Review

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The World Sphere – Where we live, work and play.

Ephesians 6:5-8 (NIV) Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

Employees

Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

We should be better workers as Christians than non Christians because of our growing character.
God will honor and reward your hard work.

Employers

Ephesians 6:9 (NIV) And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Colossians 4:1 (NIV) Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Leadership is not a privilege to be abused but rather a responsibility to be used for God’s good and glory.
Christian leadership should always be marked by humility.

Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV) The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Politics

Philippians 3:17- 20 (NIV) Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Our citizenship is heaven, our first ‘constitution’ is the scriptures which set the terms for the way we live our lives.

1 Peter 2:13-17 (NIV) Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Neighbors

Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV) Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Know your neighbor to be a light to them.
Love and serve them with what gifts you have.
The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Hobbies, Sports

Share your life with others. Be intentional, not obnoxious!
Remember you are on display as you play.
Sports and hobbies can be wonderful tools for teaching discipline, service and how to get along with others in this world, but don’t let them consume your life.

The Christian heart towards our world sphere is to be ambassadors for Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf:

Application:

What in the world sphere pulls you away from your abiding, church and home spheres?
What will you do to keep God and His Kingdom first?
How will you be intentional with your opportunities? It’s not our job to convert people to Christian faith. That’s the Holy Spirit’s job.