Made for Mondays | Week 3 | Pastor Kevin Kringel
Made for Mondays
Week 3
Let Your Light Shine at Work
Introduction
In Genesis, we see that naming something also demonstrates dominion over it.
They were already educated in the Torah
They already had a way of eating (plan, tradition)
They knew who they were (true identity, regardless of what Babylon called them)
Daniel and His Friends’ Commitment to God
How did They Let Their Light Shine in a Foreign Land?
'Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.'"
Practical Application for Believers Today
Act ethically
Speak truth
Demonstrate morality
Make friends (creating neighbors out of strangers)
Practice humility
Resist temptation
Do excellent work for God
Serve others
Stand against injustice
Bring grace & peace wherever you work
Shape workplace culture (celebrate others, be helpful to others, and have a cheerful attitude)
Share the Gospel
John Maxwell: Excellence & dignity earn the right to be heard.
Encouragement and Conclusion
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze."
Week 3
Let Your Light Shine at Work
Introduction
- Opening remarks on the importance of shining our light in a dark world
- Matthew 5:16 (NIV) "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
- Context of Daniel: A young man taken into captivity in Babylon (Daniel 1)
- The relevance today: Standing firm in a non-Christian environment (hostile culture that desires to remake you into its image. They want your gifts, but not your God.)
In Genesis, we see that naming something also demonstrates dominion over it.
They were already educated in the Torah
They already had a way of eating (plan, tradition)
They knew who they were (true identity, regardless of what Babylon called them)
Daniel and His Friends’ Commitment to God
- Examples: Daniel’s prayer (Daniel 6-lions den)
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s refusal to worship the idol (Daniel 3-firey furnace)
- Their unwavering devotion despite captivity is what made them valuable to Babylon, even if Babylon didn’t know that.
- On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your commitment to God? You cannot use 5!
How did They Let Their Light Shine in a Foreign Land?
- Maintaining integrity in their work and relationships
- Stood out: not conforming, not bowing their knees, abstaining (what they didn’t do or say preached loudly.)
- Stood out: excellence of ability. They were able when others were not (empowered and helped by God: Daniel 2)
- Making the right choice wasn’t celebrated by those around them, even though their integrity and relationship with God protected everyone, including their enemies at times.
- They didn’t refuse to bow their knees or refuse the order to stop praying in the hope of seeing a miracle. They made the right choice because it was the right thing to do.
- Their contribution brought value to Babylon, blessing the nation with wisdom and integrity
'Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.'"
Practical Application for Believers Today
- Recognize the importance of personal integrity in a worldly environment
Act ethically
Speak truth
Demonstrate morality
Make friends (creating neighbors out of strangers)
Practice humility
Resist temptation
Do excellent work for God
Serve others
Stand against injustice
Bring grace & peace wherever you work
Shape workplace culture (celebrate others, be helpful to others, and have a cheerful attitude)
Share the Gospel
John Maxwell: Excellence & dignity earn the right to be heard.
- Ask yourself: Does my work draw others to Christ? If not, improve!
- Practical steps:
- Stay rooted in prayer and scripture (like Daniel’s consistent prayer life)
- Have an understanding of who you are (do not look to the culture or workplace to define you or identify you to yourself)
- Have clear routines and habits that maintain your godly culture (gather with believers, be with the church, gratitude, worship)
- Stand firm on convictions (Using humility and wisdom: without being rude or mean-spirited, Daniel graciously resisted)
- Be excellent in your work and conduct to reflect Christ's light (10 times more excellent)
- Pray for opportunities and boldness to share your faith respectfully (divine opportunities)
Encouragement and Conclusion
- God’s promise: He is with us when we stand firm
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze."
- Call to action: Commit to letting your light shine, even in difficult environments
