Ordered Loves

- CALL TO WORSHIP -

Let us rise and worship the Triune God.

ADORATION

Minister: Grace, mercy and peace to you, from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Congregation: And also to you.

SCRIPTURE

Revelation 11:15 “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”” Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord!

PRAYER

Holy Father, Heavenly King, your Son is indeed worthy to receive all the power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing. It is right and more than befitting, O Father, for all the nations without exception to come and bring all that they are to you in worship. We thank you that you are in the process of receiving glory from the whole world and one day, no street in this world will be left where your praises are not being sung. To the glorious heavenly chorus, we add today, our words, prayers and songs, awaiting the day when we will do the same with all our ancestors and descendants in the faith. Almighty God, we worship you now through Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit, One God, world without end, and Amen.

HYMN

O Come, My Soul, Bless Thou the Lord (196)

- CONFESSION -

Please sit.

EXHORTATION (Samuel Davidson)

Psalm 111:2 “The works of the Lord are great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them.” What is God’s purpose in making creation so big and chock full of the wonderful works of God? It is to draw you to a deeper appreciation of His trustworthiness, especially in times that tempt you to worry. Like a responsible father, He draws you away from your petty quibbles and gives you hard meaningful work to do, He distracts you away from your pain. This is a holy distraction, meant to grow you in faith in order for youto be able to bear your trials.

Consider Christ’s words in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do not worry about anything.” Why, O Lord? He says, “Look at the birds of the air,” And now suddenly you’re not concerned with anxious thoughts anymore but observing how God gives the mountain bluebird food even when inflation is through the roof. And then He calls to you again. Are you not of more value than they? Then back into the world again, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but the fabric of their petals is finer than the one Solomon ever wore.” And then back to you. How much more will He clothe you?

Are you anxious today? Look at the things He has put in the world. They are there to increase your faith. Parents and teachers, as you take your students through the various glories of God’s awesome world, are you consumed by the routine work of daily administration or is your teaching causing you to trust God more? Students, have your studies become a chore that you have to bear through or do you give thanks to God for the things you are learning. Do you trust your parents and teachers when they tell you that all these things point to God? Are you studying by faith? And those of you who are nowhere near school, have you resigned this scientific task of discovery only to professionals? Have you grown tired of learning? If you meet your maker before this day is over, will He find you employed in the study of the glorious world He has put you in or dazed and lax, anxious and apathetic, scrolling endlessly on your phone? Humble yourself, all of you and come to God in studying his wonderful works. Are not these elements of Creation but God’s fingertips, as He stretches out His arm to you? This reminds us of our need to confess our sins so let us prepare to do so as we sing..

PSALM

Out of the Depths of Sadness (256)

CONFESSION OF SIN

So, as you are able please kneel in confession before God

Revelation 2:4–5 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” Lord, our great sin consists in not paying attention to the world you have made. While the winds and the waves, the land, the sun, moon and stars all show forth your glory. We have been slow to see it ourselves and to show it to others. We have not looked at our stories, the world we are in, by faith. Lord, we have yawned at the sunrise. Forgive our frantic busyness and our easy surrender to anxious thoughts.

You have called Your church to truth in the inward parts, so we confess our individual sins to you now, Selah.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Please rise for the assurance of pardon! Zechariah 3:3–4 “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”” ChristIan, Christ has died, Christ is risen and Christ shall come again in glory. All things belong to Him and so do you. You sit like an infant in His lap, playing with the toys he brings you. Study the world in confidence, for:

Minister: Your sins are forgiven through Christ. Congregation: Thanks be to God!

CONFESSION OF FAITH

Having confessed our sins, let us now confess our common faith in the words of the apostles’ creed, saying, Minister: Christians, what do you believe? Congregation: W believe in God the Father Almighty,Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the virgin, Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hades.On the third day He rose again from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right handof God the Father Almighty; from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

WLC

Q7. Minister: What is God?

Congregation: God is a Spirit, in and of himself

infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection;

all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable,

incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty,

knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just,

most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and

abundant in goodness and truth.

Q8. Minister: Are there more Gods than one?

Congregation: There is but one only, the living and

true God.

Q9. Minister: How many persons are there in the

Godhead?

Congregation: There be three persons in the

Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost:

and these three are one true, eternal God, the same

in substance, equal in power and glory; although

distinguished by their personal properties.

HYMN

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (677)

- CONSECRATION -

SCRIPTURE READING

Isaiah 65:17-25 ; 2 Peter 3:1-13

2 Peter 3:1–13 NKJV

Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Isaiah 65:17–25 NKJV

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying. “No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the child shall die one hundred years old, But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, Nor bring forth children for trouble; For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, And their offspring with them. “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, The lion shall eat straw like the ox, And dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” Says the Lord.

Reader: The Word of the Lord. Congregation: Thanks be to God!

HYMN

Please sit. It’s Good to Thank the Lord (169)

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

HYMN

Please stand. When the Enemy Comes In (527)

SERMON: Ordered Loves

So, we come now to the part of the epistle, which addresses particular groups of people specifically. If you notice, every command so far in the latter part of the epistle, which involves imperative statements, has been addressed generally to all believers. Now, however, it draws attention to the different modes of existence in which Christians find themselves and addresses them in a particular manner.

Traditionally, social relations have been divided into three categories: those between husband and wife, parents and children, and slaves and masters. This composition defined a household for most of human history until recent times when slavery was overturned. If we consider households in their original form, as they existed in ancient times, they were a microcosm of society itself. They contained both marital and filial relations, as well as political relations between slaves and masters. Although we no longer have the kind of slavery that prevailed for much of history outside of or even within Christendom, a form of servitude persists in the relationship between employer and employee. This allows us to apply these teachings to today's context while keeping in mind the ownership implied in the original setting.

We should not feel embarrassed about what scripture teaches. Instead, we should strive to understand things in their original context so that we aren't blindsided when we encounter similar situations. I'm fairly certain there are Christians today living under circumstances akin to slavery. For example, an illegal immigrant in this country might find himself effectively "owned" by the family for whom he works, with no rights and outside the law. This is an unfortunate and politically uncomfortable reality, yet God calls such individuals to obedience. Similarly, many Christians in various countries endure less-than-ideal conditions, living without freedom and facing severe oppression. The teachings apply to them directly. The Context

Before we examine the actual commandments let me remind you of the context in which these are spoken. The Apostle Paul, throughout this epistle, desires for Christians to know and love Christ, to set their minds on things above, and not to be swayed by deceptive philosophy or the elemental principles of the world. He urges them not to be misled by false religion but to remember Christ's death and resurrection. Based on this foundation, he provides an ethic in the earlier part of the letter: the ethic of putting off the old self and putting on the new. Since they have died with Christ, they are called to put off behaviors related to anger and sexual immorality, and to put on the new self, doing all things in gratitude, letting the word of Christ dwell in them richly.

In this context are these commands given. So, some comments on the text in general: Notice first that wives, children and bondservants are particularly addressed. God is the God of all people. He does not address only the heads of households; our Lord has a direct stake and claim over every member of the household. God commands wives independently of their husbands, instructing them to submit. Similarly, children are addressed directly by God, not merely through their parents.

Secondly, notice that husbands are the head of wives, fathers are the head of children, masters are the head of their servants and yet wives and children and slaves are addressed first. Why is that? I believe wives, children and slaves are addressed first because God initiates change from the bottom up. God does not address the high and mighty first. This shows that God calls for transformation beginning in the lowly and working upward. God operates from the bottom up, not from the top down.

