Ephesians 6 Bondservants and Masters

Ephesians 6:5-9

We have been made worthy. Now we are called to walk/live worthy.

We have faith in Christ. We believe in what God has said. We believe His promises. We trust in Him… and we follow Him in His will and ways.

Our faith moves us, changes us, transforms us, and holds us… And we live out of our faith day by day and moment by moment.

Our faith moves. Our faith goes where we go. Our Christianity goes where we go.

Well what about the workforce? What about my Christianity on the job? Does my faith go to work with me?

Absolutely yes!

First, lets look at some obvious words and the time and place in which this was written.

The words “Bond-servants/Slaves” and “Masters” is used here in the text to point us to a different time and location where this was practiced. Slavery was widely accepted at this time. The economy was based on slave labor. Almost every job could be filled and was filled by slaves during this time period.

In the first century, 1 out of 3 in Italy were slaves and 1 out of 5 persons in other areas were slaves. Some were captured during war. Some folks had debt and then sold themselves into slavery to pay it off. Some families could not survive on their own, so these sold themselves to survive.

Some of the slaves would marry into the family eventually. Not all slaves were treated bad, and not all slaves were treated well.

Some worked in the fields and in the mines. Some worked to build, become craftsmen… others forced to become gladiators. Others worked in homes. Slaves could be found working in almost every area of the workforce.

Slaves in both the Greek and Roman culture had no rights legally and were often treated as such. There was much abuse going on, as they were being treated poorly by their masters. Again, not all were treated badly, but abuse was common.

Throughout the Scriptures, we will see many different groups, national groups, become slaves to others at various points. Even Israel became slaves to various nations.

Almost all people groups have been enslaved or held in bondage at some point in history… according to the internet machine...

In the Old Testament, we have slavery laws that kept people from abusing the slaves that they possessed. Slaves could be redeemed. Slaves could be set free during Jubilee year. If a servant was too badly injured, he or she could be set free.

You could not abuse slaves in the Old Testament. You could not kidnap anyone and abuse. You must treat them with dignity.

The Old Testament and New Testament would both say that they were image bearers and that they should be treated as such…

The New Testament makes it this clear… “And there is no difference between Jew, Gentile, slave or free… male or female… for all are one in Christ Jesus.” -Gal. 3:28

They are to be treated as such… Without partiality.

Masters who are now coming to faith have to change their mindsets and their actions. They could no longer do what they wanted to do… They must now see people through Christ’s eyes and through the Gospel message.

Masters are not to threaten anymore, or mistreat any of their people, but fear the Lord and treat their servants with kindness.

And the servants were, in turn, to work hard with a sincere heart, whether the master was looking or not, and to do a good job at whatever they were doing, with respect and honor… not as a people pleaser, but as a God pleaser… To work for their masters as unto the Lord.

Both of them were under the Lordship or Mastery of King Jesus, so both of them must live as though this was true in the lives.

The book of Philemon is a great book/letter to read to draw out some more context, and to understand the call to love, our brothers, who are slaves.

The slave, Onesimus, was a slave that left Philemon, the master, and he was saved under the ministry of Paul, the apostle. Paul wrote to his master Philemon, who was also another brother/believer in Jesus, and said… “That you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave… a beloved brother...”

So this is what their culture and time looked like. And you will see so many times Paul, in the introduction to his letters, calling himself a slave/bondservant to the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul identified himself as a slave to Christ as he lived as a free Christian.

Well: How can we bring this home today where we are, with no slaves in the workforce? This is not our way anymore.

These guidelines were used at these times in human history, but what about our present day, and in our present land...

Do we have some guidelines and commands from God here?

Yes, we do.

Let’s take this to our present day workforce and economy:

Workers in the workforce - Obey your earthly bosses with fear and trembling...

Work for your bosses, with your eyes on Jesus. Above all: You work for King Jesus.

Are we called to fear man? No. The Lord does not give us a spirit of cowardice. No, we are not to fear man, but we are to fear God.

