Discipleship Lesson 14

BEING A WITNESS AT WORK

I. INTRODUCTION:  

The second place where we can have the most impact will be at our jobs. We will spend more time with the people we work with than our own families! 

While we are often focused on what we should say, our real power in our witnesses is in our actions. Our lives should give strength to our words. The power of a changed life is hard to argue with.

Today we want to focus on three things that should characterize our work as born again disciples of Jesus Christ. The overriding principle that should impact every area of our life is MATTHEW 5:16, where we are commanded to let our light shine before all men. We will briefly discuss the attitude towards work, the attitude towards the company’s property, and our commitment to the company. Our goal should be to work in such a way that it gives power to our witness.

II. ATTITUDE TOWARDS WORK.

EPHESIANS 6:5-8 lays down the appropriate attitude of a godly worker. 

Everything we do as Christians should be as unto Jesus. Our approach to our jobs should be as if Jesus was our supervisor. There will be times when we are asked to do things we don’t want to do, and these are times that will test our hearts. This is where we will be tested. It’s easy to do the things we like, even lost people can do this. A pure heart of service will have an opportunity to shine. 

When we do this in the spirit of service to God, these verses tell us we are earning a heavenly reward as well as our salary.

COLOSSIANS 3:22-23 restates these essential truths. The Bible clearly states that we are not to work with eye service. This means that we should not work harder because we think the boss is looking or try to put on a show to impress the supervisor. 

It means that we should work the whole time as if our Lord was standing there. These verses say to work with sincerity of heart out of fear/respect for the Lord.

III. ATTITUDE TOWARDS PROPERTY OF THE COMPANY.

TITUS 2:10 is an important verse in establishing and maintaining your witness in the workplace. Showing respect to your company’s property is a powerful example. This includes stealing, taking home your company’s property for personal use, and not taking care of the company’s equipment. The simple act of maintaining your equipment, not treating it like it is disposable, goes a long way towards establishing our witness. Our example in these things can be a powerful testimony to the saving work of Jesus Christ.  

LEVITICUS 19:11 reinforces this concept. The concept here is that we should respect our company and give them 8 hours work for 8 hours pay. If we were hiring work done on our houses, we would expect to only pay for work that was done. We would be upset if we were billed for work that was not done. As Christians, we should expect to do an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. Our work ethic should speak for itself. If we are being paid for 8 hours work we should deliver 8 hours work. As Christians, this has a powerful effect on our testimony.                                                                   

III. OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMPANY:

Our goal should be to make our company succeed, and our employer look good. The supreme example of this in the Bible was Joseph (GENESIS 39-50). Every place he was in flourished under his direction. 

Daniel (DANIEL 2:46-49) was an advisor to an enemy king, and he did everything he could to help him be successful. 

PROVERBS 10:4 states that there is a direct connection between our work ethic and our company’s success. We don’t often think that we have that much impact. If our goal is to see our company succeed it will show in our work and we will have favor in our company. This speaks well of our commitment to Christ.

IV. CONCLUSION:      

As we go to work each day, we all go to our mission field. Our actions there will either further the cause of the gospel or hinder it. LUKE 16:10 reminds us, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much, and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. What a great reminder. 

Our faithfulness in our jobs pleases God. 

We must remember that it is not enough to talk about spiritual things to the world, because those who have not been saved cannot understand. We will have to live the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh.

SPIRITUAL NOTEBOOK

BIBLE STUDY:  Use the process of Observation, Interpretation, and Application with the following verses.

1. Mark 10:42-45

2. Proverbs 18:9

3. Ephesians 4:1

4. Matthew 25:14-30

5. Proverbs 22:6

PRAYER: Write down the person or things for which you prayed for today.

FELLOWSHIP: Write down the name of the believer you had fellowship with and what you did.

WITNESSING: Write down the name of the non- believer you witnessed to and how you did it.

To the Disciple of Jesus Christ…

Upon completion of these lessons, you have received the training of a Disciple of Christ and are now called to spread the message of Salvation through Jesus Christ and to continue to Disciple others! 

May God Bless You!Â