Slaves servants Slaves – (of Christians, ‘servants’) Forced labor, not voluntary service Property of earthly master Obey (as v.1) Rebels destroy influence of gospel –Ac.5:29 Fear (Respect; 5:33) Fear (Respect; 5:33) Trembling (Ph.2:12) Trembling (Ph.2:12)

Sincerity of heart Uprightness, frankness; pure motive As to Christ, v.1; 7; 5:22 As you are when you obey Christ Not w. eyeservice, 6 Service that is performed only to impress the owner

Not as menpleasers Those who are just trying to make people like them As servants of Christ Slaves (ESV; NASB) of Christ One who is solely committed to another, doing will of God from heart

With good will As to Lord…not men A slave can honor God: Gn.37, Will receive back from Lord, 8 Whether slave or free Willingness Eagerness Wholeheartedness Good attitude

Masters (lords) (v.9) Owner; in full control of something, Ac.25:26 Do the same things to them (slaves: treat them w. respect) Give up threats (Ac.9:1) Your own Master is in heaven… No partiality. Ga.3:28

1. Low social status gives no excuse to neglect God’s service 1 Co.7:17-24 Paul could relate (Phm.1, 9; Ac.25) Onesimus, runaway slave Found Paul in Rome; obeyed gospel With Paul as he wrote Sent back to Philemon Onesimus, runaway slave Found Paul in Rome; obeyed gospel With Paul as he wrote Sent back to Philemon

Onesimus Person, not thing (tool), Phm.8-10 Son, not reprobate, Phm.10 Useful, not criminal, Phm.11 Beloved, not despised, Phm.12 Desired, not shunned, Phm.13 Brother, not sinner, Phm.16 Penitent, not stubborn, Phm.16,19

Paul’s wish (20) profitLet me have profit from you… OnesimusPlay on words: Onesimus comes from same root Ph.2:5-8 Onesimize me

2. High social status cannot excuse pride or cruelty Death, the great leveler. Mt.20:1-16 Paul and Nero Onesimus and Philemon are equals in Christ. Col.4:7, 8, 9 –Ja.2:1-8 – 1 Co.4:13

3. If slaves must work for masters, how much more a paid emplo yee Balance: Mt.6:24 Give Lord our best Job cannot own us 1 1 Christ 2 2 Family 3 3 Church 4 4 Spiritual growth 2 Th.3:8-9 Mt.6:24 Give Lord our best Job cannot own us 1 1 Christ 2 2 Family 3 3 Church 4 4 Spiritual growth 2 Th.3:8-9 2 Th.3:10 “I serve Lord; no need to work” One way we give Lord our best: work ethic! Joseph Gn.39:4, 6 2 Th.3:10 “I serve Lord; no need to work” One way we give Lord our best: work ethic! Joseph Gn.39:4, 6

1. Low social status is no excuse to neglect God 2. High social status cannot excuse pride… 3. If slaves must work for masters, paid employee… 4. Put Lord first, 5-8 Christ, the motivation, 5-8 Lord (as 5:22, 6:1) “Just as you would obey Christ,” 5 “Like slaves of Christ,” 6 “As if serving the Lord,” 7 “You know the Lord will reward,” 8

Applications U. S. jobs 1.Good help is hard to find 2.Christian should be best worker Can always set a good example At work, we must work

Summary & Conclusion (Ep.6) 1/2 Slaves 1. Obey, 5. Mt.8; 1 Pt.2: Realize true employer – Christ, 5, Avoid eye-service. Gn.39:6 4. Avoid men-pleasing. 5. Do your best; good attitude. 6. True Master will reward, Keep work in perspective. Mk.1:16-20

Summary & Conclusion (Ep.6) 2/2 Masters 1. Remember: you have a Master, 9 2. Remember: your Master will hold you accountable for way you treat others, 9 3. Remember: your Master shows no favoritism, 9 4. Give slaves what is just and fair, Col.4:1; Mt.7:12