The Chosen Servants
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:5-9
Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to perform his work and service unto the Lord, rather then to men.
Sermon Proposition: There are 6 instructions provided for Chosen Servants.
Introduction: There were millions and millions of slaves in the Roman Empire during the days of Paul. One source says that there were over 60 million (Barclay, The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, p.212). The gospel was bound to reach many of these, and the churches all over the Empire were bound to be filled with slaves. For this reason the New Testament has much to say to slaves and the whole book of Philemon is written to a slave. However, slavery is never directly attacked by the New Testament. If it had been, there would have probably been so much bloodshed the scene would have been unimaginable! The slave owners and government would have . . .
- attacked the church, its preachers and believers, seeking to destroy such a doctrine.
- imprisoned and executed any who refused to be silent about such a doctrine.
- reacted and killed all of the slaves who professed Chrsit.
The Expositors Greek Testament has an excellent statement on how Christianity went about destroying slavery:
“Here, as elsewhere in the NT, slavery is accepted as an existing institution, which is neither formally condemned nor formally approved. There is nothing to prompt revolutionary action, or to encourage repudiation of the position…the institution is left to be undermined and removed by the gradual operation of the great Christian principle of …
- the equality of men in the sight of God
- a common Christian brotherhood
- the spiritual freedom of the Christian man
- the Lordship of Christ to which every other lordship is subordinate” (Salmond, SDF. The Epistle to the Ephesians)
The instructions to slaves and masters in the New Testament are applicable to every generation of workman. As Francis Foulkes says, “…the principles of the whole section apply to employees in every age, whether in the home, in business, or in the state” (The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians, “Tyndale New Testament Commentaries,” ed. By RVG Tasker. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, p.167).
-(The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible, Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Chattanooga, 1991, p.223)
I. The address to the servants and masters. V.5a (Col. 3:22-4:1)
1 Peter 2:18 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: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Corinthians 7:21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.
II. The attributes of the servants. V.5b
Luke 1:50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.
Acts 10:35 "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
Psalm 25:12 Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.
Psalm 31:19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!
III. The attitude of the servants. V.5c
1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
Isaiah 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
IV. The aim of the servants. V.6-7
1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
V. The award of the servants. V.8
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Matthew 25:23 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
Colossians 3:25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
VI. The awareness of the servants. V.9
A. The manager, owner, or employer is to do the same things that area required of the workman. V.9a
Colossians 4:1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Leviticus 19:13 ' You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.
Deuteronomy 24:19 " When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
B. The manager, owner, or employer are to lead without threats. V.9b
Jeremiah 22:13 " Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness And his chambers by injustice, Who uses his neighbor's service without wages And gives him nothing for his work,
Malachi 3:5 And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien -- Because they do not fear Me," Says the LORD of hosts.