Work for the Lord

Work for the Lord

Ephesians 6:5-9

If you brought your bibles turn with me over to Ephesians chapter six. Ephesians chapter six and in a moment, we are going to read verses five through nine of Ephesians chapter six.

The title of the message this morning is “work for the Lord.” Because that is what we learn from this passage. We learn a Christian is to work with all their heart as though they are working for the Lord. Without delay I want to begin by laying this passage before you. (Read Eph. 6:5-9)

5. Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;

6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.

7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men,

8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. [1](Pray)

In our passage this morning Paul is addressing a slave’s duty to work for his master, and a master’s responsibility to treat his slave with dignity and respect. This passage is difficult for us to relate to because no one in this building has ever been a slave, and no one in this building has ever been a master.

However, we have all been workers and employers, and as Christian workers, we have a responsibility to perform our job as though we are working for the Lord. Also, as Christians bosses we have a responsibility to treat everyone who works for us, with dignity and respect. So, that is a completely appropriate application of the text.

What is inappropriate is to suggest those two things are equal, because they are not. A slave is something very different from a worker, and a master is something very different from an employer. So, before we make that leap, I want to unpack this for you in its proper context.

When we hear the word slavery, it projects an image in our mind of atrocities that took place for over 200 years in America. And rightfully so, slavery was a wicked institution of sin, and it has left a stain on this country to this day.

It is important we understand that even though wicked men, used the bible to justify owning slaves, the bible never condones slavery.

In fact, In the Old Testament Deuteronomy 24:7 says, “If a man is caught kidnapping any of his countrymen of the sons of Israel, and he deals with him violently or sells him, then that thief shall die; so you shall purge the evil from among you.”Exodus 21:16 says, “He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.”

In the New Testament when Jesus came on the scene Luke 4:18, He goes into the synagogue and proclaims, “I came to set the captives free, and to proclaim the year of Jubilee.” The year of Jubilee was a year when all slaves were set free. So, nowhere in the bible does it ever condone slavery.

The only form of slavery condoned in the bible is for disciples of Christ. We, as Christians, are now servants of the Lord. The Apostle Paul proclaims at the beginning of most of his letters he is a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The problem we face today is, Paul does not condemn slavery in his writing. He doesn’t speak out against it; he just accepts it as a fact, and we need to understand why?

Well, there are a two very good reasons. 1. Slavery in the Roman culture was similar yet very different from slavery in America, and I will give you some examples of both.

There were an estimated 60,000,000 slaves in Rome during the first century, [2]or almost half of the entire population. Every home had a slaves living In it. Roman citizens didn’t do any work, their slaves did everything.

In Rome a person didn’t become a slave because of their race. Some people were born into slavery. Some people were sold into slavery, because they were poor, and others were made slaves through conquered nations.

Certainly, slaves were possessions of their owners and were sometimes treated harshly. Cato, a first century B.C Roman historian wrote, “If your slave is sick don’t feed him, there is no need to waste the money.”

Also, we have Paul’s letter to Philemon in the New Testament. Paul pleaded with Philemon to accept his runaway slave, Onesimus back into his home. Onesimus obviously ran away because he was being abused.

So, there were similarities to slavery in America, but there are also some incredible differences. For example, slaves in Rome were not only agricultural workers; they were doctors, nurses, bankers, and business owners.

Slaves earned a living and could purchase their freedom. Slaves could even buy Roman citizenship and own other slaves. By the time Paul was writing this letter to the Ephesians, most slaves in Rome were being set free by age 30.

The second reason I believe Paul does not condemn slavery is because Christianity was a minority. If Romans believed Christians were rebelling and trying to bring an end to slavery, they would have killed Christians. They would have wiped them out because their entire economy relied on slaves.

So, Paul was silent, but at the same time he was undermining the institution of slavery with his teaching. He was not a revolutionary trying to overthrow the government, but he was a gospel revolutionary trying to change minds by the grace of God.

