Bible Study - Productive (2) - Who We Work For - Ephesians 6:5-9 - March 9, 2014

Bible Study – Productive (2) – Who We Work For – March 9, 2014

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Productive: Finding Joy in What We Do.”

Our focus scripture is Ephesians 6:5-9.

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Ephesus. Let’s begin by considering what I think was the foundation for what was to follow in Ephesians 6. Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:15-18:

15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk —not as unwise people but as wise— 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:

Paul admonished Christians to walk in the light and power of the Holy Spirit as they go about their daily routines. This was foundational in the lives of Christians for them to be the spouse, parent, employees or boss GOD desired for them to be. These responsibilities in life, as Christians, require the right relationship with GOD through CHRIST. Christians are to recognize and acknowledge that their roles in life are to honor and reflect CHRIST in everything they do and that requires a firm relationship with CHRIST.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:12-13:

12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

This reflects the assurance and sufficiency of walking with CHRIST in the power of the Holy Spirit. Christians must trust as they walk with CHRIST as reflected in 1 Corinthians 7:20-24:

20 Each person should remain in the life situation in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a • slave? It should not be a concern to 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. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 • Brothers, each person should remain with God in whatever situation he was called.

The key word is “called.” We must keep in mind that humans were not made for time but for eternity. This earthly life will soon pass but eternity is forever. The difficulties of life upon earth pale in comparison to eternity; CHRIST will be the final judge and Master in eternity. A Christian’s Master is CHRIST both upon earth and in heaven. CHRIST gave us an understanding of that relationship as recorded in John 15:12-15:

12 This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you • slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.

Christians are to show the love of GOD to those with whom they come into contact while they dwell upon earth. That requires a loving, intimate, personal relationship with CHRIST through the indwelling Holy Spirit. You were bought and set free from the slavery of sin and eternal death by the shed blood of CHRIST, therefore, Christians should not give up that freedom to become slaves of men.

Paul was telling Christians to place their trust and hope in CHRIST. Christians are to focus upon their freedom in CHRIST and live above their circumstances they encounter on earth. It is about attitude, faith and trust.

When Christians are in difficult circumstances, when they are in right relationship with CHRIST, they can focus upon circumstances as either drudgery or opportunities to be pleasing to the LORD. However, when we get the opportunity to move to more pleasing circumstances or escape, then take that opportunity. (Verse 21)

The Apostle Paul builds upon this foundation and relationship with CHRIST as he continued to address relationships.

CHRIST should be manifested in the daily walk of Christians at home in the way they treat their – husbands, wives, children, parents and in the workplace – masters and slaves – in all situations Christians are accountable to GOD.

CHRIST should be reflected in all matters which impact the lives of Christians. The Christian should be the most productive and trustworthy person in society and the workplace. Paul was not telling Christians to be wimps but to be wise, consistent, diligent yet firm because they were under the authority of GOD. GOD had placed them in certain circumstances because HE was using them to witness to others.

Paul followed his writing regarding the responsibility of Christians in family and workplace with a focus on spiritual warfare. The home and workplace are key areas that Satan uses to create dissension; the church is another area. Our lesson focuses upon the workplace.

Paul did not focus upon the issue of slavery. During these early times slavery was a part of the culture. It was accepted and not questioned. A focus on the abolition of slavery would have met with strong resistance and likely would have been a major stumbling block in establishing Christianity. Being a Christian slave gave the slave the power to endure his or her circumstances because of the hope he or she had in CHRIST.

There were slaves when JESUS walked upon earth, yet HE did not focus on the issue of slavery but CHRIST focused upon the forgiveness of sin. But a life changed by CHRIST, whether parent, slave, free or earthly boss, means a change in relationships with others.

Those who give their lives to CHRIST, through faith in HIM, will experience a new heart and a new mind through the indwelling Holy Spirit. A Spiritually changed life allows the love of GOD to flow to others.

Being a Christian does not mean that we have to park our brains or work ethics. What Christians are called or required to do must get accomplished. We are to live and work as obedient servants of GOD. HIS wisdom and balance will flow through us to others we encounter during everyday life.

Let’s keep in mind that many people are slaves today because of their choices and only the power of CHRIST can free them from slavery. Various addictions enslave people every day and those who are purveyors of these addictive things are the “masters” of those addicted. There are those sold or kidnapped and forced into the sex trade. There are those who sell themselves into the slave trade to support their addictive habits. Their masters force them into unspeakable work. That is today’s dark side of slavery.

In last week’s study, we saw that work is a gift from GOD. After Adam and Eve sinned, work became problematic to mankind. In the Roman Empire, it has been estimated there were 60 million slaves. A person could become a slave in a number of ways such as: being born as a slave, if their mother was a slave, failure to pay a debt, committing a crime, being a spoil of war, selling oneself into slavery or being kidnapped and sold into the slave trade.

