1. A Life of Harmony Scripture Reading: Eph 6:1-9

2. Introduction  The final continues the idea of keeping harmony in the household  Paul is going to address to address four key parts of a Christian household  Christian children  Christen fathers  Christian servants  Christian masters  This morning we will review each of these three roles and how when properly carried out one can fid harmony within the household

3. Christian children: 4 reasons to obey their parents (vs 1-3)  They are Christians (“in the Lord” v 1a)  This is an application of the them of this entire section “submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Eph 5:21)  When one becomes a Christian, he is not released from normal obligations of life…if anything, his faith and obedience to Christ ought to make him a better child in the home  Consider also Paul’s message to the Colossians in Col 3  Col 3:20 “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.”

4. Christian children: 4 reasons to obey their parents (vs 1-3)  Obedience is right (v 1b)  There is a proper order in place, created by God, that argues for the need for children to be obedient  Since the parents brought the children into the world, and since they have more knowledge and wisdom than the child, it is right and makes sense that the child obey the parents  Sadly, many people in the world today want to update this verse to read something closer to, “Parents, obey your children, for this will keep them happy and thus allow peace in the home”  The above scenario is contrary to God’s order in nature

5. Christian children: 4 reasons to obey their parents (vs 1-3)  Obedience is commanded (v 2a)  Here Paul is referencing back to the fifth commandment and applying it to the New Testament believer  Ex 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the L ORD your God is giving you.”  Deut 5:16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the L ORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the L ORD your God is giving you.”  It is important to remember that 9 of the 10 commandments are repeated in the New Testament except the command to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy

6. Christian children: 4 reasons to obey their parents (vs 1-3)  Obedience brings about blessings (v 2b-3)  The fifth commandment has a promise attached to it, “that your days may be long upon the land which the L ORD your God is giving you.”  This promise was originally given to the Jews before they entered Canaan; Paul applies it to believers today as well  Paul substitutes “earth” for “land” and teaches that the Christian child who honors parents can expect 2 blessings  It will be well him  He will live long on the earth  This does not mean everyone who died young dishonored his parents  Paul is stating a principle that when children obey their parents in the Lord, they will escape a good deal of sin and danger causing them to avoid things that may threaten or shorten their life

7. Responsibilities of Christian Fathers (v 4)  Do not provoke your children to wrath  Ways a father can provoke his children  Telling them one thing and doing another  Constantly blaming or finding fault and never praising or encouraging  Being inconsistent and unfair in punishment  Showing favoritism in the home  Making promises and not keeping them  Making light of things the children believe to be very important  Christian parents need the guidance of the Spirit to help them be sensitive to the needs and problems of their children

8. Responsibilities of Christian Fathers (v 4)  He must bring them up (nurture them)  The Christian father is to nurture his children by sharing love and encouragement in the Lord  It is not enough to nurture them physically, by providing food clothing and shelter  A father must nurture his children emotionally and spiritually as well  Consider the example of how Jesus developed  Lk 2:52 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”  Balanced development is intellectual, physical, spiritual and social  Important Note: Nowhere in the Bible is the training of children assigned to agencies outside the home, no matter how much they may assist  God looks to the parents for the kind of training the children need

9. Responsibilities of Christian Fathers (v 4)  He must discipline his children  The word nurture carries with it the idea of leaning through discipline  This is translated as “chastening” in Heb 12  Many today are opposed to the idea of good old-fashioned discipline  They may argue, “Just let the children express themselves!”  They may argue, “If you discipline them, you may warp/destroy their character!”  The Bible teaches discipline is a basic principle of life and evidence of love  Heb 12:6 “For whom the L ORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”  Prov 13:24 “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.”  Important note: Discipline must be done properly  Never in anger  Fairly and consistent

10. Responsibilities of Christian Fathers (v 4)  He must instruct and encourage his children  This is the meaning of the word “admonition”  Fathers not only use actions to raise their children, but words as well  The entire book of proverbs consists of a father delivering wisdom to his son  The fact our children may not appreciate our guidance does not eliminate our responsibility to instruct and encourage them  The father’s instruction must always be tied to the Word of God  2 Tim 3:13-17 “ 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

11. Paul admonished the Christian servants to be obedient (v 6-8)  Reason 1: Their service is really as to Christ (v 5, 7)  The fact that a servant and his master are both Christians is no excuse for wither one to do less work  The servant (employee) should show proper respect for his master (employer) and not try and take advantage of him  A servant (employee) should devote his entire attention and energy to the job at hand  The Christian servant (employee) will avoid “eye service” working only when the master (employer) is watching, or working harder when he is watching, to give the impression he is doing a good job

12. Paul admonished the Christian servants to be obedient (v 6-8)  Reason 2: Doing a good job is the will of God (v 6)  A Christian servant (employee) can perform any good work as unto the Lord to the glory of God  The Christian servant (employee) must perform his work “doing the will of God from the heart”, since he is truly serving Christ and doing the will of God  A servant (employee) may be assigned tasks that they may not like but they must perform them just the same as the ones they prefer, so long as they do not require disobeying the will of God  The phrase, “Doing the will of God from the heart,” clearly shows the importance of having a right heart on the job

13. Paul admonished the Christian servants to be obedient (v 6-8)  Reason 3: They will be rewarded by the Lord (v 8)  In Paul’s time servants (employees) were seen as property, no matter how educated they may be  An educated slave who became a Christian might receive even harsher treatment from his master because of his faith  This harsh treatment was not to keep the servant from doing his best  1 Pet 2:18-21 “ 18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:”  We are to serve Christ and not men, and it will be Christ and not men who gives us our reward

14. Responsibilities of Christian masters (employers) to their servants (employees) (v 9)  “You masters do the same things to them”  If the master (employer) expects the servant (employee) to give his best, he must do his best for them  The master (employer) must serve the Lord if he expects the servant (employee) to do the same  Giving up threatening  Roman masters had the authority to kill a rebellious servant  Paul suggests there is a better way to motivate obedience and service than threats of punishment  One is far more motivated when he receives what is fair and equal

15. Responsibilities of Christian masters (employers) to their servants (employees) (v 9)  “Knowing that your own master is in Heaven”…He must be submitted to the Lord  The patter which has been given  The wife submits to the husband as unto the Lord (Eph 5:22)  The husband loves the wife as Christ loved the church (Eph 5:25)  Children obey their parents in the Lord (Eph 6:1)  Parents raise their children in the nurturer and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4)  Servants are obedient as unto Christ (Eph 6:5)  Masters treat their servants as their master in Heaven would have them do (Eph 6:9)  Each person, in submission to the Lord, has no problem submitting to those over him

16. Responsibilities of Christian masters (employers) to their servants (employees) (v 9)  He must not show partiality  God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11)  He will judge a master or servant if he sins, or he will reward a master or servant if he obeys (v 8)  Consider Paul’s warning to Timothy  1 Tim 5:21 “I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.”  Most people understand that one of the fastest ways for a leader to divide or lose his followers is for him to play favorite or show partiality

17. Conclusion  As we consider the message this morning let us remember just a few things  Children are not exempt from their responsibilities to their parents because they were given to them by God  Father’s are not exempt from their responsibilities to their children because they were given to them by God  Servants (employees) are not exempt from their responsibilities to their masters (employers) because they were given to them by God  Masters (employers) are not exempt from their responsibilities to their servants (employees) because they were given to them by God  We will have no problems submitting to those in authority over us if we understand what it means to have submitted to Christ