I AM REWARDED

EPHESIANS 6:5-9

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

EPHESIANS 6:5-97 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him.

THE HARD TOPIC OF SLAVERY

SLAVES AND MASTERS

People are made with dignity, value, and worth in the image and

likeness of God. To mistreat a person is to

disrespect God.

Greek word for “slave” = “doulos”

which means servants

SLAVERY IN ROMAN SOCIETY

There were at least four ways that someone became a slave in

Roman society:

JUST CONDITIONS1. Paying off a debt2. Work as a slave

UNJUST CONDITIONS1. People were taken as prisoners of

war.2. Sometimes slaves were previously

abandoned infants.

GOOD WORKS THAT GOD HAS PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US

TO DO:

EPHESIANS 2:10

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Jesus worked as a carpenter in His younger years.

Your work is another way to worship God as Christians.

CHRISTIAN EMPLOYEES

EPHESIANS 6:5

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,

OBEY

We’re sinners by nature and choice. We need to be under

authority.

The Bible tells us to lead peaceable and quiet lives and to

pray for those who are in authority over us.

DON’T STEAL FROM YOUR COMPANY.

EPHESIANS 6:6-7

6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,

1. Unclear job expectations2. No skill for the job3. Don’t want to do the job

SOME REASONS FOR THE LACK OF SUCCESS:

THINGS TO CONSIDER FOR

SUCCESS

1. Have an excellent Christian attitude and character in the

workplace.

2. Finish your job in an excellent way.

3. Always work for the benefit of your company.

4. Have the initiative to cover your bosses “blindspot”.

5. Maintain quality teamwork.

EPHESIANS 6:8

8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

CHRISTIAN EMPLOYERS

EPHESIANS 6:9

9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him.

Treat your employees as God treats you.

CARE FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES.

Love and care for those under your leadership.

Give a fair salary, a decent benefits package.

DON’T THREATEN.

BOSSES WORK FOR THE BOSS.

INTERNAL, EXTERNAL, ETERNAL

JESUS’ REWARD IS THREE-FOLD:

OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND

Invest your time, talent and treasures in the kingdom of

God.

Invest your time, talent and treasures in the kingdom of

God.

The Story of John Leonard Dober and David Nitschman