to be doing
this week
is an
amazing
opportunity
for Christian
contact
with the
society
that we
live in
so whatever
you are going
to be doing
this week
you are going
to be making
contact
with people
who are not
yet Christians
and as you
make that
contact
you are
a key
participant
in God's
purposes
in fact
we've always
got to remember
we believe
in the
sovereignty
of God
we believe
in the
providence
of God
we believe
that wherever
you are
on Monday
morning
tomorrow
is where
God has
placed you
and why
is he
doing that
it's because
you can
fulfill his
purposes
and he can
work in
and through
you
and by
you being
there
you can
connect
with people
who are
not yet
believers
and this is
where your
role is so
important
because one
thing I can
absolutely say
is that I
used to be
an engineer
before I
was a
minister
I had
far more
contact with
unbelievers
as an
engineer
than I do
as a
minister
and in
so many
ways
it's harder
now to
reach people
because my
work doesn't
give me that
immediate
contact with
those who
aren't believers
same with
those of you
who have to
go to
school
those of you
who are doing
the school run
tomorrow morning
you're going to
meet
if you're
going to
start with
primary
you're going
to see
hundreds of
parents
who aren't
yet believers
by five past
nine tomorrow
morning you
will have
had contact
with more
unchristians
than I'm
going to
have for
the rest
of the
year
and so
it's an
amazing
opportunity
for Christian
contact
and it's a
vital reminder
that whatever
you're doing
this week
your role
there as a
Christian
is of
utmost
importance
because God
wants you
among the
Gentiles
and maybe
you need to
think about
that a bit
more
have you
ever thought
about how
much your
colleagues
and your
community
need you
around them
and among
them
we live in a
world that
is so full
of greed
where there's
brutal
selfishness
where the
workplace is
so often
competitive
hostile
dog eat
dog
we live in
a world
of market
forces where
businesses are
competing against
each other
one person
can only get
stronger
if someone
else is
getting weaker
we live in
a world
saturated by
blame culture
everyone's
constantly looking
over their
shoulder
worried that
they're the
ones who
are going
to be
singled out
for things
that are
going wrong
we live in
a world
where the
workplace
is so
often full
of malice
deceit
hypocrisy
envy
and slander
and as
your colleagues
grind out
their lives
in that
world
they desperately
need you
among them
our society
needs Christians
everywhere
and that
makes your
job and
your routine
this week
so exciting
because as
a Christian
if you are
a Christian
or if you
become a
Christian
you can be
there as
a Christian
and that's
a vital part
of God's
purposes
it's an
amazing
opportunity
to be in
contact with
a world
that desperately
needs the
light that's
within you
our jobs
our work
whatever you're
doing this
week
is an
opportunity
for Christian
contact
we must
be among
the Gentiles
however
being among
the Gentiles
does not
mean
being like
them
and that
brings us
to the
second key
point that
Peter highlights
your work
is an
opportunity
for Christian
conduct
so we
have
Christian
contact
and we
have
the
opportunity
for
Christian
conduct
go back
again
to
11 and
12
beloved I
urge you
as sojourners
and exiles
to abstain
from the
passions of
the flesh
which wage
war against
your soul
keep your
conduct
among the
Gentiles
honourable
so that
when they
speak against
you as
evildoers
they may
see your
good deeds
and glorify
God
on the
day of
visitation
Peter
tells us
that as
we are
among the
Gentiles
we are
to keep
our
conduct
honourable
now the
words here
are fascinating
the word
conduct
literally
means
you're
turning
about
in a
place
and so
it's
conveying the
idea of
behaviour
conduct
way of
life
we would
maybe say
how you
go about
yourself
and it's
clearly a
broad term
and that's
it means that
it's encapsulating
our whole
behaviour as
Christians
so our
attitudes
our
actions
our
reactions
our
speech
our
habits
our
day to
day
conduct
so what
that means
is that
this is a
word that
applies to
the normal
routine
of life
the normal
everyday
unexciting
routine
of life
that means
that for all
of us as we
go back to
work back
to school
back into
a normal
week
we are going
back to
day to day
conduct
to the
behaviour
that makes
up a huge
part of our
weekly routine
and God
wants that
day to day
routine
to be
outstanding
in its
quality
and that's
what's
highlighted by
the word
honourable
again it's a
broad term
basically means
good
it's used
in Galatians
6-9
let us
not grow
weary
of doing
good
same word
in other
parts of
the New
Testament
it's
translated
noble
right
excellent
beautiful
it's all
telling us
that God
wants his
people
he wants
you and
me as
Christians
he wants
our daily
routine
at work
at school
in life
to be a
model
of excellent
behaviour
of beautiful
conduct
and that
inevitably
involves
avoiding
certain
habits
that's why
people
Peter
can say
abstain
from the
passions
of the
flesh
which wage
war
against
your
soul
