“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth Genesis 1:1,

NIV’11

“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31,

NIV’11

“God blessed them and said to them, ’Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’” Genesis 1:28,

NIV’11

“The L the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” ORD God took the man and put him in Genesis 2:15,

NIV’11

work = good

Work = the activity you are principally engaged in during the week, whether in or out of the home, “employed” or “unemployed”

work = good

work = fallen

“To Adam He said, ‘Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, “You must not eat from it,” ‘Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.

It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.’” Genesis 3:17-19,

NIV’11

work = redeemed

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night.

They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:1-5,

NIV’11

“This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John 15:8,

NIV’11

• How does the Gospel enable us to be fruitful in our work today? It … gives an alternative worldview

• • How does the Gospel enable us to be fruitful in our work today? It … gives an alternative worldview frees us from idolizing our work

• • • How does the Gospel enable us to be fruitful in our work today? It … gives an alternative worldview frees us from idolizing our work gives inner strength to do the right thing

work = worship

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.” Colossians 3:23,

GNT