Sermon Tone Analysis

The American worker, frankly, is consumed with creature comfort.

He is consumed with leisure.

He is consumed with materialism.

He is consumed with, as I said a few months ago, financing his indulgences.

He has little love for quality.

He has little love for performance.

He has little concern for excellence in the product which he produces.

He really continually demands more and more money for less and less work and wants only to finance his major goal in life which is pleasure, his own.

Introduction:

In , the scripture is speaking to two groups of people..Slaves and the rich..people at polar opposite places in life.

The point of this passage is contentment in God in all situations by pursuing godliness and God’s glory.

Peace and contentment are not discovered in things or in perfect circumstances.

In verses 1-2, Paul is speaking of the servant/slave and master relationship.

The phrase “under the yoke” is referring to the oppressive and humiliating consequence of slavery.

It is important to remember that the scripture condemns slavery.

It might be difficult as we read this passage.

Some may be thinking that Paul is teaching tolerance for slavery…of course this is not the case.

It is a fundamental teaching of the bible that all men are equal before God.

At the foot of the cross the ground is level if you will.

There were perhaps as many as 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire.

A majority of the members in the church at Ephesus would have been slaves most likely.

Roman slavery in the first century was far more humane and different from the horrible treatment of African American slaves in this country from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries.

This type of slavery was racist for the most part…while the slavery practiced in first century Rome was more reflective of the economic realities of the culture.

This is not to say that it wasn’t evil, but an understanding of slavery in the first century and the context of the period of time as far as the purpose of the gospel has to be considered.

the apostles in the first century were not interested in political or social reforms..they were interested in spiritual reforms.

The gospel faithfully proclaimed and the saving work of God in the hearts of men would destroy the evil that was slavery.

God desires that all men be saved..even those who may be seen as enemies of society.

Christians should be respectful of leaders in authority - even with those with whom they disagree…our language must be seasoned with grace and truth....not born out of anger or seeking ill-will against any man or group.

, “My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.

21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.

a

The scripture, as always, is concerned with the glory of God and this was Paul’s concern.

Social ills cannot be solved by violent or malevolent actions…social salvation is secondary to personal salvation.

When the hearts of a men change, then the circumstances in society can improve.

The kingdom of God - that is God’s rule and reign in the hearts of men on earth was to be of primary concern…not to get too entangled with the kingdoms of men.

We should return to and remember its admonitions to us, “ First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.’”

, “My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.

21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.

a

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The scripture, as always, is concerned with the glory of God and this was Paul’s concern.

This should be our concern.

Social ills cannot be solved by violent or malevolent actions…social salvation is secondary to personal salvation.

When the hearts of a men change, then the circumstances in society can improve.

The kingdom of God - that is God’s rule and reign in the hearts of men on earth was to be of primary concern…not to get too entangled with the kingdoms of men.

We should return to and remember its admonitions to us, “ First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.’”

Transition:

As we seek to apply these verses we should look today at the responsibility we have as citizens and as employees.

The employer/employee relationship is certainly in view here.

As we seek to apply these verses we should look today at the responsibility we have as citizens and as employees.

The employer/employee relationship is certainly in view here.

John MacArthur states concerning this:

John MacArthur states concerning this:

“The American worker, frankly, is consumed with creature comfort.

He is consumed with leisure.

He is consumed with materialism.

He is consumed with, as I said a few months ago, financing his indulgences.

He has little love for quality.

He has little love for performance.

He has little concern for excellence in the product which he produces.

He really continually demands more and more money for less and less work and wants only to finance his major goal in life which is pleasure, his own.”

(John F. MacArthur Jr., John MacArthur Sermon Archive (Panorama City, CA: Grace to You, 2014).

John F. MacArthur Jr., John MacArthur Sermon Archive (Panorama City, CA: Grace to You, 2014).

The Gospel Gives Meaning to Your Work

I am not identified by what I do…I am primarily identified by my relationship to Christ.

You are not what you do to make a living.

We are into categorizing people and ourselves in a system of hierarchy and ranking things.

We are not to be identified by the circumstances of our work or life.

, “17 Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him.

This is what I command in all the churches.

18 Was anyone already circumcised when he was called?

He should not undo his circumcision.

Was anyone called while uncircumcised?

He should not get circumcised.

19 Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter.

Keeping God’s commands is what matters.

20 Let each of you remain in the situation in which he was called.

21 Were you called while a slave?

Don’t let it concern you.

But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.

22 For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman.