Sermons on Ephesians 6:5-9
The various sermons below interpret Ephesians 6:5-9 by exploring the transformative power of the gospel within societal structures, particularly focusing on the concept of servanthood and mutual submission. They commonly emphasize that Paul's message was not an endorsement of slavery but a call to transform relationships through the gospel's principles of dignity, respect, and equality. The sermons highlight the cultural gap between modern readers and the first-century Roman context, noting that slavery then was different from the race-based slavery in American history. They collectively suggest that Paul's teachings aimed to subvert and undermine the institution of slavery by promoting mutual respect and dignity, encouraging believers to serve with sincerity and goodwill as if serving Christ directly. The theme of being a "slave of Christ" is prevalent, emphasizing that all service is ultimately to God, not human masters, and that Christians should live out their faith with integrity in work and relationships.
While the sermons share common themes, they also present unique perspectives. One sermon emphasizes mutual submission as a radical subversion of hierarchical relationships, advocating for equality under the lordship of Christ. Another sermon focuses on embodying the kingdom of heaven by transforming societal structures through justice and dignity, suggesting that the gospel seeks to enter and transform contemporary situations. A different sermon highlights servanthood as a core aspect of Christian identity, contrasting the humility of Christ with the pride of Satan, and encouraging believers to embrace servanthood as a reflection of Christ's example. Another perspective introduces the idea of accountability to Christ as a central motivation, presenting the concept of a "judgment of rewards" where Christians are rewarded or suffer loss based on their earthly conduct. Finally, one sermon views the Christian life as a pilgrimage, emphasizing the temporary nature of earthly relationships and conditions, and focusing on one's eternal destiny and relationship with God as the primary concern.
Ephesians 6:5-9 Interpretation:
Mutual Submission: Transforming Relationships Through the Gospel (Swamp Mennonite Church) interprets Ephesians 6:5-9 by emphasizing the cultural gap between modern readers and the first-century Roman context. The sermon highlights that slavery in Roman times was different from the race-based slavery in American history, noting that it was not based on race or ethnicity and that slaves could be integrated into society and even earn their freedom. The sermon suggests that Paul was not condoning slavery but addressing the hearts of people, subverting and undermining the institution by leveling the playing field and giving dignity to slaves.
Living the Gospel: Dignity, Respect, and Transformation (Abundant Life Community Church) interprets Ephesians 6:5-9 by focusing on the transformative power of the gospel within the existing societal structures. The sermon emphasizes that while Paul does not explicitly condemn slavery, he introduces principles that undermine it by advocating for justice and dignity for all people. The sermon suggests that Paul's approach was to transform the structures from within by promoting mutual respect and dignity, rather than calling for an outright overthrow of societal norms.
Embracing Servanthood: A Christ-Centered Life (Crazy Love) interprets Ephesians 6:5-9 by focusing on the concept of servanthood as central to Christian life. The sermon highlights the idea of being bondservants of Christ, choosing to serve willingly, and emphasizes that the passage is about changing the heart and embracing servanthood, rather than focusing on societal status. The sermon draws a parallel between the humility of Christ and the call for believers to serve with sincerity and goodwill, as if serving the Lord.
Serving Christ: Integrity, Equality, and Eternal Perspective (MLJTrust) interprets Ephesians 6:5-9 by emphasizing the concept of being a "slave of Christ," which applies to all Christians, regardless of their earthly status. The sermon highlights the idea that Christians should serve with sincerity and goodwill, as if serving Christ directly. The preacher uses the Greek term "doulos" to emphasize the notion of being a bondservant to Christ, which shapes the understanding that all service is ultimately to God, not to human masters. The sermon also uses the analogy of a Christian's life as a form of evangelism, where their conduct in service can attract others to Christ.
Living Out Faith: Integrity in Work and Relationships (MLJTrust) offers a unique perspective by focusing on the transformative power of being "filled with the Spirit" as the foundation for living out the principles in Ephesians 6:5-9. The sermon emphasizes that this passage is not directed at the world but at those who have undergone a profound change through the Holy Spirit. The preacher uses the metaphor of a Christian's life as a journey, where earthly relationships are temporary and secondary to one's relationship with God.
Ephesians 6:5-9 Theological Themes:
Mutual Submission: Transforming Relationships Through the Gospel (Swamp Mennonite Church) presents the theme of mutual submission as a radical subversion of hierarchical relationships. The sermon emphasizes that in the kingdom of God, there is no place for control, domination, or exploitation, and that all are equal under the lordship of Christ.
Living the Gospel: Dignity, Respect, and Transformation (Abundant Life Community Church) introduces the theme of embodying the kingdom of heaven by transforming societal structures through justice and dignity. The sermon highlights the importance of reading Ephesians to gain wisdom for how the gospel seeks to enter and transform contemporary situations.
Embracing Servanthood: A Christ-Centered Life (Crazy Love) emphasizes the theme of servanthood as a core aspect of Christian identity. The sermon contrasts the humility of Christ with the pride of Satan, encouraging believers to embrace servanthood and submission as a reflection of Christ's example.
