Sunday Sermons

Loving What You Do

Mark Dunagan
09/17/06 - Sunday Morning

Loving What You Do

With the recent death of Steve Irwin (the Crocodile Hunter) this week, I was reminded that here was a person who seemed to love what he was doing and died in the process of doing it. His death made me think, “I wonder how many of God’s people are doing what they love?”

The Occupation you Love

I’m not sure what the percentages are concerning how many people actually spend their lives in a career that is fulfilling and rewarding, yet I do have some suggestions for young people to improve the chances of actually loving what they do for a living:

· Spend time now talking to adults about what they do for a living.

· Take advantage of opportunities to accompany a parent or others to their place of work.

· Spend time researching the wide range of careers and jobs that exist in this country. It is amazing what people actually do for a living. This information is now far more accessible in view of the Internet.

· Do not let life simply put you into a job, and don’t just go with the flow.

· The better your grades, maturity, and experience, the greater your options.

· Resist the temptation to make the effortless choice.

· Look ahead: Find a career that will still be rewarding when you are 40.

· Look ahead: Select a career where you can support a family comfortably and not merely yourself (1 Timothy 5:8).

· It is far easier to prepare for a rewarding occupation when one is young, rather than trying to switch careers after one has a family and bills.

· For the Christian, a prime consideration for what would be a rewarding occupation, would be one in which a person could have time to study and worship and spread the gospel.

Yet even with all the above being said, God reminds us that every Christian should find their present work rewarding, because in reality every Christian is working for the Lord, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord, rather than for men” (Colossians 3:23); “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Thus, no matter what I am doing right now, I can find it very rewarding and exciting because I am working for the Lord and I can have an influence upon others for good.

Preparing for the Lifestyle you Love

By lifestyle I mean such things as where you live, one’s family life, the use of ones’ time, and so on. God reminds us that circumstances and where we live are not the most important considerations. Paul reminded the Corinthians, who seemed preoccupied with the mentality that the “grass is greener on the other side”, or “I would only be happy if...”, that such things as slavery or being free, circumcised or uncircumcised did not matter (1 Corinthians 7:19). What matters is “keeping the commandments of God”. This means that I can be happy, fulfilled, and obedient whether I am rich or poor, and so on. Yet, God does not discourage improving our circumstances when we can (7:21). Thus, consider the following:

· Many of our circumstances are self-chosen. When you are young realize that your choices to go the college, do homework for an extra hour, further your education, and so on, are your means of selecting your further circumstances.

· For the most part, our present circumstances are not written in stone. Our level of prosperity, the amount of hours we work, how far we commute, whether we live in the country or city, how much time we have to spend with our kids and mates, all have some flexibility depending upon what sort of sacrifices and changes we are willing to make. Thus often it is incorrect to believe that one is “stuck” or has no choice to remain in a particular circumstance.

· You only live once and one should enjoy the blessings that this life as to offer.

· Yet let us remember that God also expects us to be happy when our circumstances are not favorable or enjoyable(James 1:2-4).

Happy with our most important Vocation

Steve Irwin was absolutely convinced that he had been put on this earth to save wildlife. In like-manner, Christians should be firmly convinced that they are indeed on the right path and that their mission here is vital. Jesus knew His mission (Luke 19:10), and we need to review our mission often (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; 1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:2; Ephesians 5:22ff; Ephesians 6:4; Titus 2:3-5; Mark 16:15). Consider the following:

· As a Christian I am dealing in the world’s most precious commodity, that is, the souls of men and women (Matthew 16:24-26).

· When I teach the gospel I am solving all the world’s moral (and often economic) problems in one stroke. Sin is the true root cause of man’s social ills. I am not spending my time fighting the wrong battles or putting a band-aid on everything. In one message we have the cure for marriage problems, child-rearing problems, neighbor problems, addiction problems, and so on.

· Christianity actually works, and the results are astounding (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Peter 4:1-5; Titus 3:3). Other messages or philosophies may help a person get their financial life together or their schedule together (of course such teachings are often Biblical principles restated), but I have never seen a message that can completely change a person, inside and out, like the gospel. The gospel will help you with your finances, but that is only a side benefit. The real thing the gospel can do is save you and develop you into an unselfish person.

· The gospel is always needed everywhere (Matthew 28:19).

· Ask yourself, “Is there anything in the biblical message that I find truly objectionable?” It might be hard to be unselfish at times (Philippians 2:3-5), yet being unselfish is the right way to live. What the bible teaches is not always easy, yet it is right (Ephesians 6:1), and is in my best interest and the best interest of others (1 Peter 3:8ff).

Mindful of Our Blessings

“All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15).

Our prevailing attitude colors our whole existence and personally. The comparison between “the afflicted” and the “cheerful heart” makes it clear that God is addressing someone who is inwardly afflicted. The contrast isn’t between poor people and happy people, rather the verse can apply to an unhappy person in difficult circumstances and a happy person in a similar condition. “Wealth doesn’t bring happiness, in fact, according to an old friend, ‘Wealth only makes misery more comfortable’” (Alden p. 120). The context equally mentions the difference between circumstances and perspective, and seeing what is truly a blessing. For example, respect for God is a far greater blessing than material possessions (15:16). Being loved is far more valuable than plenty to eat (15:17). As we look at these examples I believe that many of us must admit that we are truly some of the most blessed people on the earth. If there is peace in our family, if we are cherished by loved ones, if our children are respectful, then the writer is saying that you cannot ask for much more than that. So instead of being preoccupied with other’s lifestyles and envying them, maybe the lifestyle that needs to be envied is the one that we are presently experiencing.

Happy with Our Hope

· I am glad that this earth is not our eternal home because if it was we would never truly be in the presence of God(Philippians 1:21-23).

· In addition, this earth contains many places to see, and has more to experience than one could in a lifetime, but eventually we would end up seeing and doing everything if we were here “forever”. The earth is perfect for a single lifetime but not enough for eternity.

· I am happy that heaven is not some sensual Islamic party-place because that would get old, and such an idea would only undermine the happiness of marriages in this life.

· I am glad that death is only the beginning of me, for eternity with God in heaven not only gives this life purpose, but equally makes everything I do and say meaningful.

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017