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Made for Mondays: Work and the Glory of God Sermon: All For the Glory of God 1 Corinthians 10:31  Sermon Summary The Big Idea of this study is that we need to see our problems and disagreements through Gospel glasses. Knowing the Gospel story and identifying the real problem is essential to bringing glory to God at work, home and in the church. In my lifetime I have pastored through many disagreements in the church. The current Covid controversies are just the latest in a long line of issues that thoughtful, devout followers of Jesus have disagreed about. I can remember when not wearing a tie on the platform was considered irreverent and then there were the worship music wars and the length of men’s hair. I served under a pastor when I was a youth pastor who was convinced that any music with a rock and roll rhythm was from the devil. The Apostle Paul’s advice about a very hot topic in the 1 st Century was to be careful, no matter what side of the controversy we find ourselves on, to do everything for the glory of God. In other words, His reputation is at stake, we need to respond in keeping with the Gospel story. We need to remember what the real problem is, and things like love, respect, generosity and grace need to flavour our conversations. The world will have all kinds of solutions for our problems at work, at home and in society at large. But they locate the problem and the solution as something in creation. But we know something they do not. “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 3-5) Questions for Discussion: 1. When thoughtful, devout followers of Jesus disagree, how are we to respond? Why is this so difficult? Hint: 2 Cor. 3-5 2. Discuss the Gospel story in terms of hero, problem/antagonist, and solution. Discuss how your life responses reflect which story you believe. 3. Have you noticed how in movies and in culture there are other stories being advocated? How do they differ from the Gospel story? Where do they think the resolution will come from? 4. Pick a problem you are encountering and view it through Gospel glasses. What do you see? 5. How does knowing and trusting Jesus make a difference in your work world, family life, and church life?