Words Worth Hearing! Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

• Wise words for employees (vs 9-10)

• Perfect grace for believers (vs 11-14)

• Important words to discharge (vs 15)

SERMON BODY:

ILL:

• A young minister, with very small children,

• Preached to his congregation on the theme,

• "10 ways to raise good and godly children ",

• Some years later, with his children entering their teens,

• He returned to his theme, but the same sermon was entitled:

• "10 suggestions for raising good and godly children".

• Several years later, with his children now in their late teens,

• The sermon got another airing, this time presented as,

• "Feeble hints for fellow strugglers"

• TRANSITION:

• Chapter 2 of Titus is about family relationships;

• It is about how we get along with each other in the family of God – the Church.

• We noted last week that in the first eight verses of chapter 2;

• The apostle Paul gives advice primarily to four different groups;

• 1st group: Wise words for older men (vs 2).

• 2nd group: Wise words for older women (vs 3-4).

• 3rd group: Wise words for young women (vs 4-5)

• 4th group: Wise words for young men (vs 6-8).

We noted that the apostle Paul:

• Is not saying these things mentioned only apply to that particular group,

• Because the principles mentioned will probably apply to all Christians;

• But here in these verses;

• The apostle gives an added emphasis to these particular groups.

• It is as if he saying these truths are for everyone;

• But then highlights and underlines them for certain age-groups.

• Who may struggle in certain areas or who needed some things emphasised.

Note:

• In verses 9-10 we have another particular group of people mentioned;

• I would like to have included them in my talk last week but time would not allow.

• So in verses 9-10 the next group of people mentioned are Christians who are slaves!

• Today we would apply these principles to employer – employee relationships.

RE: A QUICK WORD ON SLAVERY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT:

• Neither Jesus nor any of the apostles (including Paul),

• Is recorded as saying anything in opposition to the institution of slavery.

• Slavery was very much a part of life in Judea, Galilee,

• And in the rest of the Roman Empire during New Testament times.

• The experts tell us that as much as two thirds of the Roman empire were slaves;

• And before the first century it was as high as 90%.

• Now slavery in the first century was quite different;

• Than slavery as we think of it early American or English history.

• For one thing, Roman slaves were either taken as the spoils of war;

• Or were such because they sold themselves into slavery (known as "bond-servant").

• They were often well-educated and given apprenticeships and internships.

• And often it was the slave that was the "tutor" or "guide" of the masters children.

• Although the masters had absolute rights over their slaves,

• They generally showed them respect.

• Slaves could marry, accumulate wealth,

• Purchase their own freedom, run a business, etc.

• Cicero the Roman philosopher, politician, lawyer noted;

• That a slave could usually be set free within seven years;

• In any case, under Roman law a slave would normally be set free by age 30.

The New Testament does not promote or forbid slavery:

• It does have instructions to slaves on how to behave;

• And it also has instructions to masters on how to rightly treat their slaves;

• (Ephesians chapter 6 verses 5-9);

One final thing that is worth noting is this:

• In New Testament times there was only one place on planet earth;

• Where master and slave were considered equal;

• That was in the Church of Jesus Christ!

• Galatians chapter 3 verse 28:

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

• So in the Church of Jesus Christ master and slave were considered equal;

• But in society that was not yet the case;

• And into this situation Paul pens these words.

Note:

• For our study tonight I want to culturalise verses 9-10;

• And refer to Employer and employee, not slave and master.

(1). Wise Words For employees (vs 9-10).

“Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.”