Called to work Walking in humility Working for the Lord Valuing people - Christ in our relationships Learning to exercise faith not fear

1. Challenges at WorkChallenges at Work
““Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for theWhatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the
Lord, not for human masters,”Lord, not for human masters,” Colossians 3:23Colossians 3:23

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 Called to workCalled to work
 Walking in humilityWalking in humility
 Working for the LordWorking for the Lord
 Valuing people - Christ in our relationshipsValuing people - Christ in our relationships
 Learning to exercise faith not fearLearning to exercise faith not fear
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3. Called to workCalled to work
 Honest hard work- this is something God seeksHonest hard work- this is something God seeks
from all of us.from all of us.
 God's words tell us that working hard, but with faithGod's words tell us that working hard, but with faith
in mind, can lead to the great things he has plannedin mind, can lead to the great things he has planned
for us.for us.
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4. Called to workCalled to work
 ““Those who work their land will have abundant food, butThose who work their land will have abundant food, but
those who chase fantasies have no sense.those who chase fantasies have no sense. ProvProv
12:1112:11
 ““A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
Prov 13:4Prov 13:4
 ““Diligent hands will rule,Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.” but laziness ends in forced labor.” Prov 12:24Prov 12:24
 ““Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, andAnyone who does not provide for their relatives, and
especially for their own household, has denied the faithespecially for their own household, has denied the faith
and is worse than an unbeliever.”and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Tim 5:81 Tim 5:8
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5. Walking in humilityWalking in humility
 ““For I know the plans I have for you,” declares theFor I know the plans I have for you,” declares the
LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer 29:11Jer 29:11
 Who will or has placed you in your current role?Who will or has placed you in your current role?
 This puts things into perspective – the one whoThis puts things into perspective – the one who
hired you knows what he did and for what purposehired you knows what he did and for what purpose
 At the beginning of a career or a new role or newAt the beginning of a career or a new role or new
company and even of a new project we definitelycompany and even of a new project we definitely
learn humilitylearn humility
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6. Walking in humilityWalking in humility
 Work of greater value is that that has not beenWork of greater value is that that has not been
done in exactly the same way as beforedone in exactly the same way as before
 The challengeThe challenge is that that leads to embracing theis that that leads to embracing the
unknown and the unpredictableunknown and the unpredictable
 That could cause anxiety and feelings ofThat could cause anxiety and feelings of
inadequacy and of fearinadequacy and of fear
 Here is where we walk in humilityHere is where we walk in humility
 Humility to ask for help, to seek to understand andHumility to ask for help, to seek to understand and
to explore new ways of workingto explore new ways of working
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7. Working for theWorking for the
LordLord
 ““Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, asWhatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as
working for the Lord, not for human masters,”working for the Lord, not for human masters,”
Colossians 3:23Colossians 3:23
 In our work we quickly realise that wherever we goIn our work we quickly realise that wherever we go
there is ‘there is ‘politicspolitics’ – here we mean - activities aimed’ – here we mean - activities aimed
at improvingat improving someone's statussomeone's status or increasingor increasing
power within an organization.power within an organization.
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8. Working for theWorking for the
LordLord
 It turns out that for many, many people, the experience ofIt turns out that for many, many people, the experience of
life in the workplace is not simply about earning a living andlife in the workplace is not simply about earning a living and
doing something meaningful.doing something meaningful.
 The workplace can be a cauldron in which it feels like theThe workplace can be a cauldron in which it feels like the
very fibres that constitute your being are being softened andvery fibres that constitute your being are being softened and
pulverised.pulverised.
 At first, you think that you are going to work to do a job, andAt first, you think that you are going to work to do a job, and
do it well, and that for doing it well you will be rewarded.do it well, and that for doing it well you will be rewarded.
 But it turns out that work places are far more complicatedBut it turns out that work places are far more complicated
than that: they are thoroughly political.than that: they are thoroughly political.
 It‘s a dog-eat-dog world, which means that the winner isIt‘s a dog-eat-dog world, which means that the winner is
always a dog.always a dog.
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9. Working for theWorking for the
LordLord
Our Christian Response to Office PoliticsOur Christian Response to Office Politics
Given the negative connotation of office politics, manyGiven the negative connotation of office politics, many
Christians have chosen to remain apolitical.Christians have chosen to remain apolitical.
To them, being involved in office politics means to beTo them, being involved in office politics means to be
manipulative, deceptive, vicious, or evil, and is therefore clearlymanipulative, deceptive, vicious, or evil, and is therefore clearly
incompatible with Christian teachings.incompatible with Christian teachings.
They believe they should take a back seat and let theirThey believe they should take a back seat and let their
politically adept colleagues get ahead, whilst suffering inpolitically adept colleagues get ahead, whilst suffering in
silence, and being falsely made scapegoats by their politicalsilence, and being falsely made scapegoats by their political
colleagues when something goes wrong which they are notcolleagues when something goes wrong which they are not
responsible for.responsible for.
