Faithfully Living in the Household of God - Servants and Masters
Faithfully Living in the Household of God • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction:
Introduction:
Proper Service in the LORD:
Proper Service in the LORD:
As we engage with our passage this morning, there is a need to work hard to ensure that our presupposition do not get in the way of understanding Paul’s meaning. The history of America along with all of the issues that we have had over the past few years regarding race, have the ability to cause us to look at 1 Timothy 6:1-2 and think that this is a passage about slavery.
Paul’s focus is not about the institution of slavery in the Roman empire. Instead, his focus is about the conduct of the Christians who find themselves in a position of forced service to another. Paul’s desire is that in all of our relationship, in all of our life situations, that the Christian would live out their lives in a manner that proclaims clearly and loudly who they are.
Paul ended his last thought in 1 Timothy 5:24–25 saying, “The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.”
Paul’s meaning is that our actions whether good or bad display who we are. They are clear and evident to all who would care to analyze our lives. There is no hiding our true nature, for long, eventually your actions will display to all around you whose you really are.
So far Paul has address all other groups of people that Timothy will need to lead as he serves as the pastor of the Ephesian church. But until this point he has not dealt with the largest group that Timothy will likely to lead, the slaves.
It is estimated that within the Roman empire at least 2/3 of the population was under a form of slavery, Paul calls it a yoke. Meaning that people most-likely non-Roman citizens, who for a variety of reasons are slaves. This type of slavery usually was short term unless the slave chose to serve longer, and was usually a means to pay of debt, get out of poverty, or because the person was taken during war.
Therefore, since 2/3 of the population of the empire served as slaves, it is reasonable then that Timothy would need to guide and teach them how to operate as faithful Christians.
You will notice here that Paul in our passage does not deal with the sinfulness of the master in owning slaves. (note: that is not Paul excusing the sin of slavery, rather he seeks to guide the slave on how to conduct themselves.)
Paul says 1 Timothy 6:1 “Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.” Notice here that Paul gives the encouragement and commanded that the Christian who is in a position of slavery is to consider the master worthy of all honor.
This is a hard mindset, who wants to consider someone who tells you want to do, when to do it, and how to do it and for how long to do it, with honor? That mindset is so contrary to our hyper self focus that for the vast majority of people this is unthinkable.
And yet Paul’s encouragement to the Christian, is to have the mindset of service. They are already to be cultivating a selfless attitude and be others focused. Therefore, if someone becomes a Christian while in the bondage or under the yoke of slavery, they are even in that position to display a high Christian character.
That is what this all boils down to for Paul, are you, in all of life seeking to live in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel and striving bring glory to God. Or are you allowing yourself to live in a manner that is in line with the world? This is something that you need to check in your heart, to make sure that you are conforming yourself to the Word of God, against the desires of the flesh.
Now listen to 1 Corinthians 7:21 “Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)”
Paul’s focus is that you would not be overly concerned about your position under a yoke of slavery. To the point where your conduct as a faithful Christian is less than honorary. Meaning, that you loose sight of what God has called you to do and become.
But notice here that Paul says, if you can gain your freedom take the opportunity. So we ought not think that Paul is directing the Christian that they must forever be a slave to people.
Rather, they are to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with a faithful Christian character. Remember this is within the context of 1st century Roman empire slavery, not the chattel slavery of America that was outlawed in December, 6th 1865.
Ephesians 6:5–6 “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,”
Therefore, according to Paul, the Christian is to walk in a manner that is faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, as He is our true Master, in all of life’s situation, even under the horrible institution of slavery. But if you can gain your freedom by righteous conduct you are encouraged to do so.
People Judge our Lord by our Behavior:
People Judge our Lord by our Behavior:
Now if the Bible left it at the command to regard masters as worthy of all honor that would be sufficient. But we are given extra help, as the Bible usually provides a solid foundation for why a command should be followed.
Paul provides for us two reason why those who are under a yoke as slaves are to consider and treat there masters with honor.
1 Timothy 6:1–2“Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.”
The first reason is, “So that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.” Christian how you act has a direct impact upon how the world views God and the gospel of truth. This is critical, our actions have the ability to open or close people off to the Gospel and honoring God the Father.
