Col 3:22-4:1: "Whatever You Do"

Intro:

So, how did your discussions go with your spouse and kids last week?

Still in the household text/code, but now branching to a different relationship

What was work like this week?

Outline:

Bondservants: “Obey” (vs. 22-25)

Masters: “Justly and Fairly” (4:1)

Summary: What you “know” is going to “show”

Prayer:

Bondservants: “Obey” (vs. 22-25)

Who? (v. 22)

Bondservants- “douloi”, slave, a person who is legally owned by someone else and whose entire livelihood and purpose was determined by their master- and are believers in Jesus!

Now wait a minute and let this sink in, the gathering of believers would have made for a pretty interesting social interaction. Slaves out there, free in here. Master- slave out there, co-heir of the inheritance in here.

What? (v. 22)

Obey- “hypakouete”, pres, act, imperative, 2nd, pl, to obey, to be obedient to.- comes from the root work to listen. Same as for children. This gives the idea that obeying sounds a lot like listening and not arguing my case or discussing the pros and cons.

in everything- “panta” entire, complete, all, every

those who are your earthly masters- note the possessive here, “fleshly” masters- Okay, I know what you mean Paul, I will “obey” the way that I have been taught and the way that I have seen from others at work...

Not by way of eye-service- negative, “opthalmodouliais”, (2x) compound word from “eye” and “slave”. “a person who appears to be activley fulfilling his duties only when his master is present.

Gerald dancing with a shovel

as people pleasers- “anthropareskoi” (2x), compound work from “man” and “please”

But with sincerity of heart- “the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech”. Singleness

fearing the Lord- “phoboumenoi” pres, mid/pass, part, nom, mas, sg

Notice: obey eathly masters, fear you heavenly master

They are held accountable for their response in the midst of their circumstances.

God is concerned how they obey, not just that they obey.

People pleasing with eye-service vs. God fearing from a sincere heart is the gateway to all other social disorders we will face. How can you say that, look what comes next...

How far, to what extent? (v. 23-25)

Whatever you do- “poiete” pres, act, sub, 2nd, pl, to do, to carry out or perform an action or course of action.

work heartily: “out of the soul ‘ergazethe’”- pres, mid/pass, imperative, 2nd, pl- to do, to carry out or perform an action or course of action- Full send!

as for the Lord

and not for men

Whatever the circumstance

Whatever the difficulty, discouragement, disorder, affliction, and disability, work from the soul! Well why?

Knowing that- “eidotes” perfect, act, part, nom, mas, pl, to know- this is not a “wish/hope so” statement

From the Lord- source, not men or women

you will receive- “apol-eh-mpsesthe” fut, mid, ind, 2nd, pl, to receive. It is something that has a future fulfillment

the inheritance- “kl-eh-ronomias” any peice of property that passes by law to an heir on the death or the owner; sometimes regarding God’s promises to His people, like the land of Israel or a heavenly kingdom.

This would have caught the ear of those who came from the line of Abraham and now they are going to share it with the Gentiles.

as your reward- “antapodosin” recompense, wage, a payment for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing; understood as a tangible wage.

You (pl) are serving “the Lord Christ”- “douleuete” pres, act, imperative, 2nd, pl- only time in NT this phrase is used. Jew and Gentile, Slave and Master!

for the wrongdoer- “adikwn” pres, act, part, nom, mas, sg to wrong

will be paid back- “komistetai” fut, mid, ind, 3rd, sg, to be recompensed

for the wrong he has done- “h-eh-dik-eh-sen” aor, act, ind, 3rd, sg- to wrong, to treat unjustly

and there is no partiality- “proswpol-eh-mpsia” an inclination to favor one group or view or opinion over alternatives; especially considered as an injustice.

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

Let’s pull back, working for someone in our day is a little different than working as a bondservant during Paul’s day. I would agree. There is a difference between someone hired (like in the parable) and a slave. The arangements and titles have changed, but the struggle remains.

Well, I cannot help it, I am a people pleaser! Can I challenge you on that? Col. 1:9-14 “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

If we continue to define ourselves by our areas of struggle without applying who we are in Christ then we deminish the power of the Gospel to change and we are still caught in our chains.

Until we realize (know) the worth of working for our heavely Father, we will continue to substitute our inheritance and reward from Him for that of another.

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

Obey, earthly masters- not by way of eye-service as people-pleasers, but with one heart fearing the Lord

Serve the Lord Jesus- Whatever you do, work heartily- as for the Lord not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward

He has just talked about what has been put off (old self) and put on (new self). Here it is in action, as you obey:

Put off: eye-service as a people pleaser

Put on: Sincere heart, fearing the Lord

Obey people, fear God

Source of reward

Working at Summer Camp

Transitional phrase: Paul addresses bondservants in their service and motive, now he moves to Masters and how they treat those under their rule.

Masters: “Justly and Fairly” (4:1)

Who?

Masters- “kurioi” masters, lord, the one in authority over others

What?

Treat your bondservants- “parexesthe” pres, mid, imperative, 2nd, pl, to provide (furnish), to give something useful or necessary to someone. “To give deliberate care”- BKC

justly- “dikaion” right, anything in accord with principles of justice, law, or morality

fairly- “iset-eh-ta” (3x), equality; fairness, the quality of being the same in quantity or measure or value or status.

Once again, remember the social dynamic that the church now brings, Master and Slave coming together to worship Jesus.

Why, what is the reason for treating them justly and fairly?

How far, to what extent? (vs. - )

Knowing that-”eidotes” perf, act, part, nom, mas, pl

you also have - “exete” pres, act, ind, 2nd, pl, present reality, present relationship

a Master in heaven: once again, obey your earthly master, fear your heavenly master.

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

In what ways am I tempted to be a “people pleaser”? Who’s opinions really matter to me?

What is the difference between obeying an earthly master and serving a heavenly Master?

In what circumstances does it come easier to to give eye service more than a sincere heart?

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

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Summary

Song:

Benediction/Looking ahead: INVITE PEOPLE TO THE CAFE

Discussion questions

Worship- Renew the Mind (Scripture)

What passage of Scripture did we look at? Summarize it in your own words.

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Grow- Engage the Heart (Conversation)

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Serve- Enlist the Body (Action)

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