Randy Forrester :: Faith and Work: The Dirty Side of Work

Bible Study

Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon:

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Sermon Notes

I. The Fall and the Corruption of Work (Genesis 3)

• Sin enters through Adam and Eve’s disobedience.

• Consequences: shame, hiding from God, broken partnership.

• Work is cursed:

  • Pain in childbirth and relational struggle.

  • Toil and frustration in labor (thorns, thistles, broken systems).

• Humanity tried to do life apart from God — the result is broken work.

II. Three Pitfalls That Distort Work

1. Individualism – Caring Too Much About Ourselves in Work

• Luke 12: The rich fool stores wealth and speaks only to himself.

• God is absent from his plans and gratitude.

• Diagnostic questions:

  • Is God your reference point?

  • Do you use work to serve others?

2. Idleness – Caring Too Little About the Work Itself

• 2 Thessalonians 3: warning against laziness and not working.

• Broader definition of work: includes unpaid, volunteer, home-based.

• Matthew 25: Parable of the talents — don’t bury your gifts.

• Idleness can stem from fear, not just laziness.

3. Idolatry – Caring Too Much About Work

• Work becomes identity or self-worth.

• Examples: over-identifying with parenting, business success, or ministry.

• Signs of idolatry:

  • Can’t stop working.

  • Refusal to rest or Sabbath.

• Reminder of 6+1 rhythm of work and rest from creation.

III. The Way Forward: The Cross and the Spirit

• The Cross: Where we bring our sin and receive forgiveness.

• The Spirit: Empowerment for change and restored partnership with God.

• Through the Spirit, we can:

  • Reject the lies of individualism, idleness, and idolatry.

  • Embrace a God-centered, Spirit-empowered vision for work.

Sermon Application

Discussion Questions:

• What is one way you experience the distortion of work on a regular basis?
• To which of the pitfalls of work are you most susceptible?
• If you don't like your job, can you still honor God in it? How?
• If someone's work is raising kids, what might sabbath look like?

Additional Resources

The Gospel at Work

by Sebastian Traeger and Greg Gilbert

Questions?

Do you have a question about today’s sermon? Email Randy Forrester (

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