- The Protestant Distortion
Secular > Spiritual
“Eventually the day came when faith and calling were separated completely. The original demand that each Christian should have a calling was boiled down to the demand that each citizen should have a job.”
-The Call by Os Guinness
- Conclusion
Only in Christ will you be able satisfactorily to answer the question “Why do I work?”
Class Schedule______
Week 1: What are Christians Called to Do?
Vocation and Calling in the Bible
Week 2: Idle or Idol?
The Purpose and Danger of Employment
Week 3: Jesus' Work Changes Our Work
The Impact of Redemption on Employment
Week 4: Do What You Are
How the Bible Calls You to Choose a Job
Week 5: God's Representatives
Living as Christians in the Workplace
Week 6: Christians Are Not "Balanced" People
Employment and Our Other Vocations
Week 7: Panel Discussion
Questions?r
CORE Seminars – Vocation
Capitol Hill Baptist Church
Week #1
What are Christians Called to Do?
Vocation and Calling in the Bible
- Introduction
Why do I work?
- The Basic Principle of Calling
- Defining some terms
Ekalesen (Greek) – “to call”
Romans 8:30 “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
Vocare (Latin) – “to call”
- Primary Calling
2 Thessalonians 2:14 “He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:8 “And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Matthew 6:33 “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Our discipleship of Jesus Christ is our primary calling in life
- Secondary Callings
“Our secondary calling is that everyone, everywhere, and in everything should think, speak, live, and act entirely for him. It is our personal answer to God’s address, our response to God’s summons.”
-The Call by OsGuiness
Colossians 3:22–24:“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men . . . . It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Matthew 22: 37-39“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
- Love God
Ephesians 22: 37-39“obey your earthly masters…just as you would obey Christ. . . . Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord. . . .”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might . . . .”
- Love your neighbor
God gives us our daily bread through the work of others to which he calls them. God calls the farmer to farm; the miller to mill; the baker to bake; the trucker to deliver; the shopkeeper to stock; you to purchase and prepare. These are all secondary callings by which God through his providence causes us to love our neighbors.
- Distortions of the doctrine of calling
- The Catholic Distortion
Spiritual > Secular
The Perfect Life vs. The Permitted Life