Historically, wives, children, and bondservants—those in lower social standings—were the main constituents of the early church. In early missionary efforts, women often outnumbered men. Likewise, children often embrace the truth of the faith before their fathers, and those lower class and caste in society, such as slaves, have often been persuaded of Christianity before their masters. This bottom-up approach explains why the order exists as it does. It is indeed subversive of the typical household codes of that time, as documented by figures like Aristotle and Xenophon. Another reason why submission is mentioned before love, and obedience to parents is mentioned before not provoking children, is that submission is harder than love on a human level. Love, by nature, is delightful and good, while submission involves self-denial and placing oneself under another’s authority.

Wives Submit

Let us look at the commandments one by one. First, wives are called to submit to their husband. But what does submission mean? Submission involves several key elements. First, it begins in the heart. A wife must acknowledge in her mind that her husband is her head, regarding him as her governor and recognizing herself as subject to him—even if she is higher in birth, riches, or virtue, but because of the position she has been given. This is exemplified in 1 Peter 3:6, where Sarah calls her husband "lord." This act reflects the order God has placed in the world; He is the author of order, not confusion. By establishing husbands as heads of their homes, God calls wives to submit to that authority. To rebel against this command is to rebel against God’s established order, to attempt to overturn the structure He has built into the world. Submission must, therefore, start in the heart as a recognition of God’s sovereignty, a recognition of the wife’s calling, and a recognition of her husband as her God-appointed head and governor. This reflects the reordering of all things under Christ, who is now head of all things in the church. God emphasizes the importance of these earthly relations as part of His overarching order. If we don’t understand that this is about the ordering of the universe—the man Christ, as it says in 1:20, “reconciling all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of the cross”—then we won’t grasp why these commandments are given to us. Christ is the "arche," the unifying principle of all reality. He is the one who brings order to the cosmos. Without this understanding, these commands won’t make sense.

Secondly, submission requires a wife to align her likes, dislikes, manners, and ways according to her husband’s desires. It is often easier to live according to one’s natural inclinations, but God calls women to the sacrifice of putting their husband's desires first: the chief manner she is called to love her neighbor as herself, and considering others’ interests over her own. In this way, a wife reflects her husband's wishes in how the household is conducted—within the bounds of God’s law. In matters of above and beyond moral right and wrong, a submissive wife defers to her husband’s preferences. This is how God designed the world to operate. Lastly, submission involves loving your husband, attending to him, and being his help and solace. It means being a shoulder to cry on in misfortune and rejoicing with him in good fortune. As Proverbs 31:12 says, “She will do him good all the days of her life.” This includes all the responsibilities of caring for the family and children and managing domestic duties, as Titus 2:4-5 states, “Let them be keepers at home.” This last aspect of submission is the one often despised by modern feminist ideology. But these are merely the external actions that should flow from an internal attitude of submission based on the reality of Christ’s lordship. Without this understanding and attitude, external acts of submission make little sense. If a wife submits outwardly without love, honor, or regard for her husband—without giving him time and attention, without recognizing him as her head, without considering whether her life aligns with his preferences in non-moral matters, without submission or reference to Christ as Lord—then she is not truly being submissive, even if her actions conform to societal expectations of a “middle-class conservative existence.” True submission stems from the heart, not from peer pressure or a need to appear a certain way.

Several obstacles can hinder genuine submission. The first is pride—thinking oneself higher than one’s husband, taking pride in something other than God. If you are puffed up in your own heart, you will not submit easily. This is how the enemy deceived Eve, convincing her that God was withholding something from her, making her believe she deserved more. In moments of pride, remember that the strongest women are not those who feel the need to tout their worth but those who can bear emotional, physical, and moral burdens, fulfilling their God-given duty. That indeed is true strength, the kind of strength God actually calls women to.

The second stumbling block is lack of love. If there is no love for one’s husband, this is sure to lead to disrespect and a failure to submit. Genuine love must exist between husband and wife, and a wife should act in love even when emotions may falter. Remember C.S. Lewis’ admonition: don’t wait to feel love; act as though you love, and affection will often follow. Over time, coldness in marriage can lead to disrespect and resistance to submission, so it is important to cultivate love and reverence continually. For those who are unmarried, it’s wise to marry someone you genuinely love.