Ephesus was a thriving city of commerce. It had a population of about 250,000 people when Paul wrote his letter. It offered many jobs, some for pay and a large number for slaves.  The city of Ephesus offered public baths, gymnasiums, and a theater that could seat 24,000 people, a public library and a large temple dedicated to a Roman god.

After Paul addressed the Christians’ use of their authority over their family, he turned to the work ethic of Christians – slave or free.

Let’s explore!    

Let’s read Ephesians 6:5:

5 • Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ.

Paul wrote to those who were slaves/servants/employees. The Greek word for “slaves” can mean servants or slaves. Slaves were a class of people who had lost their freedom through legal means, birth, etc. as stated earlier. Once they were in the slave system, they had to have someone to pay the price for them to be set free and redeemed. Often, slaves were set free because of the generosity of their owners or escape.

We can become slaves in the world system today. When we spend more than we earn and take out loans and max out our credit cards that we cannot pay back, trouble is ahead. As mentioned earlier, addictions will enslave people. In essence, we can become slaves today by making bad decisions.

In Paul’s day and today, Christians are employed to do a job. They are to work as unto the LORD. When they strive for excellence in executing their duties, it reflects CHRIST in their lives, which, in turn, is a witness for CHRIST and will be rewarded by GOD. We all work for GOD and as we do, CHRIST strengthens us. When Christians work as unto the LORD, there is a natural flow from a sincere, changed heart which glorifies GOD.

Paul used the phrase directed to slaves “obey your human masters with fear and trembling.” He wanted to make it clear that he was addressing human masters and not GOD, because GOD was already the Master of every Christian. He was telling his Christian audience to obey their human masters with the right attitude, which comes from a sincere heart. “Fear and trembling” did not mean for them to be afraid and cower down to their masters but to work as if they were working for CHRIST. Even though they were slaves or servants they would reflect CHRIST to their human masters by having the right attitude toward the work they were given to do. Their obedience came from the very core of their existence which reflects their true relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

Their human master could translate to “owner” or “employer” in today’s world. It is the person with earthly authority over another person.

Let’s read Ephesians 6:6-8:

6 Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart. 7 Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord.

Paul admonished Christians to have a good work ethic at all times not just when the master came around. Those responsible for getting a job done, the master/boss, most often can spot a slacker or phony. When a Christian goofs off and then attempts to be gung-ho when the boss comes onto the scene may fool the master for awhile but they will not fool their fellow workers. Such behavior by Christians compromises their witness as Christians. Christians are the light of the world and you or I may be the only light those in the dark may see.

The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Christians in Colosse as recorded in Colossians 3:23:

23 Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

Paul stated in verse 7 that Christians are to serve with a “good attitude.” The Greek word for “good attitude” means “to be well-disposed toward something or someone.” It carries the idea of coming from a sincere heart that has been redeemed by GOD. Again, Paul emphasized that Christians were to work as if they were working for CHRIST. When Christians obediently serve their masters as they would serve the Lord, HE will reward them. The reward may be upon earth, in heaven or both.

Notice - Galatians 6:7:

7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap,

GOD knows the heart and no one will pull the wool over GOD’S eyes, so-to-speak.

GOD does work in behalf of HIS children - Remember Romans 8:28:

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Let’s read Ephesians 6:9:

 9 And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.

The Apostle Paul focused on the masters. The word “masters” could refer to either slaveholders or to heads of households who had both slaves and employees. Paul linked what he had said regarding slaves in the verses leading up to these verses and connected them to their masters “And masters.”  

The Greek word “master” carries the idea of “sir” or “lord” and refers to any person of authority, of high rank, slaveholders or heads of households. Paul ends verse 9 with the statement that GOD does not show favoritism according to human achievements or status. All people are accountable to HIM. Paul wrote in Colossians 4:1:

1 Masters, supply your • slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.

Christians must operate a business efficiently to maintain the future of that business. If an employee is not working as he or she should after being properly trained and counseled, that employee must be terminated. Christian employers are to practice good management skills.  Masters have the responsibility to be fair but also they have to make hard decisions to preserve the business for others who depend upon that business for their livelihood.

The idea is that if Christians, masters/bosses or employees function as if they are under the authority of GOD and accountable to HIM, they will all function with purpose knowing that GOD is their Master. The workplace will function in harmony and in unity to be successful and glorify GOD.

As the Apostle Paul laid the foundation leading up to those having authority over their spouse, family and workplace it is vital that Christians be filled with the Holy Spirit and to walk in the Spirit as Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:15-18:

15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk —not as unwise people but as wise— 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: Blessings!!!