For Who Am I Toiling?

7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

Thesis/ Central Idea:

Christians should remember that they toil in contentment, truth, and peace.

Introduction:

Today I find myself retired from a career of 26 years at the Chicago Transit Authority, yet I look forward to the Toil that lies ahead of me

This Sunday also marks the transition of my work here at Brookfield, and once again I look forward to the Toil ahead of me

For I know who I toil for, and a proper understanding of that can create a very blessed life

I Toil for Jesus the Christ who scripture has given many names.

The Toiling I mention today labors underneath the Titles you see hear.

We will look at 3 areas in which the Christian toils/ works/ labors, and see how those areas serve the One who we Toil for...

I Toil in Contentment

The Living Water

The Bread of Life

The Good Shepherd

King of Kings

Mankind thinks doing nothing is a goal to be pursued

[When in fact we are created to work and therefore need to be able to find joy and resolve in it…]

Ecclesiastes 5:18 ESV

18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.

Contentment and self-control are similar propositions

Self-Control is missing badly in our world

[Whatever state we find ourselves in, we need to make it work for us and the Lord…]

Philippians 4:10–13 ESV

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

[Contentment with God in the equation, makes for successful living…]

1 Timothy 6:6–8 ESV

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Treasures in Heaven need to be more of active effort for us all

[I toil in contentment always and then I add toiling for truth…]

I Toil for Truth

The Light of the World

Alpha and the Omega

The Door

Bright Morning Star

[Truth is the proper director of your life, toil for it always…]

Psalm 51:6 ESV

6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Wisdom comes through knowing and doing the truth

[Truth sets mankind apart…]

John 17:17 “17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

Sanctification is a process in toiling, it is work, and it is noticeable among man

separating the carnal man from the spiritual man

[Toiling/ working to abide by truth does not cause any shame…]

2 Timothy 2:15 “15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

The truth is not second nature to man

The truth is not the domain of the first born nature

One must toil/ study it and then humble himself under it

Ultimately man must obey it

[Toiling for the Lord brings a smile to His face…]

3 John 4 “4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Isn’t nice to know when your creator smiles on us

[While Toiling for Contentment and Truth…]

I Toil for Peace

The Savior

The Vine

Lamb of God

Prince of Peace

[Peace was toiled for by our Savior first and it was prophesied that way…]

Isaiah 53:5 ESV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

No greater toil achieved in all of mankind

[I toil for peace because that is what the sons of God do…]

Matthew 5:9 “9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

If you are a son of God, it is clear what we need to be

[We do not toil for ordinary peace, we toil for a condition among mankind that the world cannot give…]

John 14:27 “27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

In trouble never lose heart

[We toil no matter how hard it is…]

Romans 12:18 “18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

Conclusion:

We work and find contentment in the things we do.

Blessed by finding a way to honor God by what our hands find to do

Let truth be your guide through a life that the world mis-directs it’s inhabitants

Truth that is founded in the Word of God, not the popular or majority decisions of men

Toil for Peace that allows man to be reconciled with God.

Toil for Peace that the world cannot give.

[Humble yourself to God’s Plan of Salvation…]

Invitation:

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