1 Thessalonians 1:3

Soul- Faith, Love, Hope

1 Thessalonians 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:13

Internal, Heart, Mind, Will

Role- Work, Labor, Endurance

Revelation 2:2; Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 2:10

External, Job, Volunteer, Household

Theology of Work

1) Work is part of God's Kingdom, from Creation to Eternity

2) Work is Worship (giving glory and thanks to God)

*Work is a Great Gift, and a terrible god

3) Work is Discipleship (following Jesus)

4) Work is Missional (sharing faith, love, and hope with others)

We tend to emphasize one or the other

-'False battle' between James 2:18 and Galatians 2:16

-We hide an unhealthy soul behind our role

-We use our soul as an excuse for having no role

They should work together, almost as a cycle

-There is no true Christian work, labor, and endurance without a healthy soul

-There is no true Christian faith, love, and hope without an active role

Application:

1) Use Soul and Role as a Check-Up for your life, family, team, and church.

2) Employed- be excellent, present, and ready; learn to be specific in applying faith, love, and hope

3) Students- soul development and active faith; live for more than an easy job and early retirement

4) Moms- home as a place of production and character development

5) Unable to Work (disabled/unemployed)- enduring hope is powerful; what unseen roles allow you to impact others with faith, love, and hope?

6) Retirees- guard your heart against finding worth and identity only in your previous roles; what roles do you have now?