If you will kneel before God always, you will be able to stand before any man on this earth. Do not fear man… but fear the Lord as you work.

Philippians 2:12 - Work out your salvation with fear and trembling… before God. We do not want to dishonor God in any way… Even on the job.

At the end of the day… Ultimately, we work for the Lord. We serve the Lord. We seek to glorify God with our work and to please God with all that we do and all that we are… Even to please the Lord with our attitude on the job.

And God sees what we are doing… He sees our actions… He hears our remarks. He knows our hearts and attitudes…

And we need to remember this: My Boss/Lord is Jesus.

Work for your bosses, with your eyes on Jesus. Work for your employers under the Lordship of King Jesus. Work for your supervisors seeking to please Christ above all in all that you do.

2. Work With a sincere heart, as you would Christ… Not by the way of eye service or as a people pleaser.

Who comes to work late, leaves early…? Who is lazy on the job? Who only works when the boss comes around? Who all is half-hearted in what they do and how they do it?

Remember: God is still watching us when the boss man isn’t.

Who is talking negativity about their bosses, slandering, and gossiping at work about the supervisors, stirring up trouble and discord?

Who is kissing up to the boss, doing ungodly things, in order to get what you want, to get ahead?

It could be… we are not working as unto the Lord, with a sincere heart. It could be that we are laboring as people pleasers and not God pleasers.

It could be that we are filled with selfish ambitions, and our service is not sincere, and it is eye service only.

Remember: God is watching and is looking for sincere/worshipful hearts.

3. We are called to Work with good will and to Work from the Heart

a. Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Proverbs 16:3 - Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 - Take pleasure in your work, it is a gift.

In all that we do… present yourselves to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed...

Live at peace with all men, even your supervisors. They may be a brother or a sister in the Lord, or they may be the mission field.

God may want you to witness to your boss, who is at this point, going to hell. Your actions, responses and attitudes will draw people in so that you can give the Gospel message...

Question: Should we ever do something that violates God’s Word or your godly convictions? Absolutely not.

We are to obey God no matter what.

God has you where you are for now, and for a reason. He is using you to provide for yourself and family, but God has you there for Him as well…

God is using your work, your attitude, your character, and your words for His good purposes. Work hard. Be honest. Maintain solid integrity and solid character… And God will bless you as well as point others to Him.

You can… and you will glorify Jesus through your work.

How is your work ethic? Does your attitude on the job communicate Christian attitudes and values?

Are you pointing people to the God you are working for?

Work for the Lord and give Him your best.

As Christ as our ultimate boss… we can be very successful, useful and valuable wherever we labor.

Work for the Lord, as you submit to your earthly bosses.

(Story of the man working for the Porta John Services: Pastor talking to the worker… and the worker telling the pastor, “Yea, I work for the Lord...”)

This left an impact on this pastor, who was forgetting who he worked for.

2. Bosses in the workforce - We are to serve With fear and trembling...Be good bosses, with a sincere heart...

Much or all that has been said with workers/servants… can be said about bosses/supervisors...

You are either supervising church family or the mission field.

Bosses/Supervisors - You are under the Master too.

You live, walk, and command under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We are to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly before our God.

With much that has been given, much will be required.

Mr. Boss - Do you abuse your power and authority? Do you use your power for good or for evil? Do you practice partiality?

Do you work people differently, treat them differently on the basis of skin color, unforgiveness, or by a football team bias? Do you give promotions only to buddies and family members, and practice nepotism?

God is not partial. We are not to be partial.

We are to be fair, and firm. Merciful and unwavering.

Govern well. Manage well. Supervise well… for the Lord.

2. Bosses are Not called to be people pleasers.

Depending how far we go up the ladder, bosses have bosses, who may have bosses… Who want you to do things, which are against our faith and practice.

We cannot please everyone. But if we are pleasing Christ with our actions, then we can rest at night.

a. Bosses cannot please Christ without building up and helping people, be their best. Bosses can not build up a company without building up people.

b. Bosses can not build people, please Christ, and build a company, if they are cutting them down, and steam rolling over them.

