Masters and Slaves:Masters and Slaves:Colossians 3:1-25Colossians 3:1-25

Forest Hills Bible ChapelForest Hills Bible Chapel

10 February 200810 February 2008

A Couple of Common A Couple of Common MisunderstandingsMisunderstandings

Misunderstanding #1: “Work was Misunderstanding #1: “Work was made necessary because of the Fall of made necessary because of the Fall of humanity – the sin of Adam and Eve in humanity – the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.”the Garden of Eden.”

Scripture says, “The Lord God took Scripture says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to Eden to work it and take care of itwork it and take care of it.” .” Genesis 2:15Genesis 2:15

A Couple of Common A Couple of Common MisunderstandingsMisunderstandings

Misunderstanding #2: “There is a Misunderstanding #2: “There is a strong distinction between sacred and strong distinction between sacred and secular.”secular.”

Scripture says, “So whether you eat or Scripture says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Co 10:31the glory of God. 1 Co 10:31

Today, I want to begin addressing…Today, I want to begin addressing…

What about my “9 to 5” job (or whatever What about my “9 to 5” job (or whatever hours you work)?hours you work)?

What is the relationship between my “9 to What is the relationship between my “9 to 5” job, and my calling as a follower of 5” job, and my calling as a follower of Christ?Christ?

What if I hate my job?What if I hate my job? How can I make a connection between my How can I make a connection between my

“Sunday life” and my “Monday through “Sunday life” and my “Monday through Saturday life” in a way that pleases God?Saturday life” in a way that pleases God?

God’s Word and God’s CallGod’s Word and God’s Call Ministry serves two basic purposes:Ministry serves two basic purposes: The ministry of the word of God teaches The ministry of the word of God teaches

believers that there is a new day coming, that believers that there is a new day coming, that one day all of our suffering will be over, in one day all of our suffering will be over, in the New Heaven and the New Earth.the New Heaven and the New Earth.

The ministry of the word of God teaches The ministry of the word of God teaches believers how to live in this present age, or believers how to live in this present age, or this present time. God does not take us to be this present time. God does not take us to be with Himself immediately upon our with Himself immediately upon our conversion to Christ.conversion to Christ.

God’s Word and God’s CallGod’s Word and God’s CallMy “guest” this week – My “guest” this week –

Chuck Smith.Chuck Smith.

(That’s not Chuck –(That’s not Chuck –

that’s Jackson Smith)that’s Jackson Smith)

Colossians 3:1-25Colossians 3:1-251 Since, then, you have been raised with 1 Since, then, you have been raised with

Christ, set your hearts on things above, Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-25Colossians 3:1-25 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs

to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7You used to walk in these God is coming. 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.and filthy language from your lips.

Colossians 3:1-25Colossians 3:1-259 Do not lie to each other, since you have 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have

taken off your old self with its practices 10 taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. is in all.

Colossians 3:1-25Colossians 3:1-2512 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy

and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:1-25Colossians 3:1-2515 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

since as members of one body you were since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:1-25Colossians 3:1-25 Our position is heavenly, in Christ; our Our position is heavenly, in Christ; our

thoughts and actions should reflect that thoughts and actions should reflect that heavenly position – 3:1-4.heavenly position – 3:1-4.

Our life in Christ is to be free of the Our life in Christ is to be free of the “besetting sins” that surround us; also, our “besetting sins” that surround us; also, our life in Christ is ultimately free of cultural, life in Christ is ultimately free of cultural, ethnic, and economic distinctions; rather, ethnic, and economic distinctions; rather, Christ is to be all in all! – 3:5-11Christ is to be all in all! – 3:5-11

As God’s chosen people, we should exhibit As God’s chosen people, we should exhibit positive virtues of life in Christ – 3:12-17.positive virtues of life in Christ – 3:12-17.

Colossians 3:1-25Colossians 3:1-25 18 Wives, submit yourselves to your 18 Wives, submit yourselves to your

husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be

harsh with them.harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in 20 Children, obey your parents in

everything, for this pleases the Lord.everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children,

or they will become discouraged.or they will become discouraged.

Colossians 3:1-25Colossians 3:1-25 Colossians 3:1-17 has reminded us of who Colossians 3:1-17 has reminded us of who

we are in Christ, and of our perspective on we are in Christ, and of our perspective on things eternal.things eternal.

Colossians 3:18-25 reminds us that we still Colossians 3:18-25 reminds us that we still live here on earth, and that issues of family, live here on earth, and that issues of family, and of economics, and of where we find and of economics, and of where we find ourselves (our calling), are still important to ourselves (our calling), are still important to God, and demand a proper, biblical God, and demand a proper, biblical response.response.

Colossians 3:1-4:1Colossians 3:1-4:122 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything;

and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Those who do wrong will be repaid for their Those who do wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. 4:1 Masters, wrongs, and there is no favoritism. 4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.heaven.

Colossians 3:1-25Colossians 3:1-25 ““Slaves, obey your earthly masters.” – translation, Slaves, obey your earthly masters.” – translation,

“Be a dependable, reliable, productive employee.” “Be a dependable, reliable, productive employee.” – v. 22a.– v. 22a.

Submit sincerely to the demands and wishes of Submit sincerely to the demands and wishes of your employer – v. 22b.your employer – v. 22b.

Practice your work as something you are doing for Practice your work as something you are doing for the Lord, and not just for your employer – v. 23.the Lord, and not just for your employer – v. 23.

The Lord will reward you; after all, it is He whom The Lord will reward you; after all, it is He whom you are serving – vv. 24-25you are serving – vv. 24-25

Masters, provide what is fair for your employees – Masters, provide what is fair for your employees – 4:14:1