Work Like a Christian

Work Like a Christian - Ephesians 6:5-9 June 30, 2024 The Pew Research Center published a report in March of 2023 in response to the so-called "Great Resignation" on the topic of job satisfaction. According to this report, only 51% of employed adults reported being satisfied with their jobs. However, when specific aspects of their job like co-worker relationships, opportunity for advancement and pay were surveyed, two categories stood out to me. First, 67% surveyed were very satisfied with their relationships with their co-workers, and 62% were very satisfied with their relationships with their supervisor or manager. I think this confirms much of what we've been saying for the past several weeks. I made this comment back on June 9th: Paul uses this section to show the further progression of the Christian in his or her walk with Christ. And many times, the correlation on their relationship with God is seen through their relationships with God's people. The relationship that Paul highlights here, of course, is the relationship between the employee and the employer. But of course, these principles are universal when it comes to our general relationships with God's people. Even for you, kids, these principles should apply to your relationships and dealings with your teachers and to others in positions of authority. Let's read Ephesians 6:5-9 to see what Paul has to say about this topic: [READ EPHESIANS 6:5-9 FROM BIBLE] Let's go ahead and address the ELEPHANT in the room. The ESV uses the term BONDSERVANTS, the NASB uses SLAVES, which is the literal meaning of the word used. Anytime we study the Bible, we have to consider the time and the audience. A major criticism of this passage, and others that are similar, is that Paul does not condemn slavery, rather he gives instruction for the slaves and the masters. But, Paul not outright condemning slavery does not mean that that he is condoning slavery. It is estimated that during this period of history in that geography there were probably 60,000,000 slaves. Some estimate that there were likely more slaves than free in many cases. So, what does that mean? In short, slaves played a very important and critical role in the basic economy of the time. But more importantly, slavery in those times was not based on race or ethnicity like we in the US generally associate slavery with. One of the reasons that the ESV chose the word "BONDSERVANT" and other translations "SERVANT," is because the context of the role and the period implies voluntary servitude. Of course, as with anything, there are exceptions, which Paul does address in the passage in verse 9. Finally, Paul includes this section with the "house-tables" that Pat referred to last week, which were a set of rules for the home. Which indicates that they were part of the home with a certain role, just like wives, husbands, children, and parents. As we'll see as this passage unfolds, Paul elevates the position of these bondservants in a position that is counter cultural. This is why most (if not all) apply this passage to the employee-employer relationship. So, what Paul is doing here is helping both the employee and employer work like a Christian. That leads us to the main idea that I want to work through today: I work like a Christian when I work for the Lord. As we'll see, this applies to both employee and employer. And, once again, the hinge verse to this entire section is Ephesians 5:21, where Paul reminds us that as Christians, we are to be: SUBMITTING TO ONE ANOTHER OUT OF REVERENCE FOR CHRIST. In fact, every verse in this passage includes Christ, by Name or by His designation as Lord. We're going to keep this simple this morning, as Paul is doing all of the work for us. Just as he did in the prior two sections, he addresses both parties with a command, and he instructs on how or why. First, let address ... HOW TO BE A CHRIST-LIKE EMPLOYEE • Obey - it's no coincidence that Paul uses the same command that he does for the children from verse 1. Just as Pat mentioned last week, parents are not subject to their children, and the employer is not subject to the employee. Each of these roles play a specific and important task and function. So, Paul now tells us how we are to do this. First, o Respectfully and sincerely, as you would obey Christ (v.5) * Let's be honest, it is not always easy to respect our employers. * This passage implies a relationship between Christians, which he has been addressing since chapter 4. * Paul also talks about this in Galatians 6. Look what he said to them in verses 9-10: AND LET US NOT GROW WEARY OF DOING GOOD, FOR IN DUE SEASON WE WILL REAP, IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP. SO THEN, AS WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY, LET US DO GOOD TO EVERYONE, AND ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO ARE OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH. * Why? As we've seen over and over, we are made new in Christ Jesus. We're no longer part of this world, but part of the body of Christ, under His headship, joined together as adopted sons. * Because God has ordered this relationship, we can now respectfully and sincerely follow the lead of those that the Lord has placed in those roles. * Somebody brought up Romans 13 on Monday morning where Paul states that there is no authority on earth without God's appointing. * And just like every other relationship we've seen in this section, the one who is subject to the other is to view that relationship in the same light as the church would to Christ. * Paul continues in verse 6 with obeying ... o Not for man, but for Christ from the heart (v.6) * Colossians 3:18-4:1 is the parallel passage to this one, and Colossians 3:23 is one of my favorites. In fact, I had this verse printed and taped to my desk for many years to remind myself of Whom I really worked for. Here's what it says: WHATEVER YOU DO, WORK HEARTILY, AS FOR THE LORD AND NOT FOR MEN * That's what he's talking about there when he warns against eye-service and people-pleasing. * These are those who work hard only when the boss is around. * But, when we have the heart attitude that we're working for Christ, then it does not matter that the earthly boss isn't standing there watching. * One of my favorite moments of my leadership career was back in 2010. When I was at a resort on the Westside, we hosted 4 major brunches during the year - Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanksgiving 2010, Natalie and I decided to go home to visit our families, and that was the first (and only) brunch I didn't manage. But my team worked hard, as if I was there and managing the process. They did so well, in fact, that a big spender wrote a check for $10,000 to split for the entire team who worked that brunch. They worked just as hard - maybe even harder - as they would have if I were there. * We are to work just like that, because we're working for Christ. * Next, Paul says to work ... o With good intentions, as for Christ (v.7) * Paul is effectively