Ephesians 6:6-8

 

Ephesians 6:6-8

The Ethics of Servitude

 

Eph 6:6  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 

Eph 6:7  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 

Eph 6:8  Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 

1.     6 Ways a Servant Can Honor the Name of Jesus:

a.     He should work hard even when no one is watching – 6a*

                                               i.     Philippians 2:12 

b.     He should not be a manpleaser – 6b*

                                               i.     Matthew 6:1-5 

c.     He should work as if he is working for Jesus Himself – 6c*

                                               i.     1 Thessalonians 2:4 

d.     He should work out the will of God with passion – 6d*

                                               i.     1 Corinthians 10:31 

e.     He should be thorough in completing his tasks remembering that God is always watching – vs. 7*

                                               i.     Colossians 3:22 

1.     Be timely; Be honest; Be trustworthy; Be ready to learn; Take initiative; Be communicative; Be flexible; Be a team player; Be reliable; Be respectful

f.      He should remember that God always rewards a faithful servant – vs. 8*

                                               i.     No matter how small or seemingly meaningless the task, when we do it for God’s glory, it will be rewarded in heaven.

1.     Matthew 25:14-30 

                                             ii.     God is not a respecter of persons; He will reward a faithful servant no matter what his social standing is.

1.     Luke 14:12-14 

2.     Galatians 3:28-29 

Ephesians 6:5

 

Ephesians 6:5

Slaves are to Make the Best of Difficult Circumstances

Eph 6:5  Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;   

            1.     Slaves

a.      Does the Bible condone slavery?

                                               i.     In the times of the NT, slavery was a universally accepted practice, almost all the people Paul mentions in his letter to Rome were slaves.

1.     Romans 16:8-10 

                                             ii.     Yet this was not God’s plan for his people; in the OT we find strict prohibitions hindering the practice of slavery.

1.     The Jews were to harbor escaped slaves - Deuteronomy 23:15-16 

2.     Manstealing was a capital offence - Exodus 21:16 

3.     All men are created in the likeness of God and are therefore equal

a.      Genesis 1:26-27 

4.     Love is the summary of the OT law - Romans 13:10 

5.     Paul specifically condemns the practice of manstealing in his list of particularly heinous violations of God’s law.

a.      1 Timothy 1:7-11 

           2.     Should be Obedient to their Masters - 1 Peter 2:13-18 

a.      Yet masters must remember they will have to answer to their own Master for the treatment of their slaves

                                               i.     Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1 

           3.     According to the Flesh

a.      This provision is unique among Paul’s imperatives regarding submission; it makes it clear that a master may have temporary control over the body of his slave but has no control over his conscience.

                                               i.     Philemon 1:15-18 

          4.     With Fear and Trembling - Titus 2:9-10 

          5.     With a Sincere Heart - Colossians 3:22 

          6.     As Unto Christ

a.      The golden rule makes no allowance for slavery - Matthew 7:12 

b.     Every Christian has been bought with a price - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

c.      This includes the slave

                                               i.     1 Corinthians 7:20-24; Galatians 3:28 

d.     What was the price? - Ephesians 1:7 

Ephesians 6:4

 

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers are to Raise Up Godly Children

Eph 6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 

          1.     Fathers are to:

a.      Why is Paul primarily directing this instruction to the fathers?

                                               i.     Because God is the ultimate example of a Father - Romans 8:14-17 

                                             ii.     Not because mothers are not to be involved

1.     Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:5 

                                            iii.     Because fathers are to be the head of the home - Ephesians 5:23 

b.     Not provoke their children

                                               i.     Fathers must never abuse their children physically, emotionally or spiritually

c.      Nurture their children

                                               i.     Fathers need to be caring for the physical wellbeing of their children

1.     Ephesians 5:29 

                                             ii.     Fathers need to have compassion on their children’s weaknesses

1.     Psalm 103:13-14 

                                            iii.     Fathers need to give generously - Matthew 7:7-11 

d.     Instruct their children

                                               i.     Fathers are primarily responsible for the education of their children

1.     Proverbs 22:6 

                                             ii.     Fathers are to teach their children the scriptures

1.     2 Timothy 3:15-16 

e.      Discipline their children

                                               i.     Fathers are to discipline their children because they love their children

1.     Hebrews 12:6 

                                             ii.     Fathers are to discipline their children quickly - Proverbs 13:24 

                                            iii.     Fathers are to discipline only their own children - Hebrews 12:7-8 

                                            iv.     Fathers are to discipline their children for their benefit - Hebrews 12:9-10 

