Harmony in the Family 4

Returning to Services

Modified Service Beginning Next Week

Details to follow Monday or Tuesday

We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper in a modified format.

Small Groups will remain online this week as we see how churches reopening for service effects our community.

Continuing the Livestream as a regular service option for sickness, traveling, and as an outreach.

Slavery

Harmony in the Family—part of the ancient world that included slaves.

Is slavery condoned by the Bible?

No where does the Bible say slavery is a good thing.

It does affirm the presence of slavery in the ancient world

The Bible gives wisdom on how to work within that worldview

Is slavery forbidden by the Bible?

Sort of (at least how we think of slavery)

Hebrews affirmed the humanity of slaves unlike in Greek and other communities.

EPH 6:5-9, explain how in Christian households, the humanity and image of God were to be affirmed on slaves and slaves were to be diligent to please their masters.

Slaves were to be set free in the Jubilee (7) year—not permanent

How do people become slaves then? Prisoners of war, indentured servitude, birth, restitution (can’t pay for crime), default on debt.

Slaves owned property; they were not properly speaking owned as in American slavery and in Greek slavery of antiquity.

Slavery as we know it is not acceptable by biblical standards.

Why is slavery even in the Bible?

It was part of the world

(1 Corinthians 9:22) Paul was more concerned about people having faith in Jesus than fixing social issues of the day.

(1 Corinthians 7:21) It’s better to be free, but does not effect your ability to serve Jesus if you are not.

In what way is slavery a significant theme in the Bible?

Cultural norm in the biblical world, but then Paul uses slavery to explain significant theological ideas.

(1 Corinthians 6:20) You were bought with a price

(Romans 6:16–18) slaves of righteousness

(Galatians 4:8–9) No longer slaves to the things of this world

Are we in sin if we are figuratively slaves in some way?

Debt: Proverbs 22:7 — context, in the ancient world you could literally be made a slave for not paying a debt. Today we have laws and contracts that protect people when they borrow.

Still, obtain freedom if you can. (1 Corinthians 7:21)

Drugs/alcohol, sexual

Other addictions.

Fast food

Gaming

Love

Shopping

Exercise

Lying

Slaves of God?

1 Peter 2:16 — Our bond-service to God, which was purchased with Jesus’ blood makes us free from the world, but we are to submit to God.