Walking Wisely: The Redeemed Slave

Let us begin this afternoon with some introductory thoughts about cultural context and the Bible. Often people want to look at the Bible with skepticism because it does not always match up with certain cultures. They want to discard certain sections of the Bible that just “dont apply anymore ” or “don’t fit the culturual narrative.” For example, we have seen this most recently in the LGBTQ movement where the clear truths condemning homosexuality in the Bible is called “not culturally relevant to our time.” In other words, these skeptics believe that culture rules over the Scripture instead of Scripture rules over culture. The varying cultural milieu of history does not change the meaning or interpretation of the Bible.

But the follower of Jesus must be some form of a historian, a linguist, and a grammarian in order to be a good student of the Bible. It requires diligent study of the historical contexts to which it is written in order to understand and interpret its meaning.

Some might object and say, Can’t I just read a study bible from people who did the research work for me?” Those resources are helpful to aid your study but you miss out on the precious treasure chest buried underneath if you don’t do some of the digging yourself.

This pertains directly to our subject today about HOLY WORKERS

Back in March, we looked at a passage with a similar message in the series in Ephesians about Holy Habits. It was in Eph 4:28 that we considered what it was like to represent Christ as people who put in good labor.

Ephesians 4:28 “28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.”

This will have a similar message today but Paul takes a different approach. In Eph 4 he is talking about general character traits as Christian who labor in this life. But in Eph 6 he narrows down his focus on the relationship between slaves and masters.

This is where the context and the culture require some deeper study and interpretation. Let’s face it, we are not slaves nor masters in the context of the Roman empire during the time Paul wrote these words. To be clear, Paul wasn’t thinking of South Africa racism during the 1960’s Apartheid when he wrote. Nor was Peter thinking of civil war slaves in America when he wrote,

1 Peter 2:18–19 “18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.”

Instead, Paul and Peter were writing to slaves of the Roman Empire. The challenge in Scripture is that you always see principles that would prohibit the slavery that we have experienced in our history all over the world. Paul is not dealing with the moral acceptance or rejection of slavery. Instead, he is acknowledging that slavery was a social relationship in the Roman world and therefore, Scripture applies to all who live in that system.

Slavery was an economic function of Rome in the early church and it is important to understand its function so that we can understand the meaning of the words Paul used. John Stott writes,

“(slaves)…included not only domestic servants and manual labourers but educated people as well, like doctors, teachers and administrators. Slaves could be inherited or purchased, or acquired in settlement of a bad debt, and prisoners of war commonly became slaves. Nobody queried or challenged the arrangement. ‘The institution of slavery was a fact of Mediterranean economic life so completely accepted as a part of the labour structure of the time that one cannot correctly speak of the slave “problem” in antiquity.

This does NOT mean that abuse never happened between masters and slaves. As with all sin, slavery did not escape teh corruption of man’s heart that lords over the weak and oppresses others when opportunity arises. Of course, the Bible condemns any abuse or mistreatment of one person by another whether by the physical, emotional, or spiritual nature.

Now as Paul writes to the early church, it must be understood that households were coming to faith in Christ. When Paul is imprisoned in Philippi, a supernatural event occurred that led to the household of a Philippian jailer receiving the gospel. Look with me in Acts 16 for a moment.

Acts 16:31–34 “31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.”

Now it is clear here that Paul’s experience in Philippi included the salvation of the servants of the Philippian jailer for in v 34 it reads that “food was set before them” which we can assume was by the slaves of the home, who rejoiced with their master as they all believed in Christ that day.

Now imagine the scene in Philippi as these new converts form a church, which once established, Paul wrote a letter. Now the interesting symmetry of gospel conversion between slaves and masters is while one person was an authority over the other socially, they were united in Christ spiritually. This could make Christian unity in the church an interesting dynamic. This is why Paul writes these words for the church in Ephesians.

Now it applies slightly different for us today because we are not slaves nor servants in the same way, but we are tied to our jobs or employment contractually or verbally and therefore, these verses teach us principles of how we relate in today’s workforce.

The central truth of it all is the same that it has been when Paul began with the relationship of wife and husband. He states that it chiefly centers on our relationship with Christ.

We should then first consider the statement We Walk Wisely as Holy Workers WHO BELONG TO CHRIST.

