Sunday Sermon Colossians 3:22-4:1 (2)
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Introduction
Introduction
Good morning and welcome to FCC where we worship God in Spirit and in Truth one verse at a time.
Thank you for the wonderful message of music!
Today, is communion church and all are welcome to the table who have recieved Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
We take communion because not only did Jesus say do this is remembrance of me, but because Paul instituted it as well.
This is a time to reflect on what Jesus did on the Cross and a time to look inward as well.
In fact, if we look at the cross with a sincere heart, I do not think one can walk away with doing some introspection within their own hearts.
Before we come to the table, I will pray and during prayer I will pause, so you can allow the Lord to search your heart.
Because we do not want to be like the Corinthians who took in an unworthy manner church, nor do we desire communion to be a meaningless ritual, but rather a time that the Lord becomes more real to each of us and the depths of the Cross and Gospel be revealed with fresh new insight and conviction.
After, prayer, please come to the table as the Spirit leads and take your cup back to your seat.
We will take together.
Prayer and Pause
Prayer and Pause
Thank you for the Cross and your Broken body and poured out blood.
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
Read Colossians 3:22-4:1
Read Colossians 3:22-4:1
Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Review
Review
A few weeks ago we looked at the family and how our relationship with the Lord impacts our homes.
Then we discovered that if Jesus is the center of our home, the Jesus will become the center of our workplace.
We started looking at verse 22 and this is where we will begin.
Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
A bondservant is a slave. In some Bibles the word bondservant is the translation of the Greek word doulos, which means “one who is subservient to, and entirely at the disposal of, his master; a slave.” Other translations use the word slave or servant.
Slaves- doulos- n. — a person who is legally owned by someone else and whose entire livelihood and purpose was determined by their master.
It is important to realize church that slaves were not thought of a human beings, but rather property.
Scholars believe that about half of the Roman Empire were slaves and literally if they would have come together in numbers they could have easily revolted against Rome.
But they did not. Many were treated good and many were treated bad.
In Roman times, the term bondservant or slave could refer to someone who voluntarily served others.
But it usually referred to one who was held in a permanent position of servitude.
Under Roman law, a bondservant was considered the owner’s personal property.
Slaves essentially had no rights and could even be killed with impunity by their owners.
The Hebrew word for “bondservant,” ‘ebed, had a similar connotation.
However, the Mosaic Law allowed an indentured servant to become a bondservant voluntarily:
But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.
Historical records reveal that it was not unusual for Jews to own slaves during the New Testament period.
Because slavery was a familiar part of the culture, Jesus sometimes referred to slaves and owners in His parables (e.g., Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 12:41-48).
Church, Throughout the New Testament, the word bondservant, slave, or servant is applied metaphorically to someone absolutely devoted to Jesus. Paul, Timothy, James, Peter, and Jude all describe themselves as “bondservants of Christ” (Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1:1, NKJV).
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,
James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
Believers today should still consider themselves bondservants or slaves of Christ , are you?
Who is your master church?
Someone once said, that money is a wonderful servant, but a cruel master church!
This could be said about many things church.
Jesus or the other writers of the NT did not come out against slavery church because there would have been tremendous persecution that the church would not be able to endure.
And besides, when the hearts of man are changed by the power of the Gospel, captives are set free!
So as you remember church, the application for us here is employees and employers, rather than servants and masters.
Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
We are called to obey, called to submit to our masters orders, otherwise known as out boss.
It does not mean that we must like what he stands for or how he treats people, but rather submit unto him as you obeying the Lord.
This is another imperative that is written in the present perfect tense.
This simply means that this is something we should be doing presently and continually all the time church.
You might ask the question, “What if my boss mistreats me?”
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
We are not called to do things that would be illegal church, or to turn the cheek if there is sexual gestures or etc..
The word harsh metaphorically could mean wicked church.
It is important that we remember that our work places are our mission fields and that we may the only Bible our boss and co-workers read.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
When we whine, are critical and negative at work, we will not win anyone to Jesus church.
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
We can complain to the Lord church, but let us not go to the unbeliever....
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
Paul injects not with eyeservice here, as men pleasers.
By the way people pleasing is not about the person that you are trying to please, it is about you.
It is not only selfish, but it is self seeking and you will fall into the trap of never being able to say no.
You can’t serve God and always be a people-pleaser. Like Leonard Raven Hill said, “If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified.”
Please God and do all things for that glory of God and not man. Don’t change the gospel because it offends someone.
Don’t be afraid to tell someone the truth. For everyday life as Christians yes we should help people, but don’t put pressure on yourself. Don’t be afraid of what others think, say what your heart is feeling. Who cares if people think you’re mean because you said no I can’t in a polite way.