Jesus teaches us that same principle In John 18:36. He stood on trial and when Pilate asked Him if He was a king, Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world’ If my Kingdom were of this world then my servants would fight.” As Christians’ our goal is not rebellion, but it is to live among the evil in our society, in a godly way, lead others to Christ.[3]

So, while Paul accepts slavery as a fact, his teaching eventually brought it to an end. Christianity would become the religion of Rome and slavery would be done away with.

And the same thing happened in America. Even though ungodly men used the Bible to justify their actions, the teachings of Jesus eventually brought slavery to an end.

So, today we make a leap of application. Paul is absolutely teaching us about slaves and masters in first century Rome, but his teaching directly applies to our lives today, as workers and employers.

What we learn from this passage is whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

The first thing I want you to see in this passage is the Christian servant, Vs. 5-8. Paul uses the word “slave” in Vs. 5 and that is the Greek word “doulos,” which can also mean servant, or follower. Also, the word “master” in Vs. 9 can mean leader, or lord.

So, the word slave doesn’t necessarily imply a person’s status, as much as it speaks of their activity. A slave was anyone who was following instructions and working for someone else.

Which is important for us to understand because most of us will spend our lives working for someone else. And as Christians we want to maintain a good witness in the work place, not only for the boss but for our co-workers.

A Christian servant should always be obedient. Vs. 5 says, “Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh.” The word “obedient” is the same word Paul used for children in Vs. 1. In the same way a child is to obey his parents a Christian servant is to obey his employer.

When an employer hires a Christian, they should be comfortable knowing they have hired the best. They have hired someone who they can trust and rely on, who will wrk hard at whatever task they are given.

A Christian servant should always be respectful. Notice the rest of Vs. 5. Paul says, “with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ.”This doesn’t mean you work hard because you’re afraid of your employer. It means that you show them respect because of your reverence for God.

You respect them because you love the Lord you want to live up to God’s potential in your life. Everything we do whether in word or deed we do it all for the glory of God.

This is a point Paul is driving home, notice the repetition of that idea. Vs. 5 says, “As to Christ.” Vs 6, “As slaves of Christ.” Vs. 7, “As to the Lord.” Vs. 8, “Receive back from the Lord.” Vs. 9, Their master and yours is in heaven.” You can’t miss it: as believers, our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ governs every aspect of life.[4]

In fact, the entire Bible points to that. In Matt. 22:37 Jesus said, the greatest commandment was “You shall love the lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Our love for God is put on full display by our obedience and respect for those in charge.

The Bible gives us some incredible examples of Godly servants. Consider Joseph, Joseph worked as a slave in Potiphar’s house, and later became a servant to Pharoah. Even though these were wicked men Joseph served them loyally, and God blessed Joseph’s work.

As a slave to Potiphar Joseph was put in charge of his entire household, and when Joseph served Pharoah, he rose to second in command in all of Egypt.

Think about Daniel. Daniel was taken from his home and became a slave in Babylon to a wicked king. But Daniel believed that God had him there for a reason, and because of his faithfulness, he became a witness to a pagan world.

This should be the common theme among Christians, that no matter where we are,God has a purpose and plan for our life to be there. I can promise you this; if you serve God with your life not one moment of your life will be wasted.

A Christian servant should always be consistent. Vs. 6 says, “not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”

In other words, we don’t just perform the task when the boss is watching, but we work consistently, because we have a boss in heaven that is always watching.

I worked with many men in the last thirty years whose entire goal was to do as little as possible. In fact, I worked with some men who put in more effort trying to get out of work than doing their job. But that should never be the approach of a Christian.

If you are a Christian, you have an audience of one no mattee what you are doing. Your goal is to do the will of God.

William Carey, founder of the English Missionary Baptist church, was asked what business he was in, and he replied, “My business is serving the Lord, and I make shoes to pay for my expenses.” That should be the attitude of every Christian.

We are first servants of God and that should affect the way we do everything else. If you are a housewife you should take care of her home as though the Lord lived there. If you are a carpenter you should build as though you are building the house of God. If you are a manager you should oversee your business as though Christ’s money was at stake.

Christians are to obey their master’s, but it’s really because we are obeying our heavenly master, who loved us so much, He came into the world and gave His life on a cross so that we could be forgiven and spend eternity with God in heaven.