1. Who Belongs to Christ (vs. 5-6)

Ephesians 6:5–6 “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 eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”

A. An Eternal Position

The central phrase here is found at the end of v 5 “as to Christ.” Again in verse 6, “as slaves of Christ.” We should then consider that the effectiveness of our work is dependent on our understanding of our slavery in Christ. Paul makes reference to slavery in every verse of this text.

V. 5- Slaves and masters

v. 6- as slaves to Christ, Eye slaves

v 7- rendering service translates being a slave or completing slave tasks

v. 8- slave or freeman

v.9- earthly masters vs heavenly Master

The ultimate point is to make the correlation for all the church that our relationship with Christ is one which we should consider He being our Lord and we being his slave. In this respect, our slavery to Christ is one which we are “purchased by His blood” and one in which we are eternally bound to serve Him.

To be a slave of Christ is to seek to honor the position of Christ as our Master. For He to be in authority over us means that we exist to accomplish his purposes over our own. This truth becomes an obstacle for many when considering the narrow road to following Jesus in this life. Jesus told his disciples,

Luke 9:23 “23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

To follow Christ demands a great cost, which strips us of the freedoms to indulge in our fleshly lusts and desires and it weds us to follow Christ to unimaginable difficulties and glorious victories.

Notice the attitudes of the heart of the slave that Paul addresseses. These attitudes flow out of a transformed heart that beats for Christ.

fear and trembling- this phrase used throughout the Bible relates to the awe and reverence for the holiness the believer has for God. In Phil 2:12, we are reminded as the church to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling.” If we understand the honor and reverence we have under the weight of the authority of God in our lives, then Paul applies that same reverance in its earthly forms. Slaves are to have such an honor and reverance, not treating their Masters as gods, but treating them with respect according to their earthly authority. It is God’s will that placed them in such authority.

sincerity of heart- secondly, there is what Paul calls “sincerity of heart.” This word in the GK language is best translated as loyalty or singleness of devotion for something.

Therefore, when he speaks of sincerity, he is not necessarily talking about truthfulness or honesty, although that does apply. Instead, he is stating that a singleness of heart leads to a devotion that is undivided from the one whom you are called to serve.

In Matthew 6:24, Jesus tells his disciples, 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

Understanding this is key to our belonging to Christ for the world is always dangling the old life of sin before us as if we are capable to possess both loyalties. It is impossible. Elijah told the Israelites this at Mt Carmel,

1 Kings 18:21 “21 Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word.”

Properly applied, if our loyalty to Christ is sure, then our loyalties to the ones whom we work for will also be evident.

B. An External Practice

Doing the Will of the Lord , (not as eyeservants and men pleasers)

V. 6 is a very challenging verse as it reminds us that the eye of the Lord is always upon us. As slaves to Christ, our work is never about serving men although men benefit from our service. Paul uses slave language again by saying literally, we are not EYE-SLAVES and men pleasers. Our ultimate goal in our work is for the Lord to be pleased with our offering of labor to him.

In essence, whatever employment we have at this moment in our lives, as slaves to Christ, we are doing the Lord’s will for it was his providential hand to place us there. In addition, as slaves, seeking to honor the Lord and not men, we should strive to carry out the purpose of Christ’s supreme glory in the quality of our and in the goal of our work.

2. Brings Faith-Filled Service (vs. 7-9)

Ephesians 6:7–9 “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.”

In these next two verses, let’s look at the practical aspects of serving the Lord as we serve those in authority over us as managers and leaders of our employment.

A. Excellent Labor

Another word Paul uses with slave language is found in v 7. There he states to “render service” or literally “be a slave” or in modern terms “get your slave on.” What he means is that we are to serve well. Paul uses the qualifier to serve with good will as to the Lord and not men.

The root of this word NOEO is to think, to intend, to ponder. When you add the EU in front which means good, you come out with the compound word Good thought or good intentions. The idea is that we serve our earthly masters with good thoughts and intentions as if we are merely serving Christ, instead of men. How would you serve Jesus in this moment? How would you think of Jesus in this moment? Let that translate to a difficult boss or board meeting, or client at work. In all, we would say you give your best to Christ so give your best to your boss.

