Mission in the Marketplace

Mission in the Marketplace

By Jim Haman www.cckirkland.org


Matthew 20:1-7
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
1"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' 5So they went.
"He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'
7" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered.
"He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'
Introduction: We here at Christ Church Kirkland have taught about the priority of the family and sowing into it for generational transfer -------- we have taught about commitment to the local church and having a real covenantal relationship together, but it seems now the Lord is showing us the necessity of teaching in a comprehensive way on our vocational life in the Marketplace. The Church must truly see and deeply realize its role and calling in the Marketplace --------- this is more than showing up for work. We must be there “On Mission”.

In the New Testament we have listed for us the occupation of numerous men and women. For instance Peter, James and John are fisherman. Matthew is the tax collector. And then in the gospels Jesus uses such metaphors as seed and soil in regards to being a farmer. Then he spoke over and over again about vineyard keepers and the importance of foundations for homebuilding. In the book of Acts, written by Dr. Luke, we meet others in numerous occupations like Paul and Aquila and Priscilla being tentmakers. Simon the tanner, Cornelius the army captain and military man, and the jailer in Philippi who comes to Christ with his whole family. As well we read the interesting story of the Ethiopian treasurer and government officer who comes to faith. Then of course we cannot forget our blessed Savior who was the carpenter of Nazareth. The mentions of these vocations speak to us of Father’s intense interest of us representing him well in the Marketplace.

We need to honor God in every sphere of life, and especially in this neglected sphere of our occupational life. Wayne Grudem in his new book, Business for the Glory of God, states the following: “When people ask how their lives can glorify God, they aren’t usually told ‘go into business’. When students ask how I can serve God with my life, they don’t often hear the answer ‘go into business’. When someone explains to a new acquaintance, ‘I work in such and such a place,’ he doesn’t usually hear the response, ‘what a great way to glorify God.’”

I realize that to most people the expression of “glorifying God” ----- well, it just sounds like it belongs in the Sunday morning meeting. This way, to glorify God, has been overlooked -------- it is our occupation or working in the Marketplace.
God uses our vocational calling to form Christ in us and to bring us to full stature in Christ. Our work takes truth out of the conceptual and is an instrument to bring it into incarnational reality ---------- this happens by the demands and challenges of work, and daily dealing with people. Then the workplace provides such and opportunity to represent Christ in so many, many ways. We have the privilege to influence impact and be a change agent as we are “On Mission”, living and working for his glory.
This morning I want to do more than fireproof your work or job. At this time of meltdown and economic crisis ----------- my desire is to help you become one “On Mission”.

Illustration: Johann Sebastian Bach, the noted composer, inscribed the letters SDG on the bottom of all his compositions, standing for “Sola Deo Gloria” meaning “Glory to God alone.” Wow! Isn’t that amazing? As he was using his vocational calling to bring honor to the Lord.

I need to clean up some unbiblical terminology, to provide a context for where I want to go. We have created a vocabulary and a system that hinders a greater release of the purposes of God in our church communities. The church culture unwittingly fosters a religious way of thinking and speaking. Our verbiage can rob people individually and corporately of their destiny. We need to think new and talk new. Terminology does create certain nuances.

We need to clean up terminology in our usage of the word “church”. The church is a group of people who have encountered Christ and are called by a sovereign God to walk together under government in a geographical area for the purposes of God. We are the church gathered, and we are the church scattered during the week. We are fully the Church on the job or in the home as when we are assembled in the Sunday meeting place. Indeed our Christian living, work and ministry must go beyond the walls of the Sunday gathering. The church is neither a place nor an event. It is the Body of Christ. Christ’s body does not shift into a state of suspended animation after the benediction is pronounced at the end of the Sunday morning sermon. His body, like any human body, is continually functioning. We must stop talking about “going to the church” or referring to the building as the church. This talk has far reach philosophical ramifications. Praise God! We are the “seven days a week church” in our vocational calling and at home.

We need to clean up our terminology in the usage of the word “minister.” In the scripture the word minister referred to all the brothers and sisters who took part in the local church. The word never just applies to those who function in the 5-fold ministry or eldership. A concept of a minister was used for anyone actively working and serving the Lord ------- it was used as a verb, an action word. Gradually through time the meaning and usage of the word has changed. The word “minister” is now used to refer to the name, title, or position to those few involved in church leadership. In other words “minister” or “ministry” is now used as a noun for a title, rather than a verb for action. Every church should have as many ministers as born again believers, using the Marketplace, home and gathering place as our opportunity for service.

We need to clean up our terminology in the usage of the phrase “full time”. This is another unbiblical phrase that conveys the thought that there are full-time and part-time Christians. The usage of the phrase has to do with those employed by the church, or other Christian organizations versus those who make their living from other sources. We are all to be in full-time Christian service and ministry, functioning the various spheres and jurisdictions of life. Some simple draw their living or salary from the church as workers, and other do not. We all must be “On Mission”.

In your lifetime you will spend about 40% of your waking hours in your vocational assignment. Will those hours be spent in frustration or fulfillment? This will depend largely on the biblical worldview that you have. So many believers feel unproductive and second class because their work is not in some totally Christian context. I would like to share the truth, that serving God in business or vocationally is no less spiritual than serving God in some totally Christian environment. This is the mindset or work ethic we need to have:
1. We need to see our work as sacred or spiritual unto the Lord. (Not secular)
2. We must see what we’re doing vocationally is a full time calling to bring honor and glory to God.
3. We are contributing to the Lord’s grand overall scheme ----- representing His interests on earth by our posture and ways in the Marketplace.

In the opening pages of scripture we see God pictured as a worker. Let’s look at Genesis 2:1-2. This is one of the first significant revelations of God. What does that mean to you? Then Adam was given an assignment by God to tend the Garden of Eden and name the animals. (Genesis 2:15 & 20) Adam’s assignment involved physical and mental labor, and this was all before the Fall. Work is not the product of God’s judgment on man, but the creative plan of God ------- “6 days you shall labor and do all your work”, that’s the commandment. Meaningful work is a fundamental dimension of our existence. Work is surely something we need to build character and make us people of substance. Work is not a necessary evil. Our attitude towards work needs to be positive and enthusiastic. We must stop talking in a negative fashion about vocational life --------- with such references as work being the “salt mine” or the “sweat shop” and “blue Monday”, or the off the cuff comment, “oh its Monday you know.” My My! Let’s bring into harmony our attitude with the Word of God.

This might startle you, but let me inform you, heaven is not the ultimate retirement plan, which follows Florida or Arizona or Palm Springs. We don’t just float around on fleecy white clouds and play harps. In short, heaven will be a place of responsibility and work, ruling and reigning with Christ.

Jesus, who was called the last Adam, was given an assignment as a carpenter and he worked 15 years in Nazareth at his trade. I see him as a master craftsman with excellence carrying out his work. Making tables, chairs, beds, plows and yokes – he was “On Mission”. Then before one public message or miracle, the Father said, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” What had he done? No dead were raised, no sick were healed, no demons were cast out – what had he done? He had excelled as a responsible worker, charging a fair price for his labor. Doing the will of God, providing for his mother and family, he please Father greatly in his occupational life. Jesus was the great pattern man for the Marketplace, a man always “On Mission”.

Take a look with me at the man called Daniel, whose life in ordinary work brought much glory to God. Living and working as many of us do in an ungodly environment, he was described by his Babylonian friends as a man in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. (Daniel 5:11) Though Daniel worked under earthly supervisors, he served only one master. He didn’t serve men during his work time and God during his off hours. This was recognized by King Darius, who said that Daniel constantly served his God. He was always “On Mission”. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters.” In other words, Jesus Christ is to be the Lord and master over every sphere of living, and that includes the Marketplace.

