There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
-Acts 18:2-3 (NIV)
Reflection
At the beginning of the year, we started a series on the core values of Manotick Community Church; the first being; Christ Centred. The percentage of people that are employed by the church when compared to the general workforce is very small. Yet, we tend to compartmentalize work (secular) and Church (spiritual) life. Living a Christ-centred life challenges this idea. If Jesus is Lord of all, He is also Lord of my work life. Fruitful labour is God's gift established in the Garden of Eden. Work was intended to be an integral part of God's mission to the world; that we would tend the garden (worship) and carry His presence into the untamed world (mission). This brings us to the second of our church values; Mission-focused.
When we bring those two values together and see ourselves as we truly are, new creations (2 Cor. 5:17), then our whole life is to be oriented around the risen Lord Jesus. Work becomes worship, and we are called to take His light into the marketplace. Each one of us is a missionary to the people we work alongside every day. Our third core value is to be Spirit-Led. When you engage in praying for your place of work, expect God to empower you for the mission and speak to you about your work and colleagues.
Marketplace Prayer Points
God would break down any false walls that separate work from our spiritual life and we would see ourselves as called and empowered to be a marketplace missionary.
A growing number of believers will prioritize reaching out to their workmates with God’s love in their work lives.
Believers will pray for fellow workers and reach out with concern and acts of kindness to those who are hurting and need help.
Christians in the workplace will support each other through prayer and meeting together.
Christians will share the gospel with fellow workers as opportunities arise in the office, at lunch and elsewhere.
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