For the sake of remembering this truth, lets call this ABLE LABOR. That is ABEL not ABLE. We are reminded that in Gen 4 two brothers brought gifts to the Lord, but only one had the heart of worship. Only one came with a heart full of faith in God which was demonstrated by his gracious gift to the Lord. Abel gave his most excellent gift. In the same way, let our labor be Abel labor, give out all. Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”

B. Dependable Labor

Secondly, we can state that our labor should be consistent and dependable. Just like the previous statements from our sermons on marriage and parenting, the present tense verbs listed here show us that we are to continually be obedient to our authorities, and to continually do our duties as to Lord and not men. The best way to represent the faithfulness of Christ is to be faithful in our our commitments and our employments.

I know men who went almost entire careers without using much if any of their sick days. If they were sick, they got up and went to work. Nowadays, you can watch TIktok videos of this generation complaining for working a hard 8 hour day. We need a resurgence of hard and dedicated work and it must start in the church.

Jesus reveals to us the effort that he put into atonement for sin. He willingly and painfully endured suffering to accomplish the sacrifice for sin. This is the template for us as believers in our mode of labor. We strive and we toil with all diligence and the Lord will bless our efforts.

Proverbs 13:4 “4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat.”

Warning: Now let me stop and give warning to the swinging of the pendulum to far in the other direction. We can be dependable workers and hard laborers but we must never allow our labor to be that which enslaves us to the material wealth and earthly lusts. Do misquote me here and say” Preacher told me I need to work hard” only to neglect family, church and a personal walk with Christ.

John 6:27 “27 “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.””

Jesus tells the crowds this after the feeding of the 5,000 to ensure that they understood the greater need is that of spiritual nourishment. This applies that as we work, we keep our eye focused on Christ so that what we earn, we can use for His kingdom and His glory.

C. Honest Labor

Going back to v 5-6, the nature of being men-pleasers and working with eye service has to do with integrity and truth. There is always an opportunity to work in a deceitful and dishonest way. You can always find ways to cut corners in secret to earn more profit but the Lord sees and knows all. Instead, when we work for Christ and not for men, honest labor comes forth.

I work in two areas where this is clearly evident. In churches, it is the trusted pastor to take advantage of the trust of others while skimming from church funds while no one is looking. It has happened in local churches in our area and across the globe. This is why pastors need safeguards in place to tear down those opportunities and hearts that long for honest gain.

1 Peter 5:2 “2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;”

10,000 Sermon Illustrations His Best Effort

In her book Today’s Good Word, Ethel B. Sutton told the story of a young British soldier who was blinded in battle. He was a trained musician, so after he recovered from his injury he spent much of his time playing the piano for the wounded who had been sent to a London hospital. He sometimes wondered if anyone was paying attention to his music, for he often heard the tramping of feet through the corridors as visitors came and went. But he never let this distract him. He always put his best effort into his playing, hoping his music would encourage and comfort those who were depressed by their painful injuries.

One day when he paused to rest, he heard somebody nearby heartily clapping his hands. Turning his sightless eyes in that direction, he asked with a smile, “Who are you?” “I am your King!” was the reply. The British monarch was visiting the wounded to cheer them and strengthen their morale. Without realizing it, the young man had been using his talent to entertain royalty

What a vivid picture for us all to think about the king watching our work, even when we cannot see Him. In doing out best and doing so with integrity, we know that He is pleased.

D. Kind Leadership

Finally, Paul addresses masters and urges them to display and similar Christian conduct in the way they treat those whom they have authority over. He states in v 9, “do the same things to them.” What things we ask? This takes us back to v 6, where he states “doing the will of God from the heart.” It is the duty of those in charge to lead well in order to honor Christ and in doing so honoring those whom they lead.

One example that he gives is to cease from threatening. We could simply say in the positive that those in charge who bow the knee to Christ should display humility towards those they lead. In stead of threatening, there should be kindness and grace distributed.

That kindness and grace should be distributed equally to all under your care with the mindset that you too are slaves under a kind and benelovent Master. This is Paul’s message in v 9,

Ephesians 6:9 “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.”

Colossians 4:1 “1 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.”

In the greatest example of kindness, what sacrifice and kindness was shown by our Master? What patience and kindness did he display? He gave his life!