I’ve learned that many times people never remember or pay attention to the times when you helped them. They only remember and complain about that one time when you didn’t. Making sure people are pleased is not your job. Live for the Lord and not for man.
Quotes
“If you live for people’s acceptance you will die from their rejection.” Lecrae
“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“The only thing wrong with trying to please everyone is that there’s always at least one person who will remain unhappy. You.”
“People pleasing hides the real you.”
“No is the most empowering word for those who struggle with people pleasing, low self-esteem, and codependency.”
“Let pleasing God become bigger than pleasing people.”
For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
Paul injected this here church, because slaves had a habit of pleasing their master when they were present or watching them. WHY?
They did this because of fear of punishment or even death.
But when the master looked away or left, they would at times become slothful or even lazy.
This is not how we should treat our employers church!
Did you notice that I used the KJV version to show you that we are to have a singleness of heart?
Sincerity of heart” means singleness of purpose, undivided service. It refers to a worker who concentrates on his work because his heart is in it. As I said, the word “heartily” means “from the soul,” and points to inner motivation. It would have been easy for slaves to gripe about their working conditions and about the unfair treatment they received from their masters. But if they did their work “heartily, as for the Lord, rather than for men,” they would have a positive, cheerful spirit that would radiate the difference Christ makes in a life.
This is the opposite of hypocrisy church.
After all Jesus said:
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Christians ought to be the best in attitude, the best in dependability, and the best in integrity. All of us who are employed must be faithful, hard workers or we are sinning.
But we must not become workaholics church.
For this is an addiction and will destroy your marriage, home, and other relationships.
I find that people that are workaholics are wounded people trying to heal themselves are staying away from the home because of various reasons.
And to end church, we are to work unto the Lord because we fear him
We are to Obey in all things
Not with eyeservice as men pleasers
But with singleness of heart
Fearing the Lord church
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
Heartily- psyche- means to work with all our soul church.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
When we work, we work unto the Lord and not unto men.
Church, do you really believe that the Lord know that thoughts and intents of your hearts? Do you believe he knows you work ethic? Do you believe he is there while you are working?
Church, Paul gives two reasons for slaves (or employees) to obey their masters.
Positively, the Lord will repay them for their faithfulness. They can endure inequity now, knowing that from the Lord they will receive the reward of the inheritance. The earthly master or boss may not give the servant what he deserves, but the Lord will. He is the One who will assure the eternal compensation is what it should be (cf. Rev. 20:12–13). Christian slaves are also heirs of eternal reward. As an employee on the job, or a servant in the home, it is the Lord Christ whom believers serve. He will pay them back with grace and generosity.
What is interesting is that Roman Law specified that slaves were to not get an inheritance, but the Lord turned things upside down by saying there is a reward of inheritance which is eternal life church.
Paul then gives a negative reason for obedience. The one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. The warning is that the Lord will discipline without partiality in cases of disobedience (cf. Gal. 6:7).
And finally our last verse for today:
Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Remember, under Roman law the slaves had no rights at all.
So these words had a strange ring to non-Christians, and to the newly believing master.
Also, given the social conditions of the times, this command may have been more difficult to carry out than what was asked of the slaves.
The master who attempted to provide his slaves “with what is right and fair” ran a deep risk of ostracism from his fellow slave owners,
The guiding reality for the master/employer is that both he and his servant have the same Lord: “you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Paul is basically saying: Employers, if you truly realize that you must answer to God for the way you conduct yourself with your employees, you will care about what happens to them, you will give what is just and fair. You will be concerned that they are paid properly. You will be concerned about their illnesses, their spouses, their children, their education. Along with this, you may have more problems. In fact, this kind of caring attitude assures that you will. But you will also have the fullness of Christ.
Masters/slaves—employers/employees, one thing is for sure: disregard the apostle’s advice and you will never know fullness in your domestic/professional life, no matter how well you succeed. Disregard his advice and something will always be missing.
Jesus, who is the fullness of the Godhead bodily, wants us to be full in our marital relationships, our family relationships, and our professional and work relationships.
Let’s not forget that the heart of every problem church, is a problem of the heart.
May we do our work unto the Lord and may He change our attitudes and behaviors that are not godly toward our bosses and co-workers to reflect that of Jesus Christ!
How are you are you treating your boss? how about your co-workers?
Prayer
Prayer
Announcements
Announcements
Are there any announcements?
I wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped yesterday.
We trimmed the bushes and found more dead that we had anticipated.
So you will notice that some bushes are gone.
Most of them are dying and our goal is to remove them and put a fence or?
Ideas are wanted!
Bathroom
Jacobs Birthday
Help keeping the inside the church clean
Benediction Text
Benediction Text
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
THE LORD BLESS YOU!
YOUR MISSION STARTS NOW!