Authentic Service: Obeying Christ Through Earthly Duties

Devotional

Day 1: Reverence in Service

True service to Christ is marked by reverence, not fear.
In Ephesians 6:5-9, Paul emphasizes the importance of serving with fear and trembling, not as a response to earthly masters, but as a reverence for Christ's majesty. This reverence is rooted in the awareness of God's active presence within us, prompting a humble and contrite spirit. Serving with this mindset transforms our daily tasks into acts of worship, acknowledging Christ as the ultimate authority. This perspective shifts our focus from pleasing human eyes to honoring God, fostering a sincere heart in all we do. [02:53]

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a sense of reverence for Christ in your daily tasks, transforming them into acts of worship?

Day 2: Heartfelt Obedience

Obedience to God is a matter of the heart, not just actions.
Paul's teaching in Ephesians 6:5-9 highlights the importance of inner transformation over mere external compliance. True obedience involves a heart, soul, and will that are fully engaged in serving Christ through our earthly duties. This sincerity in service is not about performing for human approval but about aligning our actions with a genuine desire to bless and serve. By focusing on the inner transformation, believers can engage fully and genuinely in their duties as unto the Lord, free from hypocrisy and man-pleasing tendencies. [07:02]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: How can you ensure that your actions today reflect a transformed heart, rather than just external compliance?

Day 3: Authenticity in Faith

Authentic faith cleanses the heart, not just the appearance.
Paul warns against "eye service" and "people-pleasing," which are forms of hypocrisy. Instead, believers are called to cleanse the inside of the cup, ensuring that their actions are a true reflection of their inner commitment to Christ. This call to authenticity in our Christian walk urges believers to focus on inner purity, allowing external actions to naturally reflect a sincere heart. By putting off the old self and embracing the new self, created in the likeness of God, we can live out this sincere obedience, free from hypocrisy. [09:20]

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." (Matthew 23:25, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure that your faith is authentic and not just for show?

Day 4: Serving Christ in All Things

See Christ as the true Master behind every authority.
Even when earthly masters are unworthy, believers can serve sincerely because their ultimate service is to Christ. This perspective allows for genuine engagement in duties, seeing Christ as the true Master behind every authority. By recognizing Christ's sovereignty in all aspects of life, believers can find purpose and fulfillment in their work, regardless of the worthiness of their earthly masters. This mindset encourages a wholehearted commitment to serving Christ through our earthly duties. [10:20]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your perspective to see Christ as the true Master in your daily responsibilities?

Day 5: Grace-Fueled Good Works

God's grace empowers us to perform good works sincerely.
The ability to live out sincere obedience comes from God's grace. As new creations in Christ, believers are empowered to perform good works with all their heart, soul, and will, fulfilling the purpose for which they were created. This empowerment by grace allows believers to engage in their duties with sincerity and authenticity, free from the need to please others. By relying on God's grace, believers can embrace their new identity in Christ and live out their faith through genuine acts of service. [11:05]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you rely on God's grace today to empower you to perform good works with sincerity and authenticity?

Sermon Summary

In Ephesians 6:5-9, Paul provides guidance on how slaves should obey their earthly masters, emphasizing the importance of inner transformation and sincerity in their service. This passage is not just about external obedience but about cultivating a heart, soul, and will that are fully engaged in serving Christ through their earthly duties. The call is to obey with fear and trembling, not out of terror, but out of reverence for Christ's majesty and holiness. This fear is rooted in the awareness of God's active presence within us, prompting a humble and contrite spirit.

The essence of this teaching is to serve not merely to please human eyes but to do the will of God from the soul. Paul contrasts this sincere obedience with "eye service" and "people-pleasing," which are superficial and hypocritical. True obedience involves a wholehearted commitment, where one's actions are aligned with a genuine desire to bless and serve, regardless of the worthiness of the earthly master. This sincerity is possible because the ultimate service is to Christ, who is the true Master behind every earthly authority.