so in
order to
have the
conduct
that Jesus
wants us
to have
we need
to avoid
the behaviour
that's going
to arise
from the
passions
that exist
within us
in other
words
what this
means
is that
you have
to fight
really hard
on the
inside
if you're
going to
behave
with
gentleness
kindness
and warmth
on the
outside
a little
later
Peter
gives more
examples
of what
these
passions
of the
flesh
tend to
involve
you can
see it
at the
start
of chapter
four
I'll
read it
out
from
verse
three
for time
is past
that suffices
for doing
what the
Gentiles
want to
do
living in
sensuality
passions
drunkenness
orgies
drinking
parties
and lawless
idolatry
with respect
to this
they're
surprised
when you
do not
join
them
in the
same
flood
of
debauchery
and they
malign you
now
these
verses
are so
fascinating
to read
because you
know you
read those
verses and
you can
easily
think oh
man how
depraved
were those
people in
Asia Minor
but think
about the
workplaces
that you
all have to
go into
today
think about
the
conversations
in the
playground
at school
how often
will people
talk about
sex or
take their
phone out
and show a
picture or
a video
that's got
no restraint
that's
sensuality
that Peter
refers to
here
how often
do you
look at
people and
they've just
got such
deep cravings
for the
stuff that
the world
offers
whether it's
money or
status or
power or
possessions
that's the
passions that
Peter is
referring to
how often
do you
see people
and from
Monday to
Friday
they are
just longing
for the
weekend
so that
they can
go out
drink to
excess
party without
restraint
that's what
Peter's talking
about
he's talking
about drunkenness
orgies
drinking parties
exactly the
same stuff
that people
today do
all throughout
the western
world
and how often
do we come
across people
who've got no
thought of God
and instead
they're living
for idols
and as Peter
himself highlights
it was exactly
the same
then
and Peter
uses a
very very
vivid phrase
to describe
this
he calls
it a
flood
of
debauchery
and that's
a phrase
that could
describe many
aspects of
our society
today
that's a
phrase that
could describe
the place
where you
have to
work
this week
or the
school environment
that you have
to grind your
way through
over the
coming
days
and you
look at
our society
today
our newspapers
our TV
programmes
our film
industry
that phrase
captures
well a
flood of
debauchery
and that
kind of way
of life
that mindset
where people
have abandoned
themselves
to what is
often reckless
immoral behaviour
it's actually
seen as
impressive
it's seen
as cool
and this is
where Peter's
language is so
helpful
he calls it
a flood
of debauchery
what's the
key thing
about a
flood
a flood
is very
very
very easy
to get
swept up
in
and that's
what happens
isn't it
it's happened
to me at
times in my
Christian life
I'm sure
it's happened
to you
this kind
of flood
of whether
it's language
or conversations
or whatever
and it
sweeps past
you and
before you
know it
you're in
it
getting swept
along
in fact
people will
think that
you're crazy
for not
joining in
Peter says
that in
verse 4
of chapter 4
he says
people will
be surprised
when you
join in
they'll
speak badly
of you
for not
doing it
and that's
a very
real problem
that you
may have
faced
in the
past
that you
might face
in the
future
you'll
definitely
face it
in school
those of
you who
are in
school
particularly
high school
you'll
definitely
face that
people
will be
doing
stuff
you're
like
I don't
want to
join in
with that
and you
get grief
for it
1 Peter
knows exactly
what that's
like
and it's
the same
challenge
that Christians
have faced
for centuries
all of that
raises a really
important question
what do we do
when we
experience that
what's the
right response
to this
kind of
behaviour
what do we
do when
there's a
flood of
debauchery
all around
us
well first
and foremost
we mustn't
join in
and I know
you'll know
that
you know
that anyway
and I don't
really need
to explain
that
but so
that's the
negative
don't do
it
but what
should we
do
should we
avoid
these people
so people
might say
that you
just keep
away
have nothing
to do
with them
but yet
we've just
been saying
that Peter
wants us
among the
Gentiles
so cutting
ourselves off
isn't the
answer
is it
to condemn
these people
and sometimes
that can be
a response
you know
we kind of
are almost
like
we sometimes
feel that we
need to kind of
be like a bit
of a moral
police force
where we want
to kind of
draw attention
to this
this behaviour
and we express
a very firm
judgement over it
now there's
an element
in which that's
important
and too
we do want
to be able
to speak
out when
there are
things that
are wrong
but sometimes
we do it
in a way
that actually
very much
creates hostility
between us
and those who
think differently
of us
and we can
I think we can
all think of
examples
when Christians
have used
a tone
that has been
judgmental
to a point
where it's
not been
honouring
to the Lord
and it's
not been
helpful
and the key
thing we have
to recognise
is that
avoiding people
