Houston Chinese Church - English

Many of us are workaholics who find it hard to rest from our labor. Exhortations to observe a Sabbath rest come across as impractical or even irresponsible. But we are worse off when we ignore the 6+1 rhythm of life ingrained in us, as creatures made in the image of God – a God who rested.

Difficult bosses suck the joy out of work. They make the workplace miserable. You always feel like you’re walking on eggshells around them. The mood at work feels dark and cloudy because your boss could lash out at any moment. What should we do when we work for a difficult boss?

As we begin a new phase of our legacy building project, we want to focus on the mission of our church – to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Which means our primary aim is to intentionally do spiritual good to others in a highly relational context. So our whole approach to building new facilities is to help facilitate new disciple-making opportunities in the years to come.

If the gospel can give dignity and purpose to the work of a first-century slave, then there is definitely hope for yours. Whether you’re the one giving orders or the one taking them, the gospel has the power to reorient your attitude and motivation to do good work at work.

Just as we’re prone to idolize work, we're prone to grow idle at work. Both errors stem from a failure to recognize and respect the God-ordained purpose behind our respective vocations. The propensity towards idleness is best addressed by a recovery of a strong Christian work ethic that connects our work with our discipleship to Christ.

Our view of work might fall into one of two categories: live to work or work to live. If we live to work, then we fall into the temptation of idolizing our work. We often think of idols as statues that primitive people worship or inspirational people. But idols represent anything in creation that we love and serve rather than God. Examples of idols include children, perfectionism, leisure, and even our work. How do we avoid idolizing our work?

Some people live to work. Their work is their life passion. Others work to live. They view work as a means to facilitate their real passions in life. Which is it for Christians? How should we view our God-given vocations? Is there meaning and purpose in the work itself? But where do you draw the line, so that your work doesn’t end up defining you?

Paul concludes this letter to the Galatians with a final appeal to reject the false gospel they’ve been entertaining and to invest deeply in gospel-centered ministers and ministries in the church. That’s the same response expected of those who have died to a slavish dependence on the world’s praise and acceptance. Those who know they are already loved and accepted because of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The idea of walking by the Spirit (or keeping in step with him) is meant to be conducted communally. Imagine a group hike. Not a solo race. And what characterizes a Spirit-led community will be a mutual concern for each other – not an atmosphere of competition or conceit.

Freedom in Christ doesn’t give you permission to indulge your flesh and do whatever you want without judgment. To be free in Christ means you’re now free to resist your fleshly desires and to walk by the Spirit. To bear his fruit – both in your life and your life together as the church.