Colossians: Anchored in Jesus, Gospel at Work

The Gospel at Work — Colossians 3:22–4:1

Preacher: Alex Hogendoorn – Date: November 16, 2025

Tagline

Through the gospel, Jesus gives dignity, agency, hope, and justice to our work—and calls us to serve him in all we do.

Sermon Summary

This message explored how the gospel reshapes the world of work through Paul’s instructions to slaves and masters in Colossians 3:22–4:1. While the passage speaks directly into the brutal reality of Roman slavery, its gospel seeds ultimately transformed societies by restoring human dignity, granting genuine agency, promising eternal reward, and demanding justice for the powerless. Paul sowed these truths into a world where slaves had no rights, and over centuries those seeds contributed to the dismantling of slavery again and again. The heart of the passage is this: in Christ, every person—no matter their status—is seen, valued, and called to serve the Lord himself.

From those same seeds come practical hope for our own workplaces. We are important to God, and so are the people we work with. We have real agency as we choose to work for the Lord with sincerity and integrity. Our true reward is not our paycheck but the inheritance Christ promises. And because God shows no partiality, we are called to be for the worker, never exploiting others and always treating people with dignity. The gospel doesn’t just explain how Christ saved us—it also shows how he is reshaping the world, including the places we spend our weeks. Even difficult workplaces can become places where Jesus is served and honored.

Group Discussion Guide

Icebreaker Question (pick one)

Playful: Share a funny or surprising thing you’ve overheard at work when someone thought no one was listening.

Meaningful: When has work felt especially challenging for your faith—and what helped you keep going?

Opening Prayer

Ask the Spirit to speak through the word and to lead your time together.

Scripture Reading

Read Colossians 3:22–4:1 aloud as a group.

Main Discussion Questions

Consider Jesus as both Master and Slave. What does this passage reveal about Jesus, and how does seeing him this way change the way we understand power, authority, and accountability?

Paul restores dignity and agency to people who had none. What does this show us about how God views human beings, including those who feel overlooked, undervalued, or powerless? What people does our society treat as less than human?

The sermon described four “gospel seeds” that helped overturn slavery:
identity (who we are in Christ), agency (how we can obey Christ), reward (the inheritance in Christ), and justice (the concern we have for others). How do these reveal the larger story of what God is doing through Christ in the world?

4. Transformed Living

How does working “for the Lord and not for men” practically reshape attitudes like resentment, dishonesty, shortcuts, or fear? Where might the Spirit be calling you to live differently at work this week?

How has God been calling you to "engage your world with his love"? Who has he been calling you to care for, share with, or serve last week?

For Further Study

Ten passages connected to dignity, labor, justice, and serving Christ:

1. Genesis 1:26–27 — Humanity created in God’s image; the foundation of dignity.
2. Exodus 3:7–10 — God sees the oppression of his people and acts to deliver.
3. Deuteronomy 10:17–19 — God shows no partiality and commands care for the vulnerable.
4. Psalm 8:3–5 — God crowns ordinary people with glory and honor.
5. Micah 6:8 — God’s call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly.
6. Matthew 20:25–28 — Jesus redefines leadership through servanthood.
7. Philippians 2:5–8 — Christ takes the form of a slave and models humble obedience.
8. Ephesians 6:5–9 — Parallel teaching on serving Christ in all work and treating others with justice.
9. 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 — A call to work quietly, faithfully, and with integrity.
10. Revelation 22:12 — Jesus brings the final reward for every faithful act.