Prioritizing Our Relationship with God in Society

 

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 part of a broader teaching on mutual submission among Christians, emphasizing that our primary relationship is with God. The Apostle Paul uses the context of slavery to illustrate broader principles about social, political, and economic relationships. He does not directly condemn or condone slavery but instead focuses on how Christians should conduct themselves within these systems. This approach highlights the Bible's primary concern with our relationship to God and the secondary importance of worldly conditions.

The Bible's limited focus on social issues like slavery suggests that its primary emphasis is on spiritual matters and eternal truths. The church's role, therefore, is not to directly address social or political issues but to evangelize and teach Christians how to live godly lives within their circumstances. This does not mean Christians should ignore social injustices; rather, individual Christians, as citizens, can work to improve conditions. The transformation of society comes indirectly through the conversion and spiritual growth of individuals, as seen in historical examples like the Evangelical Awakening.

The church's primary task is evangelism, not social reform. When the church becomes entangled in political or social activism, it risks hindering its mission to spread the gospel. The focus should remain on producing Christians who, through their renewed minds and hearts, will naturally influence society for the better. This approach ensures that the church remains true to its mission and effectively contributes to societal change through the transformation of individuals.

Key Takeaways:

- Primary Relationship with God: The Bible emphasizes our relationship with God over social or political conditions. This focus helps Christians maintain a perspective that prioritizes eternal truths over temporal issues. By keeping God at the center, believers can navigate worldly challenges with a sense of peace and purpose. [06:31]

- Role of the Church: The church's primary role is to evangelize and disciple believers, not to engage directly in social or political activism. By focusing on spiritual transformation, the church indirectly influences societal change. This approach ensures that the church remains true to its mission and effectively contributes to societal improvement. [10:51]

- Christian Conduct in Society: Christians are called to live out their faith within existing social structures, demonstrating integrity and Christ-like behavior. This conduct serves as a testimony to the transformative power of the gospel and can lead to positive change in society. [28:25]

- Individual Responsibility: While the church focuses on spiritual matters, individual Christians can engage in social and political issues as citizens. This dual approach allows for personal involvement in societal improvement without compromising the church's primary mission. [35:09]

- Historical Impact of Evangelism: The Evangelical Awakening illustrates how spiritual revival can lead to societal transformation. By focusing on evangelism and discipleship, the church can indirectly influence social change through the conversion and growth of individuals. [37:50]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:5-9
- [01:21] - Mutual Submission in Christian Life
- [02:40] - The Problem of Slavery and Social Relationships
- [04:36] - Unique Christian Perspective
- [06:14] - Bible's Primary Concern: Relationship with God
- [08:01] - Role of the Church in Social Issues
- [10:03] - Evangelism as the Church's Primary Task
- [12:07] - The Church's Approach to Communism
- [14:08] - Christianity and Social Conditions
- [18:27] - Christianity's Stance on Slavery
- [21:07] - Christianity Does Not Condone Slavery
- [25:46] - Christian Conduct in Social Structures
- [33:50] - Improving Conditions as Individual Christians
- [37:50] - Historical Impact of Evangelism
- [46:00] - Conclusion: Focus on Relationship with God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:5-9

Observation Questions:
1. What specific instructions does Paul give to servants in Ephesians 6:5-9, and how are they to carry out their duties? [00:12]
2. How does Paul address the responsibilities of masters towards their servants in this passage? [01:03]
3. According to the sermon, what is the primary concern of the Bible, and how does this influence the way Christians should view their social and political conditions? [06:31]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that Christians should balance their relationship with God and their responsibilities within social structures? [06:31]
2. In what ways does the sermon argue that the church's primary task is evangelism rather than social reform? How does this align with Paul's teachings in Ephesians 6:5-9? [10:51]
3. How does the historical example of the Evangelical Awakening illustrate the sermon’s point about societal transformation through individual spiritual growth? [37:50]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current work or social environment. How can you demonstrate integrity and Christ-like behavior in your daily interactions, as Paul instructs in Ephesians 6:5-9? [28:25]
2. The sermon emphasizes the church's role in evangelism over social activism. How can you personally contribute to this mission in your community? [10:51]
3. Consider a social or political issue you are passionate about. How can you engage with it as a Christian citizen without compromising your primary relationship with God? [35:09]
4. Think about a time when you felt conflicted between your faith and societal expectations. How did you navigate that situation, and what would you do differently now? [33:50]
5. The sermon mentions the transformative power of individual conversion. Identify one person in your life who might benefit from hearing the gospel. How can you share your faith with them this week? [37:50]
6. How can you ensure that your involvement in social or political issues does not detract from your spiritual growth and relationship with God? [49:26]
7. Reflect on the historical impact of evangelism mentioned in the sermon. How can you be part of a similar movement in your own context today? [37:50]

Devotional

Day 1: Prioritizing Our Relationship with God
Our relationship with God is the foundation of our lives, and it should take precedence over all other concerns, including social and political issues. This perspective allows Christians to focus on eternal truths rather than getting caught up in the temporary challenges of the world. By keeping God at the center, believers can navigate life's difficulties with peace and purpose, knowing that their ultimate allegiance is to Him. This focus on God helps Christians maintain a balanced view of their circumstances, ensuring that their actions and decisions are aligned with His will. [06:31]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men." (Romans 14:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize your relationship with God today, ensuring that it remains central in your life amidst the distractions and demands of the world?


