How Did Jesus Work?

Sermon Summary

Jesus worked hard as a carpenter, and then later as a teacher—working frequently to the point of exhaustion—yet He was never working in His own strength. People often think Jesus could do what He did because He was God, but in truth He came to show humanity how to work. We were created to work! However, we have a problem: when Adam broke his relationship with God, work became hard and our weaknesses as humans became a hindrance. The Hebrew word for work, “avodah”, means work, worship and service. What if our everyday work was done with Jesus such that our work became a form of worship?  What if there is a way for God to use our weaknesses for His glory and our good? Is it possible for us to work in the way that Jesus worked?

Scripture References from the Sermon

• John 4:34
• John 14:10
• John 5:19
• John 15:5
• Psalm 23
• Luke 15:11-32
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
• Hebrews 4
• John 15:4-9
• Matthew 11:26-30

Discussion Questions

• When you think of the Garden of Eden do you think of a life of ease or a life of working? Read Genesis 2:15. When Adam and Eve worked in the garden prior to the fall, do you think that they experienced exhaustion that includes and goes beyond mere physical exhaustion? Why or why not?
• Read the consequences of the fall in Genesis 3:16-19. Discuss the effects of the fall on work and our relationship with it. 
• Work can lead to exhaustion that’s beyond physical. But work can also bring great joy, satisfaction, and energy. What factors affect how we feel about our work? How does our own attitudes about working affect how we feel about our work?
• Pastor Jerry began by talking about Jesus and His work on earth. Before Jesus began His public ministry, he was a laborer. Do you think He enjoyed His work and found satisfaction in it? Discuss Jesus’ relationship with His work and how it may have prepared Him for His ministry.
• Pastor Jerry taught us that the Hebrew word that we translate “work” has a rich meaning of work, worship, and service. Read John 15:5. Whatever you stage in life, what do you consider to be your work? Describe how abiding in Christ can help you to worship in the midst of your circumstances.
• Summarize the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Do you relate more with the wayward son or the older brother? Have you ever sensed God saying to you, “Son [or daughter], you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours”?
• What will you do differently, or how will you be different as a result of this message and discussion?