L iving B eyond Y ourself 9 – 5 Christianity
Husband/Wife Relationship
Parent/Child Relationship
Master/Slave Relationship
Ephesus Africa
Slaves to Population 25% 40%
How did people become Slaves? They were prisoners of war They incurred unpayable debt They willingly became slaves to gain a better life They were inherited or acquired
Critics and the Bible
“There is not one verse in the Bible prohibiting slavery, but many regulating it. It is not then, we conclude, immoral.” Rev. Alexander Campbell
“I have never met any man who was for slavery willing to volunteer for the job himself.”
The Main Purposes of the Bible Conversion – To point the way to reconciliation between man and God Transformation – To show us how to live lives that please the Lord Glorification – to prepare us for heaven Conversion – To point the way to reconciliation between man and God Transformation – To show us how to live lives that please the Lord Glorification – to prepare us for heaven
Galatians 3:26-29 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 2:15-16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover- up for evil; live as servants of God.
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
2 Peter 2:19 …for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.
I’d rather be BOATING I’d rather be Hiking
I’d rather be Golfing I’d rather be Fishing I’d rather be Flying
I’d rather be Working!
"Work fascinates me, I can sit and watch it for hours."
"Hard work may not kill me but why take a chance?"
Satisfaction Guaranteed or Double Your Garbage Back
Ephesians 6:5-9 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.
Ephesians 6:5-9 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.
Three Principles for the Worker 1. Your ultimate boss is Jesus
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Three Principles for the Worker 1.Your ultimate boss is Jesus 2.Treat your earthly boss like you would treat Jesus 1.Your ultimate boss is Jesus 2.Treat your earthly boss like you would treat Jesus
What to Pray in a Bad Situation Change my boss Change me Change my position Change my boss Change me Change my position
Three Principles for the Worker 1.Your ultimate boss is Jesus 2.Treat your earthly boss like you would treat Jesus 3.Your ultimate Boss promises to reward you 1.Your ultimate boss is Jesus 2.Treat your earthly boss like you would treat Jesus 3.Your ultimate Boss promises to reward you
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.
Gossip Complaining and murmuring Laziness Thievery Gossip Complaining and murmuring Laziness Thievery
What’s your reputation at work?
“It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.” ~ Muhammad Ali
Matthew 25:23 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Three Principles for the Boss 9 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.
Three Principles for the Boss 1.Your ultimate boss is Jesus 2.Treat your employee like you would treat Jesus 3.Your ultimate Boss promises to reward you. 1.Your ultimate boss is Jesus 2.Treat your employee like you would treat Jesus 3.Your ultimate Boss promises to reward you.
What am I doing at work right now that needs to be changed if anyone is going to see Jesus in me?