Employer & Employee
Prison Epistles: Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Greetings...
Together as we have traveled through the book of Ephesians we have journeyed with God in examining the “Glorious Church Of Christ.”
We have seen that the “glorious church of Christ” was in the eternal plans of the Father.
We have studied of the great dangers of being outside of His church and dire need of being in it and apart of it.
We have come to know the importance of not only the eternally planned blood bought church but the Law that was created to govern it and the beautiful unity it created.
We have witnessed in our studies how proper leadership will guide those that are “new in Christ” to walk “not in futility of mind” but “according to truth and love, sacrifice and submission.”
It’s this walking according to sacrifice and submission that we have been in the last several weeks, first looking at in the “husband/wife relationship,” then in the “parent/child relationship,” and now in the “slave/master” relationship.
With this in mind let us examine our lesson for today.
Master & Slave
Master & Slave
We must examine the text for what it says in context.
We must examine the text for what it says in context.
Later we will examine the implications of the text for us today but we can only do that after understanding the context of the text.
In the Ancient History Encyclopedia on “Slavery in the Roman World” it reads,
Slavery was an ever-present feature of the Roman world. Slaves served in households, agriculture, mines, the military, manufacturing workshops, construction and a wide range of services within the city. As many as 1 in 3 of the population in Italy or 1 in 5 across the empire were slaves and upon this foundation of forced labour was built the entire edifice of the Roman state and society.
During the time of Christ and the first century church, slavery was extremely common place.
It makes perfect since that God would discuss it and give instructions about how to deal with it.
How should slaves be toward their master?
How should slaves be toward their master?
The answer is yes and no because one has to understand God’s use of the word.
The answer is yes because there is no doubt that God allowed Israelites to have slaves.
Hebrew slaves were Hebrew people that had sold themselves to another Hebrews person to pay their debts somewhat like an indentured servant.
I say typically portrayed because most of the time when slavery is talked about it is discussed with the harshest slavery in mind.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.
2 When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.
They were to obey their master. ()
7 “When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do.
They were to obey their master.
Hebrews did not have slaves that were not Hebrews.
I say typically portrayed because most of the time when slavery is talked about it is discussed with the harshest slavery in mind.
They were to obey their master with “fear and trembling.”
This
They were to obey their master with “a sincere heart.”
They were to obey their master “as they would Christ.”
Fear and trembling.
The last part “as they would Christ” is the key to all this.
Their obedience was not to be based in hypocricy
How should masters treat their slaves?
How should masters treat their slaves?
A sincere heart.
9 Masters, 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.
Christians are to obey their Lord with fear and trembling.
As they would Christ.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
They were to obey their Master.
They were to lead with “fear and trembling.”
They were to lead with “a sincere heart.”
Christians
They were to lead “as Christ would lead.”
Summery
Summery
Because of the time and culture there was a necessity of giving regulations on slavery.
This doesn’t mean slavery, as we think of it today, was tolerated by God because it wasn’t.
, , , and Philemon prove this is not true.
It does tell us God will gives us every thing we need know to live “godly lives” no matter our situation ().
So what can we learn from this today?
Employer & Employee
Employer & Employee
Principles by which every employee should live by.
Principles by which every employee should live by.
5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.
Eph 6:
Employees, those hired to work for someone, are expected by God to work with the same integrity the slave was in our text.
Employees are to work for their boss with “fear and trembling.”
Employees are to work for their boss with “a sincere heart.”
Employees are to work for their boss “as they would for Christ.”
It’s this last one that puts everything in perspective.
We are expected to work hard for our Lord/Master with “fear and trembling.”
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
The same it true with our employers, we are to respect them which is the idea behind the phrase “fear and trembling.”
15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
9 And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.
You don’t necessarily have to like your boss and company on every level but you must respect them as having authority over you in matters pertaining to the physical that don’t violate God’s Will.
We are expected to work hard for our Lord/Master with “a sincere heart.”
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
The same is true with our employer, we are to work out of sincerity not by way of “eye-service” or “people-pleasing.”
Eye-Service: Working hard only when the boss is looking.
People-Pleasers: Doing “just enough” to please the boss but not putting ones all into it.
We are expected to work hard for our Lord/Master w
This simply means with great respect.
I love what Barns stated concerning this verse...
That is, he should regard his lot in life as having been ordered by Divine Providence for some wise and good purpose; and until he may be permitted to enjoy his liberty in a quiet and peaceable manner
That is, he should regard his lot in life as having been ordered by Divine Providence for some wise and good purpose; and until he may be permitted to enjoy his liberty in a quiet and peaceable manner (Notes, 1 Cor. 7:21), he should perform his duties with fidelity, and feel that he was rendering acceptable service to God.
Principles by which every employer should live by.
Principles by which every employer should live by.
Notice the usage of this phrase concerning the Corinthians with Titus ().
9 Masters, 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.
Employers should “do the same” towards their employees.
This means they should treat their employees with “fear and trembling” i.e. respect.
They are to treat each of them like human beings and not trash that comes and goes. This idea that “there is always another one” is not a “Christ-like” mentality.
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
This idea that “there is always another one” is not a “Christ-like” mentality.
This isn’t suggesting you cannot fire someone but that you should be providing an environment wherein they want to not only work but work hard for you.
This means employers should treat their employees with “a sincere heart.”
They should be kind and considerate always considering the “golden rule.”
12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Mt
Why is it so important for an employer to treat his employees with respect and sincerity?
Because he has a Master and his Master treats everyone the same according to the Word.
Summery
Summery
An employer is to be a hard working and kind boss that treats everyone in his charge with respect.
An employer is going to be judged by how well he treats those that are in his charge.
Lipscomb once noted…(BTSOP Alumni Lectures 2014 pg 64)
This cannot be taken lightly nor should it be.
The spirit that threatens is a bitter, dictatorial one, lacks kindness and consideration, and greatly exasperates and embitters the servant.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The employer and employee expectation from God isn’t based on “one treating the other right” it’s based on each not caring how the other treats them and doing their best for the other.
As God said through Paul either’s service to other is to be “with a good will as to the Lord and not to man.”
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.