Serving Christ: Integrity, Equality, and Eternal Perspective

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:5-9, Paul addresses the relationship between servants and masters, urging both to act with integrity and sincerity as if serving Christ. This passage, which has been the focus of our study for several Sundays, emphasizes the Christian's role as a servant of Christ, regardless of their earthly status. The ultimate goal for every believer is to glorify Christ through their actions, thereby attracting others to Him. This perspective transforms every Christian into an evangelist, as our daily lives become a testament to the grace of Jesus Christ.

Paul's message is balanced and fair, addressing both servants and masters equally. He instructs masters to treat their servants with respect, avoiding threats, and recognizing that they too have a Master in heaven. This teaching highlights the unique fairness of Scripture, which offers solutions to societal problems through Christian principles. The world struggles with issues of division and discord, but the Christian message provides a path to reconciliation and peace.

The key to living out these principles is being filled with the Spirit, which enables believers to transcend bitterness and selfishness. When both servants and masters are filled with the Spirit, they are united in their service to Christ, and societal problems begin to dissolve. Paul reminds us that all earthly relationships are temporary and that our true citizenship is in heaven. This eternal perspective should guide our actions and interactions, as we are accountable to Christ for our deeds.

Ultimately, Paul emphasizes the importance of living with the knowledge that we will all stand before Christ's judgment seat. This awareness should motivate us to live faithfully, knowing that our actions have eternal significance. The Christian life is not about earning salvation, but about living in a way that honors Christ and reflects His love to the world.

Key Takeaways:

- Service as Worship: Every Christian, regardless of their earthly role, is a servant of Christ. Our primary objective is to glorify Him through our actions, which transforms our daily lives into acts of worship and evangelism. This perspective encourages us to serve with sincerity and integrity, as if serving Christ Himself. [03:06]

- Equality in Christ: The Christian message offers a unique solution to societal problems by emphasizing equality in Christ. Both servants and masters are called to treat each other with respect and fairness, recognizing that they share the same Master in heaven. This teaching challenges societal norms and promotes unity and reconciliation. [08:32]

- Spirit-Filled Living: Being filled with the Spirit enables believers to transcend bitterness and selfishness, fostering harmonious relationships. When both parties in a relationship are Spirit-filled, they are united in their service to Christ, and societal problems begin to dissolve. This Spirit-filled life is marked by love, joy, peace, and mutual respect. [07:02]

- Eternal Perspective: Earthly relationships and roles are temporary, and our true citizenship is in heaven. This eternal perspective should guide our actions and interactions, reminding us that we are accountable to Christ for our deeds. Living with this awareness helps us prioritize what truly matters and live in a way that honors God. [27:39]

- Accountability to Christ: We will all stand before Christ's judgment seat, and this awareness should motivate us to live faithfully. Our actions have eternal significance, and we are called to live in a way that reflects Christ's love and grace to the world. This accountability is not about earning salvation but about living a life that honors God and impacts others positively. [39:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:5-9
- [01:04] - The Principle of Service
- [01:53] - Conduct of Servants
- [02:53] - Serving Christ in All Roles
- [04:34] - Responsibilities of Masters
- [06:02] - Solving Societal Problems
- [07:18] - Spirit-Filled Living
- [08:32] - Equality in Christ
- [10:01] - Conduct of Masters
- [12:32] - Avoiding Threats
- [14:07] - Motivation for Masters
- [16:01] - Accountability to Christ
- [18:41] - Christian Perspective on Judgment
- [21:13] - Eternal Perspective
- [27:39] - Temporary Earthly Roles
- [33:39] - The Lordship of Christ
- [39:12] - Judgment and Rewards
- [46:32] - Living in Light of Eternity

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:5-9

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific instructions does Paul give to servants in Ephesians 6:5-9, and how are they encouraged to view their service? [00:11]

2. How does Paul instruct masters to treat their servants, and what reason does he give for this behavior? [04:34]

3. According to the sermon, what is the ultimate goal for every Christian, regardless of their earthly status? [03:06]

4. What does the sermon suggest is the key to solving societal problems, and how is this related to being filled with the Spirit? [06:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of being a "servant of Christ" change the way Christians should approach their daily tasks and responsibilities? [03:06]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Christian message offers a unique solution to societal problems? How does this challenge societal norms? [06:02]

3. What does it mean to live with an eternal perspective, and how might this influence a Christian's interactions and decisions? [27:39]

4. How does the awareness of standing before Christ's judgment seat serve as a motivation for living faithfully, according to the sermon? [39:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current role or job. How can you serve with sincerity and integrity, as if serving Christ Himself, in your daily tasks? [03:06]

2. Consider a relationship in your life where there might be a power imbalance. How can you apply the principles of respect and fairness that Paul outlines for masters and servants? [04:34]

3. Identify a societal issue that concerns you. How can you apply Christian principles to contribute to a solution, and what steps can you take to promote unity and reconciliation? [06:02]

4. Think about a time when bitterness or selfishness affected a relationship. How can being filled with the Spirit help you transcend these feelings and foster harmony? [07:02]

5. What is one area of your life where you struggle to maintain an eternal perspective? How can you remind yourself of your true citizenship in heaven in that area? [27:39]

6. Reflect on your actions and decisions over the past week. How does the awareness of being accountable to Christ for your deeds influence your choices? [39:12]

7. Identify one specific way you can live out the knowledge that your actions have eternal significance. How will you implement this in your life this week? [39:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Service as Worship
Every Christian, regardless of their earthly role, is called to serve Christ with sincerity and integrity. This perspective transforms daily actions into acts of worship and evangelism, as believers strive to glorify Christ through their conduct. By serving others as if serving Christ Himself, Christians become living testimonies of His grace, drawing others to Him. This approach encourages believers to view their work and interactions as opportunities to reflect Christ's love and character. [03:06]

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: Think of a task or responsibility you have today. How can you approach it as an act of worship, serving Christ through your actions?


