TITLE: The Glory of Work

• TEXT: Ephesians 6:5-9• THEME: The believer should use his work

to glorify God.

Migrant Mother

Thompson Road, Nipomo

The Depression

• With the depression there was not only a breakdown in the economy

but also a break down in labor relations.

Labor Relations

• The relationship between workers and bosses has always been a tenuous one and abuse

goes both ways.

Quote

• “People do not do what you expect, they do what you

inspect.”

Question

What is God’s ideal for our work relationships?

Four Principles

• 1. We were created for work (Genesis 2:15)

Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius 161-180 AD Meditations.

• “At day's first light, if you find yourself inclined to stay in bed, be prepared to say, "I am rising for the work of man." Must I grumble at setting out to do what I was born to do? Is this the purpose of my creation, to lie here under the blankets and keep myself warm? You might say, "Ah, but it is a great deal more pleasant!" Was it for pleasure then, that you were born, and not for work?

Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius 161-180 AD Meditations.

• Look at the plants, the sparrows, ants, spiders, bees, all busy at their own tasks, each doing his part towards a coherent world-order; and will you refuse to do your share of the work? You might say, "Yes, but everyone needs to relax sometime." Granted, but relaxation has its limits set by Nature, in the same way as food and drink have; and you overstep the limits, you go beyond the point of sufficiency; while on the other hand, when action is in question, you stop short of what you could well achieve. [Book 5:1]

Learn to Say

• "I am rising today to do that which I was created to do. I am rising today to do the work of God."

Four Principles

• 1. We were created for work• 2. Roman slavery was common.

Four Principles

• 1. We were created for work• 2, Roman slavery was common.• 3. Slavery is not being condoned- just

acknowledged.

Slavery in Rome

• In the Roman Empire, about one third of the residents were slaves.

Slavery in Rome

• In the Roman Empire, about one third of the residents were slaves.

• In the first century, this was about 60,000,000 people.

Slavery in Rome

• In the Roman Empire, about one third of the residents were slaves.

• In the first century, this was about 60,000,000 people.

• Slaves were not only used for manual labor, they were also used for "professional" tasks such as business management, accounting, and even medical work.

Slavery in Rome• In the Roman Empire, about one third of the

residents were slaves.• In the first century, this was about 60,000,000 people. • Slaves were not only used for manual labor, they were

also used for "professional" tasks such as business management, accounting, and even medical work.

• A common goal among Roman citizens was to own slaves that could do all of your work for you, enabling you to live a life of idle luxury.

Four Principles

• 1. We were created for work• 2. Roman slavery was common.• 3. Slavery is not being condoned- just

acknowledged.• 4. Today’s closest parallel is employees and

employers.

Philemon

• The arguments Paul uses to ask for leniency becomes a

basis for the ultimate demise of slavery.

Issue:

• If Paul promotes respect between slaves and slave owners then how

much more today should that same respect be found between employees and employers

Question

What is God’s ideal for our work relationships?

I. Guidelines for Employees (5-8)

Ephesians 6:5-8

• 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart

Ephesians 6:5-8

• 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

I. Guidelines for Employees (5-8)

A. Respect your boss

Quote

• "The question of who respects me is based on who I am. No one gives me respect; I earn it or I don't. On the other hand, the question of who I respect is also based on who I am. Every person deserves my respect.

Quote

• Whether I like them or not, believe in them or not, support them or not, my leaders deserve my respect. When I am disrespectful to another human, it says more about me than it says about them."

I. Guidelines for Employees (5-8)

A. Respect your bossB. Pour Your Heart into it.

Self is comprised of:

• Your Mind: With Respect and Fear (5)

Self is comprised of:

• Your Mind: With Respect and Fear (5) • Your Will: Work Hard (6)

Self is comprised of:

• Your Mind: With Respect and Fear (5) • Your Will: Work Hard (6)• Your Emotions: With Enthusiasm (7)

Colossians 3:22-23

• Obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Obey them willingly because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do...

I. Guidelines for Employees (5-8)

A. Respect your bossB. Pour Your Heart into it.C. Do It for Jesus (8)

Colossians 3:23

• Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Do It For Jesus

• When there is an aspect of your job that you have to do, but don't want to do, imagine that Jesus is asking you, "Would you do it for me?" Of course you would. You might not want to do it for the ungrateful people you have to deal with day in and day out, but you'll do it for Jesus, won't you? That's what he's asking you to do. Do your job for him, not for the company, not for the boss, not for the paycheck, but as an offering unto him. I can guarantee you that he will be pleased.

Ephesians 6:8

• Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

Mother Teresa

• "We are committed to feed Christ who is hungry, committed to clothe Christ

who is naked, committed to take in Christ who has no home—and to do all

this with a smile on our faces and bursting with joy."

Matthew 25:35-36

• I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me

Matthew 25:40

• When you did it to the least of one of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.

Question

What is God’s ideal for our work relationships?

II. Guidelines for Employers (9)

Ephesians 6:9

• And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

II. Guidelines for Employers (9)

• Treat them with respect

II. Guidelines for Employers (9)

• Treat them with respect• Acknowledge your common master.

APPLICATION

• Some of you may have a boss you don’t like- respect him anyway.

APPLICATION

• Some of you may have a boss you don’t like- respect him anyway.

• Some of you have workers under you- be fair to them and respect them.

APPLICATION

• Some of you may have a boss you don’t like- respect him anyway.

• Some of you have workers under you- be fair to them and respect them.

• All of us work as though we are doing it for God.