Sermon Tone Analysis

Scripture Reading

Introduction

We come this evening to the next context that Paul addresses in terms of the household code.

In other words, how are members in a household who profess faith in Jesus Christ, to conduct themselves.

We’ve looked at husbands and wives.

We’ve looked at parents and children, and this evening we start to consider the master / slave relationship.

Now, the first introductory observation I need to make is that I classify this under the household code because in that day slaves were owned by their master, and they carried out their responsibility within the home of the master.

The second introductory observation that I would like to make is that Paul doesn’t anywhere condone slavery here (nor condemen it) but he does address a particular contextual situation that was prevalent in his day.

What is important is that Paul did not encourage or recommend revolt, even though the conditions of slavery were terrible in that day.

Elsewhere in Scripture, Paul did say that if slaves were able to free themselves, then they should do so - it was preferable for them to get out of slavery in that form.

However, failing lawful means to do that, Paul directed his attention at the responses of slaves, presumably under masters that were rather cruel (Peter makes that clear).

From this, we must see immediately that our conduct as Christians in whatever circumstance we find ourselves is what is important before God.

God is most concerned with how we put Christ on display, and put the Gospel work on display, even in trying and difficult circumstances.

This is chiefly what Paul addresses as he speaks to slaves in the church in Colosse.

One further observation before we delve into the text is that slavery is not something we know in our modern context.

Obviously we will the principles in terms of how we are to work in our day to day employment.

Our day to day employment, for the most part, is very much protected by legislation.

In other words, for the most part, we tend to have much better working conditions than the slaves did in Paul’s day.

In the sense, if the message of Paul to slaves was important in terms of how they worked, then it will be important to us, and we should not come up with excuses.

Another reminder as we look to the text that all that is written and spoken of here flows out of the glorious Gospel truths.

Those redeemed by grace in Christ are enabled to live a different kind of life because of the work of God in them.

I want to raise just one other interesting point of note here… and that is that as Paul penned this letter, there was very personal interest in the words that he was writing.

If you have ever read Paul’s letter to Philemon, you will know that Paul wrote that letter in order to plead with Philemon to receive his slave Onisemus back, and that if Onisemus owes him anything, to charge it to Paul’s account.

The reason I raise this now is because Philemon was a member of the church in Colosse.

Onisemus, his former slave, was obviously one who had been converted by Paul.

Onesimus is mentioned in Colossians 4:9.... Archippus is mentioned in Colossians 4:17, and also is mentioned in Philemon 2. In fact, these believers met in the home of Philemon!!

I just add that to give a somewhat more personal dimension as Paul writes.

With that in mind, notice firstly with me…

1.

The Call

In verse 22 we read…

I want to focus our attention here on the first part of that verse, which says that slaves are to obey their earthly masters in everything.

Keep in your mind that slaves were those had essentially no rights whatsoever.

They were owned by their masters, and although the Israelite masters were given instructions in terms of how they were to treat their slaves, the Gentiles had very little regard for God’s law, and thus wouldn’t have been tempered in their conduct in this regard.

Keep in mind the instruction that Peter gave to slaves, also in very difficult circumstances:

In other words, these instructions are applicable even in the instance where the master would be ill-treating their slave.

And the reason behind that (which we’ll look at further in a moment) is for the sake of Christ.

Paul’s (and Peter’s) concern here was that Christ’s name would be honoured if Christian slaves would labour in such a way that even under unjust and harsh treatment they performed well in their tasks, and didn’t respond in some form of revolt.

So, Paul’s basic instruction here to Chrstian salves that are in the church, redeemed and set free (spiritually) by the blood of the lamb, is that they are to obey their earthly masters in everything.

Now, we know already from our study that any person that is in subordination under another person is only ever to obey to the extent that they are not disobeying Jesus Christ.

The same applies here

If instructions were given to the slave that would go against God, that would go against Christ, or that would lead a person to sin, then they were not to carry out the task.

Applying this practically in our own context, this means that when we as Christians from Emmanuel Baptist Church go out and labour in our respective workplaces, the most fundamental responsibility that we have is obedience to any instruction that is not contrary to the law of Christ.

I think this bears repeating.

We live in a world and society where if it isn’t in my job description, then I don’t do it.

I’m not employed to do xyz, so I don’t do that.