Some people are cut-throat workers, and cut-throat bosses. They do whatever they must in order to get ahead. They do what they have to do to stay out of trouble and stay on people’s good side.

Instead of working/serving… People want to go into politics and play politicians at work… And they become more interested in serving themselves than serving God and their people.

Their decisions are based and influenced by self-ambitions, and this can be and will be destructive.

What Does Scripture Say?

Colossians 4:1 - Treat your people justly and fairly. Luke 6:31 - AS you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Proverbs 11:1 - A false balance (being unfair) is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is God’s delight.

1 Timothy 5:18 - The laborer is worth his wages. Leviticus 19:13 - The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you overnight until the morning.

Listen: Your people have families to feed and families to be with, and Christ is watching your every move...

Luke 16 - We see a manager being praised by his boss for acting shrewdly, for being dishonest, and for seeking self-gain.

We may supervise under those who would praise your shrewd behavior, but there is a God in heaven who will be displeased with you until you make it right.

Supervise well. Lead them well. Take care of your people, for God.

3. Do Not Lead with Anger or with Threatening

Boss man - Remember: You are under divine authority. We are to treat people as God’s image bearers… With dignity and respect.

Everyone has bad days, and we all need forgiveness and we all need to ask for forgiveness at times...

But screaming in my face… undermining me, demeaning me, talking down, making fun, giving unjust punishment… Causes problems for everyone.

You may be looking for more workers soon, and you may be causing more problems at work, as you create a toxic environment.

We know: An angry person gives birth to more anger, and this is toxic for the work place.

You cannot bring your anger in. You cannot unleash your pain on others. Stayed prayed up, and talk issues out with other people… But do not let your emotions lead you...

A hot head makes a sore behind. A hot head may make a two-person roll. A hot head may open the door to unemployment...

A hot head is not needed in any place, even the work place.

Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Show good will and concern for your employees.

Love is patient and kind, gentle, and kind, not jealous… It doesn’t brag, or is it arrogant… It is not wrathful or vengeful.

Matthew 18 - Lays out a picture of a servant who owed a life full of debt and he could not pay it. He begged and it was forgiven. But he has a slave that owed him a little… And he became indignant with him…, choked him, and was unwilling to show any grace...

Bosses who forget their Master Jesus, and they forget that the King has saved their life, saved their soul, and has forgiven them from all their sin...

These bosses can be very angry and shrewd...

But with King Jesus always before you… You can be Christlike before your workers… Before your team and company...

Bosses, Supervisors, Workers:

Jesus is your Lord/Master… Master Jesus has given you life, eternal life, He has given you grace and mercy… and he has placed you here to serve in a Christ-like fashion.

In God’s design: There are roles. There is submission. There is structure and order in the workplace.

And if we all did work God’s way… How great could that look?!

Imagine if we all came together to work and acted like this… We might just like it a little better. It just may be that you would want to be there, stay there a little longer...

Maybe… If we served, if we would work as unto the Lord… we might get raises faster… We might move up in position. We might receive great benefit in different ways… If we began to see work God’s way.

In our satisfaction and joy… The workplace could be a great place, and we will glorify Jesus as we live this out. The workplace would most likely prosper. And the company will most likely thrive...

As we do it all for our Master, King Jesus.

Is this our prayer:

I want to work for the Lord. I desire to look at work through God’s eyes. I desire to be the worker, the boss, the supervisor that seek Christ above all, and to labor for the glory of my Heavenly Master.

Here am I Lord, I am here to work for you. Remind me of this truth over and over again. Remind me of who I am and Whose I am. Remind me that I am first your slave… And help me to live this out in the work place...

I work for you… My Audience of One.

I work to put a smile on your face… My Lord.

Workers for Christ… Christ is going to judge our works one day. And one day you will be rewarded by Him...

And it just may be… that He will call you out by name and say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant...”

He will reward you for how you served Him on that day, when we shall see Him face to face.

Live for Him. Live for that day… Everyday…

And God will bless you… until then...

Pray and close.