Serving For The Lord's Sake Series

SERVING FOR THE LORD’S SAKE

1 Timothy 6:1-2

INTRODUCTION:

A. 97,760

1. 97,760 – that’s a big number

2. Many would like to see that on their year’s end W-2

3. Many would like to see that in their pockets right now

4. 97,760….that’s an interesting number, why?

5. That is the number of hours the average person will spend at work – considering 40 hours a week from age 18-65

6. 1/3 of our life will be spent at work!

B. Whether we like it or not work is a very important chunk of our lives

1. Most people see work as a necessary evil, necessary to get what they need and want.

2. Unfortunately many, if not most, Christians think the same way.

3. Have we ever stopped to realize that God supplies our needs and that our job is OUR area of ministry?

4. Jesus is recorded as saying, in Matt 6:33, Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

5. Now with that in mind – what do you think our heart should be centered on for this 1/3 of our life – those 97,760 hours?

C. Well, lets look at 1 Tim 6:1-2 and see if we can find out: Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

1. Now I know what your thinking: This passage is directed at slaves, not workers

a. I will commend you for your that astute observational buible study skills.

b. But know this about slaves in the Roman Empire

1) It has been estimated that about 15% (modest estimation) to 33% (high estimation) of the population were slaves

2) A great majority of the work was done by slaves – they were the labors/employees sometimes receiving only room and board and sometimes receiving wages, of a sort.

3) They worked in unsafe, unsanitary and uncomfortable conditions

2. So if Paul’s words to them as slaves was to be heeded, I believe we who have a much better standard of living should be much more able to live according to these words!

3. So our outline is simple

a. A General Word For Christian Employees

b. A Specific Word For Christian Employees

4. May the Lord bless us as we see our work places as a place where we are Serving For The Lord’s Sake

PRAY

We will begin with

I. A GENERAL WORD FOR CHRISTIAN EMPLOYEES, 1 Tim. 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

A. As I sought to unwrap this verse and apply it to our lives today two words stood out to me: Honor & Blasphemed – lets define them

1. Honor – to be given high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank

2. Blasphemed – to speak evil or reproachfully of, in this case God.

3. In this context it meant that Christian slaves were to respect their masters so that God would not be evil spoken of.

B. To understand how this would work out in life, we can go to a parallel passage in Eph 6:5-8 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; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Here we have a number of things we can do as we are Serving For The Lord’s sake:

1. First, Have the Right Behavior: Obedience

a. Did you know that people are watching us – especially if we openly claim to be a Christian?

b. What do they notice about us? What is our reputation?

c. I don’t know about you, but I’m afraid that too many Christians are seen as something other than loyal honest followers of Christ.

- Many outright disobey their bosses, some do it deceptively; some cheat their bosses, some do not respect his position; you get my point.

d. Listen, we are to do our jobs and do them well – we should be the best employee the company has – we should be doing what the boss tells us to do.