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Extreme Makeover: Life Edition Message #5

Career Makeover (Part 1)

July 16-17, 2005 Dr Larry Osborne

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Food for Thought for the week of July 17, 2005
(Questions and Scriptures for further study)
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1.  This weekend we were challenged to see our workplace, school, or neighborhood as places where God has called us to be undercover agents for Him on “special assignment.”  What do the following passages teach us about that assignment?

Colossians 4:5-6
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. [6] Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. [NIV]

1 Corinthians 5:12
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? [NIV]

2 Timothy 4:1-5
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: [2] Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. [3] For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. [5] But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. [NIV]

Colossians 3:5-10
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. [6] Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [7] You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. [8] But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [9] Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. [NIV]

1 Peter 3:8-18
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. [9] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. [10] For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
[11] He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
[12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
[13] Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? [14] But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." [15] But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. [17] It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. [18] For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, [NIV]

 

2. Daniel’s experience as a captive in Babylon is a case study in surviving and thriving at the bottom of the food chain. He served under corrupt kings, stood up for what he believed and still rose to positions of great influence. The bulk of this story can be found in Daniel 1-6. As you read it, list a few of the specific challenges Daniel faced, as a follower of God, working in an environment extremely hostile to his faith.

Which of the principles in this week’s sermon can you see Daniel
successfully applying to his situations?

3.  God has given all His followers unique gifts and abilities that He wants us to use to represent Him and advance His cause. Write down one or two of your specialties or things you are naturally good at. Now read the following lists of spiritual gifts and jot down any additional gifts that you think God has given you. (Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Peter 4:7-11)

Romans 12:4-8
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, [5] so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. [7] If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; [8] if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. [NIV]

1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
[7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. [NIV]

1 Peter 4:7-11
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. [8] Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. [NIV]


How could you use your gifts or abilities in your workplace, school or home to make God look good?


How could you use your specialties to make your supervisor successful?