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Platform — 10/25/2024 10:00 AM
Today's speaker is Joel Wayne, Lead Pastor at Chapel Pointe in Hudsonville, MI. Pastor Wayne shares that our work is a platform for ministry, enabling us to be salt and light in the world.
Notes
Pastor Joel Wayne from Chapel Pointe reminded today’s chapel of their sense of purpose. Wayne began by asking the students, “Why are you here?” Maybe some of them are at Cedarville because their parents sent them. Maybe they decided to go here because they love learning about God’s Word each day in chapel. Wayne then encouraged the chapel to think about this question from a bigger perspective. The students are here at Cedarville University because the Creator of the universe gave His son to die on their behalf. People in other countries heard the Gospel and then decided to take it to the nations. They responded to the Lord’s call in Matthew 28 and brought the Gospel to the United States. Years later, we now have churches and Christian universities like Cedarville University. Cedarville is part of a larger body of believers that is being raised up to pursue Christ’s Kingdom together.
The primary way we can live out our faith is through our work. Work is a gift and was instituted by God before the Fall. It is one of the greatest ways we can stand apart and represent Jesus Christ. The way you work is a demonstration of a transformed life. This means we should each show up on time, give our best, and work with integrity. Work is also a platform for our ministry. Our workplace is a mission field, and we can influence people in certain ways. We are to be a light to everyone around us, especially in our workplace.
We see this in the book of Matthew where it states, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Salt describes our work in the world and what it should be. Sometimes Roman soldiers would be paid in salt because it was so valuable. Their food would spoil quickly, and they needed the salt to preserve it. We are to be salt because the world is decaying, and every person needs to know that there is preservation in the name of Jesus. Society needs an answer to the decay that is in it, and we have the answer.
Don’t lose the understanding of why you are here. You are to work as salt and light for the glory of the Lord.