The Mastery of Slavery
Outline and some parts borrowed from Alexander Maclaren
TEXT PASSAGE: John 8:31, 32- (31) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
INTRO- The irony of freedom is found in slavery. Paul states in Romans 6:22- But now being made free from sin, and become servants (slaves) to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness (sanctification), and the end everlasting life. Freedom from sin and slavery to God bring permanent fruit that leads to sanctification.
The demand for absolute liberty brings men to the depths of slavery. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship, 1983.
No man in this world attains to freedom from any slavery except by entrance into some higher servitude. There is no such thing as an entirely free man conceivable. Phillips Brooks (1835- 1893), Perennials.
"Servant" in our English New Testament usually represents the Greek doulos (bondslave). Sometimes it means diakonos (deacon or minister); this is strictly accurate, for doulos and diakonos are synonyms. Both words denote a man who is not at his own disposal, but is his master’s purchased property. Bought to serve his master’s needs, to be at his beck and call every moment, the slave’s sole business is to do as he is told. Christian service therefore means, first and foremost, living out a slave relationship to one’s Savior (1 Corinthians. 6:19-20).
I think you get the idea; lets look at the characteristics of the true freedom of slavery! Lets look at why we should be (and are) His slaves and why this does gives us freedom!
I. CHRIST’S ABSOLUTE (unrestrained) OWNERSHIP
The Sphere (Dominion) of Christ’s Lordship
The Realm of Nature. His lips spoke and it was done when He was on earth—rebuking disease, and it fled; the wild storm, and there was a great calm; demons, and they came out; death itself, and its dull, cold ear heard and Lazarus came out.
The Realm of Mankind.
He created us in His image. Gen 1:27- So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Evolution is NOT an OPTION: The probability of life originating by accident is comparable to the probability of the unabridged dictionary originating from an explosion in a print shop. Edwin Conklin- J. Vernon McGee: First John (Nashville TN: Nelson: 1991) 16.
Man’s IGNORANCE is not an EXCUSE. God is not a railway porter who carries your suitcase and serves you. God is God. He made heaven and earth. He holds the world in His hand. He measures the dust of the earth in the balance. He spreads the sky out like a mantle. He is the great God Almighty. He is not your servant. He is your Father, and you are His child. He sits in heaven, and you are on the earth. (Isa 40:12) Tozer- March 15, 2009
Isaiah 40:12- Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
II. THE PREROGATIVE (Exclusive Right)OF CHRIST’S LORDSHIP
The Master dispenses to His slaves their tasks. The owner of the slave could set him to any work he thought fit. So our Owner gives all His slaves their taskings; whether a statesman or slipper bearer; be happy; be content! (Workers and wages parable)
The Master has first claim on His slave’s possessions.
Psalm 24:1- The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
We’ve charted at least 100,000 light years (186,282 mps) from rim to rim of world! - 600 million billion miles of stars...all His!
In the midst of the millions of galaxies, we have one galaxy called Milky Way. In the midst of which we have one star (we call sun), with its baby planets following close by. It takes this little solar system 200 million years to get around it one time!
THIS IS ALL HIS- How could we have the nerve to claim anything as ours!
The Slave’s Response to Christ’s Lordship
Recognition of trusteeship- We are not possessors but only trustees!
The foundational principle of New Testament stewardship is that the steward takes the resources given by the Master, uses them for the Master’s purpose and returns to give the benefits and the honor to the Master. Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne, rev. ed. Perspectives: On the World Christian Movement: A Reader, (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library 2009) 577.
Submission to the Master- Absolute submission of will and God’s absolute authority - worship
III. THE PURCHASE ON WHICH OUR OWNERSHIP IS FOUNDED
The Expression of His Purchase
He bought us with His blood
1 Peter 1:18, 19- 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
ILLUSTRATION: THE RESCUER - The price Jesus paid for our redemption was terrible indeed. When we think of the extreme suffering He endured to purchase our freedom from sin’s penalty, our hearts should overflow with love for Him.
Leslie B. Flynn told a story that illustrates this truth. An orphaned boy was living with his grandmother when their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to get upstairs to rescue the boy, perished in the flames. The boy’s cries for help were finally answered by a man who climbed an iron drainpipe and came back down with the boy hanging tightly to his neck.
Several weeks later, a public hearing was held to determine who would receive custody of the child. A farmer, a teacher, and the town’s wealthiest citizen all gave the reasons they felt they should be chosen to give the boy a home. But as they talked, the lad’s eyes remained focused on the floor. Then a stranger walked to the front and slowly took his hands from his pockets, revealing severe scars on them. As the crowd gasped, the boy cried out in recognition. This was the man who had saved his life. His hands had been burned when he climbed the hot pipe. With a leap the boy threw his arms around the man’s neck and held on for dear life. The other men silently walked away, leaving the boy and his rescuer alone. Those marred hands had settled the issue.
Many voices are calling for our attention. Among them is the One whose nail-pierced hands remind us that He has rescued us from sin and its deadly consequences. To Him belongs our love and devotion. -D. C. Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
He gave Himself for us
John 10:18: No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
IV. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE TEXT
Christ’s lordship over men is based on His sacrifice for men.
1 Cor. 6:20- For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Slaves are purchased from previous slavery. Our Kinsman (Christ) bought us back from our bondage to sin and guilt and condemnation, from the slavery of our tyrant lusts, from the slavery of mens censures and opinions, from the dominion of evil and darkness, and making us His, makes us free.
Eph. 2:1: And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
V. THE FUGITIVES OR RUNAWAYS WHO DENY CHRIST’S AUTHORITY
All Sin is the Denial of Christ’s Authority
It is the uprising of self-will against Christ’s rule. It is in effect saying “We will not have this man to reign over us.”
It is the proud assertion of our own independence
The Manifestations of the Denial
It is shown by deeds. In defiance or through neglect
It is shown by words. And opinions
VI. CONCLUSION
Let us beware lest the fate of many runaway slave be ours … perishing miserably
Casting off His yoke is sure to end in ruin.
Rather, draw the cords of love and own the blessed bonds making Him our Lord and our freedom!
