The Wall

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“What a dear old wall that is that runs along by the river there! I never pass it without feeling better for the sight of it. Such a mellow, bright, sweet old wall; what a charming picture it would make, with the lichen creeping here, and the moss growing there, a shy young vine peeping over the top at this spot, to see what is going on upon the busy river, and the sober old ivy clustering a little farther down! There are fifty shades and tints and hues in every ten yards of that old wall. . . . It looks so peaceful and so quiet, and it is such a dear old place to ramble round in the early morning before many people are about.” Jerome K. Jerome, “Three Men In A Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)” Ch. 6 (1889)

chapelblog:Colossians 3:22-25, "Excellence as workers"

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(JVenugopal)

What kind of worker are you? We work hard in our studies and work hard for a living, sometimes doing both simultaneously. How well are we accomplishing what is expected? What is the Christian work ethic?

I. What is work: Obedience to the ones we are obligated to serve.

The master is the term of the contract or the person who tells what is expected that should be done. There is no democracy when this kind of relationship is underway. Rationalizing is not obedience. Questioning assumptions can be dangerous because short-cuts will catch up to you. If you agree to do the work, all you can do is obey.

II. How to work:

A. Not for eye-service when you are not being watched. What is the basis of your sense of dedication and motivation? Must someone stand over you or can you do it alone?

B. Work with a sincere heart as to the Lord.

III. Why work

A. Heavenly reason

1. God will reward your work. Above and beyond what you receive as monetary wages.

2. To give a testimony to what Christ is doing.

B. Earthly reason I Tim 6:1-2

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