God’s plan in the workplaceEphesians 6:5-9

Message 4 in our 5-part series on Ephesians 5 & 6.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Speaker: Gord Hambly

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:21 NIV

Old-Testament Ways for Hebrews to Acquire Slaves

As prisoners of war [Num. 31:7-9]By purchase [Lev. 25:44]By gift [Gen. 29:24]By accepting a person in lieu of a debt [Lev. 25:39]By birth from slaves already possessed [Exod. 21:4]By arrest if the thief had nothing to pay for the object stolen [Exod. 22:2-3]By the voluntary decision of the person wanting to be a slave [Exod. 21:6]

Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, 1963

Epitaphs record at least 55 different jobs a household slave might have, including barber, butler, cook, hairdresser, handmaid, wet nurse or nursery attendant, teacher, secretary, seamstress, accountant, and physician. A large elite household might be supported by a staff of hundreds. …Household slaves likely enjoyed the highest standard of living among Roman slaves, next to publicly owned slaves [slaves working for the government], who were not subject to the whims of a single master. …In urban workplaces, the occupations of slaves included fullers, engravers, shoemakers, bakers, mule drivers, and prostitutes… Farm slaves probably lived in more healthful conditions. Roman agricultural writers expect that the workforce of a farm will be mostly slaves...Slaves numbering in the tens of thousands were condemned to work in the mines or quarries, where conditions were notoriously brutal.

“Slavery in Ancient Rome” Wikipedia

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

Ephesians 6:5 NIV

Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

1 Peter 2:18 NIV

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. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

Ephesians 6:6-8 NIV

Why Obey?To win the favour of their masterYou are a slave of ChristYou’re serving the Lord [and not just man]The Lord will reward good deeds

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

Titus 2:9,10 NIV

Why Obey?To win the favour of their masterYou are a slave of ChristYou’re serving the Lord [and not just man]The Lord will reward good deedsTo show you can be trustedTo make the teaching about God more attractive

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Ephesians 6:9 NIV

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28 NIV

John Newton1725-1807

Thomas Jefferson1743-1826

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Colossians 3:22-25 NIV

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.

Ephesians 6:7 NIV

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

Colossians 3:23 NIV

AMAZING GREAT PHENOMINAL!!!! to bad hes retioring

ratemyteachers.com

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them.

1 Timothy 6:1, 2 NIV

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

Titus 2:9,10 NIV

1. As slaves of Christ, Christians are ultimately serving the Lord, not men. Therefore, a) remember this to get through tough timesb) don’t work so hard that you ignore relationships and people

2. Treat people fairly and with respect.a) apologize when you’re wrong, even to your kids,

subordinates and especially to your spouseb) apologize even if you’ve been misunderstood; accept apologies graciously and practice forgivenessc) show appreciation to people for a job well done;

encourage them personally when they’ve really ‘gone the second mile.’