Illustration: Several years ago I heard this story about a Lebanese man named Sameer. He was hired by a Kuwait chemical firm. His boss told him on the first day at work, “Sameer, the first thing I want you to understand is this job is to be your god. We require this of all our men.” Sameer shot a quick prayer up to the Lord and looked his new boss in the eye and said, “Sorry, but I already have a God, but I will make a bargain with you ------- if I can’t sell more than the other men serving the Living God, you fire me.” He went on to greatly prosper and became in charge of all contract negotiations in Asia for his firm. God will honor you if you put him first.

There is much we can learn from this godly man, who single mindedly served the Living God, while vocationally served in the government of Babylon.

Most of us familiar with church life are acquainted with the term “called of God”. We read in the New Testament about Paul, called to be an apostle. Then we have heard about the calling of various church leaders. Yet rarely do we hear of Christians telling of being called of God to his or her vocational life. Thus we assume those in gospel work have been called, while those in ordinary employment have not been called. So we separate God’s people into those with a calling, and those without. The result of this is a false division between secular and sacred ------ a tragic dichotomy.

The scripture tells us Daniel was highly esteemed by God. Yet the Bible does not record any dramatic call of God like what happened to Moses or Paul. Daniel and his friends didn’t go to Babylon because they saw some great spiritual need. The truth is, Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, laid siege to Jerusalem and carried off many of its citizens, including some very sharp, brilliant young men, to be part of a “brain trust” or “think tank”. From all natural appearances, this transfer from Jerusalem to Babylon seemed to be far from the call of God. But, but! We must note some significant verses found in Jeremiah 29:4 & 7. This passage throws light on the whole matter. Nebuchadnezzar was only a tool or instrument for God to send and call Jewish people to Babylon. Daniel and others were sent to Babylon to fulfill a destiny and specific call of great value to God. Our God uses “many means” to position his people; some methods are dramatic, others very commonplace. The calling of the typical Christian who works in the field, factory or office often is there only through the outworking of circumstances rather than some spectacular experience. To the eye of flesh it may appear that one’s work in the Marketplace is explainable in terms of natural causes and effects. Yet the scriptures tell us God causes ALL circumstances to work together for good ---- he is sovereign.

God wants to open your eyes to his calling, and not have you diminish in any way or play down his placement of you in the Marketplace. Amen! This is where your destiny is to be walked out for the glory of God. Have you settled the issue once and for all of the call of God? Get excited about your placement! With intentionality, this is the area to incarnate truth, to make a difference, to be productive, to be creative, to do excellent work, to reform and change the culture by the grace and power of God.

Daniel had his assignment in Babylon, do you see your assignment in Greater Seattle? It might be your work takes you into education, government and law, media and communications, arts and entertainment, or business and finance. All of these fall under the heading of a Marketplace calling. Please note with me this powerful, encouraging verse in I Thessalonians 5:24,“Faithful is He whocalls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” This verse tells us God will grace us to be successful in our placement vocationally. (Enlarge)

God is using me this morning as a delivery system to challenge and impact you with truth. Now you must take it and do something with it. The question is, what level do you want to play the game at? Do you really want to be “On Mission” 24/7? Do you want to be “On Mission” in your vocational life in the Marketplace, or are you content to just work for a paycheck? We can be reformers, igniters, history makers. Yes, ALL things are possible!

Conclusion: We can be changed in mindset and we can be an agent to change mindsets. Part of the branding of Christ Church Kirkland is equipping men and women to count and influence in the marketplace big time. We have already hosted Marketplace conferences, and have groups meeting about ministry in the marketplace. This is where we’re going!

We want to create an expectation for our young people to be winners in life and excel in the Marketplace. We are committed to our young singles and married couples to pray for and work with them to excel and achieve great things for God in all areas of society. We’re not going to tell our young people that anti-Christ and the forces of hell will rob you of a future. No! No! The Kingdom message is one of hope and we’re a people “On Mission”.