Spirit Filled Work

Scripture:  Ephesians 6:5-9

Subject: Workers

Central Theme: Spirit filled workers

Objective Statement: We can be spirit filled workers when we see our identity as “in Christ” and live out that identity. Spirit filled employment and authority looks like these 6 traits.

1. Spirit filled employees submit to authority. (v.5)
2. Spirit filled employees submit to authority as they submit to Christ. (v.5-6)
3. Spirit filled employees have the right audience. (v.6-8)
4. Spirit filled bosses serve their employees. (v.9)
5. Spirit filled bosses have the right audience. (v.9)
6. Spirit filled bosses value their employees. (v.9)

Introduction:

• What was your first job?
• I first started making money by mowing lawns around the neighborhood. I would ride my bike and push my mower down so that it would be on two wheels. I would ride to a neighbor’s house and mow the lawn.
• My first steady job was at Chick fil a! It is where all good Christian teenagers go to be employed.
• Closed on Sunday. Number 1 with a lemonade.
• You can tell someone’s age when you ask them how much they made at their first job.
• We have been talking in this series about what it means to be in Christ. Ephesians is all about being “in Christ.” It is our identity.
• The Bible commands those of us who are in Christ to be “filled with the Spirit” or to be controlled by the Spirit.
• We are also told that when we are we will submit to each other. One of the types of evidence of being “filled with the Spirit” is that we are “submitting ourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
• We have learned what “in Christ and Spirit filled” relationships are like:
  • Wives submitting to husbands
  • Husbands submitting to and loving their wives.
  • Husbands and Wives in marriage picturing Christ’s relationship with the church.
  • Children obeying their parents
  • Parents serving their kids by bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
• All of this is coming out of this “in Christ” identity. It is how we see ourselves, and therefore how we behave.
• In the text we are looking at today we investigate another kind of relationship.
• It is the relationships that we have in our work.
• For men especially, our work tends to be part of our identity.
• When we meet another man, we tend to ask, “What do you do for a living?”
• But this should not be our primary identity. We are in Christ.
• Yet we are people who work. God gifts us and equips us to work and to be productive.
• Work is not the curse. Work was given before the curse. It is good.
• Yet we see a relationship that is spoken of in today’s text that we need to address. Let us start reading in verse five.

(5)  Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh,

• We see a relationship here. That relationship is “servants” and “masters.”
• The word translated “servant” here is the Greek word “doulos” and it means most literally slave.
• This brings up a topic that is quite sensitive in our country- the topic of slavery.
• It also brings up something that from time to time you here leveled not only at our country, but at Christianity and the Bible.
• Some people read these verses and say, “How can I trust the Bible if the Bible has slavery in it?”
• What about slavery in the Bible?
• Does the Bible condone slavery?

What about slavery in the Bible? (Dr. Frank Turek)

1.      Old Testament slavery was not race based forced servitude. It was often a means of working off debt or keeping captives from mustering rebellion.

2.      Slave trading is condemned both in the old and new testaments.

3.      The Bible teaches that all men are made in the image of God. Slave and master are equally human, protected, and one in Christ. This is throughout both Old and New Testaments.

4.      Jesus came to set the captives free.

5.      The Bible’s main goal is spiritual redemption, not social reform. Yet redemption spiritually tends to help social reform come about. The abolitionist movements were not always exclusively Christian movements, but there would not be abolition of slavery without Christian thinking, influence, and work.

My addition:

• Racism is wrong.
• The Bible is often descriptive and not prescriptive.
• When the scripture addresses certain realities, it does not necessarily condone those realities, but is speaking to help people who find themselves in those realities to live wisely and godly.
• So, this passage uses the terminology of master and servant, but it most directly applies to our work relationships.
• There is almost no work environment that is void of hierarchies. There are employees, managers, and owners. There are lower, middle, and upper management. There are bosses, CEO’s, CFO’s.
• Even in school systems there are students and teachers.
• There is work to be done, and jobs to be accomplished.
• What does it look like to exist in those kinds of environments when you are a spirit-filled, in Christ person?

We can be spirit filled workers when we see our identity as “in Christ” and live out that identity. Spirit filled employment and authority looks like these six traits.