telling us that one of the best ways to be a witness for Christ is by working hard, especially if we're working for a Christian boss. * Frankly, many of us do not or have not had the pleasure of working for a Christian. In many ways, this is where this principle applies. * I can think of several managers that I've worked under where they made my life difficult, and in some cases I applied this and in others, I did not. * That's why this is important. We must understand that we are working for the Lord, not for man. But how do we do this? * It comes back to being a heart issue. We saw this back at the end of chapter 4 and at the beginning of chapter 5, a renewed mind results in a renewed heart. * The general rule is to do what pleases the Lord. * So, Paul gives the employee all of these guidelines, but he also reminds us of the reason. So, the question is ... • Why? Paul says ... o You will receive heavenly rewards (v.8) * Look at what Paul says in verse 8: KNOWING THAT WHATEVER GOOD ANYONE DOES, THIS HE WILL RECEIVE BACK FROM THE LORD * Paul, of course, is not teaching that God owes us when we do good. Just go back to chapters 1-3 to see that. He is reminding us that our best version of life, when in Christ, is not on this earth, but in eternity with the Lord. * Look what Paul says about this in 2 Corinthians 5:10: FOR WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST, SO THAT EACH ONE MAY RECEIVE WHAT IS DUE FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE IN THE BODY, WHETHER GOOD OR EVIL. * Let's be honest, it would be nice if we're always rewarded now for what we do for Him on earth, but the real promise is that we're rewarded heavenly rewards, not always earthly rewards. This isn't to say that He doesn't or wouldn't, but that is not the promise. * Many of you have experienced that first-hand. Chronic illness, the death of loved ones, bad financial situations, bad marriages, and the like. But our hope does not stand in these earthly things, but in eternity. * Jesus reminded us of this many times. * Paul reminds us that this promise is for all those in Christ. Not just the influential, but for all. * You see, the connection of work and faith is critical. * The late Presbyterian preacher R.C. Sproul was once invited to speak at an executive business event. However, the CEO was not sure about the connection between faith and work, but later came to this conclusion: "...our business life is affected by how we treat people. How we treat people is a matter of ethics. Ethics are determined by our philosophy. Our Philosophy reflects our theology. So respecting people is really a theological matter." * That's really the basis on this final question to answer from verse 9: HOW TO BE A CHRIST-LIKE LEADER • Lead. Don't worry, I'm going to go through this quickly because of that first phrase: MASTERS, DO THE SAME TO THEM. So, that means: o Respectfully and sincerely, as you would obey Christ (v.5,9) o Not for man, but for Christ from the heart (v.6,9) o With good intentions, as for Christ (v.7,9) * Just like we saw before. Paul says, aside from your role as a leader, you have the same responsibility as your employee in respects to how you relate to others. * I had a server in LA, we called her Jerri, and she was always terrified to serve the General Manager. I reminded her that she was one of my best servers and told her to serve him the same way she would serve anyone else. * I think the only reason that I was a fairly successful as a Food Service Manager was because I treated everyone the same. I was a partner, but still a leader. That's why the only command that doesn't apply to the boss is the command to obey. * God is a God of order, and He does place people in positions over others, and His command here, and in the last two sections was concerning a mutual respect for those roles, with mutual submission included. * Paul does add one command to this, and it fits with what we saw moments ago, he says to the leader ... o Do not threaten (v.9) * The Faithlife Study Bible states: In Graeco-Roman society, masters had the right to treat slaves as they saw fit. Paul commands masters to set aside their rights and to instead treat their slaves with kindness as people who are equal before Christ * So, while the slave-master relationship was different than what we've experienced in our nation's history, there were some aspects that were similar - particularly in the treatment of some of these servants. * But frankly, this is unfortunately not different than what we see in some workplaces, even today. All we need to do is look at history to confirm this. Labor unions, civil rights movements ... all caused by the ill-treatment of people. * This is why we continue to return to 5:21 as the hinge verse to this whole section, it reminds us over and over that mutual submission is an expression of loving your neighbor. * So, just like before, we must ask: • Why? Paul says, its ... o Because we are brothers (and sisters) (v.9) * We see this in Galatians too. * I love how the Message paraphrases Galatians 3:28-29, here's how it reads: In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ's family, then you are Abraham's famous "descendant," heirs according to the covenant promises. * Just as he did earlier, reminding us that we will all be judged by our deeds on earth, he reminds us that God shows no partiality. * James - the Lord's brother - agrees when he wrote in James 2:1 where he warned: MY BROTHERS, SHOW NO PARTIALITY AS YOU HOLD THE FAITH IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE LORD OF GLORY * For no other reason, James and Paul argue, because we are one in Christ, we are to submit and respect one another. * This, of course, is the Christian motivation, and it's very likely you will not always work for another Christian. But he or she is your neighbor nonetheless, so we can apply this same principle. * Because we've seen this morning: I work like a Christian when I work for the Lord. Back in chapter 4, Paul reminded us that the role and purpose of the church is for the equipping of the saints to go out and do ministry, inside the church and outside the church. So, in this large section which carried us from 5:22-6:9, Paul is helping us put this into practice in our relationships. Jesus once said that the world will know we're His disciples by our fruit - or by our actions - and much of that is demonstrated in our relationships. Employees: you are called to obey your employer. Employers: you are called to lead. But all of us are called to be respectful, sincere, to work as though we're working for the Lord, and to act with good intentions as if we're serving Christ Himself. Does your employee or employer know that you are a Christian because of how you work? Your co-workers? Your clients? Your teachers? Those in authority? When we approach work - whatever that may look like to you - as though we're serving and working for Christ, then the Lord will bless that work, in this life or the next. I'm okay with that promise. Are you? Let's pray. 2