Scripture
Genesis 2:4-17 NIV [4] This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. [5] Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, [6] but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. [7] Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. [8] Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. [9] The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. [10] A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. [11] The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. [12] (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) [13] The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. [14] The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. [15] The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. [16] And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; [17] but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
Sermon Text:
Genesis 2:1-3, 15 (NIV)"Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done... 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."
Sermon
As we approach Labor Day tomorrow, a holiday centered on the dignity of labor, it’s a wonderful opportunity for us all to pause and reflect on the divine design for our lives.
For many people, this weekend is a welcome break from the grind of their jobs. But what about those for whom the traditional definition of "labor" doesn't apply? What about the retiree, the homemaker, the student, the person with a disability, the one in a period of transition, or the person who is unemployed? Does a sermon on "Labor Day" have anything to say to them?
The answer, I believe, is a resounding yes. Because a biblical understanding of work and purpose extends far beyond a paycheck or a job title.
Our sermon text from Genesis gives us a powerful and foundational look at God’s original intention for humanity. It reveals two extraordinary truths that anchor our understanding of our purpose, regardless of our employment status.
First, we see that God Himself is a worker. He is not a passive, distant deity, but He is active, creative, and purposeful. For six days, He was intimately involved in bringing every detail of the universe into existence. And when He created humanity, He didn't place us in a state of idle leisure. He gave us a job. Genesis 2:15 tells us, "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."
This is a critical point. Before sin entered the world, before the Fall, work was not a curse. It was a divine gift, a privilege, and a way for us to partner with God. "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."
It was only after the fall that work became tough
Genesis 3:17-19 NIV [17] To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. [18] It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. [19] By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Notice that it is the ground that is cursed not Adam or work.
The Hebrew word used here for "work" implies cultivation and service. It was a call for humanity to be co-stewards of the earth, to bring order, beauty, and care to God’s creation. This elevates all meaningful effort to a spiritual act. It reminds us that our purpose is not merely to consume, but to contribute; to use our gifts, our time, and our energy to glorify God and serve others.
This brings us to the deeper meaning of "work" for those who are not in the traditional workforce.
For the retiree, your "work" may now be a ministry of prayer, of mentoring younger generations, of volunteering in your community, or serving in the church and its programs and activities. Your wisdom and experience are invaluable treasures to be shared.
For those watching on Facebook Live or YouTube, you may be a stay-at-home parent if you are, your labor of love—raising children, managing a home, and nurturing a family—is a profound and holy calling. It is a form of work that builds up the very foundation of society and the church. For the person who is ill or disabled, your "work" may be the daily struggle to find joy in suffering, or to simply rely on God’s grace in a way that teaches those around you about authentic faith. For the one who is currently unemployed, your "work" is to seek God’s will, to trust in His provision, and to be a witness to His faithfulness during a time of uncertainty.
The work of a grandparent is for the Lord. The work of a caregiver is for the Lord. The work of enduring a season of waiting is for the Lord. Regardless of what our daily activity looks like.
Colossians 3:23-24 NIV says [23] Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, [24] since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Our faith calls us to see our purpose as a continuous process of aligning our lives with God's will.
Let’s look at our text again;
Genesis 2:1-3, 15 (NIV)"Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done... The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."
The second profound truth we see in our text is just as essential as our work and that is that God rested. After six days of work, He set aside the seventh day, He blessed it, and He made it holy. This wasn't because He was tired; it was because He was modeling a divine rhythm for all of creation—the rhythm of work and rest.
Exodus 20:9-11 NIV [9] Six days you shall labor and do all your work, [10] but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. [11] For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
The instruction to work for six days and rest on the seventh is a central theme in the Bible, it's found in other key passages as well. It was in our text and it is in
Exodus 34:21 NIV “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.
It's at
Deuteronomy 5:12-14 NIV [12] “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. [13] Six days you shall labor and do all your work, [14] but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do.
This commandment was a radical act of social justice. It taught the Israelites that everyone under their authority, regardless of social status or origin, had a right to rest. The phrase "so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do" highlights the equitable nature of this law. The Sabbath was a leveler, and everyone was given the gift of rest and dignity.
This principle of work and rest is a fundamental part of a life aligned with God's will, recognizing that a strong foundation in faith includes trusting in God's provision even when we are not actively working.
