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Extreme Makeover: Life Edition Message #6

Career Makeover (Part 2)

July 23-24, 2005 Dr Larry Osborne

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Food for Thought for the week of July 24, 2005
(Questions and Scriptures for further study)

1. We saw in this week’s teaching that a key principle in “Surviving and Thriving” as a leader is leading out of love & dependability – rather than fear and intimidation.

In the little book of Philemon (just 25 verses!) we have a situation where a former slave named Onesimus has stolen from his master Philemon and run away. Under Roman law, it’s a crime punishable by death. The twist comes when Onesimus meets Paul, becomes a Christian, and is now willing to return to his master to face the music. Paul writes a letter to Philemon asking for a favor – and has Onesimus deliver it!

Read through Philemon and answer the following questions.

What suggestions does Paul give to Philemon?


What specific things in Paul’s approach and tone would help Philemon accept his advice?

2. Solomon was one of the wealthiest and wisest kings of all time.  In the following passages he gives us advice that is contrary to how many people seeking leadership think and act.  Look up each verse then jot down the main idea you find there.

Ecclesiastes 2:17-26
So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. [18] I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. [19] And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. [20] So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. [21] For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. [22] What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? [23] All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.
[24] A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, [25] for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? [26] To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. [NIV]

Ecclesiastes 5:8-12
If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. [9] The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.
[10] Whoever loves money never has money enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
This too is meaningless.
[11] As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owner
except to feast his eyes on them?
[12] The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether he eats little or much,
but the abundance of a rich man
permits him no sleep. [NIV]


Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: [14] There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. [15] Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. [16] So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.
[17] The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
[18] Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner destroys much good. [NIV]

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. [10] The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
[11] The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails--given by one Shepherd. [12] Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.
Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
[13] Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
[14] For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.  [NIV]

 

3. Whenever God puts a Christian in a position of influence or leadership, it’s not just so we can enjoy the fruit and perks of success.  It’s about being a blessing to others.  How do the following verses reinforce or enable a person at the top to bless others?

Proverbs 10:17
He who heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.  [NIV]

1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  [NIV]

1 Peter 5:2-4
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; [3] not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. [4] And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.  [NIV]

Colossians 3:25
Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.  [NIV]

Galatians 5:13-14
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. [14] The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."  [NIV]