Day 2: Equality in Christ
The Christian message offers a unique solution to societal problems by emphasizing equality in Christ. Paul instructs both servants and masters to treat each other with respect and fairness, recognizing that they share the same Master in heaven. This teaching challenges societal norms and promotes unity and reconciliation, as it calls for mutual respect and understanding. By embracing this perspective, believers can contribute to healing divisions and fostering peace in their communities. [08:32]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Consider a relationship in your life where there is a power imbalance. How can you apply the principle of equality in Christ to promote mutual respect and understanding?


Day 3: Spirit-Filled Living
Being filled with the Spirit enables believers to transcend bitterness and selfishness, fostering harmonious relationships. When both parties in a relationship are Spirit-filled, they are united in their service to Christ, and societal problems begin to dissolve. This Spirit-filled life is marked by love, joy, peace, and mutual respect, creating an environment where Christ's love can flourish. By seeking the Spirit's guidance, believers can overcome personal and relational challenges, reflecting Christ's character in their interactions. [07:02]

Ephesians 5:18-21 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle with bitterness or selfishness. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform this area and foster peace and love?


Day 4: Eternal Perspective
Earthly relationships and roles are temporary, and our true citizenship is in heaven. This eternal perspective should guide our actions and interactions, reminding us that we are accountable to Christ for our deeds. By focusing on what truly matters, believers can prioritize their lives in a way that honors God and reflects His eternal kingdom. This perspective encourages Christians to live with purpose and intentionality, knowing that their actions have lasting significance. [27:39]

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: Reflect on a recent decision or action. How might an eternal perspective change the way you approach similar situations in the future?


Day 5: Accountability to Christ
We will all stand before Christ's judgment seat, and this awareness should motivate us to live faithfully. Our actions have eternal significance, and we are called to live in a way that reflects Christ's love and grace to the world. This accountability is not about earning salvation but about living a life that honors God and impacts others positively. By keeping this in mind, believers can strive to align their lives with Christ's teachings and values. [39:12]

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV): "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you feel accountable to Christ. How can you take a step today to align this area more closely with His teachings and values?

Quotes



The chief object of the Christian in other words should be to serve Christ. He's a slave of Christ whether he's a preacher like Paul or whether he's just an ordinary slave in a household in Caesar's household or some other household. The great thing is that any Christian, every Christian is a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Supreme object and motive in life is to glorify his master, to tell forth his praise and thereby to attract others to him. [00:02:53]

We are reminded then I say that the great thing is that we must ever remember that in everything that we do in our life, doesn't matter what our calling is, however humble and menial, we have an opportunity of testifying by living, being what we are to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:04:34]

Once more we are impressed, are we not, by the perfect balance of the scripture, by its utter absolute fairness and thereby of course its uniqueness. There is nothing in the whole world or in extinct literature which is in any way comparable to this. You'll find it everywhere from beginning to end how the balance is held absolutely perfectly. [00:06:02]

There is nothing that can solve the problems of society but the Christian teaching. The world today is bearing eloquent testimony to that statement. Look at the situation, look at the troubles, look at the discords, look at the clashes, the trouble. What are they due to? Well, they're due to something that men obviously is incapable of dealing with. [00:06:22]

It is only as men are filled with the spirit that they can live like this and practice this kind of life. But if they are, they can do so. And so Christianity has always been able to solve these problems of servant and master and master and servant and all these other relationships. [00:07:18]

Christianity brings everybody to the same position. First of all, it brings us under the same common denominator. We're all Sinners, we're all condemned, we're all failures. There is no difference, neither Jew nor Gentile, Barbarian, athian, Bond nor free, male nor female, all of sin. And then we appointed to the same savior, the same God, the same Salvation. [00:08:32]

The Christian Master is not only not to deal with his servant and kindly, he's not only not to treat him cruelly, he's not to whip him or slash him or trample upon. That goes without saying. Even ordinary common human decency would dictate that. Ordinary morality has always advocated that. But Christianity goes well beyond that. [00:12:32]

The motive which the Apostle supplies here again is exactly the same as it was in the other case. Let me remind you of it. The servants, the slaves were to live like this in fear and trembling in singleness of heart and Good Will and so on. Why? Well, that they might please him, that they might win others to him, and that they might tell forth his glory and his praise. [00:14:07]

The second great grand motive that should govern the whole of our Christian Life and living, what is it? It is our accountability to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the realization of the fact that we are all his slaves and that we shall all have to render up an account to him. [00:16:01]

Everything that happens to us in this world is only temporary. These things only obtain while we are in the flesh and while we are in the body. This is a passing and a transient life. This is not the permanent world. We are moving, we are moving on here in the body, pent absent from him. [00:27:39]

The Christian is a man who lives with his eye on these things. Our citizenship, says Paul to the Philippians in 3:20 21, our citizenship is in heaven. That's where we belong. Yes, he says here you slaves, that's where you belong. These men are Masters according to the flesh, but that's where you really, this is passing, that's the permanent. [00:33:39]

We shall all appear before the Judgment Throne of Christ and give an account of the Deeds Done in the body, whether good or bad. Therefore, I say let us all say it with a greater therefore, knowing the terror of the law, we go on to implement the teaching with regard to slaves and Masters, children and parents, husbands and wives, whatever the relationship. [00:46:32]

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Transcript
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