The third stumbling block is vanity—pretending to be a model wife for the sake of appearances. This desire to be seen as a “perfect” conservative woman, whether online or within a certain community, can detract from true submission. This kind of superficiality values public approval over genuine obedience to God. Rather than talking about submission on podcasts or Instagram, true submission involves putting aside distractions and doing the real work of supporting one’s husband and managing the home. True submission is hard. When a woman submits to her husband in hard times, it is not as though random observers begin to pop out from the background applauding. It is often in secret, it is often without praise or even knowledge of anyone (even of the husband). It does not look glorious but it is glorious.

Yet, God places a limit on this command by instructing wives to submit to their husbands “in the Lord.” This means submitting to one’s husband for the Lord’s sake, not merely for the husband’s. A wife’s submission is an acknowledgment of the order God has established, reflecting that Christ died for her and that she is a child of God. However, a wife must not follow her husband into sin. She should not do anything that would displease God in the name of submission. A wise woman understands that God’s blessing is tethered to her submission to her husband, especially in those things which are above moral right and wrong.

It is often in the small, ordinary, and morally neutral actions that submission is most tested. Obedience to God is not limited to grand displays of piety but is reflected in the day-to-day tasks—the folding of socks, the attitude in preparing meals, or washing dishes. In these amoral, ordinary tasks, a wife's true allegiance to God is revealed, particularly in her willingness to stay subject to her husband. This is where the heart of submission lies.

Husbands Love

In verse 19, we come to the command for husbands: “Love your wives and do not be bitter towards them.” In the letter to the Ephesians, this command is compared to the love that Christ has for the church, specifically in Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it.” This sets a high standard for marital love, with two key aspects.

First, love must come from a heart attitude. A husband should delight in his wife’s presence, desiring to be close to her. Being away from home should not feel like relief; instead, home, with his wife, should be his safe haven, a place of joy and rest. The wife is, in a sense, his home—the locus from which he operates and his resting place. His love should be such that he finds delight and joy in her, longing for her company. He should actually like his wife.

Second, love must be expressed through action. Just as Christ gave Himself for the church, husbands are called to give themselves fully for their wives. Love must be expressed in three ways. First, it is to be present with her, giving undivided attention, quality time, and even quantity time. Husbands are not to desert or neglect their wives but to make them feel cherished. Proverbs 5:18 says, “Rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; be thou always ravished with her love.” Instead of seeking fulfillment elsewhere, husbands are called to embrace their wives fully.

Moreover, love in action includes teaching and guiding. Husbands must recognize their role as heads and leaders, instructing their wives in ways that encourage growth. If a wife struggles with household tasks, for example, the husband can read books on homemaking or cooking to guide her gently. He should also lead her in spiritual matters, discipling her and encouraging her growth in faith. This includes worshiping together and fostering a shared life of faith.

Provision is also a fundamental aspect of this love. A husband must provide not only sustenance but also things appropriate to his wife’s dignity. 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “If a man does not provide for his own, especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith.” Provision includes essentials and also privacy, honor, and what is necessary for her to live with dignity. For unmarried men, this love can be cultivated by preparing for marriage. Christ spent 33 years on earth, facing hardship and suffering, to prepare Himself to give everything for His bride, the church. Similarly, a man should not rush into marriage but instead prepare by growing in holiness, developing resilience, and learning to make sacrifices.