Paul's message is a call to authenticity in our Christian walk, urging believers to cleanse the inside of the cup, as Jesus taught, so that our external actions reflect a pure and sincere heart. This transformation is only possible through the grace of God, as we are His workmanship, created for good works. By putting off the old self and embracing the new self, created in the likeness of God, we can live out this sincere obedience, free from hypocrisy and man-pleasing tendencies.

Key Takeaways

1. Fear and Trembling in Service: The call to serve with fear and trembling is not about being afraid of earthly masters but about reverencing Christ's majesty. This fear is a recognition of God's active work within us, prompting humility and a sincere heart in our service. [02:53]
2. Inner Transformation Over External Compliance: True obedience is not about external compliance but about a transformed heart, soul, and will. Paul emphasizes sincerity in service, urging believers to engage fully and genuinely in their duties as unto the Lord. [07:02]
3. Avoiding Hypocrisy: Paul warns against "eye service" and "people-pleasing," which are forms of hypocrisy. Instead, believers are called to cleanse the inside of the cup, ensuring that their actions are a true reflection of their inner commitment to Christ. [09:20]
4. Serving Christ Through Earthly Duties: Even when earthly masters are unworthy, believers can serve sincerely because their ultimate service is to Christ. This perspective allows for genuine engagement in duties, seeing Christ as the true Master behind every authority. [10:20]
5. Empowered by Grace for Good Works: The ability to live out this sincere obedience comes from God's grace. As new creations in Christ, believers are empowered to perform good works with all their heart, soul, and will, fulfilling the purpose for which they were created. [11:05]
** [11:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:17] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:5-9
[00:34] - Obeying with Fear and Trembling
[01:06] - Inner Transformation in Service
[01:38] - Fear of Displeasing Christ
[02:09] - Parallel in Colossians 3
[02:36] - Fear and Trembling in Philippians 2
[03:08] - Presence of God's Work
[03:38] - Humility in God's Majesty
[04:13] - Serving Christ as the True Master
[05:11] - Sincerity of Heart and Soul
[06:23] - Avoiding Eye Service
[07:02] - Inner Life Transformation
[08:14] - The Call to Be Real
[09:20] - Cleansing the Inside of the Cup
[10:20] - Serving Christ Through Earthly Masters
[11:05] - Empowered by Grace for Good Works

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:5-9
- Colossians 3:22-24
- Philippians 2:12-13

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Observation Questions:

In Ephesians 6:5-9, what specific instructions does Paul give to slaves regarding their obedience to earthly masters? How does this relate to their service to Christ? [00:34]
According to the sermon, what does "fear and trembling" signify in the context of serving earthly masters? How is this different from being afraid of them? [01:38]
What does Paul mean by "eye service" and "people-pleasing," and why does he warn against these behaviors? [06:23]
How does the sermon describe the relationship between inner transformation and external compliance in the life of a believer? [07:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of serving with "fear and trembling" reflect a believer's relationship with Christ, according to the sermon? What does this reveal about the nature of Christian obedience? [02:53]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that sincerity in service is linked to one's identity as a new creation in Christ? How does this impact the way believers approach their earthly duties? [11:05]
How does the sermon interpret the idea of "cleansing the inside of the cup" in relation to avoiding hypocrisy? What does this mean for a believer's daily life and actions? [09:20]
What role does God's grace play in empowering believers to live out sincere obedience, as discussed in the sermon? How does this understanding affect a believer's perspective on their own capabilities? [11:05]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a situation where you might have been tempted to offer "eye service" or act as a "people-pleaser." How can you shift your focus to serving Christ sincerely in similar situations? [06:23]
Consider your current responsibilities, whether at work, home, or church. How can you ensure that your service is done with a sincere heart, soul, and will, as unto the Lord? [05:28]
Identify an area in your life where you struggle with hypocrisy. What steps can you take to "cleanse the inside of the cup" and align your actions with a genuine commitment to Christ? [09:20]
How can you cultivate a sense of "fear and trembling" in your daily walk with Christ, recognizing His majesty and holiness? What practical changes can you make to live with this awareness? [03:38]
Think of a time when you felt your earthly duties were burdensome. How can viewing Christ as the true Master behind every authority change your attitude and approach to these tasks? [10:20]
Reflect on the concept of being empowered by grace for good works. How can you rely more on God's grace to fulfill your purpose as His workmanship? What specific actions can you take to embrace this empowerment? [11:05]
Choose one aspect of your life where you can put off the "old self" and embrace the "new self" created in the likeness of God. What practical steps will you take this week to live out this transformation? [11:52]

