Reformed Workers
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Joined Together, Growing Together
Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (ESV)
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Sermon Outline
God’s generosity reorients our taking-instinct within a life where work is done with a view towards sharing.
1. Stealing
“Let the thief no longer steal”
2. Laboring
“but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands”
3. Sharing
“so that he may have something to share with anyone in need”
Prayer of Confession
Our gracious God, we need forgiveness. Greed is at work deep within us. We are guilty of taking what does not belong to us. We rationalize the wrong we do. We have not lived with regard for the needs of others. We are sorry for our sins. We appeal to you for mercy. Open our eyes to grasp the depth of your generosity to us. May we be so formed by what Jesus has done that we become more like him in all that we do. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What forms of stealing do you encounter (and are tempted by)? Within your social world, what opportunities to take what doesn’t belong to you are there?
Which desires lead towards theft? What rationalizations enable people to go through with stealing?
What do you most deeply need in life? Can you take, earn or achieve the things you most need?
Do you believe God can give you what you most deeply need? Do you trust that God has given or will give what you need?
How does Jesus’ gift of himself help those who are weary to find rest in him?
What role does hard work play in our world? What makes work frustrating? What is needed for work to be productive?
Why is truth and honesty needed for labor to be productive?
Do you enjoy sharing?
How can the goal of sharing shape our work and the choices we make? How does it shape our motivations?