Putting God in the picture

Matthew 16:26
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

3 questions in life

• What is success?
• What should I do?
• Who am I?

What does it mean to put God first?

Colossians 1:18

16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

What does the bible tell us about work?

Gen 2:2-2

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.

Gen 2:15

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

Gen 3:18

“Cursed is the ground because of you;
    through painful toil you will eat food from it
    all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
    and you will eat the plants of the field.

Ephesians 2:8-10

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

What does the bible tell us about family?

1 Ti 5:8

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Co 7:14, 16

14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Luke 14:26-28

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 12:48

 “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” 

How can we transform work and family into a worship to our God?

• Seek no glory for yourself
• Know God’s will and be filled with the Spirit

Ephesians 5

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 

• Submit to one another in reverence for Christ

Ephesians 6:9

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

• Help others grow spiritually
• Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord; the Lord will reward each one
• Rely on the strength God provides, trust Him and give Him the glory

1 Peter 4:10-11

¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.