Every Day Matters
“Work: Finding Purpose in What You Do”
Ephesians 5:15-17

People often feel more purpose and engagement at work.

Ephesians 5:15-17

Followers of Jesus live differently knowing that every day matters.

Every day matters with work.

“Work will be optional in the next 10 years. Human labor will no longer be a necessity for survival.” – Elon Musk

Work:
Office, Job site, Hospital, Classroom, Home, Aging parents, Serving, Paid, Volunteer, In retirement 

Average full-time work week: 47 hours 
20% are unhappy with their jobs
50% feel neutral about their jobs  
30% enjoy their jobs

The Bible teaches that work is part of God’s design, affected by sin, meant to glorify God, and of eternal value.

Work was God’s design. 
1. God is a worker  (put verses with this)

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth … and behold, it was very good.” – Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:31

“Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” – John 5:17

2. We are created in God’s image to create, build, organize, cultivate, and serve.  

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” – Genesis 2:15

3. Work was part of paradise before sin, before “the curse.” 

Work is affected by the curse.
1. After the Fall, our broken world makes work difficult.

“… cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread …” – Genesis 3:17-19

2. Work still matters, but now includes stress, conflict, fatigue, and frustration.

3. The struggle we feel wasn’t part of the design; it’s the result of the “curse.”

Work is meant to glorify God.
1. Work validates God-given skills and your faith in Him 

“… doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord …” – Ephesians 6:6-8

2. We don’t live a life divided between secular and sacred.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58

3. Our purpose isn’t work; it's to glorify God.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men …” – Colossians 3:23

The Challenge
When work becomes our identity, it replaces God.
When work becomes meaningless, it forgets God.
But when work becomes worship, it reflects God.

Work done for God carries eternal value.
	
“Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” – Revelation 14:13

Your work matters.