1 Timothy 6:1 “Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.”
Therefore, if you proclaim to everyone around you, I am a Christian, something crazy happens; everyone expects you to act like a Biblical Christian! Therefore, what you say, what you do then reflects either positivity or negatively upon the Christian faith and the God we love.
Romans 2:24 “For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
The way that this verse translates for us today is regarding our employment. When you get a job, you make an agreement with the employer to work certain hours, perform job duties during those hours for a specified amount of compensation.
If you then start slacking off, showing up late for work, leaving early, not completing the tasks given to you, and are overall just a bad employee. How much do you think your employer is going to think of your Christian witness? Listen, if your Christian belief is not enough to cause a significant character and moral change in you, why would someone look to you and say I want what they have?
This is what Paul is driving at, that when you walk just like the world and yet say I am a Christian, you by your sinful behavior are providing a reason for the world to revile the name of God the Father, and reject the gospel message. This does not mean that you must be perfect and do everything right all the time. But it does mean that when you fail, as a true Christian, you recognize your sin and then repent of it.
Listen, we have the Gospel, which according to the Bible, Romans 1:16 is the power of God for salvation. So your boss maybe a wicked person, your employer may treat you like dirt. You are free to find a new job, or stay in the job you have. But you know what you are not free to do as a Christian? Return evil for evil, act in such a way that you dishonor the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
If you want your work environment to change and reflect a Christian environment, then it starts with you. You must live out the Gospel, so that when you open your mouth with the words of life, you make the path straight, removing all obstacles that you can from the path of people so they can hear and believe in the Gospel.
It starts with us, as Christians we have what the world desperately needs make sure you are not in the way. Don’t act like the people who can never show up on time, who complain about the work they are given, or they pay they are getting.
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”
The second foundational reason is found in verse 2. Paul says, 1 Timothy 6:2 “Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.”
You are to work hard regardless of who your boss is. But if you have a believing boss, you are to seek to honor them as brothers or sisters in the Lord. Why, because your work is a blessing upon them, and they get a benefit from your hard work. The mindset of the Christian is a radical mindset compared to the world. The world is all focused on themselves, what they will get, how they will look, etc.
But the faithful Christians worker is focused on blessing those who they work for, and especially if it is for a fellow believer. This is a great verse for spurring us on to being industrious people, using the skills that God has graciously given us so that we can bless others.
There greatest bit of freedom in our work that we need to grasp is that all our work is service to God first, and blessing to others second. Therefore, we ought to be the hardest working people out there, not because we are seeking bigger and better, but because we simply want to please our God and bless people.
If we do anything else, we dishonor our God and those we work for. Listen, Paul gave this command to slaves, who had very few if any personal rights, and little to no freedom, and yet, you know what Paul did? He expected them to faithfully live as Christians where they are.
So maybe you don’t like where you are today, life is hard, people are mean and take advantage of you or others. But listen, the sins of others do not give you freedom to act sinfully yourself. We have no place in our vocabulary, Christian, for the line, well they did it first. Someone else’s sin does not excuse ours.
Rather because we have been redeemed by King Jesus, we must strive to walk in a manner that is worthy of Gospel, and hold the light of the Gospel as high as we can so that the world can see, believe and enter into the presences of the Father.
Conclusion - Striving to Honor God in all of Life:
Conclusion - Striving to Honor God in all of Life:
As we worked through the passage from 1 Timothy 6:1-2, it became evident that Paul's intention was not to condone or excuse the sin of slavery, but rather to provide guidance to Christians in all walks of life, including those in positions of forced servitude. He emphasizes the importance of living out one's faith in every circumstance, regardless of societal norms or personal freedoms. This challenges us to adopt a mindset of selflessness and service, even in situations where it may seem inconceivable, ultimately reflecting the character of Christ in our actions.
Furthermore, Paul's exhortation underscores the profound impact our behavior has on the perception of God and the Gospel message. By honoring our earthly masters and conducting ourselves with integrity and diligence, we not only demonstrate our commitment to Christ but also prevent the defamation of God's name. This serves as a reminder that our work is not merely for human recognition or personal gain, but a means of glorifying God and blessing others. Therefore, let us strive to emulate the example set forth by Paul, living lives that are unmistakably aligned with the teachings of Christ, regardless of our circumstances or societal pressures.
Prayer:
Song:
Benediction:
Jude 24–25“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”