Concern for the Glory of God

John MacArthur Sermon Archive The Conscientious Christian Employee, Part 1

The American worker, frankly, is consumed with creature comfort. He is consumed with leisure. He is consumed with materialism. He is consumed with, as I said a few months ago, financing his indulgences. He has little love for quality. He has little love for performance. He has little concern for excellence in the product which he produces. He really continually demands more and more money for less and less work and wants only to finance his major goal in life which is pleasure, his own.

Introduction:

In , the scripture is speaking to two groups of people..Slaves and the rich..people at polar opposite places in life.

The point of this passage is contentment in God in all situations by pursuing godliness and God’s glory. Peace and contentment are not discovered in things or in perfect circumstances.

In verses 1-2, Paul is speaking of the servant/slave and master relationship. The phrase “under the yoke” is referring to the oppressive and humiliating consequence of slavery. It is important to remember that the scripture condemns slavery. It might be difficult as we read this passage. Some may be thinking that Paul is teaching tolerance for slavery…of course this is not the case. It is a fundamental teaching of the bible that all men are equal before God. At the foot of the cross the ground is level if you will.

There were perhaps as many as 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire. A majority of the members in the church at Ephesus would have been slaves most likely. Roman slavery in the first century was far more humane and different from the horrible treatment of African American slaves in this country from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries. This type of slavery was racist for the most part…while the slavery practiced in first century Rome was more reflective of the economic realities of the culture. This is not to say that it wasn’t evil, but an understanding of slavery in the first century and the context of the period of time as far as the purpose of the gospel has to be considered. the apostles in the first century were not interested in political or social reforms..they were interested in spiritual reforms. The gospel faithfully proclaimed and the saving work of God in the hearts of men would destroy the evil that was slavery.

God desires that all men be saved..even those who may be seen as enemies of society. Christians should be respectful of leaders in authority - even with those with whom they disagree…our language must be seasoned with grace and truth....not born out of anger or seeking ill-will against any man or group.

, “My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. a

The scripture, as always, is concerned with the glory of God and this was Paul’s concern. Social ills cannot be solved by violent or malevolent actions…social salvation is secondary to personal salvation. When the hearts of a men change, then the circumstances in society can improve. The kingdom of God - that is God’s rule and reign in the hearts of men on earth was to be of primary concern…not to get too entangled with the kingdoms of men. We should return to and remember its admonitions to us, “ First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.’”

, “My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. a

The Holman Christian Standard Bible Chapter 2

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The scripture, as always, is concerned with the glory of God and this was Paul’s concern. This should be our concern. Social ills cannot be solved by violent or malevolent actions…social salvation is secondary to personal salvation. When the hearts of a men change, then the circumstances in society can improve. The kingdom of God - that is God’s rule and reign in the hearts of men on earth was to be of primary concern…not to get too entangled with the kingdoms of men. We should return to and remember its admonitions to us, “ First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.’”

Transition:

As we seek to apply these verses we should look today at the responsibility we have as citizens and as employees. The employer/employee relationship is certainly in view here.

As we seek to apply these verses we should look today at the responsibility we have as citizens and as employees. The employer/employee relationship is certainly in view here.

John MacArthur states concerning this:

John MacArthur states concerning this:

“The American worker, frankly, is consumed with creature comfort. He is consumed with leisure. He is consumed with materialism. He is consumed with, as I said a few months ago, financing his indulgences. He has little love for quality. He has little love for performance. He has little concern for excellence in the product which he produces. He really continually demands more and more money for less and less work and wants only to finance his major goal in life which is pleasure, his own.” (John F. MacArthur Jr., John MacArthur Sermon Archive (Panorama City, CA: Grace to You, 2014).

John F. MacArthur Jr., John MacArthur Sermon Archive (Panorama City, CA: Grace to You, 2014).

The Gospel Gives Meaning to Your Work

I am not identified by what I do…I am primarily identified by my relationship to Christ. You are not what you do to make a living. We are into categorizing people and ourselves in a system of hierarchy and ranking things.

We are not to be identified by the circumstances of our work or life.

, “17 Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches. 18 Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised. 19 Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters. 20 Let each of you remain in the situation in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Don’t let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity. 22 For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of people. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person is to remain with God in the situation in which he was called.”

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 7

17 Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches. 18 Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised. 19 Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters. 20 Let each of you remain in the situation in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Don’t let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity. 22 For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of people. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person is to remain with God in the situation in which he was called.

Doing Our Work With Excellence

Regardless of whether your employer is a Christian or a non-Christian, we are to honor God and represent him well in all that we do no matter the circumstance we find ourselves in. We must show forth the gospel in our relationships with employers and co-workers/supervisors.

Illustration of working at Office Pro’s - less than ideal environment…but I chose to see my job not as working for John Jones, but as working and serving the Lord.

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do with all of your heart…as unto the Lord.”

Contentment in Our Circumstances

, “10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

Respect and Integrity

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), .

, “ Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ. 6 Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart. 7 Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. 9 And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.”

, “Slaves are to be submissive to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back 10 or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything.”

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), .

Working for an unsaved employer? Don’t be lazy and disrespectfully pious. Illustration of an unsaved employer witnessing his Christian employees who stood around talking about theology rather than working.

Working for an unsaved employer? Don’t be lazy and disrespectfully pious. Illustration of an unsaved employer witnessing his Christian employees who stood around talking about theology rather than working.

Some would abuse and mis-interpret and apply their new freedom in Christ to mean that they were equals with their employers and that no one could tell them what to do..

, “ There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

The problem in Ephesus was also that some servants/slaves were not respecting their Christian masters. They took the teaching of , “

But this verse does not teach the elimination of authority or roles within society and the church. Some Christians in Ephesus saw themselves now above doing menial tasks that servants were required to do.

Abuse of freedom - not working hard, lacking diligence…too casual, no enthusiasm or respect. Where a person works today is a primary contact with a lost world. It is there that people will really see what you are made of because of the stress of the environment and the need for relationships.

True Servanthood

The marriage relationship should be a picture of service. Family life is about service-sharing and giving. Being a parent is about service..maturing and growing up is about serving.

Where we work is servanthood - Being an employee is servanthood. Likewise, being a business owner or employer is servanthood. We need to remember the example and teaching of Christ.

, “12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. 16 “I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him

, “42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

16 “I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, gand a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him

, “42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The marriage relationship should be a picture of service. Family life is about service-sharing and giving. Being a parent is about service..maturing and growing up is about serving.

, “42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

We should serve voluntarily

We should serve lovingly

We should serve joyfully

We should serve worshipfully

Wash basin theology - will we wash our hands or will we serve

42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”,t