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Randy Forrester :: Faith and Work: The Dirty Side of Work
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Bible Study
Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon:
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Sermon Notes
I. The Fall and the Corruption of Work (Genesis 3)
Sin enters through Adam and Eve’s disobedience.
Consequences: shame, hiding from God, broken partnership.
Work is cursed:
Pain in childbirth and relational struggle.
Toil and frustration in labor (thorns, thistles, broken systems).
Humanity tried to do life apart from God — the result is broken work.
II. Three Pitfalls That Distort Work
1. Individualism – Caring Too Much About Ourselves in Work
Luke 12: The rich fool stores wealth and speaks only to himself.
God is absent from his plans and gratitude.
Diagnostic questions:
Is God your reference point?
Do you use work to serve others?
2. Idleness – Caring Too Little About the Work Itself
2 Thessalonians 3: warning against laziness and not working.
Broader definition of work: includes unpaid, volunteer, home-based.
Matthew 25: Parable of the talents — don’t bury your gifts.
Idleness can stem from fear, not just laziness.
3. Idolatry – Caring Too Much About Work
Work becomes identity or self-worth.
Examples: over-identifying with parenting, business success, or ministry.
Signs of idolatry:
Can’t stop working.
Refusal to rest or Sabbath.
Reminder of 6+1 rhythm of work and rest from creation.
III. The Way Forward: The Cross and the Spirit
The Cross: Where we bring our sin and receive forgiveness.
The Spirit: Empowerment for change and restored partnership with God.
Through the Spirit, we can:
Reject the lies of individualism, idleness, and idolatry.
Embrace a God-centered, Spirit-empowered vision for work.
Sermon Application
Discussion Questions:
- What is one way you experience the distortion of work on a regular basis?
- To which of the pitfalls of work are you most susceptible?
- If you don't like your job, can you still honor God in it? How?
- If someone's work is raising kids, what might sabbath look like?
Additional Resources
The Gospel at Work
by Sebastian Traeger and Greg Gilbert
Questions?
Do you have a question about today’s sermon? Email Randy Forrester (
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