condemning people
is not actually
what the New
Testament tells
us to do
so what does
the New Testament
tell us to do
when you're going
to work
when you're
surrounded by
colleagues
when you're
facing a flood
of debauchery
what does the New
Testament tell you
to do
the answer
is actually
very simple
it says
show your
good works
show your
good works
now
what that
means is
just behave
in a way
that is
good
that is
unmistakably
good
that's what
Peter talks
about
in verse
11 and
12
he wants
us to
keep
our
conduct
honourable
so that
when people
speak against
us
they actually
see
our
good
works
and what
do they
do as a
result
they glorify
God
we are to
respond
to that
kind of
behaviour
that we
see in
the world
around us
with a
standard
of conduct
that is
excellent
and that's
where
that's
the key
to our
place
in society
we're to
be involved
in our
society
we're to
be respectful
to everybody
that we
work with
and for
and we
are to
be a
wonderful
influence
for good
within
our
workplaces
and it's
all reminding
us that
as you
go back
to work
as you
go back
to school
as you're
faced with
many of
these
attitudes
that think
so differently
from the way
Jesus thought
and from
what Jesus
taught
as you go
into that
you have
an amazing
opportunity
to be
different
and in so
many ways
that describes
the life
of discipleship
it's an
amazing
opportunity
to be
different
not in a
weird way
in a really
really good
way
and so
when people
are depressed
going back
to work
this week
you can
go in
with joy
and enthusiasm
and positivity
when people
feel frustrated
and are clearly
having a bad
day you can
get alongside
them and
encourage them
when customers
are difficult
you can be
patient
when colleagues
are selfish
or harsh
you can be
a model of
kindness
that stands
out beautifully
when other
people are
gossiping
or criticizing
or moaning
you can be
self-controlled
and show a
different example
and the key
point
is that all
of this is
such a
powerful
witness
and I know
I honestly
know as well
as you do
that going to
work tomorrow
morning and
striking up a
conversation about
Jesus is not
easy
and it
doesn't happen
often
and to be
honest
those moments
of witnessing
where we have
conversations about
Jesus are
occasional
we want to
pray for them
we want to
be ready for
them but
they don't
come that
often
that kind
of witnessing
is occasional
there's another
kind of witnessing
that we do
every minute
of every day
and that's
through our
conduct
people can
see you
and the
way you
live your
life
if you have
your eyes
on Jesus
and you're
reflecting
his goodness
it is such
a powerful
witness
and you see
Peter talk
about that
he says
by doing
good you'll
put to
silence
the ignorance
of foolish
people
such an
amazing
opportunity
it's another
thing I have
to say
though
in relation
to this
and this
is a
harder thing
to say
because
when I
say
our
Christ-like
conduct
is such
a good
witness
the opposite
is also
true
when a
Christian's
behaviour
at work
is
unchrist-like
it's a
terrible
witness
never
think
that you
are
sometimes
witnessing
sometimes
not
witnessing
you're
always
witnessing
always
it's just
sometimes
it's good
and sometimes
it's not
good
and I've
seen that
in my
own
life
at times
and that's
that's a
challenge for
us
it's something
we have
to reckon
with
and I'm
going to
say something
that is
maybe very
challenging
it's very
likely
that there's
a Christian
in here
or a Christian
watching at
home
and the
first thing
that you
need to do
tomorrow
morning at
work
is to
go and
apologise
to
somebody
for
something
that you've
said
or done
last week
and that's
not an
easy thing
to do
but it's
a really
brave
thing
to do
and do
you know
what you'll
get if
you do
that
you will
get
respect
because right
now that
person thinks
you're a
hypocrite
because
you said
that you
were
you've
said
that you're
a Christian
and yet
you had a
pain in
the backside
last week
and if
you apologise
you're not
going to
lose their
respect
you're going
to gain
their
respect
and that's
just the
Christian life
the life
of discipleship
showing itself
in
that's the
way
that's what
the gospel
is all
about
acknowledging
our mistakes
saying that
we're sorry
and moving
on in
repentance
and in
healing
the test
of being
a Christian
in the
workplace
is not
never
getting
it
wrong
we're
always
going
to
get
it
wrong
the test
is saying
sorry
when we
do
so all
of this
is reminding
us that
God wants
you in
your
workplace
in your
home
in your
involvement
in the
community
to be a
model of
Christian
conduct
one very
final thing
to say
on that
is that
at times
that might
involve
suffering
and Peter
captures that
really powerfully
in chapter 2
from verse 19
let me just read
these words
because Peter
says it way
better than I
could
this is a
gracious thing
when mindful
of God
one endures
sorrow
while suffering
unjustly
for what credit
is it if when
you sin and are
beaten for it
you endure
but if when
you do good
and suffer
for it
you endure
this is a
gracious thing
in the sight
of God
if you have
