Building Up Others with Your Words: An Example
Before we leave Ephesians 4:29, I’d like to share with an example of someone using words to build up others. This example made a strong impression on me and I’d like you to know about it.
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Your Words Have Power . . . Use It Well
Words are powerful. They can build up and inspire. Or they can tear down and deflate. Ephesians 4:29 urges us to take seriously the power of our words.
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Work to Help Others
So, no matter how you fulfill Ephesians 4:28, the main point is the same. Your work enables you to “share with those in need.” What I find fascinating about this reason for work is that Paul seems to assume that workers will share with the needy.
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On the Monday After Easter, Does Easter Make a Difference to My Work?
Yesterday was Easter Sunday. Today is Monday. Chances are you’ll be back at work (unless you’re a preacher, in which case I hope you’re taking the day off!). Easter and work. Is there any overlap? Does Easter make a difference to your work?
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Celebrating the Life of Jesus
Happy Resurrection Sunday! In this season we recognize that Jesus did indeed exist, and that he came to earth as the Son of God with the express purpose of bridging the divide between God and humanity.
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Holy Week and Work: Reconciliation in the Workplace
There is another dimension of the cross that we sometimes overlook on Good Friday. We see this dimension clearly in Ephesians 2:14-16, where the death of Christ on the cross brings reconciliation not only between people and God but also between alienated people groups.
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Holy Week and Work: Washing Feet or Carrying Boxes?
In many Christian traditions, foot-washing ceremonies provide a way for brothers and sisters in Christ to express their deep commitment to and care for each other. Foot washing can feel almost sacramental for those who give and receive it.
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Holy Week and Work: Work Restored
Because of the cross, the day will come when creation is restored and renewed. In that day, we will experience work as God intended it to be. That is part of our future hope in Christ.
But then something happened to corrupt the goodness of work. Sin happened.
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Holy Week and Work: Encountering God at Work
But today I want to focus on something rarely mentioned among commentators: the centurion encountered God in his work. It’s not particularly unusual for people to meet God in their work. This happens – and should happen – all the time. But what is so striking in the case of the centurion is the kind of work he was doing when he had his divine encounter.
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Holy Week and Work: Remembering Jesus in the Products of Work
Several years ago, while visiting a church on Sunday morning, I saw a striking communion banner. It featured a creative and tasteful weaving together of wheat stalks and bunches of grapes. I appreciated the artistry that went into the design and production of the banner and was glad to have seen it.
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Refuge in the King
King Jesus not only demands our total commitment, he provides a place of rest for the weary. This commitment to have Jesus rule my life begins with and is sustained by taking refuge in this good and powerful king.
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The King, The Son, The Messiah
Psalm 2 is the only place in the Old Testament where God’s Messiah, God’s king and God’s Son are all spoken of in one place. Christians cannot help but think of Jesus when they read this Psalm. All the other kings must answer to this one true king (Psalm 2:6), God’s own son (Psalm 2:7), the anointed (Psalm 2:2). Psalm 2 paints a picture of a king who expects his followers to daily submit their little kingdoms under his lordship.
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Why God Answers Our Prayers
Thus, even when our confidence in the Lord falters, even when our behavior is anything but faithful, we still cry out to God. Our prayers depend, not upon ourselves, but upon our God who is faithful and righteous, gracious and merciful.
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Work to Do Good
The worth of our work goes far beyond some temporary benefit or practical result. Usefulness just doesn’t capture the depth of what Ephesians conveys here. The more important point is that, through our work, we are able to contribute a bit of goodness to the world. Why work? Because we can do good through our work.
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