There’s also a prohibition given to husbands: “Do not be bitter towards them.” This bitterness, metaphorically compared to something unpleasant to the taste, reflects a sour attitude. Bitterness may stem from a wife’s actions that the husband dislikes, but even without saying anything directly, he can create an odious atmosphere through his attitude. Husbands are commanded to avoid this and instead treat their wives with gentleness. When a wife makes mistakes or acts unwisely, a husband should correct her with kindness, not harshness. Bitterness can be subtle, appearing as a lack of affection or creating a sour atmosphere. And from there they can appear in words and in action very quickly. A husband is also called not to treat his wife as a servant but as a companion, a “co-heir of the grace of life,” as stated in 1 Peter 3:7. Another way of being bitter to your wife is by being self-indugent. He should not indulge himself while withholding good things from her. Overindulgence in personal pleasures, like hobbies or entertainment, while neglecting his wife’s needs or desires is not consistent with Christ’s love for His bride. Christ never withheld good things from the church; He cherishes, nourishes, and provides for her, always attentive to her needs. Similarly, husbands should be wholly devoted to the welfare of their wives, providing love, care, and attention as Christ does for the church.

Children Obey Similarly, for children, obeying parents requires promptness and cheerfulness; delayed obedience is essentially disobedience. Scripture calls children to obey their parents in all things because it is well-pleasing to the Lord. Obedience requires honoring one’s parents by doing what they ask in matters that are morally neutral, receiving correction, and showing respect. The Ten Commandments emphasize honoring parents, while the Apostle here specifically commands obedience, extending to all children, especially those within their parents’ household. This includes assisting with household duties and learning diligently from their parents, who have provided for them and guided them throughout life.

Ephesians 6:1 adds that this obedience should be “in the Lord,” meaning in subjection to Christ. While children should not go beyond Scripture in obedience, they are to submit to parents as their first teachers of God’s word. In morally neutral matters, children should default to their parents’ guidance. This commandment also brings a promise: obedience to parents is tied to blessings and well-being, as noted in the Ten Commandments and reiterated in Ephesians 6. Obeying parents aligns with God’s design, just as it is advantageous for wives to submit to husbands. For those who are older and no longer under a parent’s household, this duty shifts but is not revoked. It transforms into honoring parents in their old age, which includes providing for them. Scripture strongly insists on the care of widows and elderly family members, as seen in 1 Timothy, where even nephews are called to care for them. This duty does not fall primarily on the government or church; it is a family responsibility. Failing in this is equated with infidelity to the faith. True honoring of parents includes prioritizing their well-being, even above ministry or other duties, as Christ cautions in Matthew 15:4-5 against neglecting parents for religious duties.

For children preparing to leave home or marry, honoring parents involves respecting their counsel and seeking their blessing. Ignoring parental guidance can lead to hardship because God has built this authority structure into the world. In today’s society, where parental authority is often undermined by the state or other influences, children should be mindful that submitting to parents is aligned with God’s order and is God’s promised source of blessing for them. Even if you have nominal Christian parents, your obedience and honour to them can bear witness to God’s order. Fathers Provoke Not

Finally, we come to the command for fathers: “Do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” Here, we see both a prohibition and a reason. Fathers are advised against creating a discouraging environment for their children by being overly harsh or provoking, which can lead to resentment and a sense of defeat. Fathers are called to nurture and guide with patience, providing encouragement and correction in a way that builds their children up, rather than puffing out their spirit.

Notice that children are called to obey both parents, fathers and mothers, but the next command is specifically directed to fathers. This is likely because fathers are more prone to provoke their children, while mothers tend to struggle more with overindulgence.

So, what does provocation look like? It includes withholding what is rightfully due to children—food, clothing, and education. If parents fail to provide these essentials within their means, this can provoke children and is, as stated in 1 Timothy 5:8, a denial of the faith. Additionally, anger, rashness, and overburdening demands can also provoke children. A notable example of this is found in 1 Samuel 20, where King Saul’s irrational anger toward his son Jonathan causes Jonathan to feel shame and he refrains from eating. Similarly, unjustly manhandling or harshly disciplining children can provoke them to anger.

