Living Out Faith: Integrity in Work and Relationships

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:5-9, Paul addresses the relationship between servants and masters, urging them to act with integrity and sincerity as if serving Christ. This passage is a continuation of the principle of mutual submission outlined in Ephesians 5:18-21, emphasizing that being filled with the Spirit affects all aspects of life, including work relationships. Christianity is not just a Sunday affair but a way of life that permeates every relationship and action. The Apostle Paul uses the example of servants and masters to illustrate how Christian principles apply to everyday life, highlighting the uniqueness of Christian teaching.

The passage is not directed at the world but at those who are filled with the Spirit, emphasizing that true Christian living is only possible through a profound change at the heart of one's being. This transformation is essential for understanding and applying Christian doctrine to life. The teaching assumes that Christians have a deep understanding of doctrine, which they must apply to their lives, including their roles as employees or employers.

Paul's teaching on slavery, a controversial topic, is not about condoning the practice but about how Christians should conduct themselves within existing social structures. The Bible's primary concern is man's relationship with God, and it views life in this world as secondary to eternal matters. The church's role is to focus on spiritual matters, guiding believers in their relationship with God and their conduct in the world, rather than getting entangled in political or social issues.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the Bible's principles and applying them to contemporary issues, such as employment and social justice, while maintaining a focus on eternal values. Christians are called to live as pilgrims in this world, prioritizing their relationship with God and viewing earthly life as temporary.

Key Takeaways:

- Christianity is a comprehensive way of life that affects every relationship and action, not just a Sunday affair. It requires a profound change at the heart of one's being, which is only possible through the Holy Spirit. This transformation enables Christians to live out their faith in every aspect of life, including work relationships. [03:02]

- The Bible's primary concern is man's relationship with God, viewing life in this world as secondary to eternal matters. This perspective should guide Christians in their conduct and priorities, emphasizing the importance of spiritual matters over earthly concerns. [29:08]

- The church's role is to focus on spiritual matters, guiding believers in their relationship with God and their conduct in the world. It should not get entangled in political or social issues but should emphasize the eternal over the temporal. [38:27]

- Understanding and applying Christian doctrine is essential for living a sanctified life. Christians must know the teachings of the Bible and apply them to their lives, including their roles as employees or employers, to live out their faith authentically. [13:58]

- Christians are called to live as pilgrims in this world, prioritizing their relationship with God and viewing earthly life as temporary. This perspective helps them maintain the right priorities and focus on eternal values, even amidst contemporary issues. [35:40]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:5-9
- [01:10] - Context of Mutual Submission
- [02:09] - Christian Life as a Whole
- [03:02] - Christianity Beyond Sunday
- [04:06] - Detailed Application of Principles
- [05:12] - Relationships and Tensions
- [06:24] - The Problem of Selfishness
- [07:44] - Approach to Complex Issues
- [09:00] - Uniqueness of Christian Teaching
- [10:13] - Transformation Through the Spirit
- [11:58] - Doctrine and Application
- [13:46] - Sanctification in Practice
- [15:23] - Balance and Fairness in Teaching
- [17:08] - Addressing Slavery
- [19:29] - Christian Relationship to the State
- [21:55] - Applying Biblical Principles
- [27:15] - Limited Direct Teaching on Slavery
- [29:08] - Focus on Relationship with God
- [33:20] - Life as a Pilgrimage
- [37:37] - Church's Primary Role
- [41:02] - Emphasis on Eternal Matters
- [44:34] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:5-9
- Matthew 22:15-21
- Romans 13:1-2

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Observation Questions:

1. In Ephesians 6:5-9, what specific instructions does Paul give to servants and masters, and how are these instructions connected to their relationship with Christ? [00:30]

2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between being filled with the Spirit and mutual submission in various aspects of life, including work relationships? [01:48]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the uniqueness of Christian teaching in relation to societal norms and practices, such as slavery? [09:00]

4. According to the sermon, why is it important to understand the context in which Paul's teachings were given, especially regarding the relationship between servants and masters? [02:43]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of mutual submission, as discussed in the sermon, challenge or reinforce contemporary views on employer-employee relationships? [01:48]

2. The sermon emphasizes that Christianity is a comprehensive way of life. How might this perspective influence a Christian's approach to their daily work and interactions with others? [03:02]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Bible's primary concern is man's relationship with God, and how does this perspective affect the way Christians should view earthly matters? [29:08]

4. How does the sermon address the controversial topic of slavery, and what principles does it suggest Christians should apply to modern social and political issues? [19:29]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current work relationships. How can you apply the principle of serving "as unto Christ" in your interactions with colleagues or supervisors? [00:30]

2. The sermon suggests that Christianity should permeate every aspect of life. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to live out your faith consistently. What steps can you take to change this? [03:02]

3. How do you prioritize your relationship with God in the midst of daily responsibilities and challenges? What practical changes can you make to ensure that your spiritual life remains central? [29:08]

4. Consider the sermon’s emphasis on the church's role in focusing on spiritual matters. How can you contribute to your church's mission without getting entangled in political or social issues? [38:27]

5. The sermon calls Christians to live as pilgrims in this world. What does this mean for how you view your possessions, career, and long-term goals? How can you align these with eternal values? [35:40]

6. Reflect on a recent situation where you faced a moral or ethical dilemma at work. How did your understanding of Christian doctrine influence your decision-making process? [13:58]

7. Identify a contemporary social issue that concerns you. How can you apply biblical principles to engage with this issue while maintaining a focus on eternal values? [19:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Christianity as a Way of Life
Christianity is not just a Sunday affair but a comprehensive way of life that affects every relationship and action. This transformation is only possible through the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to live out their faith in every aspect of life, including work relationships. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 6:5-9, emphasizes the importance of acting with integrity and sincerity, as if serving Christ. This passage highlights that being filled with the Spirit affects all aspects of life, urging Christians to apply their faith beyond the confines of church services. [03:02]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Identify one area of your daily routine where you can consciously serve as if serving Christ. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform this aspect of your life today?


