Slaves – (of Christians, ‘servants’)

• Forced labor, not voluntary service• Property of earthly master

Obey (as v.1) • Rebels destroy influence of gospel

– Ac.5:29

Fear(Respect; 5:33)

Trembling(Ph.2:12)

Sincerity of heart• Uprightness, frankness; pure motive

As to Christ, v.1; 7; 5:22• As you are when you obey Christ

Not w. eyeservice, 6 • Service that is performed only to

impress the owner

Not as menpleasers

• Those who are just trying to make people like them

As servants of Christ• Slaves (ESV; NASB) of Christ

One who is solely committed to another, doing will of God from heart

With good will

As to Lord…not men• A slave can honor God: Gn.37, 39 . . .

Will receive back from Lord, 8 • Whether slave or free

Willingness Eagerness

Wholeheartedness

Good attitude

Masters (lords) (v.9)

• Owner; in full control of something, Ac.25:26

• Do the same things to them (slaves: treat them w. respect)

• Give up threats (Ac.9:1) • Your own Master is in heaven… • No partiality. Ga.3:28

1. Low social status gives noexcuse to neglect God’s service

• 1 Co.7:17-24

• Paul could relate (Phm.1, 9; Ac.25)

Onesimus, runaway slaveFound Paul in Rome; obeyed gospel

With Paul as he wroteSent back to Philemon

Onesimus • Person, not thing (tool), Phm.8-10 • Son, not reprobate, Phm.10• Useful, not criminal, Phm.11• Beloved, not despised, Phm.12• Desired, not shunned, Phm.13• Brother, not sinner, Phm.16• Penitent, not stubborn, Phm.16,19

Paul’s wish (20)• Let me have profit from you…• Play on words: Onesimus comes from

same root

• Ph.2:5-8

Onesimize me

2. High social status cannot excuse pride or cruelty

• Death, the great leveler. Mt.20:1-16• Paul and Nero • Onesimus and Philemon are equals in

Christ. Col.4:7, 8, 9 – Ja.2:1-8 – 1 Co.4:13

3. If slaves must work for masters, how much more a paid employee

Balance: Mt.6:24

Give Lord our bestJob cannot own us

1 Christ2 Family3 Church

4 Spiritual growth2 Th.3:8-9

2 Th.3:10“I serve Lord; no need to work”

One way we give Lord our best:

work ethic!Joseph

Gn.39:4, 6

1. Low social status is no excuse to neglect God2. High social status cannot excuse pride…

3. If slaves must work for masters, paid employee…

4. Put Lord first, 5-8

Christ, the motivation, 5-8

Lord (as 5:22, 6:1)• “Just as you would obey Christ,” 5• “Like slaves of Christ,” 6• “As if serving the Lord,” 7• “You know the Lord will reward,” 8

Applications

U. S. jobs

1. Good help is hard to find

2. Christian should be best worker

Can always set a good example

At work,we must work

Summary & Conclusion (Ep.6) 1/2 Slaves

1. Obey, 5. Mt.8; 1 Pt.2:18-25

2. Realize true employer – Christ, 5, 7.

3. Avoid eye-service. Gn.39:6

4. Avoid men-pleasing.

5. Do your best; good attitude.

6. True Master will reward, 8.

7. Keep work in perspective. Mk.1:16-20

Summary & Conclusion (Ep.6) 2/2Masters

1. Remember: you have a Master, 9

2. Remember: your Master will hold you accountable for way you treat others, 9

3. Remember: your Master shows no favoritism, 9

4. Give slaves what is just and fair, Col.4:1; Mt.7:12