                                              v.     Fathers are to discipline their children so that they produce peaceable fruits of righteousness

1.     Hebrews 12:11 

f.      In the Lord

                                               i.     Good parents have Jesus living within them - Ephesians 3:17 

                                             ii.     Good parents are renewing their minds regularly - Ephesians 4:23-24 

                                            iii.     Good parents are filled with the fruits of the Holy Spirit

1.     Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22-23 

 

Slavery: Does the Bible Endorse It? | Doug Wilson

Does the Bible condemn slavery?

Why I use the King James Bible

A great explanation for the curious...

Ephesians 6:1-3

 

Ephesians 6:1-3

Children Obey Your Parents!

Eph 6:1  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 

Eph 6:2  Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 

Eph 6:3  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 

           1.     Children are to Obey Their Parents – vs. 1*

a.      Obedience comes from a biblical understanding of children – vs. 1a*

                                               i.     Children are a blessing - Psalm 127:3-5 

                                             ii.     Children are a joy - Proverbs 23:24-25 

                                            iii.     Children can be used of God even at a young age - Luke 1:15 

b.     Obedience is to be accomplished in the power to the Lord – vs. 1b*

                                               i.     Obedience cannot find proper balance outside of a relationship with Jesus

1.     Ephesians 2:8-10 

                                             ii.     Obedience must be diligently taught from the scriptures - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 

                                            iii.     Obedience pleases God - Colossians 3:20 

c.      Obedience is right – vs. 1c*

                                               i.     What is right?

1.     Nehemiah 9:13; Psalm 19:8; Psalm 119:75; Psalm 119:128; Hosea 14:9 

           2.     Children are to Honor Their Parents All of Their Days – vs. 1-2*

a.      Honoring your parents is a lifelong pursuit – vs. 2a*

                                               i.     Consider their instruction - Proverbs 1:8 

                                             ii.     Cling to what they taught you - Proverbs 3:1 

                                            iii.     Cherish their memory - Proverbs 7:1-3

                                            iv.     Contribute to their provision in their waning years

1.     Matthew 15:3-9; Proverbs 28:24 

b.     Honoring your parents is the first commandment – vs. 2b*

                                               i.     Exodus 20:12 

c.      Honoring your parents comes with a promised blessing – vs. 3*

                                               i.     First, you will see the good in the land – vs. 3a*

1.     Disobedience has a lingering effect - Exodus 20:5-6 

2.     Disobedience brings grief to your parents

a.      Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 17:21; Proverbs 19:26 

3.     Disobedience can lead to destruction - Exodus 21:15; Exodus 21:17 

                                             ii.     Secondly, you will leave and enduring legacy – vs. 3b*

1.     He that does the will of God abides forever - 1 John 2:12-17 

2.     He that does the will of God leaves a lasting influence on future generations - Deuteronomy 4:40 

Everyone Living in the West Needs to See This

Ephesians 5:32-33

 

Ephesians 5:32-33

The Glorious Mystery of Love

 

Eph 5:32  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 

Eph 5:33  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. 

 

          1.     How Can a Husband Emulate the Initiatory Love of Jesus?

a.     Love her unconditionally

                                               i.     Romans 5:5-11 

b.     Love her sacrificially

                                               i.     Matthew 20:17-23 

c.     Love her with a servant’s heart

                                               i.     Matthew 20:25-28 

d.     Love her humbly

                                               i.     Matthew 21:1-5 

e.     Love her protectively

                                               i.     Matthew 23:37-39 

f.      Love her forgivingly

                                               i.     Luke 23:33-34 

g.     Love her gently

                                               i.     John 20:11-17 

h.     Love her faithfully

                                                              i.      Revelation 21:1-7