Is it possible to be politically savvy in the office withoutIs it possible to be politically savvy in the office without
compromising our Christian values?compromising our Christian values?
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10. Working for theWorking for the
LordLord
Being Wise as Serpents and Innocent as DovesBeing Wise as Serpents and Innocent as Doves
Lord Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10: 16: “Behold, I amLord Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10: 16: “Behold, I am
sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise assending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as
serpents and innocent as doves”.serpents and innocent as doves”.
Lord Jesus reminds us that we are living in a fallen world, andLord Jesus reminds us that we are living in a fallen world, and
therefore need to be on guard against the hostilities of others.therefore need to be on guard against the hostilities of others.
Lord Jesus does not intend for us to be losers or gullibleLord Jesus does not intend for us to be losers or gullible
pawns in the office. He wants us to be wise like the serpent –pawns in the office. He wants us to be wise like the serpent –
the wisdom of the serpent lies in its ability to keep still, andthe wisdom of the serpent lies in its ability to keep still, and
strike decisively at the opportune moment to overcome itsstrike decisively at the opportune moment to overcome its
enemies.enemies.
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11. Working for theWorking for the
LordLord
Being Wise as Serpents and Innocent as DovesBeing Wise as Serpents and Innocent as Doves
At the same time, Lord Jesus calls us to be harmless likeAt the same time, Lord Jesus calls us to be harmless like
doves, even though it may make us look vulnerable.doves, even though it may make us look vulnerable.
We should not go out to harm othersWe should not go out to harm others
As Christ’s disciples we must be prepared to beAs Christ’s disciples we must be prepared to be
disadvantaged because we do not follow the norms of thisdisadvantaged because we do not follow the norms of this
fallen world.fallen world.
We rely on God’s wisdom to stand firm and to act boldly toWe rely on God’s wisdom to stand firm and to act boldly to
accomplish God’s purposes.accomplish God’s purposes.
In short, we have to find the balance between firmness andIn short, we have to find the balance between firmness and
mercy, boldness and kindness, and to exercise the right traitsmercy, boldness and kindness, and to exercise the right traits
at the right times.at the right times.
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12. Working for theWorking for the
LordLord
Set Our Minds on Things Above and Not onSet Our Minds on Things Above and Not on
Earthly ThingsEarthly Things
As followers of Christ, we should constantly remindAs followers of Christ, we should constantly remind
ourselves that while we are in the world, we are not ofourselves that while we are in the world, we are not of
the world (Jn 17:14).the world (Jn 17:14).
Moreover, we are called to set our minds on thingsMoreover, we are called to set our minds on things
above and not on earthly things (Col 3:2).above and not on earthly things (Col 3:2).
At the workplace, people engage in self-servingAt the workplace, people engage in self-serving
politics to gain undeserved advantages and privilegespolitics to gain undeserved advantages and privileges
at the expense of others.at the expense of others.
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13. Working for theWorking for the
LordLord
 If we are to be effective witnesses for Christ in theIf we are to be effective witnesses for Christ in the
office, we must behave differently from the ‘officeoffice, we must behave differently from the ‘office
politicians’ who care primarily about themselves.politicians’ who care primarily about themselves.
 Instead, we have to put the interests of othersInstead, we have to put the interests of others
above our own (Phil 2:3-4), especially theirabove our own (Phil 2:3-4), especially their
salvation.salvation.
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14. Working for theWorking for the
LordLord
We Are Called to be the Salt and Light in ourWe Are Called to be the Salt and Light in our
WorkplaceWorkplace
As Christians, we are called to be the “salt” andAs Christians, we are called to be the “salt” and
“light” of the world (Matt 5:13-15), and this certainly“light” of the world (Matt 5:13-15), and this certainly
includes our workplace.includes our workplace.
Office politics often lead to undesirableOffice politics often lead to undesirable
consequences such as workplace injustice, hostilities,consequences such as workplace injustice, hostilities,
discriminations, hurts and stress, etc.discriminations, hurts and stress, etc.
What do we put on wounds to stop infection?What do we put on wounds to stop infection?
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15. Working for theWorking for the
LordLord
We Are Called to be the Salt and Light in ourWe Are Called to be the Salt and Light in our
WorkplaceWorkplace
Salt has healing properties, we have theSalt has healing properties, we have the
responsibility to bringresponsibility to bring healinghealing to our workplace, toto our workplace, to
help undo the wounds caused by the politics in ourhelp undo the wounds caused by the politics in our
organizations.organizations.
We are also called to help transform theWe are also called to help transform the cultureculture ofof
our workplace for the better where possible.our workplace for the better where possible.
In Old Testament times, God placed servants likeIn Old Testament times, God placed servants like
Nehemiah at the right place at the right time to fulfillNehemiah at the right place at the right time to fulfill
His purpose.His purpose.
