Understanding Slavery in Biblical Context: A Different Perspective
Exploring the nuances of slavery as depicted in the Bible, this content delves into the context of slavery in ancient times, contrasting it with the more widely known American slavery. It highlights the mutual submission between masters and slaves, emphasizing the importance of good actions and attitudes in serving one another.
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Who Me? Be an Obedient Slave? You Have Got to Be Joking! Ephesians 6:5-8 5 SLAVES OBEY YOUR EARTHLY MASTERS WITH RESPECT AND FEAR, AND WITH SINCERITY OF HEART, JUST AS YOU WOULD OBEY CHRIST. 6 OBEY THEM NOT ONLY TO WIN THEIR FAVOR WHEN THEIR EYE IS ON YOU, BUT LIKE SLAVES OF CHRIST, DOING THE WILL OF GOD FROM YOUR HEART. 7 SERVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY, AS IF YOU WERE SERVING THE LORD, NOT MEN, 8 BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THE LORD WILL REWARD EVERYONE FOR WHATEVER GOOD HE DOES, WHETHER HE IS SLAVE OR FREE.
Ralphs Story Young man in his late thirties. Assistant Director of Evangelism and Discipleship. A gifted communicator and writer. Edited, organized bible studies. Mastered delivering them. Attracted denomination leaders and his Pastor. Assistant to the Pastor.
Ralphs Story (Continued) Offered position in the denomination. Exciting opportunity for Ralph. Pastor initially agreed. Denomination agreed. Transition began. Good actions with a good attitude. His Pastor reneged. Ralph was furious. But what was he to do?
Ephesians 6:5-8 5 Slaves obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for Big Idea: Can I get a witness? whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Big idea: Big idea: Have good actions and a good attitude as if working for the Lord. Title: Who Me? Be an Obedient Slave? You Have Got to Be Joking!
Passage and slavery in context. Mutual submission. Who Me? Be an Obedient Slave? You Have Got to Be Joking!: Half of mutual submission. Masters on Sunday. Putting Slavery in Context
Does slavery mean American slavery? Primarily European Caucasians seized and sold innocent Africans. Such slaves had no rights. Not even considered to be fully human. Paul s slavery is very different. Slaves were plunder from war. Some citizens sold themselves into slavery. Roman masters treated their slaves with respect. Slaves could marry, accumulate wealth and purchase their own freedom. Slaves were set free at the age of 30. First century slaves not like American slaves. Much more like employers and employees.
5 Slaves obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, Who me? Be an obedient slave? - Slaves were spoils of war or bond servants. - Neither one of those conditions apply. - Some are employees. - Some are volunteers. - Others work for themselves. All fit Paul s slave reference. Working For The Lord
All obey instructions, guidance, rules, policies, and procedures. All accountable to managers, supervisors, leaders, officers, executives, our constituents, owners. Three important aspects to being obedient. 1. Carry out our responsibilities with respect, even deep respect. 2. With sincerity of heart. Genuinely work hard to do your best. Not attempt to deceive in any way. Working For The Lord (Continued) 3. Even in the worse situations, you must serve and show the love of Christ.
Working For The Lord (Continued) Serve with the right motives. Don t try to impress others. Don t simply do things to feel good about yourself. Not right to put on a show. Right motive exemplified by Dr. Martin Luther King. I just want to do God s will. Just do God s will.
Working For The Lord (Continued) Serve with your whole heart. Have the right attitude. Same as that of Christ Jesus. He was doing God s will. No concern for personal acclaim, his rights, or what other men thought. Neither desertion, disappointment, abuse, poverty, or anything else affected his attitude.
Working For The Lord (Continued) God rewards good actions and a good attitude. Highlighted principle. 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. He rewards both now and later in heaven. Rewards or benefits; slave or free. Paycheck or volunteer.
Who Me? Be An Obedient Slave? Who Me? Be an obedient employee? Who me? Be an obedient volunteer? Yes, me. Yes, you. God is not joking. God has a reward for you. Better than silver and gold. Sweeter than honey. Better than the approval of any man or woman.
Who Me? Be An Obedient Slave? (Continued) Here are just a few of the benefits: - Godly work habits honor God. - Godly work habits show a positive example to others. - Godly work habits provide a better work environment. - Godly work habits open opportunities to share Christ with unbelievers.
Who Me? Be An Obedient Slave? (Continued) Godly work habits honor the Lord. Created to glorify God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. God cares more about your work ethic. Work as a farmer as if you are working for God. Work as an accountant as if you are working for God. Work as a Medical doctor as if you are working for God. Perform your volunteer tasks as if you are volunteering for God. Whatever you do, do it to glorify God.
Who Me? Be An Obedient Slave? (Continued) Colossians 3:17 confirms this directive. In other words, honor God. Story about the gift cards. Her actions and her attitude honored God. No looking for reward on earth. Her reward has been stored up for her in heaven.
Who Me? Be An Obedient Slave? (Continued) Godly work habits show a positive example to others. Story about mother s employment. She inspired her children and others in the neighborhood. All observed good work habits. Work habits served me well. In 2 Thessalonians 3:6 9; Paul demonstrated good work habits. Admonished not to follow those who don t work. They must follow his example. And you should too. You will receive God s reward.
Godly work habits provide a better work environment. Some of you can relate to working in a good environment. Then someone joins with bad work habits. Peace becomes chaos. Even then, take good actions with a good attitude. Psalm 37:1-6 tells you not to fret over those whose intent is to do evil. Commit your way to the Lord. God will give you the desires of your heart. Shirley s story. As Psalm 37:6 declares, her, righteousness rose like the dawn; her vindication like the noon day sun. She was acquitted. People saw her good actions and good attitude. The ministry in which she worked remained a good environment. Who Me? Be An Obedient Slave? (Continued)
Godly work habits open opportunities to share Christ with unbelievers. Taking good actions with good attitudes can be very encouraging. Especially true in toxic environments. Let the light of Jesus Christ shine through you. Speak well of people. Come to work on time. Get to the ministry meeting on time. Participate in the work efforts with excellence. Matthew 5:16 says that people will see your good works and glorify God. They see what being a Christian is truly like. Francis Collins Story. Cancer patient inspired him to accept Christ. Who Me? Be An Obedient Slave? (Continued)
Stay obedient, saints. Your contribution to being mutually submissive. Take good actions with a good attitude. Don t grow weary while doing good. You will reap a harvest if you do not faint. God s love for you will not fail. No trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword. None of those things will separate you from the love of Christ. Romans 8:38 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Who Me? Be An Obedient Slave? (Continued)
End of Ralph Story (Continued) Ralph was furious with his Pastor. But what was he to do? He did not want to work with this Pastor anymore. Ralph complained to God. Pastor wanted Ralph for the rest of his life. God rebuked Ralph. No commitment means working for the rest of his life. Ralph relented and repented. God orchestrated the release and job offer. Ralph was grateful that God had rewarded him for being committed to his assignment.
Salvation and Benediction How about you? Are you committed to the assignment that you were given? Are you realizing the benefits of being an obedient slave? Are you working as if working for the Lord? If you are a Christian, you are likely reaping the benefits of mutual submission If you are not a Christian,, I have some good news for you. Today, you can accept Jesus Christ as your lord and Savior. You can receive his benefits. Romans 10:9 -10. That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Call 773-887-3267.
Salvation and Benediction (Continued) Sunday Caf : Sunday Caf : tinyurl.com/rock/Ephesians. Daily Prayer Daily Prayer 757-841-1747. Access code: Access code: 4939419. Donate: Donate: rockofoursalvation.com Jude 24 -25 24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. This is the word of God for the people of God.
