Sermon Title: The Servant's Relationship with Master/Employer
Sermon Text: 1 Timothy 6:1-2
Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to honor the Master/Servant relationship.
Sermon Proposition: There are 3 instructions mandated for Christian Servant's.
1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. 1 Timothy 6:1-2 (NKJV)
The instructions for Christian Servants/Employees who's Master/Employer is an unbeliever. v.1a
The instruction for servants under the yoke. (1 Peter 2:11-17, 18-21; Titus 3:1-5)
The instruction for servants under the yield. (Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 5:5-9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 3:9-11)
The instructions for Christian Servants/Employees who's Master/Employer is God. v.1b
The servant is to submit in service so that the name of God is not blasphemed. (Romans 2:24; Isaiah 52:5; Ezekiel 36:20-23)
The servant is to submit in service so that the doctrine of God is not blasphemed. (Titus 2:9-10; 1 Peter 4:1-5)
The instructions for Christian Servants/Employees who's Master/Employer is a believer. v.2
The servant is to submit to the authority of the believing Master. v.2a (Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 4:1; Galations 3:28; 1 Peter 5:5-9)
The servant is to serve to the assistance of the believing masses. v.2b (1 Peter 4:14-19; Colossians 3:22-25; Galations 6:10)
The servant is to surrender to the aim of the believing model. v.2c (1 Corinthians 7:21-22, 31)
Believers are to serve their employers obediently.
Believers are to serve their employers respectfully.
Believers are to serve their employers eagerly in sincerity of heart.
Believers are to serve their employers completely.
Believers are to serve their employers excellently.
Believers are to serve their employers diligently.
Believers are to serve their employers humbly.
Believers are to serve their employers spiritually.
Believers are to serve their employers eschatologically.
1 Timothy and Ephesians, MacArthur N.T. Commentary [Chicago: Moody, 1986], and Colossians and Philemon, MacArthur N.T. Commentary [Chicago: Moody, 1992].)
Conclusion: An excellent application of this point is given by Oliver Greene that merits quoting in full.
"I personally know dear men today who have been fired by their employer because they talked too much about Jesus while they were on the job; and I have also known professing Christains who did not give their employer a good day's work for the salary they received, and that is not right. It is not right for Christians to use company time to witness on the job. If one can witness without robbing his empoyer, that is fine; but a Christain's testimony will be hurt by his being seen talking when he should be working, even though he may be talking with an unsaved person about the grace of God, and the saving power of Jesus. In Romans 14:16 Pual tells us, 'Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;.' Christians must be 'wise as serpents and harmless as doves.' Any Christian who has an employer must render to that employer a good day's work and proper respect, lest reproach be brought upon the Gospel."
"Young man, young woman - if you are a Christian, do not be any less alert and on the job when the boss is absent than you are when he is looking at you. Your earthly master may not always be watching you, but the Heavenly Master sees and knows all that you do. So whether your job is that of superintendent in a huge plant or janitor in a small office, never forget that if you do not give your employer a good day's work in the right spirit, you are bringing reproach upon the name of Jesus" (The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to Timothy and Titus, p.212f).
(I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible [Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1991] pp. 193-194.)