Labor of Love: Why Work Matters in the Christian Life
These slogans are plastered across society, found in media advertisements, school speeches, and graduation cards. But we also know the reality of work is far different. The dream job may not be a reality for many people. Work may not always be easy. There are quite a few jobs that no one dreams of doing, which means a lot of available jobs that are not dream jobs. Sometimes work is difficult, tiring, or boring. Even people who have jobs they enjoy find that there are days where it would be easier to just stay in bed. So, how should Christians view their jobs? What is the importance and roles of our vocations? How do we glorify God in our work?
What Is Love?
Philosophers have written tomes on the reasons for love. Poets have filled manuscripts with the imagery and emotions of love. Musicians have sung songs about the joys and pains of love. But all have really been asking the same big question—“What is love?” Love cannot be defined as a culmination of feelings and emotions. Love cannot be defined as situations, events, or outcomes in life. Love cannot be defined as the perceptions and actions of other people. Love cannot be defined as itself (i.e. “love is love”). Love can only be defined by God. In fact, love can only be defined through God, because God is love (1 John 4:8).
Why Does Corporate Singing Matter?
God has made His people a singing people. We are hard-wired to sing. From the Song of Moses (Deut. 32) to the Seven Hymns of Revelation (Rev. 4,5,7), the Bible is filled with the songs of God’s people. Three books of the Old Testament—Psalms, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations—are collections of songs. In fact, music not only plays a vital role throughout Scripture, but is one of the few activities that we know creation carries out on earth, as well as in heaven.
Why Does the Resurrection Matter Today?
Those of us who proudly wear the badge of “historically orthodox Christian” love to proclaim the truths of Good Friday and its staggering implications for all of mankind. But in our desire to keep the cross at the forefront of our faith, have we pushed the empty tomb to the background?
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
The church is a building. Perhaps you are envisioning a grand cathedral, a quaint chapel, a location in a strip mall, or a school auditorium. While these are just a few of the many places that the church gathers, this is not the sort of building pictured throughout Scripture. In fact, it is ironic that when you ask most people about the church they attend they usually identify a physical building. Yet we see that Romans 16:5 says
WHAT IS THE LORD'S SUPPER?
Have you ever stopped to realize the strangeness of the Lord’s Supper? Many Christians have taken this meal for years and perhaps have found themselves in a familiar routine: A call to remember the sacrifice of Jesus. A morsel of bread. A sip of wine. This strangeness no longer confronts our senses. But imagine you are attending church for the first time or you are a young child witnessing Christians receiving these elements. As each member holds a piece of bread you hear “This is my body.” Then wine (or grape juice) is received and the pastor says, “This is my blood.” What in the world is going on here?