Espressivo – A direction to play expressively.

Colossians 3:23-24 NLT – “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”

Relying on God has to start all over everyday, as if nothing as yet been done.–C.S.Lewis

Lesson:

We were given one life and we are to live that life for God.  Our verse today says that we are to “work willingly at whatever you do.”  It does not mean what we want to do.  It does not mean what we think we can do well or get the most credit for.  It does not mean what is easiest.  It means everything you do (whether it’s vacuuming, practicing your instrument, cleaning up your room, etc.), do it as if you were doing it for God.

You probably have heard this story, but let’s listen to it one more time.

When he did arrive in England and meet the Founder, the meeting was far from cordial, Booth viewed Brengle with some scepticism calling him a dangerous man in that he had been his own boss and Booth was not sure Brengle would adhere to the discipline of The Salvation Army. Nonetheless he was accepted for training and made his home at the Salvation Army Training Barracks in London. There one of his first duties was to blacken and shine the boots of his fellow cadets, a job that was considered menial. Rather than complain he reminded himself of the fact that His Savior did not consider it beneath Himself to wash the feet of the disciples. He took on all tasks, from selling the War Cry to preaching on the streets with equal humility and zeal.

Did you catch that last part?  He reminded himself of the fact that His Savior did not consider it beneath Himself to wash the feet of the disciples

We will not all sing the solo, or score the game winning touchdown, or cure a disease, or be the president.  But, we can do everything like we are doing it for God.  We need to live our lives expressively.  We need to live them with as much expression, passion, strength, and courage that we can muster.  Whether it’s working in our house, shining other’s shoes, or being the leader, we need to do it for God.

During the Protestant Reformation, the early church leaders ascribed to five fundamental beliefs about our faith.

• Sola scriptura (“by Scripture alone”)
• Sola fide (“by faith alone”)
• Sola gratia (“by grace alone”)
• Solus Christus or Solo Christo (“Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”)
• Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”)

Whatever we do should be do espressivo, soli Deo gloria, for God’s glory alone.

Questions to think about:

1. What am I doing now that I think is too unimportant?
2. How can I give that thing over to God’s glory?
3. How can I praise God during the most boring part of my day?

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to turn over my complete life to you and for your glory.  You should be praised in everything that I do today, tomorrow, and forever.  Amen.