Seeing Our Work As Worship (Colossians 3:22-24)

Sermon on 23 November 2025 by Pastor Justin Chia

Colossians 3:22-24 - “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

‭‭No matter what stage of life we are at, God wants us to see every task as worship to Him. To work heartily is to work with all your soul and be motivated by the love of God. Love will overlook our insincerity, selfishness, and unkindness. We work heartily in love for Jesus, not men.

With the fear of the Lord, we obey our earthly master. Without faith, we cannot walk with God. Without faith, we cannot draw near to our almighty God, let alone pleasing Him. We submit and obey not as a man pleaser but motivated by our fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord will draw you so close to God. When you fear the Lord, you respect our almighty God. We don’t worry about tomorrow as tomorrow will bring its own worries. Live today as your fullest. There was 18 years of silence before Jesus started His Galilean ministry. The Hebrew meaning of the word Lord is master. He has absolute authority. He is the ultimate ruler. Is He the Lord of your life and ruling your life? You will see the blessings flow from the throne of God when you are aligned with God. Knowing is one thing, doing is what makes the difference. God always does things first before He teaches. Jesus invites us to elevate our works from routine to worship. Knowing and applying this truth will set you free. Through men, God grants us the ability to gain wealth. But it is still the truth that we are serving God, not man. When you view your work as worship, your worries will change to praise. If you want to experience the presence of our almighty God, you don’t need to wait for Sunday services or Friday prayer meeting. It is everywhere. When you want to enter the presence of God, give thanks. It is the will of you and me to give thanks.

Jesus Himself demonstrated worship through work as a carpenter.

Mark 6:3 - “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.”

‭‭As a carpenter, He was focused on the will of God. He didn’t need to do anything big to be successful. God looks at our heart and the rest will follow suit. When Christ is your true boss, your workplace becomes a mission field to point people to Christ. Your tasks become offerings. People will be delighted to see you because you are the light. You are not there to gather ‘likes’. Your life becomes a living sermon.

Whatever you do, set your minds on Christ. Every work is sacred when Christ is the centre - whether spiritually or in the secular world. When you set God as your priority, other priorities will fall into place. Jesus is Lord over all creation and life. Everything we do, including works must come under His Lordship.

Colossians 3:17 - “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

‭‭Colossians 1:15-20 - “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

‭‭When our work displays His heart and purpose, our work becomes worship. Whatever position that we are in, we will do it to our best ability.

Deuteronomy 8:18 - ““And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”‭‭

1 Corinthians 15:10 - “Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise.”

1. Work wholeheartedly for the Lord

Colossians 3:23 - “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”

‭‭Believer’s motivation is not external reward but internal devotion to Christ.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 - “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”

‭‭Acts 5:29 - “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

‭‭Acts 4:19 - “But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.”

The Bible tells us to obey our earthly master. However, if our earthly master tells us to do wrong things, we have to be reminded that we have to obey God.

The goal of worship is to honour God and to express our deep love for Him in all we do, through serving, thanksgiving, and obedience.

Psalms 100:1-5 - “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.”

‭2. Remember who you truly serve  

You are doing it for Jesus. You focus on your mission rather than your frustration.

3. Expect a heavenly reward

You are serving the Lord.

Colossians 3:24 - “knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

‭Every task done in obedience is a ministry set apart for His glory.

Galatians 6:9 - “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

‭‭Earthly effort for eternal purposes will always be rewarded. How can you change your motivation today to be more God-centred in your work? It starts with seeing your work as worship to glorify Christ through your work. God looks at your heart and not your success. Today, dedicate your work to Jesus. And say in your heart: “Lord, my work is Yours.” For Christ is my true boss, my workplace becomes a mission field. For Christ is my true boss, my tasks become offerings. For Christ is my true boss, my life becomes a living sermon.

Amen.