July 3, 2011
Evening Service

We continue on our journey through Ephesians.  Paul continues to point out the areas in our lives that we need to line up with the calling God has placed on our life.  As we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we also accept His authority to rule in our life.  We have become Christians or God followers.  We have become ambassadors for Christ.   

 

Act 11:26 And finding him, he brought him to Antioch. And it happened to them a whole year they were assembled in the church. And they taught a considerable crowd. And the disciples were first called Christian in Antioch.

 

What is in a name?  Our names represent who we are and where we come from.  Our actions also reflect upon making that name ne of honor or dishonor.

 

Paul urges us to have a “walk worthy or our calling,” or live a life that reflects well on who we proclaim to be.  As we accept the name of Christian it comes with a responsibility to “walk the walk.”

 

The Holy Spirit, through Paul’s writings, has dug deep into our personal lives and given us a detailed blueprint that we should be striving to follow.  We have discussed our language, attitudes, motivations, and some of our closest relationships.  We have been commanded to clean up these areas of our lives.

 

Now Paul looks at applying these principles into our workplace. 

 

 

Eph 6:5-8  Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;  (6)  not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,  (7)  with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men  (8)  (knowing that whatever good thing he does, he shall receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or a freeman).

·         The word used here for slave can also mean servant or employee. And according to the flesh means our physical masters (employer or boss) not our spiritual leaders.

·         The key to understanding this whole passage comes in verse 7

o   “ with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men”

·         Our loyalty and responsibility falls first to Christ and then our employer.  I am a follower of Christ, who works for Lehigh Cement Co.

·         The attributes of being a faithful Christian should lead me to become faithful employee.

 

How can we represent our Lord and Savior well in our work environment?

 

First we should be respectful of the one who has authority over us (fear and trembling).

·         1Pe 2:18-19  Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to those good and forbearing, but also to the perverse ones.  (19)  For this is a grace, if for conscience toward God anyone endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

·         Our respect is not subject to whether we have a good, competent boss only that he is our boss.  We must honor his authority over us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·         1Ti 6:1-3 Let as many slaves as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name and doctrine of God may not be blasphemed.  (2)  And those who have believing masters let them not despise them because they are brothers. But rather let them serve, because they are faithful and beloved, those of the good service receiving in return. Teach and exhort these things.  (3)  If anyone teaches otherwise, and does not consent to wholesome words (those of our Lord Jesus Christ), and to the doctrine according to godliness,

·         Again Paul reminds us we do not work for our earthly boss, but we work to represent the name of Christ well. 

 

Second, we work in sincerity or heart.

·         Col 3:17  And everything, whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

·         We should strive to do our job at a very high and efficient manner with a sincere heart and a willing attitude.  Giving our best for our employer as we give our best for our Lord.

 

Thirdly, we must work even when no one notices or is watching (verse 6).

·         Col 3:22-24 Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh in all things; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.  (23)  And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men;  (24)  knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance. For you serve the Lord Christ.

·         Does this describe you at work?  Are you upholding the name you have been given well?

·         Your employer may never reward you for your faithfulness, but God will.

·         It is a choice we make, an act of the will, to serve Christ all the time everywhere.

 

Eph 6:9 And masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatening, knowing that your Master also is in Heaven. There is no respect of persons with Him.

o   The same principles apply.  The master (employer or boss) should also be respectful, honest, fair, and kind to those who work under him.

o   “Attitude reflects leadership.”  We can create a very pleasant work environment no matter where or what we are doing.

 

We are all called to the mission field to serve Christ.  Some are called to the villages of Africa or the communities of Mexico.  Most of us are called to be missionaries in our own households, in our back yards, and at our jobs.

 

Do you view your workplace as a mission field?  It really is, think about it.  We have repeated over and over that Christ is to be part of every aspect of our lives.  This includes our workplace.

 

We have taken the name of Christ upon us, Christian.  How are we representing that name, with honor or dishonor? 

 

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith toward the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf.

 

It is never too late to start.  Don’t look back with regret but look forward with anticipation.

 

Phi 3:13-14  My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.