Relationship with Authority

Ephesians 6:5–9 ESV

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Servants Not People Pleasers

Ephesians 6:5–6 ESV

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

Our goal is to serve our employers

With fear and trembling - power over us

Disciplinary action/termination

promotions/raises

God put them in authority

Romans 13:1 ESV

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

With a sincere heart

not people pleasers - what kind of employee are you when no one is watching

As you would Christ

Do you realize we truly work for Him. Not our earthly bosses. Would he tell you well done or ask what you are doing?

Serve With Good Will

Ephesians 6:7–8 ESV

rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.

Good will - no whining complaining fussing arguing instead serve willingly and happily

Notice the reward is not promised in raises, promotions, or recognition but rather is from the Lord

Would you rather have earthy praise or heavenly praise be careful what you are asking for

This is now the fourth time he says as to the lord once in verse 5 twice in verse 6 and now in verse 7

school days - once was worth mentioning twice you better pay attention three times in on the test four and you better not miss this one.

Do your work as to the Lord

Masters Serve Not Threaten

Ephesians 6:9 ESV

Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Long before servant leadership books were written the Bible records both Jesus example and his and subsequently the disciples teaching about leaders being servants.

World mentality make them submit

Threaten them

top dog mentality

Christian mentality is service not demands

How can I help them

God is the top dog I am his servant