This Week’s Sermon

~ August 31 ~ (Combined Worship)

“Faith at Work”

Psalm 25:1-7, Colossians 3:1-4, 12-17, 23-24 August 31, 2025

I called this sermon, “Faith at Work.”  And I like that because it’s a play on words.  In one sense it’s “Faith at work,” as in “Faith is at work in us.”  But then there’s also the meaning that, “We have faith when we’re at work – whatever that work may be.”  In other words, we live our faith wherever we are, and whatever we’re doing.  I think both of those meanings work well with Labor Day.

Last year I asked my computer to give me the meaning of Labor Day.  And I’d like to remind you of the answer it gave.  Because I thought this was a good.  It said, “Labor Day is a time to reflect on the dignity of work, the value of rest, and the importance of justice in the workplace.”  Isn’t that good?  Think about that this weekend, and especially tomorrow – which is actually Labor Day!  “Labor Day is a time to reflect on the dignity of work, the value of rest, and the importance of justice in the workplace.”

That last part took on new meaning for me when I dug into the history a little.  Labor Day grew out of the labor movement of the late 1800’s.  At that time, as our country “industrialized,” working conditions were terrible!  Factory workers often worked 12-16 hours a day, 6 or even 7 days a week.  And child labor was common.  So, the labor movement began, as people fought for better working conditions.  Finally, on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed legislation, making the first Monday in September a national holiday – Labor day.  It’s now become a day we honor workers.  And maybe we think a little bit about that fight for justice in the workplace.

Last year I mentioned something of one of my college music professors once said.  Dr. Wright was an amazing musician, who played piano in Carnegie Hall earlier in his career.  One day in Music Theory class he started talking about tradesmen.  And he said, “We don’t often think about the people who do that kind of work.  Think about masons.  Go look at any building on this campus, and look how the bricks and blocks are straight and level and plum, and they’re beautiful!  We need to remember and honor those who do such necessary and meticulous work!”  I’ll never forget that.  And I’ve had an affinity for tradespeople ever since!

So Labor Day is a time we honor workers – of all kinds!  It’s also a time, I think, to honor the work we do for the church!  And right away I think about the work so many of you did on our Fellowship Hall!  I’m really proud of you!  And I love how you care about the buildings and grounds the Lord has given us here.  I also think about that when I see the gardening group pulling weeds, or the lawn guys, or those who hang the garlands.  And I think about those who serve on boards and committees.  We’ll be honoring them in a couple of weeks, as we install new leaders, and thanking those going off of boards.

I love what Paul had to say about this.  As you know, Paul wrote some of the greatest words of theological guidance and spirituality, but as I’ve said before, he also gave a lot of practical advice.  And I think Paul would agree wholeheartedly with the idea of labor day!

We read part of chapter three in Colossians today.  (I had us do “selected verses” because we were flirting with the “20 verse rule of thumb!”)  But I wanted you to see those two things – his spiritual guidance, and his practical advice.  He starts with this.  “If you then have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things that are above, not things that are on earth,  For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

Those are wonderful, spiritual words, aren’t they?  They speak of the amazing Grace God has given us, and where we stand in his kingdom here on earth, and in his future kingdom.  Then a little farther down, he gets a bit more practical.  He says, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another, and if anyone has a complaint against another, forgiving each other.  As the Lord has forgiven you, you must forgive each other.  And above all, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”  It’s hard not to read all of this – it’s so good!  But he’s leading to this at the end of paragraph.  “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

This is some of Paul’s best stuff!  And in it he’s telling us that, since we have received Grace, then we need to give that Grace to each other, especially here in his church.  We are the body of Christ here on earth.  And that should show in everything we do!  We should think about “Faith at work” – in us!

But then he goes on and relates that to the actual work we do here in this life – as we live our “Faith at work.”  And this is where I think it relates to Labor Day.  Here’s what he says in verse 23 and 24. “Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward, for you are serving the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

Think about that.  Do you have those words in mind when you dig into each task you do here at the church?  (And you gardeners literally “dig into” each task!)  Do you do what you do “as serving the Lord?”  Are you honoring him?  And does that make a difference in how you do what you do?  As you serve each other, – as Christ came to serve – as you reach out to “the least of these” like we talked about last week, do you think about serving and reaching out to Jesus?

The key to doing that is what he said here about “Setting our minds on things above.”  That means “choosing to think about” things above.  As I always say, the things of earth call for our attention constantly!  And they should.  We have a lot of tasks to do here on earth.  And Paul is talking about that here.  He says we should do what we do heartily!”  We should do even the earthly tasks we do “as serving the Lord?”  We can do that if we set our minds on things above, if we choose to think about the Lord and his kingdom,

That’s a lot to think about on Labor Day.  But that’s the challenge I’m going to leave with you.  Honor the work of others.  Maybe even tell them how much you appreciate what they do.  Then, think about the work you do – whether that’s actual employment, or the things you do at home, or even what you do in retirement.  Ask yourself, do you what you do “as serving the Lord?”  And do you do – whatever you do – in word or deed, in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through him?

Have a great Labor Day!

Prayer

Eternal God, help us indeed to recognize and appreciate the work of others.  Help us to serve and encourage each other in the work and service here in your Church.  Help us to set our minds on the things of heaven, and to see your hand in everything in our lives.  For we pray, and give thanks to you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.