#1. Spirit filled employees submit to authority. (v.5a)

(5)  Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh,

• Here we see this attitude accompanied with the actions of submission.
• The most basic response an employee has to an employer is submission “according to the flesh.” This means they are masters in the sense that any other human being has authority over any other human being.
• God’s plan over and over can be seen as submitting to authority.
• If you have an authority, be obedient to that authority.
• There is a recognition that you are under that authority by the will of God.
• This is a theme in Paul’s writing.

Romans 13:1-4

(1)  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

(2)  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

(3)  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

(4)  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

• God ordained Governmental authority. We obey governmental authority as long as it does not go against God’s authority.
• We just learned last week that God ordained parental authority. We obey our parents “in the Lord, for this is right.”
• When we work for someone in authority of us, we must submit to their authority. We must do what they say.
• What if we do not agree with them?
  • Is it against God’s law? Is it unsafe? Is it hurtful?
  • If not, you should obey.
  • Within the culture of your business there may be a chance to communicate about the disagreement.
  • I have found it best to obey first and communicate disagreement later if it is possible.
  • You earn the right to speak by being a faithful employee.
• What is the right motive for our obedience and submission? What attitude should accompany this obedient?

We can be spirit filled workers when we see our identity as “in Christ” and live out that identity. Spirit filled employment and authority looks like these six traits.

#2– Spirit filled employees submit to authority as they submit to Christ. (v.5-6)

… with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart as unto Christ;

• What does it mean when it says, “with fear and trembling”?
• We must take our obedience to authorities placed over us very seriously. Why?
• Because our obedience to the authority placed over us is ultimately to Christ.
• We do not serve two loyalties. We serve one.
• When we are obedient to our employer, we are obeying Christ.
• When we are disobedient to authorities in our lives, we are disobeying Christ.
• How can we tell if we are serving as unto Christ?

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

• Notice that word “eyeservice.”
• We have all seen that. Maybe the first time you saw it was when you had a substitute teacher in school. The teacher was gone, and so you could take advantage of the inexperience or demeanor of the teacher. You could slack off a little bit because the teacher was gone.
• Do you work less diligently when your boss is on vacation? That may indicate that you are doing what you do to be seen by your boss and get rewarded.
• Every leader that is trying to accomplish something great is looking for people that are looking to do the right thing and the best thing for the business.
• You do not want to drive a car made by someone who does shoddy work because their boss was not around.
• We want people who care about doing the right thing regardless of whether the boss is around.
• By the way, this is true of our service to the Lord.
• Integrity is displayed when people do what is right even when no one is watching.
• It is not just doing the right thing. It is doing the right thing, for the . ht reason, no matter who is watching.
• What is the secret to that kind of integrity?

We can be spirit filled workers when we see our identity as “in Christ” and live out that identity. Spirit filled employment and authority looks like these six traits.

#3- Spirit filled employees have the right audience. (v.6-8)

(6)  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;  (7)  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

• “as servants of Christ”-
  • This echo’s back to the theme of the book of Ephesians.
  • You are in Christ. Act like it.
  • The Holy Spirit is in you. Act like it.
  • Even if your boss is not around, God is.
  • He died for you.
  • He chose you to be blameless, forgiven, and sealed. Act like it!
• “doing the will of God from the heart”
  • What is the will of God?
  • That we do the best job we can at whatever our hand finds to do.
  • Why?
• “as to the Lord, and not to men”
  • Are you making burgers? Make those burgers as if you are serving them to Christ.
  • Are you mowing the grass? Pretend that it is God’s lawn. (By the way, it is His)
  • Are you a nurse? Serve that patient like it is Christ in that bed.
  • Teaching a Sunday School Lesson? Your audience is not just those people. It is the Lord.
• You may ask, “why would I do. at if no one is looking?” The reason to do right is because it is right. But also know something especially important and encouraging. Look at verse 8:

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

• The term here, “the same…,” speaks of good. If you are serving people well as unto the Lord, you can know that God sees it. He knows what you are doing, and why you are doing it.
• “…shall he receive of the Lord”- God will reward us for the good that we do.
• Here is the good news- He says he will reward for this good “whether he be bond or free.”
• Have you ever been in a job where you felt like you put in the time, the effort, and did the right thing, but then there was the politics? Someone else did not put in as much effort, but they pretended to like the same thing the boss did and so the boss liked him more. You worked hard, but you felt like someone had it out for you for whatever reason.
• The Bible calls this being a “respecter of persons.” It is favoritism.
• Human beings are plagued by favoritism. We know we should be objective, but we are not always objective.
• Sometimes we are not rewarded by men even though we do right. But God is a righteous judge.
• Galatians 6 puts it this way.

