Eph 6:5-9 Living for God and not for Men Introduction Sermon Eph 6:5-9 Living for God and not for Men Introduction

5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,

8knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Colossians 3:23-4:1 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. 4:1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

There is a Theology of marriage, family, work, and play There is a Theology of marriage, family, work, and play. WHAT ABOUT SLAVERY?

Without addressing the institution of slavery in the passage, Paul’s words transform the practice and environment of slavery.

THE PRIOR QUESTION: If I believe that I’m saved by grace by a savior who gave his life for me, and that he guarantees me security, meaning, approval, and an eternity, then how should I approach my station in life?

Work is not a curse – It Is A Service We Render To Others As Unto Christ. Servants, behind every Master or authority figure, you are to see Christ as the one you serve, not the man or woman.

Masters, behind every slave or employee, you are to see Christ and remember that He is your Ultimate boss, the one to whom you must give an account.

THE GOLDEN RULE APPLIED TO THE MARKETPLACE If you were the boss, how would you want employees to work? If you were the employee, how would you want to be treated?

Work is not a cure for what ails our souls. The SECULAR approach is – “Work hard so you can make money and a name for yourself”(pride) The MORALISTIC approach is – “Work hard so you can be proud of yourself and not be like those lazy people (pride), or work hard so God isn’t disappointed in you (fear).

Those who succeed in our society are also those who can be tempted by an obsession to meet emotional needs and even spiritual needs through the avenue of work.

THE GOSPEL gives a different motivation – Christians aren’t those who work for approval and meaning; they work out of knowing God’s favor in Christ and from knowing they have meaning and identity in Christ.

HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE “people pleasers”, or are living unto God HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE “people pleasers”, or are living unto God? Are you working to produce a resume or a record, or do you work from knowing you already have a record that Christ accomplished for you?

Is life a pressure cooker for you, or is the pressure off Is life a pressure cooker for you, or is the pressure off? Would others say that your priority is winning or reflecting Christ by how you work or play? Do you work harder when the boss is watching?

Do you find yourself thinking, “I hope someone sees what I’m doing Do you find yourself thinking, “I hope someone sees what I’m doing?” Are you upset, insulted, or offended if no one says, “thank you” after you’ve done your job, especially when you thought you did it really well? Do you find yourself thinking, “no one appreciates me, or they don’t realize all I do around here”?

Do you see your work as an occasion for “rendering service” from the heart or for making a buck, or building a record and reputation? Do you view your work, or even your extra-curricular pursuits, as a curse or as a cure for your soul?

JESUS BECAME A CURSE FOR US, and now HE IS THE CURE FOR OUR SOULS.