As parents, we must remember that we have a Father above us, who is also their Father. God has no grandchildren; we are all His children. In this way, we are brothers and sisters in Christ with our children, and our interactions with them should be guided by God’s law. While disciplining children is good and avoiding indulgence is wise, cruelty does not produce godliness. The unrighteous anger of man does not yield the righteousness of God. In contrast, a loving, generous approach, characterized by steadfast love, is a more effective way to lead children toward fulfilling their duties than instilling fear.

Another form of provocation is neglect—failing to instruct, guide, and set boundaries. If parents leave children without guidance or instruction, they may become callous, unable to understand the demands of the world, and ill-prepared for relationships and responsibilities. Such neglect can lead to discouragement, sadness, and resentment. This discouragement can cause children to grow heavy-hearted, dull in spirit, and even rebellious, ultimately dishonoring their parents.

In all of this, parents are called to imitate the paternal goodness of God, who neither deals with us tyrannically nor indulgently but with a disciplined, tempered mind. God engages us with a constant, attentive, and balanced approach, providing both quality and quantity time, undivided attention, and discipline tempered with love. This is the model by which we, as parents, should interact with our children. Bondservants Obey

Next, we come to the commandment for slaves: “Obey in all things your masters according to the flesh,” similar to how children are called to obey in all things—with the same qualifications as before. Obedience here does not grant license to sin, but in morally neutral matters, slaves are to obey their masters in whatever tasks they are freely assigned by their masters.

This obedience is not to be performed with "eye service," which refers to working only when one is being watched, putting on a show of diligence while the master is present but idling and neglecting duties when unsupervised. Such behavior reflects a divided heart, similar to the servant described in Luke 12:45, who assumes his lord's delay and indulges in irresponsibility. In contrast, obedience with “sincerity of heart” reflects an undivided purpose—serving with genuine effort and integrity whether or not someone is watching, because the work is done in the fear of God.

Fearing God, rather than aiming to please men, means recognizing that while an earthly master may not see everything, God does. Whatever tasks are assigned, slaves are to perform them “heartily, as to the Lord,” knowing that God sees all and that, ultimately, they serve the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 24). The inheritance promised by God, a heavenly inheritance, motivates this sincerity, as it is not based on human merit but is a reward from God Himself.

The story of Joseph in Genesis 39:9 is a powerful illustration. When tempted to sin against his master, Joseph’s response, “How could I commit this great evil and sin against God?” shows his understanding that his ultimate loyalty was to God, his true Master. This divine perspective anchors all service, as it is ultimately God who has appointed masters to servants. Obeying earthly masters, therefore, aligns with obeying Christ. No work is so menial that it cannot be done faithfully and well. Every task, no matter how small, can be approached with devotion because ultimately, everyone who serves another person serves Christ—the highest occupation to which anyone can aspire. Serving faithfully in any task is, therefore, a reflection of serving God’s authority, which underlies all other authority.

Also, note how verse 24 mentions that “from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.” While “reward” and “inheritance” might seem similar, they hold distinct meanings here. A reward is something earned, while an inheritance is something bestowed because of our adoption into a family. The Apostle uses both terms because God’s blessing to us is like a reward in some senses and like an inheritance in others. It’s like a reward because it is received at the end of a whole life’s work, given to those who have served faithfully—not to those indifferent to the Master’s commands. However, it is unlike a typical reward in that it is not based on merit but on grace, far beyond what we could ever earn or deserve. It’s also like an inheritance because, through Christ, we have been adopted into God’s family and receive it as His children.

With this heavenly inheritance in mind, we are called to contentment, resisting temptations to act dishonorably, such as shortchanging our employers or performing underhanded actions. Because we have been given this eternal inheritance, we can reject negligence and avoid slacking in our work. We work not to gain something for ourselves but with a heart of liberality, blessing others because our needs are fully met in being part of God’s family. This confidence allows us to outdo one another in kindness and good works, not out of necessity, but from a place of security in Christ.