Day 2: The Church's Mission of Evangelism
The church's primary role is to evangelize and disciple believers, focusing on spiritual transformation rather than direct involvement in social or political activism. By concentrating on the spiritual growth of individuals, the church can indirectly influence societal change. This approach ensures that the church remains true to its mission and effectively contributes to societal improvement through the transformation of hearts and minds. The church's focus on evangelism allows it to fulfill its calling to spread the gospel and make disciples of all nations. [10:51]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.'" (Mark 16:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you support your church's mission of evangelism and discipleship in your community, and what steps can you take to share the gospel with those around you?


Day 3: Living Out Faith in Society
Christians are called to live out their faith within existing social structures, demonstrating integrity and Christ-like behavior. This conduct serves as a testimony to the transformative power of the gospel and can lead to positive change in society. By embodying the values of the kingdom of God, believers can influence their communities and workplaces, showing others the love and grace of Christ through their actions and attitudes. This approach to Christian living emphasizes the importance of personal integrity and the impact it can have on the world. [28:25]

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you demonstrate Christ-like behavior in your daily interactions, and how might this influence those around you for the better?


Day 4: Individual Responsibility in Social Issues
While the church focuses on spiritual matters, individual Christians have the responsibility to engage in social and political issues as citizens. This dual approach allows for personal involvement in societal improvement without compromising the church's primary mission. Christians are encouraged to use their influence and resources to address injustices and work towards positive change, guided by their faith and values. This balance between spiritual focus and social engagement empowers believers to make a meaningful impact in their communities. [35:09]

"Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart." (Zechariah 7:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one social or political issue you feel called to address, and how can you take action in a way that aligns with your faith and values?


Day 5: The Transformative Power of Evangelism
The Evangelical Awakening illustrates how spiritual revival can lead to societal transformation. By focusing on evangelism and discipleship, the church can indirectly influence social change through the conversion and growth of individuals. This historical example demonstrates the power of the gospel to transform lives and, in turn, impact society as a whole. The church's commitment to evangelism ensures that it remains a catalyst for positive change, both spiritually and socially. [37:50]

"And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to a spiritual revival in your community, and what role can you play in helping others experience the transformative power of the gospel?

Quotes

The Bible's primary concern is with our relationship to God. That doesn't mean that it isn't interested in our relationship to one another, but its primary interest, its essential emphasis always is in our relationship to God. Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar, and the thing that men forget unto God the things that are Gods. [00:06:25]

The business of the church is not to deal directly therefore with these problems. She only deals with them indirectly. The church and her preaching are to do exactly what the Bible does itself. It mustn't spend the whole of its time in entering into these problems in detail. No, the business of the church is to deal with the great general principles. [00:08:11]

The church is not here to reform the world because the world cannot be reformed. The business of the church is to evangelize, is to preach a gospel of Salvation to men who are blinded by sin and under the Dominion and the power of the devil. That is her primary task, and she must never do anything that militates against that primary task. [00:11:04]

Christianity obviously does not abolish our relationship to social, political, and economic conditions. It doesn't abolish them. Now, why is it necessary to say that? Well, because many of the early Christians thought that the fact that they had become Christian abolished all that, and there are many people who still think the same thing. [00:14:26]

Christianity not only does not change our relationship to these conditions, it does not even condemn such things as slavery directly as being sinful. No, you realize at once that this has been a great stumbling block to many people and particularly during this last century. But it's our business to expand the scriptures. [00:21:00]

Christianity is interested in is the way in which a Christian slave behaves himself towards his master and how the man who owns a slave treats his slave. That's what it does. It doesn't deal with the question of slavery per se. Now, you've got your principle, I trust. I don't want to mention some of the modern applications of this at the present time. [00:24:36]

The individual Christian is never to take the law into his own hands. He is never to act as an individual, but that does not mean that as a citizen of the country to which he belongs that he is not entitled to take part in improving the circumstances and conditions. So you see, it works like this. [00:35:09]

The Flaming passionate evangelism of men like George Whitfield and the Wesley and others was the thing that transformed the situation. What did they preach about? What did Whitfield preach about when he began to preach to those miners outside Bristol? What was his preaching to? Did he talk to them about their social conditions, about their wages, about the hours of their work? [00:37:55]

The church can't change conditions. She's not meant to change conditions, and the moment she tries to, she's shutting the door of evangelism. If I attack communism, the Communists are on defense, and they're not going to listen to my gospel. They won't even give it a hearing. I mustn't do that. I mustn't attack any of these things. [00:45:57]

The Christians one burning concern is his relationship to God and to heaven and Eternity. And because that is his burning concern, he looks on at everything else as being secondary. He looks on at it cooly and quietly, realizing that his first business is to be related to it all as a Christian different from all others. [00:49:34]

The church does not commend any of these changes. It's never done so. There is not a word in the Bible which tells men to abolish slavery, and yet we know that it was Christian men who did that eventually. That's exactly how it's happened. That is exactly in accordance with this teaching. There's no command to do it. [00:40:32]

The moment that begins to happen to men, they begin to see things in a different way, and they begin to act. Now let me show by means of an illustration what I'm saying. Take the effect, for instance, of the Evangelical Awakening of 200 years ago. Prior to that, the common people of this country were ignorant. [00:36:52]

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Transcript
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