Emmanuel, God With Us:  At Work

December 9, 2007

Pastor Clare Loughrige

God With Us

Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV)

Therefore The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US.

John 1:14 (CEV)

The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us.

God with us: At work

Luke 2:1-18 (TNIV)

¹In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register. ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke tells us about the “business part” of God with us.

1.  The ________________ (a) and his _________________(b) show us the importance of:

¨ Ethics

¨ Reputation of our business practices

¨ Customer service (i.e. servanthood)

Proverbs 31:31 (NIV)

Let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 

Philippians 2:6-7

“… who because he was in nature God, humbled himself and became a servant.” 

“Work is about the creation of value” Dallas Willard

2.  The ________________(c) and the _______________(d) show us the importance of:

¨ Loving the meaning of work (angels to people)

¨ Receiving and enjoying the blessing of work

¨ Giving the blessing of our work to others 

Ecclesiastes 5:19 (NIV)

He should be happy in His work. This is a gift from God.

Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)
As a man thinketh in his heart so he is.

Who is your boss?____________________________________________

Who are your customers?______________________________________

Who are your coworkers?______________________________________

Matthew 5:13-14 (NIV)

You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world. 

Colossians 3:23-24

You do not work for other people. Whatever you do in your job, do it with all of your heart, because God gave you this work to do. It is God that you work for in an audience of one. 

Luke 19:13 (KJV)

Do business ‘til I come.

Conversations in Life Groups and Next Steps:

1. How am I doing at work with???

¨ gratefulness

¨ meaningfulness

¨ purpose

¨ customer service/servanthood

¨ the business’ reputation

¨ ethics

¨ inviting people to know God

2. Before work offer your day to God to be his servant

3. Breath prayer for work: “humbling myself as your servant”

4. At break or lunch, find a quiet place and ask for forgiveness and
renewed strength to be a servant

5. Read the Gospels and watch how Jesus did business and taught business

Recommended resources available in the CCM Bookstore:

Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles, Jesus CEO by Laurie Beth Jones, Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels

Today’s message is available in the bookstore on CD or DVD. Streaming audio and videos of today’s message are also available on our website: ccmonline.org.

Answers:

a. Innkeeper b. Employees c. Shepherds d. Angels