Dear Brothers and Sisters, Shalom.
Welcome to tune in to the program by GLOBAL REACHOUT. I am Angelie. Starting from November this year, we have launched the "Kingdom Business Culture" program. This program is based on the workplace training course of GLOBAL JIREH entitled "Christ-centered Entrepreneurship”. This course was compiled by Pastor Tony TAY Mingxian to help brothers and sisters live out Christ in the workplace.
In today's talk we will learn about Christ-centered corporate culture or Kingdom Business Culture through Hebrews 1:3.
When we know the biblical concept of business, what we need to understand now is why businesses should be Christ-centered. In this episode, we first get to know Christ, then we discuss why companies need to be Christ-centered, and finally understand how companies can be Christ-centered.
First of all, Hebrews 1:3 says: The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. The original Greek word for "Glory" is "doxa", and the original Hebrew word is "kabod", which means "weight". When we say: "Someone is weighty," we mean that this person has great importance. What a weighty person said is of great importance, and these words cannot be separated from this person. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory ", that is, Christ is the outward expression of the inner weighty nature of God; it is like the relationship between the sun and the sunlight. Christ is the light of the world, and he uses the true way-true light to disperse darkness, and light has its scope of influence. Next, the scripture tells us that "Christ is the exact representation of God’s being." Christ does not have the image of God. He is the exact representation of God’s image. He is the external projection of the invisible God. He is God and has the authority that God has. Third, the scripture says that Christ "sustaining all things by his powerful word." All things can exist orderly and continuously because they are supported by the power of Christ, which shows how great his power is. Christ is the external manifestation of God's power.
From this verse, we see the influence, authority and power of Christ. If an enterprise upholds holiness, it can share the authority of Christ; if an enterprise follows the truth, it can exert the influence of Christ; if an enterprise manifests righteousness, it can gain the power of Christ. If we want to build a kingdom enterprise aligned with God's eternal plan, we need spiritual resources from Christ: Authority, Command, and Power. If we are to receive these three spiritual resources, our business must be centered on Christ. Because only when we are centered on Christ, we can have the authority to become God's representatives on earth, know His brilliant will in our lives, and have the executive power to implement it. Companies must integrate these three spiritual resources: authority, command, and ability to reach the tipping point. Authority belongs to priesthood, command belongs to prophetic character, and power belongs to king character.
Adam and Eve lost the authority to manage the Garden of Eden because of their sins. Being in the corporate world, do we maintain the authority we have by keeping away from sin? Without authority, our mission cannot reveal that convincing temperament. Do we check God's will and make sure that what we do is aligned with His commands? Thank God, as long as we are determined to do God's will, we must know what is in line with His will (John 7:17). Unless what we do is in accordance with his wishes, what we do will eventually be uprooted (Matthew 15:13). Are we willing to seek and wait for the lead from the Lord? We are not doing the work of the Lord by our own strength, but fully fulfilling everything according to the power running in us, beyond what we ask and think (Ephesians 3:20). This power is in Christ! Do we rely entirely on the Lord or partly on the Lord? We know that we can't at all, and we have to rely 100% on His ability to complete His work.
If we are determined to establish a Christ-centered enterprise, we must operate the enterprise in accordance with the righteous and truth. This enterprise is aligned with God's will-truth, and then the enterprise system and mission are established according to God's will and the enterprise's vitality are cultivated; so the enterprise system is righteous and the enterprise culture is holy. It is recorded in 1 Kings 7:21: “He erected the pillars at the portico of the temple. The pillar to the south he named Jakin and the one to the north Boaz; one on the left, named Boaz." Jakin represents the priest, Boaz represents the king. In the end, we will become priests of God and Christ, and reign with Christ for a thousand years (Revelation 20:6). The prophet will no longer exist because we will meet face to face with the Lord (1 Corinthians 13:8). Ultimately, the kingdom of God will be governed by priests and kings. This shows the importance of the system and culture in conformity with the truth.
To cultivate a culture of corporate holiness, we must be clear about the purpose of operating a business. Unless our motives are pure, otherwise we cannot have a clear understanding of what role God wants us to play. Business operators must let the business possess the traits of Christ—which is to glorify heavenly Father, only such a business will have the vitality to fulfill the Father's will and do what Jesus did. A holy culture will enable a healthy relationship between corporate members and a good reputation for the company. In establishing a system of corporate righteousness, the system we have established must not treat anyone unjustly. The members of the enterprise collaborate in such system, and work together to complete the mission to achieve the vision of the enterprise. When a company responds to a God’s vision in a benevolent way, we will experience the miracle of resources catching up with the vision. God will give us the manpower, material resources, financial resources, and spiritual power we need. We will feel full of security because we have not rebelled against God, so we don’t have to be afraid in a difficult situation (Numbers 14:9).
When our business is centered on Christ, how safe, joyous and light we are!
At the end of the program, let us invite Ps. Tony TAY Meng Hiang, the founder of GLOBAL JIREH to pray for us.
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Discussion
1. Does the company you manage/serve uphold holiness? Give an example.
2. Does the company you manage/serve obey the truth? Give an example.
3. Does the company you manage/service perform righteousness? Give an example.