REVIEW

• Who we are series
  • Vision: We will reach the world for Jesus one person at a time
  • Mission: We will create biblical disciples in relational environments
  • Process: We will make disciples who make disciples (SCMD)
• We’ve been following the order and themes of the Book of Ephesians to help us understand what it looks like to grow as a disciple and disciple-maker of Jesus (5 spheres graphics)
  • Context for today’s passage: Ephesians 4:21-24; 5:1-2; 5:21

PREVIEW

EPHESIANS 6:5-9 THE WORLD SPHERE

Ephesians 6:5-9 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. 9 Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites. NLT

1. IN OUR WORK ENVIRONMENTS

A. WORKING IN THE WORLD IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE CHRIST

Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. NLT

• Most of the time, slavery was their form of employment – not like what we often picture based on the negative examples in our country’s history
• When we are subject to the authority at work, we’re to serve them sincerely as we would serve Christ

B. INTEGRITY IS CENTRAL TO DOING GOD’S WILL as we live in the world

Ephesians 6:6-7 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. NLT

• People pleasing? Motive matters – 1 Cor 10:31-33
• Integrity: Doing the right thing when no one is watching (No chameleons)
• Work – we were made to work – to represent our Creator in how we engage and govern (Gen 1:26-28)

C. HIS WAY IS ALWAYS WORTH IT…in the long run

Ephesians 6:8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. NLT

• Reward – He WILL reward you – not usually in the way we think, but He is trustworthy (Gen 50:20)
• His principles are true regardless of our socioeconomic status – you reap what you sow (Gal 6:7-10)

D. OUR POSITION DOES NOT DETERMINE OUR VALUE

Ephesians 6:9 Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites. NLT

• Masters – those in authority are to treat others with dignity, respect, sincerity, integrity (Matt 7:12)
• Don’t threaten them – don’t seek to intimidate or bully or misuse your power and authority
• God has no favorites – He values and treats you as His children (Rom 8:17) not how others see you

2. IN SUBMITTING TO GOVERNMENT

1 Peter 2:13-14a For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. NLT

• Submission is a quality and practice of those that follow Jesus (Eph 5:21; 1 Pet 2:21)
• For the Lord’s sake: It’s about representing the Lord and His will more than what I want

3. IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Matthew 22:39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ NLT

• The story of the Good Samaritan reminds us our neighbors are all around us (Luke 10:30-37)
• How I treat those around me, in my neighborhood and in my community, reflect my heart for God

4. WHY ALL THIS MATTERS: OUR GOD’S REPUTATION IS ON THE LINE

• God has not taken us home to be with Him so that we will represent Him in this world (2 Cor 5:11-21)
• He wants us to show His goodness to the world (1 Pet 2:9) because He wants to save them (1 Tim 2:4)

5. A FEW DANGERS TO AVOID

• 1- Finding our identity in what we do (work, school, sports, arts, success, performance, etc)
• 2- Our play choking out the most important (hobbies, hunting, travel, sports, etc)
• 3- Becoming the “moral police” at the expense of the Good News of God’s heart to save people

CONCLUSION: PRINCIPLES TO LIVE BY

Practical steps to being a good witness in the world

1. Work with integrity at whatever you do – Eph 6 / Col 3 / 1 Cor 10:31 [SHOW]
2. Be ready to share your faith – 1 Pet 3:15 / Rom 10:17 [TELL]
3. As you walk with God, HE has you where you are to be a witness for His Kingdom
4. Submitting and suffering is a part of life in this world and following Jesus’ example

For series resources and the Small Group discussion guide go to: thedisciplesjourney.org