Day 2: Eternal Perspective Over Earthly Concerns
The Bible's primary concern is man's relationship with God, viewing life in this world as secondary to eternal matters. This perspective should guide Christians in their conduct and priorities, emphasizing the importance of spiritual matters over earthly concerns. By focusing on eternal values, believers can navigate contemporary issues with a mindset that prioritizes their relationship with God. This eternal perspective helps maintain the right priorities, even amidst the challenges of daily life. [29:08]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What is one earthly concern that often distracts you from focusing on your relationship with God? How can you shift your perspective to prioritize eternal values today?


Day 3: The Church's Role in Spiritual Guidance
The church's role is to focus on spiritual matters, guiding believers in their relationship with God and their conduct in the world. It should not get entangled in political or social issues but should emphasize the eternal over the temporal. This focus allows the church to provide spiritual guidance that helps believers navigate their lives with a clear understanding of their priorities and responsibilities as Christians. [38:27]

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

Reflection: How can you contribute to your church's mission of spiritual guidance? What is one way you can support your church in focusing on eternal matters over temporal concerns?


Day 4: Applying Christian Doctrine to Life
Understanding and applying Christian doctrine is essential for living a sanctified life. Christians must know the teachings of the Bible and apply them to their lives, including their roles as employees or employers, to live out their faith authentically. This application of doctrine requires a deep understanding of biblical principles and a commitment to living according to those teachings in every aspect of life. [13:58]

James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: What is one biblical teaching you find challenging to apply in your daily life? How can you take a practical step today to live out this teaching more authentically?


Day 5: Living as Pilgrims with Eternal Priorities
Christians are called to live as pilgrims in this world, prioritizing their relationship with God and viewing earthly life as temporary. This perspective helps them maintain the right priorities and focus on eternal values, even amidst contemporary issues. By living as pilgrims, believers can navigate the challenges of life with a mindset that is rooted in their eternal destination and relationship with God. [35:40]

Hebrews 11:13-16 (ESV): "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself too attached to earthly life? What is one step you can take today to live more like a pilgrim, focusing on your eternal relationship with God?

Quotes


Christianity is something that covers the whole of our life and affects our every relationship. Nothing that the Christian does is the same as that which is done by the non-Christian. They may do the same things, but they do them in a different way. Christianity, I say, is not confined to the church, to Sunday. [00:03:02]

The Christian teaching is unlike any other teaching whatsoever. What we are looking at here this morning is something that cannot be found anywhere else. I know there are other teachings that seem to look like it; they've borrowed from it. There are all sorts of philosophers who've borrowed from the Christian teaching. [00:09:00]

This teaching assumes that because we are Christian, we have undergone a very profound change at the very center of our life. I mean by that, as I was saying just now, that this teaching is not addressed to the world. It would be utterly pointless to take this teaching and to address it to a gathering of working people who are not Christians. [00:11:58]

The New Testament doesn't come to us and say something like this: well, now here you are, you're a Christian, and you've got certain problems, difficulties. How are you to behave as an employee? How are you to behave as an employer? What are you to do? Oh, the only thing to do is take it to the Lord. [00:13:58]

The Bible's real big interest everywhere is in a man's relationship to God. That's what it's about. The object, the purpose of this book is to consider men's relationship to God primarily. All its stress, all its emphasis, all its space, as it were, is given to that. [00:29:08]

Life in this world is always regarded in the Bible as being of secondary importance. The Bible's view of life in this world is that it is just a pilgrimage, just a journey. What are we? Well, says Peter, we are strangers and pilgrims. You've got it in the whole of your Old Testament. [00:33:20]

The business of the church is to expand the Bible, the scriptures, and if those are the controlling principles in the scripture, they are to be the controlling principles in the preaching and in the teaching of the church. I am emphasizing that for this reason: that obviously, therefore, the primary business of the church is not to deal with conditions as such. [00:38:27]

The condition of the church today is very largely due to the fact that this great principle has been forgotten. I don't want to be controversial, but I'm expounding scripture. I cannot find any justification in the scripture for the notion of your so-called spiritual Lords in the House of Lords. [00:41:02]

The tragedy of the world this morning is mainly this: that while it ought to be obvious to everybody that the main trouble in the world this morning is paganism, is godlessness, is irreligion in this and in every other land, whereas the main trouble is, I say, that men have forgotten God and their relationship to God. [00:44:34]

If you and I cannot say that our first and chiefest concern is our relationship to God, then what we may believe about these other matters is irrelevant. If we cannot say that we are viewing our life in this world as temporary, passing, evanescent, again we're wrong. [00:49:33]

We are no longer in a New Testament position. The problems are there, and we've got to do something about them, but if we don't do so in that way, remembering that it is all but passing, but temporary, and that what really matters is the fact that we belong there, we are not in the Christian position at all. [00:52:00]

May God give us grace to do that to the glory of His holy name. We do hope that you've been helped by the preaching of Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones. All of the sermons contained within the MLJ Trust audio library are now available for free download. [00:56:00]

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