Businessmen at Work

1. Introduction

· Can’t change anything if you are hostile to it.

· God’s intention is that His people penetrate and alter the business community.

· Business Community – core of city life – must penetrate.

· Requires that we change paradigm = mindsets, ways of thinking.

· Business breakfasts – want to change way you think and live.

So business life overflows with life and blessing of God.
So your influence on people in business increases.
So you become empowered to spread the Gospel.

Four things that speak:

1) Money (Eccl. 10:19)

2) Character (Dan 6:3)

3) Power of God (Acts 19:10)

4) Community (Jn. 13:35 – relationship)

2. Example of Man who made Impact - Daniel

Daniel 1: 4-8

a)    Circumstances he lived in

· Nation Israel invaded and defeated by Greatest World Empire

· Babylon = Confusion – picture symbol of World System

· Takes capture – probably made a eunuch – lived in Babylon

· Lived in King’s palace – in training

b)   Pressures upon Daniel

· Taught the ways of Babylon – contrary to the Bible

· Name changed to Babylon gods – attempt to change character

· Daily portion – constant temptation to defilement, corruption

· Lived under possibility of execution

c)    Decisions Daniel Made

(i) Purposed = Made quality decision – not to be defiled

(ii) Centered life on relationship with God – living according to His ways

(iii) Refused to take in things that would defile

(iv) Respect and love for enemies

(v) Controlled tongue – no hasty word

(vi) Provided constructive alternative

(vii) Constantly prayed and depended on Holy Spirit

(viii) God gave him success

3. Business People Jesus Recruited

· Jesus intentionally recruited business people – not members of a religious organization.

· Jesus goal was to penetrate community to change the culture.

· Business is one of the key aspects of community life.

· Culture of city is revealed in how money is handled.

Examples of People Jesus Recruited

1) Disciples – Key Apostles

· Professional fishermen - Peter/Andrew (Mt 4:18)

· Partners in fish business - James and John (Mt 4:21-22)

· Tax collector – Matthew (Mk. 2:14)

· Farmer – Nathaniel (John 1:48)

 2) Authors of New Testament

· Doctor – Luke

· Tax Collector – Matthew

· Food business – John

· Wealthy man – Mark.

Mark – from wealthy family.  (Acts 12:12-17).
Church met in mother’s home.
-Rhoda – maidservant opened the gate.
-Knocking not heard = big home.

3) Birth Place of Church.

· Acts 1:13 – 15 Church birthed in upper room – not in a church building.

· Large place = 120 men and women stayed there, meals, sleeping

· Probably large chamber owned by wealthy man

4)  Key Converts

· Fabric Wholesaler – Lydia (Acts 16:14)

· Clothes Designer – Dorcas (Acts 9:36)

· Tent Makers – Aquila & Priscilla (Acts 18:2)

· Government Official – Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:27)

· City Treasurer – Erastus (Rom. 16:23)

5) Fresh Revelation

· One of Most important revelations – Church included Gentiles

· Came not to theologian

· Fisherman-Peter

· Senior Military Officer- Cornelius

· Church centre of operations moved from Jerusalem to Antioch = major business centre.

6)   Apostolic Co-Workers

· People have wrong concepts of “deacon” = low level helper

· Acts 6: Criteria

o Character

o Faith

o Holy Spirit Anointed

o Wisdom

· Put in charge of business – never says waited on tables.