I can’t state it any clearer, we are serving God and not men. And even though we are working for a paycheck our reward comes from heaven.

Notice Vs. 8, “Knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.”

The result of our labor is we are rewarded from God. Each one of us get back from God exactly what we put into serving Him. Regardless of your profession, wealth, or poverty.

It doesn’t matter if you are a white-collar worker or a blue-collar worker. What matters is; if you serve God out of the sincerity of your heart. Galatians 6:9, ‘Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we shall reap’ our harvest from the Lord.”

I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s final letter to Timothy wrote these words in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.”

You see, Paul knew something we need to understand. There is going to come a day when our time here on earth is over, and the only thing that will matter is what we have done by faith in the Lord.

In Matt. 25 Jesus told the parable of the talents. The Master was going on a journey, and he gave talents to each of his servants according to their ability. When the master returned, he wanted to know what his servants did with the talents he gave them.

Well, the question for us today is, what are you doing with what God has given you? How are you serving Him with your life? A Christian is to work with all their heart as though they are working for the Lord.

The final thing I want you to see in this passage is the Christian Master, Vs 9 “And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

What we see hear is that a relationship with God through Jesus Christ should transform the way we treat people. A Christian in charge should be someone everyone wants to work for because you know you are going to be treated equally and justly.

Vs. 9 says, “And masters, do the same things to them.” In other words, you are to treat your servant the way you want to be treated.

You are to manage your people out of the sincerity of your heart, not with eye-service, being a people pleaser but, according to the will of God knowing your reward is in heaven.

An employer expects two things from his employees: diligence and loyalty. Well, those are the same two things God expects from a leader. He is expected to diligently look out for his employees. To do his job well. And he is expected to loyally serve them.

If you expect employees to show up for work on time set the example by showing up for work on time. If you expect your employees to work hard and do a good job for you, then work hard and do a good job for them.

The Christian master is never to be a bully. Paul says, “give up threatening.” You can exercise authority over people without manipulation.

Now this doesn’t mean that you cannot correct a worker who isn’t doing their job or let someone go who refuses to listen. God chastens those whom He loves. But what this means is you give a person the benefit of the doubt. You give them every opportunity to correct themselves before you discipline them.

Remember, God commands us to forgive because we have been forgiven. Jesus teaches us we are to treat everyone with mercy and grace. God has paid the enormous debt that we all owe Him, we should offer others a second chance as well.

Whenever we have authority over someone, we sometimes start thinking they are better than them. Some one once said, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” But Paul teaches us that we are all equal, and we are no better than anyone else. Vs.9 says, “Their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

You see God doesn’t care about human differences. He expects all of us to live according to His will. He doesn’t care if you are an office worker who wears a suit or a police officer who wears a badge. He doesn’t keep track of the stock market.

He is not impressed with people. God calls on everyone, whether you are in a position of power or a position of poverty, to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly before your God. (Micah 6:8)

Imagine the incredible difference it would make in our homes, in our churches, and in our communities if this was the way we treated each other. Imagine the difference it would make in our lives if we surrendered our pride to the Lord and let Him be in charge.

It would mean we would stop judging people because they are different from us. It would mean that people around us are free to make mistakes, because we’re not going to take it personal. It would mean that we are going to forgive others because we’ve been forgiven.

It would mean that we could stop fighting for our privileges and rights and let the world go by, knowing that our reward is waiting for us in heaven.

I am not describing to you some kind of religious utopia. I am describing to you what the Bible says is ours in Christ.

If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live different than the world. That is what Paul is describing here.

He is describing someone who is living their life for a greater purpose, someone whose purpose in life is to please the Lord and not man. The point is, whether you are an employee or employer, or if you are a slave or free, whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update (Eph 6:5–9). (1995). The Lockman Foundation. [2]Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). Galatians–Colossians(p. 218). Leadership Ministries Worldwide. [3]Phillips, R. D. (2016). Ephesians(p. 424). Mentor. [4]Cole, S. J. (2017). Lesson 54: Working for God (Ephesians 6:5–9). In Ephesians (Eph 6:5–9). Galaxie Software.