Verse 25 continues with a warning: “He who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.” This applies both to slaves and to masters. For slaves, it means that God’s all-seeing eye will hold them accountable for any wrongdoing toward their masters, as God is not partial and judges all deeds rightly. For masters, this is a reminder that if they mistreat their slaves, they too will face God’s impartial judgment.

Masters Give Moving into Chapter 4, verse 1, masters are instructed to “give their bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” Justice for a servant includes providing meaningful work and not leaving them idle, as well as supplying the necessary wages and resources to complete their tasks. It also includes fair correction and evaluation. A master who is overindulgent, failing to discipline or guide his servants, is also disobeying God, neglecting to provide what is just and fair.

In both the bondservant-master relationship and all other relationships, the principle is to give each other what is due, outdoing one another in charity and respect. Masters are reminded that, while servants may hold a lower social station, they are equal in dignity before God. This acknowledgment calls for fair and honorable treatment.

All of these commands align with the order established by Christ in the world. Such obedience and charity are only made possible through the work of the cross. It is by Christ’s blood, by His forgiveness and grace, that we are made right with God and empowered to live according to His order. Without this grace, walking rightly with God would be impossible. The Gospel

It’s important to remember that none of this—submitting to husbands, loving wives without bitterness, obeying parents, refraining from provoking children, obeying masters, or treating servants with fairness—is possible without the gospel. Only through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ can we live according to this divine order. Every day, we must appropriate the blood of Jesus and the Gospel in all our relationships, seeing Christ in each person: Notice how each relationship is a reflection of Christ. in our spouses, our children, our parents, our servants, and our masters. Christ is all in all, as stated earlier in the epistle, the origin and end of all our work.

For those not in Christ, who may be resisting or shutting Him out, understand that these blessings are not accessible to you. By turning away, you cut yourself off from the source of all wisdom, truth, and goodness. You are commanded to repent, to turn to Christ, and to confess your sins. Even for you, grace is available—you can be forgiven, and God, who is no tyrant, will give you the strength to walk with Him if you turn your heart toward Him. He will forgive your sins, forget your past, and empower you to order your life according to the structure He has established in His kingdom.

PRAYER

Ending with The Lord’s Prayer…

OFFERTORY

Please stand. Doxology (734)

- COMMUNION -

Please sit.

MEDITATION

The table set before you is a mystery. Theologians have labored hard to speak fittingly of the Lord’s table. Christ surely remains in heaven and we are taken up into Heaven and we partake in His body in a special way. But what special way? Every week you partake of things you do not fully understand. But this is no problem for a Christian like yourself. Because the whole world is a grand mystery. Why is there something rather than nothing? How did God create the world? How did God become Man? How is God triune? All these are profound truths that we will never be able to penetrate the full depth of. As the old preacher has said, “It takes an infinite duration of time for a finite creature to know God.” And yet the miracle is that even though you don’t fully understand these things, you are invited to truly understand them. In baptism and in the Lord’s Supper, you are completely yoked to the Man who is Wisdom. You are invited to exercise trust in God in however much you already know Him, to do what He says. Even though, you will never be omniscient, your obedience to the only wise God brings you the benefits of His omniscience. Though you do not understand what happens here fully, you still benefit from it. Week after week, you are confirmed in the Gospel of grace. It grows you all the same. You can taste and see that the Lord is good. As you partake of this meal, thank Him for His wisdom with which He deals with you. Give Him glory for the profundity of His mysteries And come, and welcome to Jesus Christ. Let us pray..

THE BREAD

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he broke it:

We Gather Together to Ask the Lord’s Blessing (684) And when Jesus had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

THE WINE

Behold the Glories of the Lamb (475)

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

- COMMISSION -

Please stand.

CLOSING DOXOLOGY

The congregation may raise hands. Gloria Patri (735)

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

See how Christ is present in all these relations! See Christ in your wife, husband, parents, children, employer, client, employee etc. Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord

Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the

sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

make you complete in every good work to do His will,

working in you what is well pleasing in His sight,

through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and

ever. Amen.