Sermon for 9/6/2009 on Ephesians 6:5-9
Labor for the Lord
Introduction:
In 1882, Peter McGuiure, founder of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, suggested a national holiday to honor the country’s working people. In September of that same year, workers staged the first Labor Day parade in New York City. Organized labor then campaigned to make the day a national holiday. President Grover Cleveland signed a bill making Labor Day a national holiday in the United States in 1894.
WBTU:
A. The Bible has a lot to say about our labor, our careers, and our jobs.
B. However, most of the time it is relation to a slave and master situation.
C. Slavery was abolished in the all of the United States in 1865 with Amendment 13 to the United States Constitution.
D. Slavery was very prominent in the days of the New Testament. The Jews had very strict laws concerning slaves in the Law of Moses. A Jew could only have another Jew as a slave for 7 years. A Jew could have a foreigner as a slave for his whole life, but the master had to treat his slaves fairly and humanely. The Gentiles did not have such laws.
E. In the Gentile world life was cheap. It has been estimated that about half of the total population of the Roman Empire, or about 60 million people, were slaves. Slave owners became very brutal, and the slaves themselves were without hope. Many slaves were very corrupt and tried to “stick it to the man.” Under Roman law, the slave had no rights or protection. A master could have his slave crucified for any reason. Augustus Caesar had 30,000 slaves crucified during his reign.
F. Some slaves had good masters and they became part of the family. It all depended upon the master and how he viewed his slaves. Some were cruel, and some were kind. Philemon and Onesimus is an example of this. Philemon was kind to Onesimus. Onesimus repaid that kindness by stealing and running off.
G. This may seem irrelevant in our day, but according to Scripture, a Christian, whatever their work is to see it as service given to the Lord.
H. A slaved lived by the means of his master. We have much more freedom than a slave, but still, much like a slave, we must work to live if we are able. Therefore, Scripture has much to say to us about the employer/ employee relationship when it talks about the slave/ master relationship.
J. The Lord didn’t burden us with work. He blessed us with it.
K. God worked for 6 days and then he rested.
L. (Gen 2:15 NIV) The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Thesis: From today’s Scripture we find Godly principles to help us in our daily jobs and work.
For instances:
I. Let’s talk about most of us, employees.
A. As Christians in our work, we should obey our superiors, just as we obey Christ. When we are working for our employers, we are working for the Lord.
B. But my employer is not a Christian; it is hard to work for him. He demands things from me that are unreasonable. Still serve him, obey him like we should obey Christ. (1 Pet 2:18 NIV) Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
C. Pray for your employer, your boss. (1 Tim 2:1 NIV) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--(1 Tim 2:2 NIV) for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Tim 2:3 NIV) This is good, and pleases God our Savior, (1 Tim 2:4 NIV) who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
C. We should never do things that are wrong for our employer. WE must do right, because Jesus Christ would never ask us to do something wrong. (1 Pet 3:13 NIV) Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? (1 Pet 3:14 NIV) But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. (1 Pet 3:17 NIV) It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
D. This is the beauty of not being a slave. We can refuse to do something immoral and not get punished for it. Oh, the boss might fire us but we will not be whipped.
E. Why should we work hard for our employers?
1. It is the will of God. We are to do our best and not be a reproach to our Lord. Our efforts should result in work of the very highest quality. Why? Because we are not just laying bricks; we are building a wall for God’s glory.
3. I am not good at my work. This is the beauty of modern day. Find a job that you enjoy better. But while you are there at the job you do not like, do your best.
4. Last week’s sermon- SHAPE, develop a servant’s heart.
5. Will the Lord be satisfied with our work? Our talents in the workplace and our talents in the church are to be used for God’s glory. It is all part of our ministry. (2 Cor 5:9 NIV) So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.(2 Cor 5:10 NIV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body.
6. If we are good workers, we have a much more effective witness for Christ.
7. Who is going to listen to a co worker who is lazy, irritable, or complaining all the time? Who is going to listen to a worker who comes in late constantly, or refuses to help his fellow workers with projects? A man who is lazy, unprepared, or just plain slack does not get respect in the workplace.
8. “Hey man, you are working too fast, too efficiently.” They do not listen to me because I make them look bad. Well, this might be true but isn’t that a compliment. If our Lord is pleased there is a good chance that our boss will be pleased. Cream rises!
9. The first key to be an effective communicator is for the messenger to live out the message. (1 Pet 4:4 NIV) They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. (1 Pet 4:5 NIV) But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
II. Management
A. In vs. 9 it gives guidelines for those in authority, managers, owners, etc.
B. (Luke 6:31 NIV) Do to others as you would have them do to you.
C. Would you want someone to threaten you, make you miserable, and belittle you?
D. If you are not willing to do something, then you shouldn’t order others to do it. This is why it is important for managers to work their way through the ranks. Know what the jobs are, even the menial ones, and do them yourself before asking others to do them.
E. I worked on a farm one summer. Kenny, the owner, was always around giving orders or working in his office. Got up early one morning and headed out to the farm to pick tomatoes in the greenhouse. Got there before everyone else but Kenny soon came by.
F. Had another job at a radio station. The station was in need of repairs. One night raccoons came in through a hole in the roof. The DJ had to chase the raccoons out with a stick. We complained to the general manager but he did nothing.
G. Managers have a great responsibility. This is why they are paid more than everyone else. You can have a great witness for Christ, or you can have a poor witness for Christ. (Luke 12:48 NIV) From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
H. We have been entrusted to lead our employees; we must not only lead them in their work, but let us be challenged to try to lead them to the Lord. Pray for employees.
I. So many people in the church fail to see the influence they have on others for Christ. Managers and those high up have a wonderful opportunity.
J. There is no favoritism with God. Just because we are the manager or employer, does not mean that we are favored above the employee. Many think they are better than.
K. (Col 4:1 NIV) Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
L. In today’s society it seems that the wages of the working man gets lower, while the wages of the people in high positions gets higher. What is this about? According to Christian principles, if the business is doing poorly, both worker and managers salaries should reflect this. If the business is doing well, then both the worker and mangers salaries should reflect this. However, many times this is not the way it is.
M. Capitalism without Christianity is a calamity. We need socialism. No, what we need is a return to the principles of Christianity that made this nation such an economic giant.
N. We are in this thing together. Henry Ford- "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." Whatever happened to this concept in modern business!
O. (James 5:1 NIV) Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. (James 5:2 NIV) Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. (James 5:3 NIV) Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. (James 5:4 NIV) Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
Conclusion and invitation:
A. Think about this tomorrow: (Col 3:23-24 NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
B. Not, Thank God it’s Friday, should be Thank God It’s Monday.
