Colossians #35 - Christians in the Workplace

Grace Bible Chapel

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Message #35 in Colossians

Christians in the Workplace

Colossians 3:22-4:1

I. Introduction

A. Slavery – 1 Timothy 6:1-2

B. The workplace

II. The person and work of Jesus Christ – Colossians 1:12-2:23

III. Practical applications of the work of Jesus Christ on behalf of believers

A. Personal righteousness (putting on the new man) – 3:1-17

B. Relationship righteousness – 3:18-4:18

1. The Christian family – 3:18-3:21

2. Christians in the workplace – Colossians 3:22-4:1

a. Slaves – 3:22-25

1) Their obedience – 3:22

a) The command – meaning, degree, and objects

b) A wrong motive

- ophthalmodoulia

- anthrōparesos (cf. 3:20)

c) The correct motive

- haplotēs

- phobeō

2) Their work – 3:23

a) The proper motivation (ek psuchē)

b) The improper motivation

3) Their recognition – 3:24-25

a) Doing what is right (cf. 3:23) – 3:24

b) Doing what is wrong – 3:25

b. Masters – 4:1

1) Their attitude and actions

2) Their recognition

IV. Conclusions and application

A. Matthew 22:34-40; 1 John 4:20

B. 1 Samuel 15:1-23; James 2:10-11

C. Colossians 1:6

D. 1 Peter 2:20

E. Galatians 6:7-8; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Matthew 6:4; Hebrews 11:6