Marketplace ministry is about living out one's faith in the workplace, viewing professional life as an integral part of God's mission. It involves applying biblical principles to work, demonstrating ethical behavior, leading with a servant's heart, and seeing the workplace as a mission field for evangelism and discipleship. By integrating faith and work, believers can make a significant impact for Christ in their professional environments and beyond.
[00:00:00] We're going to be a great friend together on our knees Let us pray together on our knees And I fall on my knees with my face to the rise in sun Oh no, we're going to see on the knees
[00:00:27] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with Elgin Carelock, the Bible Speaks is a weekly ministry of harvest international. Our prayer is that the Bible Speaks will encourage you in your study of God's Word. You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this
[00:00:43] broadcast. And now here's Elgin Today, we're going to talk about something a little different. We're going to talk about a marketplace ministry. Marketplace ministry is about living out our faith in the workplace. Viewing professional life has an integral part of God's mission.
[00:01:18] It involves applying biblical principles to work, demonstrating ethical behavior, leading with a servant's heart and seeing the workplace as a mission field for evangelism and discipleship. By integrating faith in work, believers can make a significant impact for Christ in their professional environments
[00:01:41] and beyond. When you think about the Apostle Paul taking the Word of God to the Gentiles, most of it was in the marketplace. You don't have very many examples of Paul teaching in synagogues, although he did. Also the examples that are cited in the New Testament
[00:02:05] were in the marketplace because in cities like Thessalonica or Corinth, these were merchant cities where business was going on and he was sharing the Word of Jesus Christ and people who didn't believe as he did, but they did understand business as he understood
[00:02:26] business and the application of what the Word of God says absolutely transcends the difference between what's in church and what's in the marketplace. Another consideration, God made us an His image that we might have dominion.
[00:02:48] And dominion is mastery and mastery is in all corners and every aspect of human life. So the scripture inspiration that I wanted to discuss on today is from Luke, chapter 6, verse 388.
[00:03:13] It's very familiar passage to you, but only going to use the very first part which is give and it shall be given unto you. If we understand that we are to portray the life of a Christian in every aspect of our lives,
[00:03:39] then we also understand that God has expectations that we will take His premises to the marketplace and in all aspects. And I thought about the various aspects of how we do that, and one word came to mind. And that word was give. As business owners and entrepreneurs,
[00:04:11] we are always reading books, listening to podcasts and implementing strategies for success. And while all of those things are necessary, I can submit all up in one word, give, give yourself time to learn your purpose. Remember God called us to earth for a purpose.
[00:04:36] We were created for something that only you or me can do specifically. And the way that we learn our purpose is reading the word of God and spending time, meditating on what you've learned, and let the Holy Spirit guide you with an urge toward a certain purpose.
[00:05:03] And from the business standpoint, once you understand your purpose, then give your team to time to understand your vision. Because purpose drives vision. When you understand your purpose, God will share with you a vision of how that purpose comes to fruition.
[00:05:25] I'll give you an example. I'm a partner in a construction company who specializes in remodeling and renovations for under-served areas. And shortly after, we agreed to start this company. The Lord gave me a vision of what our office would look like.
[00:05:48] And it was a building that we owned. It was a building that we purchased and renovated ourselves and now we owned it. We hadn't even been in business for 30 days, but because I understood the purpose of the business, he gave me the vision.
[00:06:04] So you then give your team to time to understand your vision, share it with them, and include them as you build strategies toward that vision. Give attention to providing a culture of creativity and growth.
[00:06:22] As you're explaining your vision to your team, allow them to give input from their diverse backgrounds and experience, allow them to be creative and coming up with ways to accomplish that vision. And didn't want that vision is put into place or wants that strategy is put into place.
[00:06:42] Let them have input on what we do to grow it. And doing the process as we are going through our strategic plan, you're going to opportunity to discuss what work and what did work and what we can do differently that will help us grow.
[00:07:00] Give your customers so much value that they can't wait to give you revenue. That one's self-explanatory, but the reason why I brought it up is because many times as business owners we are looking at it from wrong side.
[00:07:19] We are trying to get our money out of their pockets rather than looking at it from a Christian perspective or a service perspective where we're going to give them so much value, so much service that they can't wait to give us revenue.
[00:07:36] Give yourself grace when things go wrong. I wish there was a secret formula that everything we touched turn the goal, that every idea we had turned into great revenue, but that's not the case.
[00:07:51] In order for us to reach the true goals that we have and within the context of God's well and God's purpose, it comes really from mistakes. Because it is the mistakes and the trials that force us to grow, that force us to move closely.
[00:08:10] That urges us then to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and as we become more comfortable with allowing the Holy Spirit to guide, then we start to see the level of success that we want.
[00:08:25] But we can't allow our flesh and the enemy to constantly remind us of things that we tried that didn't work.
[00:08:34] Is that that will cause you to be less creative and want to take fewer risks, but it's also the same mentality that will keep you from truly trusting God and understanding that Jesus is the door.
[00:08:50] So when you have something that you tried that didn't go right, look at it from a systemic point of view in terms of analyzing your strategy. But also make sure that that goal was consistent with God's will and God's purpose. And finally give resources to those in need.
[00:09:10] You are blessed to be a blessing. If you see someone who is in need and you can do something about it, you're obligated to. God didn't give you the wealth, God didn't give you resources for you to hoard them and keep them yourself.
[00:09:28] As believers we are to go into the marketplace and influence it with our influence, our impact and our income. The reason we see so many problems in our society today is because we look the other way.
[00:09:45] We do not use our influence impact and income to make a change. But you have to remember the words says, let's rely so shine that others may see the God in you.
[00:09:58] And when we do that things change, the people we elect change, the laws that are created change. And so those needs that are going on for fill become fulfilled because we do understand that we are our brothers keeper.
[00:10:15] So brothers and sisters follow these principles and watch how successful you become as a business person, but more importantly as a human being. I thank you for spending this time with me on today and I look forward to our conversation on tomorrow. Until then, God bless. 66690 O'CalaFlorida 344878.