Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. The three-day weekend it falls on is called Labor Day Weekend.
Beginning in the late 19TH century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to__________________. “Labor Day” was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, which organized the first parade in__________________.
1887: Oregon was first state to make it an official holiday.
1894: It became a _______________holiday.
Psalm 127:1-2 “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you ____________early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”
This psalm records the blessing of the Lord in domestic life. The psalmist recognized that the dependence on the providence of the Lord assures valuable domestic enterprises and safeguards. (127:1-2; 128:2) In words that reflect Ecclesiastes, the author said that it is vain to attempt things without the Lord.
Builders work on a house…in vain unless the Lord builds it, watchmen…guard in vain unless the Lord watches, and being anxious over one’s labor for food and working long hours is in vain.
The point is that work done independently of God will be futile. Without the Lord, all domestic work is in vain.
_______________ (127:2) should not be taken to mean that need not be diligent, for the Scriptures elsewhere say they should. Rather, that verse stresses that to work long days without divine providence and support is futile.
The value of Divine Blessing: in all the affairs and business of a family we must depend on His blessing.
For the raising of a family. If God be not acknowledged, we must have no reason to expect_______________; and “the best laid plans fail…”
For the safety of a family or a city. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen, even though they neither slumber or sleep, wake but in vain and are unable to prevent.
For enriching a family. Some are so eager to conquer the world, that they are continually full of care. All this is to get money; but all in vain, except God prosper them: while those who love the Lord cast all their cares upon Him. Our care must be to keep ourselves in the love of God, then we may be content whether we have little or much in this world.
This Labor Day I would like to like to leave you with:
8 Biblical Principles of Work
Some people hate to do it.
Some people love to do it.
Some go to great lengths to avoid doing it.
Some do it too much.
While there are many different attitudes toward work, one thing remains constant: Work must be done! Lets consider the following 8 Principles that outline God’s view of work:
Work is Ordained by God (Gen. 1:28, 2:15)
Work is for a Lifetime (Gen. 3:19)
Work is not Punishment (Ecc. 2:24-25)
Work has three purposes
Work calls for Obedience (Col. 3:22)
Work should be done with excellence (Eph. 6:6-7)
Work is Honorable (1Cor. 10:31)
Work provides for an Opportunity for Witness (Matt.5:16)