In our modern world, we often fall into the trap of believing our worth is tied to our productivity. Whether we're retired and feel we've lost our purpose, or we're in the midst of a demanding career, we can all make the mistake of making our career and our effort an idol. We forget that our true value and security are not found in what we do, but in whose we are. We are children of God adopted into His family.
Galatians 4:4-7 NIV [4] But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. [6] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that is not because of the works we do but it is a gift from God because of His grace
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV [8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.
This truth frees us from the tyranny of performance and invites us to find our rest and identity in Christ alone. This is especially important for those people not in the traditional workforce. Rest is not idleness. It is an intentional act of faith.
It’s the Sabbath principle—a time to stop, to be present, and to find our joy and peace in God.
Let's go to the book of Hebrews, which based on its context and content was written, primarily to Jewish Christians who would have been familiar with the history which included the wilderness experience and the entrance into Cannan lead by Joshua.
Hebrews 4:8-11 NIV [8] For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. [9] There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; [10] for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. [11] Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
The author of Hebrews explains that the "rest" the Israelites were promised was not just the physical rest of the Promised Land, but a deeper, spiritual "Sabbath-rest." This rest is not something we earn through our own efforts, but something we enter into by faith. It is a state of ceasing from our own works and striving, and instead trusting in the finished work of God.
The term "Sabbath" comes from the Hebrew word shabbat, which means "to cease" or "to rest."
Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
The primary meaning is to cease from labor. This is not just about physical rest but also about a break from the striving and toil. It's an opportunity to acknowledge our limits and our dependence on God's provision.
The Sabbath is considered "holy," or set apart, for a special purpose. It is a time for focusing on God..
The Sabbath is presented in scripture as a gift for humanity. Jesus himself affirmed this.
Mark 2:23-28 NIV [23] One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. [24] The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” [25] He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? [26] In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” [27] Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. [28] So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Jesus clarifies that the purpose of the Sabbath is to serve humanity's needs for rest and restoration. The Sabbath is a divine institution designed for our benefit—a gift of rest, peace, and an opportunity to focus on our relationship with God.
For the retiree, rest may mean taking time to reflect on a lifetime of God’s faithfulness, or finding spiritual rest in a quiet time . For the parent, rest is a deliberate act of entrusting your overwhelming list of tasks to God and finding moments of renewal. For the unemployed, rest is an act of trust, refusing to give in to worry and instead leaning on God's promises.
This is a powerful reminder that our faith is not about a constant state of human striving, but about trusting in God's provision and guidance. We are encouraged to actively seek and enter into the rest that comes from trusting God fully.
So on this Labor Day weekend, let us all, regardless of our life stage or situation, commit to two things. First, let us embrace our purpose, our God-given call to contribute, serve, and glorify Him in every facet of our lives. Let us see the work of our hands, whether at a desk or in a home, as a holy offering. And second, let us truly rest. Let us rest from our anxieties, from the pressure to perform, and from the cultural narrative that our worth is in our work. Let us find our ultimate rest in the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross. For in Him, we find a purpose that transcends any job, and a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Philippians 4:4-7 NIV [4] Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Prayer,
Thank you for the gift of this day and for the grace to hear your Word. We confess that we often define ourselves by our work, whether we are in the midst of it, or transitioning from it. We pray for your guidance to find the right rhythm of purpose and rest in our lives.
Help us to trust that our value does not come from what we do, but from who we are—your beloved children. Just as you rested after creation, teach us to rest in your finished work—to trust that you will provide for our needs and sustain us in every season of life.
For those of us who have completed our careers, we ask that you fill us with new purpose. Help us to serve you with the gifts and wisdom we have gained. When we are tempted to feel we are no longer useful, remind us that our most important work is to love you and to love others.
For those of us who are currently without employment, we pray for your provision and your peace. Remove our anxiety and guide our steps. Help us to use this time to draw closer to you, to listen for your direction, and to find meaningful ways to use our gifts to bless your kingdom.
May our lives, in both our activity and our stillness, be a testament to your faithfulness. May we glorify you in all that we are.
In the name of Jesus, our Lord and our Sabbath rest, we pray. Amen.