Serving Christ: Integrity, Equality, and Eternal Perspective (MLJTrust) presents the theme of accountability to Christ as a central motivation for both slaves and masters. The sermon introduces the idea of a "judgment of rewards," where Christians will be rewarded or suffer loss based on their earthly conduct, emphasizing the eternal perspective over temporal conditions.
Living Out Faith: Integrity in Work and Relationships (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of the Christian life as a pilgrimage, where earthly relationships and conditions are secondary to one's eternal destiny. The sermon highlights the importance of viewing life as temporary and focusing on one's relationship with God as the primary concern.
Ephesians 6:5-9 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Mutual Submission: Transforming Relationships Through the Gospel (Swamp Mennonite Church) provides historical context by explaining that slavery in the Roman Empire was not race-based and that slaves could be integrated into society and earn their freedom. The sermon notes that there were 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire, and that slavery was a common part of the household structure.
Living the Gospel: Dignity, Respect, and Transformation (Abundant Life Community Church) explains that household codes were a common feature of the Roman world, used by philosophers and government officials to outline societal structures. The sermon highlights that Paul's household code was radically progressive for its time, promoting mutual submission and dignity within the church community.
Serving Christ: Integrity, Equality, and Eternal Perspective (MLJTrust) provides historical context by discussing the societal norms of slavery during Biblical times and how the Christian message offered a unique solution to societal problems by emphasizing spiritual equality and accountability to God.
Living Out Faith: Integrity in Work and Relationships (MLJTrust) explains the cultural context of slavery in the ancient world, noting that the Apostle Paul was addressing literal slaves and their conduct. The sermon highlights the radical nature of Paul's message in a society where slavery was a common institution.
Ephesians 6:5-9 Cross-References in the Bible:
Mutual Submission: Transforming Relationships Through the Gospel (Swamp Mennonite Church) references Colossians 4:1, where Paul instructs masters to provide what is right and fair to their slaves, emphasizing that they also have a master in heaven. This cross-reference supports the idea of mutual respect and equality under Christ.
Living the Gospel: Dignity, Respect, and Transformation (Abundant Life Community Church) references the book of Philemon, where Paul appeals to a slave owner to receive a runaway slave as a brother in Christ. This reference is used to illustrate Paul's approach to transforming societal structures through the principles of the gospel.
Serving Christ: Integrity, Equality, and Eternal Perspective (MLJTrust) references several passages, including 1 Corinthians 3 and 2 Corinthians 5, to support the idea of a judgment of rewards. The sermon also mentions the parables of the talents and the foolish virgins to illustrate the concept of accountability and reward.
Living Out Faith: Integrity in Work and Relationships (MLJTrust) references Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 to discuss the Christian's relationship to authority and the state. The sermon uses these passages to emphasize submission to earthly authorities as part of one's service to God.
Ephesians 6:5-9 Christian References outside the Bible:
Mutual Submission: Transforming Relationships Through the Gospel (Swamp Mennonite Church) references Tim Mackey from the Bible Project, who states that the gospel is simple, but the Bible is not, highlighting the complexity of interpreting passages like Ephesians 6:5-9. The sermon also quotes Tim Gombus, who describes Paul's instructions as radically subversive, giving dignity to subordinate members of society.
Living the Gospel: Dignity, Respect, and Transformation (Abundant Life Community Church) references Timothy Gombos, who emphasizes that Paul transforms societal structures by demanding justice and dignity for all people. The sermon also cites F.F. Bruce, who states that the letter to Philemon brings slavery into an atmosphere where it could only wilt and die.
Serving Christ: Integrity, Equality, and Eternal Perspective (MLJTrust) references historical Christian figures like William Wilberforce and the Evangelical Awakening to illustrate how Christian principles have historically influenced societal change. The sermon highlights Wilberforce's conversion as a catalyst for his campaign against slavery.
Ephesians 6:5-9 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Mutual Submission: Transforming Relationships Through the Gospel (Swamp Mennonite Church) uses an article from Golf Digest to illustrate the concept of brokenness in American life, listing various broken systems such as families, schools, and government. This analogy is used to emphasize the importance of not participating in the brokenness around us and instead living out the principles of mutual submission and respect.
Living the Gospel: Dignity, Respect, and Transformation (Abundant Life Community Church) references a research paper from the International Journal of Business Communication, which discusses the impact of respect in the workplace. The study found that autonomous respect is a greater predictor of occupational resilience than respectful engagement, highlighting the importance of genuine respect in professional relationships.
Serving Christ: Integrity, Equality, and Eternal Perspective (MLJTrust) uses the example of the Roman Empire's societal structure to illustrate the radical nature of Paul's message. The sermon contrasts the bitterness and division in secular attempts to solve societal problems with the unity and peace offered by the Christian message.
Living Out Faith: Integrity in Work and Relationships (MLJTrust) references the historical context of the Napoleonic Wars and Charles Simeon's approach to preaching during that time. The sermon uses Simeon's focus on spiritual matters rather than current events as an example of prioritizing eternal truths over temporal concerns.