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16. Working for theWorking for the
LordLord
We Are Called to be the Salt and Light in ourWe Are Called to be the Salt and Light in our
WorkplaceWorkplace
In our modern times, God continues to place someIn our modern times, God continues to place some
of us in positions to be able to transform ourof us in positions to be able to transform our
workplace for the better.workplace for the better.
Sometimes this may be achieved by shedding lightSometimes this may be achieved by shedding light
on dark politics in the office.on dark politics in the office.
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17. Working for theWorking for the
LordLord
 Christians are called to do the will of God. It isChristians are called to do the will of God. It is
important that we hear God accurately and obeyimportant that we hear God accurately and obey
His will.His will.
 We may find ourselves in situations at the officeWe may find ourselves in situations at the office
where it is necessary to engage in prevailing officewhere it is necessary to engage in prevailing office
politics.politics.
 However, we must always be mindful that ourHowever, we must always be mindful that our
involvement in office politics has to be bounded byinvolvement in office politics has to be bounded by
thethe grace and mercygrace and mercy of God.of God.
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18. Valuing people - ChristValuing people - Christ
in our relationshipsin our relationships
 Where such situations arise, we should actWhere such situations arise, we should act firmlyfirmly
and boldlyand boldly – since God has given us a spirit of– since God has given us a spirit of
power, love and self-controlpower, love and self-control (2 Tim 1: 7).(2 Tim 1: 7).
 Moreover, it is displeasing to God if we rejoiceMoreover, it is displeasing to God if we rejoice
when our enemies fall and stumble (Prov. 24:17-when our enemies fall and stumble (Prov. 24:17-
18).18).
 God wants us to love our enemies and to pray forGod wants us to love our enemies and to pray for
them (Matt 5:44).them (Matt 5:44).
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19. Valuing people - ChristValuing people - Christ
in our relationshipsin our relationships
 Before we make any political move at the office, we mustBefore we make any political move at the office, we must
be brutally honest with ourselves and to God:be brutally honest with ourselves and to God:
 Are we acting to serve ourAre we acting to serve our self interests or God’sself interests or God’s
purpose?purpose?
 In deciding on our course of action, we must always striveIn deciding on our course of action, we must always strive
to keep a clear conscience before God and man (Actsto keep a clear conscience before God and man (Acts
24:16).24:16).
 ”” 7 7
In everything set them an example by doing what isIn everything set them an example by doing what is
good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousnessgood. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 8
andand
soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so thatsoundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that
those who oppose you may be ashamed because theythose who oppose you may be ashamed because they
have nothing bad to say about us.”have nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:7-8Titus 2:7-8
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20. Learning to exerciseLearning to exercise
faith not fearfaith not fear
 A good example of practicing faith not fear can beA good example of practicing faith not fear can be
found in Nehemiah chapter 1 to 6, where Nehemiahfound in Nehemiah chapter 1 to 6, where Nehemiah
navigated through the Persian officials’ oppositionnavigated through the Persian officials’ opposition
and political moves when he wanted to rebuild theand political moves when he wanted to rebuild the
wall in Jerusalem:wall in Jerusalem:
 Nehemiah prayed and asked God to grant him theNehemiah prayed and asked God to grant him the
king’s favor (1:5).king’s favor (1:5).
 He did not hide his a sad countenance to attract theHe did not hide his a sad countenance to attract the
king’s attention to his grievances (2: 2-3).king’s attention to his grievances (2: 2-3).
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21. Learning to exerciseLearning to exercise
faith not fearfaith not fear
 He asked the king to authorize the building project byHe asked the king to authorize the building project by
issuing him letters to the various officials (2:7-8).issuing him letters to the various officials (2:7-8).
 He made appropriate responses to his opponent’sHe made appropriate responses to his opponent’s
ridicules (2:19-20; 4:1-5).ridicules (2:19-20; 4:1-5).
 He demonstrated his readiness to fight his enemiesHe demonstrated his readiness to fight his enemies
head-on (4:6-15).head-on (4:6-15).
 He attended to the morale issues of his team and wonHe attended to the morale issues of his team and won
their support (5:1-13).their support (5:1-13).
 He fostered loyalty by not burdening his team withHe fostered loyalty by not burdening his team with
supplies that he was entitled to as their governorsupplies that he was entitled to as their governor
(5:14-19).(5:14-19).
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22. Learning to exerciseLearning to exercise
faith not fearfaith not fear
 He did not fall into his enemies’ trap to derail him fromHe did not fall into his enemies’ trap to derail him from
building the wall (6:1-4).building the wall (6:1-4).
 He resisted his opponents’ pressure to intimidate himHe resisted his opponents’ pressure to intimidate him
(6:5-19).(6:5-19).
 No matter how big your problem seems as it loomsNo matter how big your problem seems as it looms
over your life, be assured that you can shrink it downover your life, be assured that you can shrink it down
until it falls down completely when you trust God tountil it falls down completely when you trust God to
help you overcome it. God is much larger than anyhelp you overcome it. God is much larger than any
obstacle you’ll ever face.obstacle you’ll ever face.
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