Work Life: New Work

"Whatever you do, work at it with all you heart, as working fo rthe Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Colossians 3:23-24).

1. The purpose of our first work is to help the earth and its people flourish.

Genesis 1: 26-28

Genesis 2: 7-8, 15

These passages show us again the first creation of humanity and its assignment.

To work. To steward the creation.. and to fill the earth with people.. with

civilization, innovation, goods and services, creativity, an economy, government

that helps creation and its people flourish.

When sin entered the world, it broke. (Gen 3:17-19, 23)

Paul refers to Jesus as the second Adam. Not born of dust, but born of heaven.

2. As new creations, we have been assigned new life.

John 20:19-23

The first creation story of Adam is here mirrored in the new creation story. Jesus

breathes on the Apostles in the same way that God breathed on Adam. And as

he breathes he says, "Receive the Holy Spirit." Apostles are being born again

here.. born of the spirit (see John 3).

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone,

the new is here! (Corinthians 5:17).

3. The new work is to help reconcile people to God.

Of course immediately after God made Adam, he puts him in a garden and asks

him to take care of it; to work it. So breath of life is followed by assignment. So

too in John here, the breath of the Holy Spirit is followed by assignment.

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending

you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you

forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are

not forgiven." (John 20:21-23).

How do we do the new work?

1. By Grace - we can do the work of reconciliation; share the message of reconciliation by grace. (John 20:19-23).

2. By Jesus' Authority - we have Jesus authority conferred on us. (Matt 28:16-20).

3. With the Church - One of the 5 ways we've asked our members here to engage at Klamath Christian Center is to be "Inviting" - to bring folks to church, your small group, Bible study, or friend group with you.

4. From Your story - your testimony. The fact is, your unique story of being reconciled to God, of bering born again.. is a powerful tool in persuading others to trust Jesus.