A lot of that simply flows out of laziness… I don’t feel like doing that… I don’t want to do more than what I’m paid for.

May that attitude never be found among us who are the children of God.

We are to go out and joyfully do the work that we are called to!!

2. The Attitude (v.22b-23)

As we consider what Paul says further, he seeks to encourage the slaves in Colosse to carry out this instruction with a remarkable attitude or disposition.

There are a few important aspects to note in terms of this attitude.

The first is...

In Sincerity and Fear...

The second half of verse 22 reads...

...and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

This is a very helpful addition.

The natural inclination of a person, particularly if they are working under someone that is harsh, critical of demanding of them, is to work while they’re watching, but then to slacken off when the master isn’t looking.

That was certainly a temptation for the slaves of that day.

Particularly if the master was very demanding.

Why?

Because a demanding and exacting master is difficult to bear up under, and so when they’re away, it becomes easy to slack off.

We reason to ourselves that we deserve the break.

But notice that Paul calls out the hypocrisy in this approach.

Working well in order to create the impression that we’re good workers when our masters are watching, but then slacking off when they’re not watching because we’ll probably get away with it is hypocrisy.

It’s living in one way before them (wearing a mask) but then being different when they’re not watching.

Notice that Paul says that this is unacceptable, and that our service, rather, should be marked by sincerity of heart.

They are to be motivated to sincerely and willingly serve their masters.

This is not a compulsive service, but rather a willing and joyful service.

Not further that Paul says that they are to work in this manner with “reverence for the Lord.”

The “Lord” in this case refers to Jesus Christ as their master.

They are to reverence the Lord Jesus Christ in the work that they do.

A Christian is called to always be motivated out of a deep reverence and holy fear of Christ.

Do you see how this motivation should drive us as Christians?

As we go out into the workplace, we are not going with the view to work well when the boss sees us, and then to take shortcuts where we can.

We are not called to do well under certain circumstances, when our work is going to be looked at or noticed more, and then to take it easy on the jobs that no one will see.

Rather, we are called to be motivated to work out of a deep reverence for our Lord, knowing that He sees, and that He is the one ultimately who will reward us (which we’ll come to further in a moment).

We need to recognise that our labours in this world are both a gift and a responsibility given to us by God.

There is a notion among some people (in fact many in the world) that we only work to live.... or work to play.

Work is the necessary evil in order to get what we want so that we can do what we really enjoy.

Do you realise how sinful and self-centered that approach is?

The Lord has created us to do meaningful work in this world, and whatever is productive and helpful for carrying out that task is a glorious calling!!

Let me address this to our young children… Don’t think that this attitude of work will miraculously develop when you’re out of school and doing something that you “actually enjoy!”

Your years at school are the training ground for your years in the workplace.

If you look with disdain at your studies at school, I can almost guarantee you that it will carry you through to your employment one day.

This is an attitude that must be cultivated, recognising that God has instituted all work, and that all God-honouring work (however menial it may seem) gives us an opportunity to bring glory to God in the manner that we do our work!

Taking this a step further, notice the further attitude that Paul brings across in terms of how we work…

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 

Paul calls slaves to work with this motivation.

Whatever they are doing - however poor the circumstances, however menial the task, however unfair and harsh the master - they are to work at it with all their heart.

Paul means this:

Whatever your task … The imperative is, put yourself into it, literally, work out of [your] soul (EDM).

Why?

Because you are called to work as for the Lord, not for men.

Paul is saying to regenerate slaves - to slaves that have become Christians - the Lord Jesus Christ is the one that you are working for.

You must not see yourself as merely working for an earthly master, but rather you are to see yourselves as working under the oversight and supervision of your true and ultimate master, Jesus Christ.

Christians are called to remember the fact that Christ sees all that we do.

Because Christ, our beloved Saviour, sees all that we are doing, we are to engage in whole-hearted, joyful labour in order to bring glory to Him.

Many people have the attitude at work that they will do the least amount possible to keep the boss happy.

They are content to fit in as much socialization and chit-chat as possible, with some social media scrolling, so long as they don’t abuse the system, or at least so long as they don’t get fired.

However, according to Paul here, slaves (and Christians in general) having been graciously redeemed by God, as those who have been set free from bondage to sin, are to conduct the work with a positive attitude, recognising that it is God that has created us to do this good work, and to do it whole-heartedly.