Galatians 6:7-10

(7)  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

(8)  For he, that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

(9)  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

(10)  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

• So, when you serve others with Christ as your audience, you can trust that God sees and will reward what you are doing.
• What about if you are in charge? What if you are the leader? The Boss? The authority? Well, the same principles apply.

We can be spirit filled workers when we see our identity as “in Christ” and live out that identity. Spirit filled employment and authority looks like these six traits.

#4- Spirit filled bosses serve their employees. (v.9)

(9)  And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

• Notice he says, “the same things.” The idea here is the same as before.
• He is speaking about doing good to others, especially to those who serve under you.
• What does that look like?
• Here he gives the example of “forbearing threatening.”
• The word translated “forbearing” is the word translated in other passages as “loosed” or “leaving.” Like a ship that is being untied from the dock and headed out to sea.
• The idea is that the authority that you have does not mean that you can treat that employee without respect or unkindly.
• You treat that employee the way Christ would treat them. How did Christ treat those who followed Him?
  • Well, we know that He died for them.
  • We know that He gave them the example of washing their feet.
• A Spirit filled boss does not threaten and shame. No. A spirit- filled boss serves and leads.
• In a world where being in charge to so many means being served, how do you practice servant leadership?

We can be spirit filled workers when we see our identity as “in Christ” and live out that identity. Spirit filled employment and authority looks like these six traits.

#5- Spirit filled bosses have the right audience. (v.9)

(9)  And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

• Every person that has authority is under authority.
• Not just human authority. They are under God’s authority.
• Just as God is fair, just, merciful, and gracious with us, we should be that way to those we serve.
• We will answer for how we treat those that we have authority over.
• “Whatsoever you’ve done to the least of these my brethren, you’ve done it unto me.”
• “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a leader sows, that shall he also reap.”
• God knows how we lead.
• God knows our motive.
• God knows how we treat others.
• If He is our audience, and we are in Christ, then we view our leadership and authority as a stewardship.
• And that means we view those we lead and serve differently. That leads to the last point.

We can be spirit filled workers when we see our identity as “in Christ” and live out that identity. Spirit filled employment and authority looks like these six traits.

#6- Spirit filled bosses value their employees. (v.9)

(9)  And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

• The boss that is living with an identity that is “in Christ” has the perspective that Christ is His authority.
• Our Lord loves everyone. He does not fear man.
• He does not treat one person differently over another because he likes them more.
• He is just.
• We as human beings have a whole list of things that causes us to treat each other differently.
• Both the boss and the employee are made in the image of God.
• Our forefathers got it right in the Declaration of Independence when they wrote:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness.”

• We are equal in worth and value.
• This does not mean that a boss does not have the ability to discern who has differing abilities, talents, time, and who is putting in the effort.
• Leaders must be able to discern who has the capacity to fulfill particular roles and tasks.
• People are equal in worth and value. They are not equal in ability and training.
• I can coach most people to be a better shooter or ball handler. I cannot coach anyone to be 7’2” tall. When it comes to basketball, that matters.
• Making the 7’2” person your center over the 6’1” person is not unjustly being a “respecter of persons”.
• No matter what, we owe everyone to be respectful, decent, and kind. We must treat them as people that God loves. He created them. He loves them. He sent His Son to die for them.

Conclusion:

• You know that work itself is a blessing.
• It did not come as part of the curse. It came before the curse. God created Adam, set him in the garden of Eden, and then gave him meaningful work to do. He told him to dress and to keep the garden.
• We all value work. When you see a beautiful painting, hear a well written, catchy song, or drive by a well-functioning and striking building, we are admitting that we like work.
• Our staff is reading a book called “Do more. Better.” This quote can be found in the book, and it is great.

“Productivity is effectively stewarding my gifts, talents, time, energy, and enthusiasm for the good of others and the glory of God.” – Tim Challies

• Why does he think of work properly as stewardship?
  • Because God has given each of us time, talents, gifts, and energy. He has made us with certain interests. He has given us spiritual gifts.
  • These things he has given to us our not ours to own. They are ours to steward. They really belong to him.
• So, whether you are leading the country, making tires, changing diapers, or working in a factory, ultimately what you do is done for the Lord.
• You do not merely serve men. You serve the Lord.
• He created you. Now serve him.
• You are in Christ. Now work like it. Now lead like it.