Sermon Clips

Slaves obey your lords according to the flesh in other words your natural your masters with fear and trembling in the sincerity of your heart as you obey christ do not or not by way of eye service as people pleasers but as slaves of christ doing the will of god from the soul rendering service with a good will as to the lord and not to men. [00:00:26]

So I'm inclined to think that fear here, just like with wives towards husbands as we looked at in the previous section, is fear of displeasing Christ. You know that even more clearly if we look at the parallel in Colossians 3: slaves obey in everything, lords according to the flesh, not by way of high service as people pleasers but within sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. [00:01:58]

For God is the one who is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. So this fear in trembling is not because God isn't at work within you, it's because he is at work within you. In other words, it's the very presence of the creator of the universe in all of his holiness willing our good and working within us that causes an appropriate fear and trembling. [00:02:59]

We tremble in the presence of such majesty so we live with a sense of the greatness and glory and purity and power and holiness of Christ in our lives. He's not a little chummy friend; he's a massive glorious king and a friend. So fear and trembling sets the stage for the inner life of the slave as he goes about serving Christ. [00:03:37]

When you obey the lord, that is the earthly master, have your heart in it. When you obey your earthly lord, have your whole soul in it. When you obey your earthly master, let it be from a good will, not a compromised half will half obeying and the other half rebelling. [00:05:41]

Eye services meaning, okay here comes the master I need to put a good face on it, I want him to see me as faithful I'm really not faithful I hate him, but I want him to see me and be pleased with me doesn't matter what's going on inside of my heart or inside of my soul or inside of my will. [00:06:25]

The amazing thing is that this is inner life right, this is inner life, this is inner life, and this is by way of negation her life. That's amazing isn't it these slaves he's saying look, of course the obedience here is external you do your job, he tells you to take water from the river and put it in the tub you obey that's the external obedience. [00:07:02]

Sincerity that means not half of your heart going one way and half of your heart going the other way but your whole heart, I want to bless this household, I want to have my whole soul in it, I want to have a good will in it. So what's the main point, the main point is be real. [00:07:43]

Don't ever ever fall into the trap of hypocrisy don't you hear Jesus, Jesus hated hypocrisy, he went after hypocrisy more than he went after anything didn't he and that's what Paul is picking up on, doing things with eye service as men pleaser simply means cleaning up the outside of the cup while the inside is full of dead men's bones. [00:08:54]

You might say well what if this master is not worthy of that kind of heart and soul and will and of course that's the case most of the time. The answer is as you obey Christ, as slaves of Christ, as to the Lord in other words, you can be real and you can be sincere and you can want really to bless because behind this lord no matter what he is, you see Christ. [00:09:55]

By grace you have been saved through faith it's not your own doing it's the gift of God not of works lest anyone should boast because we are his workmanship these slaves have been recreated, created in Christ Jesus for good works, good works for the master with all their heart and all their soul and God prepared these beforehand that we should walk in them. [00:10:56]

Put off your old self slaves which belongs to your former manner of life corrupt through deceitful desires, be renewed you need to be a new person in the spirit of your minds, your heart, your soul, your will, and put on the new self created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. [00:11:36]

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Authentic Service: Obeying Christ Through Earthly Duties

Devotional

Day 1: Reverence in Service

Day 2: Heartfelt Obedience

Day 3: Authenticity in Faith

Day 4: Serving Christ in All Things

Day 5: Grace-Fueled Good Works

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Authentic Service: Obeying Christ Through Earthly Duties

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