a tough day
at work
or at school
even though
you've done
nothing wrong
you can go
home and God
is saying
you've done
a gracious
thing
I've seen
it
and I value
it
from verse 21
for to this
you've been
called
because Christ
also suffered
for you
leaving you
an example
so that you
might follow
in his steps
he committed
no sin
neither was
deceit found
in his mouth
when he was
reviled
he did not
revile in return
when he suffered
he did not
threaten
but continued
entrusting
himself to
him who
judges
justly
he himself
bore our
sins in his
body on the
tree
that we
might die
to sin
and live
to righteousness
by his wounds
you have been
healed
for you
were staying
like sheep
but have now
returned to the
shepherd and
overseers of your
soul
that means
something amazing
you might go to
work this week
and you might
have an opportunity
to speak about
Jesus
you might give
one of these
cards to someone
and they might
actually come to
church
and you might
have a really
positive day
where you've
shown this kind
of characteristics
born the fruit
of the spirit
and that's
brilliant
and you can
come home that
day and say
you know
I am so
thankful to
God that I
was able to
be Christ
like today
and that is
Christ like
but you might
also go to
work and you
might get a ton
of grief
you might have
a really
difficult customer
and you might
have a colleague
who's awful
to you
and it might
be an
absolutely awful
day even
though you
went in
trying to
do your
best
do you know
that on
that day
you are
also being
Christ like
because that's
exactly what
he endured
and that is
why Jesus
meets us
in the
highs of
a day
that's
gone well
and in
the lows
of a day
that's
gone badly
every single
day we are
following him
all of this
is reminding
us that
although going
to work
and school
on a Monday
morning can be
really hard
as a Christian
your work is
such a precious
thing in the
sight of God
it's an
opportunity for
Christian conduct
and your
friends and
colleagues and
classmates need
you there
and it's an
opportunity
did I say
conduct
contact
my words
are too
similar
an opportunity
for Christian
contact
and it's an
opportunity
for Christian
conduct
and that's
what lies
at the heart
of our
witness
and if anyone
here is not
yet a Christian
or not sure
or thinking
about things
I just want
you to see
what a massive
difference it
makes to know
and follow
Jesus
and maybe
you're going
through life
and you're
thinking what
is the point
every week
is just the
same
I'm tired
and disillusioned
and struggling
and I wish
things were
different
and I don't
really know
what to do
if you go
chasing another
job or higher
salary or more
success or a
better car or
whatever you're
going to end
up feeling the
same but if
you follow
Jesus it
transforms
everything
with Jesus
Sundays are
brilliant
so are
Mondays
and so is
every other
day
let's follow
him together
let's pray
Lord Jesus
we thank
you
thank you
for the
difference
that you
make to
every single
part of
our lives
and as
we go
into
Monday
morning
again
and as
we're
getting
back to
routine
after all
the school
holidays
as the
young ones
are going
back to
school
as we're
going back
to work
and as
the
responsibilities
of life
just return
after the
holiday
period
oh we
pray
that you
would use
us in
all of
that
we would
have
Christian
contact
with the
people
who so
desperately
need
you
and that
our lives
would be
a model
of Christ
like conduct
we can't do
that on our
own but you
promise to be
with us by
your spirit
may this
week and
every week
of our lives
be lived
to the
glory of
your precious
and amazing
name
amen
we're going
to conclude
with Psalm
116
in the
Scottish
Psalter
page 154
Psalm
116
page 154
these words
express
just beautiful
expression of
praise and
thanksgiving to
God but
I want to
just highlight
verses 7
to 9
that will be
the last
answer
we sing
we rest
in the
Lord
because he's
been so
good for
us but
we also
live for
him
and so
that verse
9 that
I may
live for
you while
I have
breath
oh that's
our prayer
as we go
into a new
week together
so Psalm
116
1 to 9
four stans
we can
sing
and sing
our hearts
out to
God's
praise
I love
the Lord
because
he heard
my voice
he listened
when I
cry to
him
for
it
I'll
call him
as long
as I
shall
live
he
was
he turned
to hear
me
when I
wait
the
courts
of death
kept
and
entangled
me
of what
we carry
and wish
of
the grave
with
grief
and
trouble
I
was
overcome
then
on the
name
of
God
I
call
Lord
save
the
Lord
our
God
is
kind
and
full
of
grace
both
righteous
and
compassionate
is
he
the
Lord
protects
all
those
of
childlike
faith
when
I
know
significant
he
rescued
me
rest
o'er
my
soul
God
has
been
good
to
you
for
you
O
Lord
has
saved
my
soul
from
death
I
feed
from
stumbling
and
my
eyes
from
tears
that
I
live
for
you
while
I
have
breath
as
you
go
into
a
new
week
together
may
the
grace
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
the
love
of
God
the
Father
and
the
fellowship
of
the
Holy
Spirit
be
with
you
all
and
all
God's
people
say
Amen
ou
a
after
me
Thank you.