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Ephesians 6:5-9

“God at your Workplace”

God at Work?•According to an article from 4 years ago on the Forbes Magazine web site, American workers’ job satisfaction, then, was less than 46%•Only 15.4% were “very satisfied” in their work•Most of the people who responded to the survey are relieved to be employed in this economy, eager to stay employed, but stretched to the max at work, hoping for a winning lottery ticket.

God at Work?•Are you happy in your work?•Does liking it (or not) affect your job performance, or your relationship with bosses or co-workers?•Do your co-workers know you’re a Christian because you told them, or because of what they see when you work?• Just like the last 4 Sundays, submission to Christ should be on display at work…

“5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not by way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

Ephesians 6:5-9, NASB

A. From God to Employees•Is Paul endorsing slavery? No•We must understand that the issue at hand is not slavery, but attitudes•He was addressing the heart of the person who finds themselves in any given situation•Greek word is “duolos” or Bondservant•Hebrew law, state only lasted 7 years, then choice

A. From God to Employees•Not speaking to ‘slaves’ in general either, but to Christians– either free or slaves– in our case, employees•These three verses spell out the kind of behavior should exhibit in his/her work•Let’s look again–

“5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not by way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.” Ephesians 6:5-8, NASB

A. From God to Employees•Paul gives us 3 reasons for us to be obedient and good workers

1. As to Christ--In reality we are working for Christ, not just our earthly employers. Especially , if you have a Christian employer, you must not take advantage of them, rather you should work more faithfully. Instead of goofing around, waiting to clock out, devote your full attention and energy to your job

3 Reasons: Be the best worker1. As to Christ—•Best way to witness, be the best worker!•The phrase “in sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers”•Means you are honest, have integrity, and are incorruptible, whether the boss deserves it or not•How? Because our aim is to please God…

3 Reasons: Be the best worker2. Doing God’s Will from the Heart•Like it or not, your current work is what God has provided for you•He may have something different later or sooner for you– Great– but this is the one we should glorify Him in NOW…•Understand– we work for Jesus, not the check signers!

3 Reasons: Be the best worker3. We will receive the same from God•As employees we get paid, unlike the slaves of Paul’s time– a temporary reward•God’s reward is eternal! •Your boss may not like or even SEE everything you do, but God does; and He will not forget!

B. From God to Employers…•I used to work for a “Christian” theatre that was all about making $$$, but called themselves a Ministry•It is and was shameful and God will judge it•Paul applies this lesson to employers as well, because there were slave owners who were Christians too

B. From God to Employers…•In essence, Paul applied his words for employees to employers as well•They , too, are to please the Lord in their work, particularly in treatment of those under them; Paul’s instructions went a step further •He told them what they were to do, and he told them what they should not do: threaten their employees

9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

Ephesians 6:9, NASB

4 Points for Employers 1. “Do the same things to them…”•In other words, take care of them•Assume they do their best for you, do your best for them– even if they fail to deserve it!•Bosses– you work for Jesus too– not the company bottom line•Treat them so they see your faith in YOUR work too!

4 Points for Employers 2. “Give up Threatening…”•Fear motivation does not work.•Ever hear that “you can draw more flies…”•If you give good benefits, positive critique, and profit for their hard work, they’ll work harder•Trust them to do their jobs, don’t micro-manage-- delegate

4 Points for Employers 3. “Knowing…both their Master and yours is in Heaven”•Mark 9:35 says, “And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.’”•This is why God made many to serve before leading-- Jesus, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David•Boss and Employees are equal to God

4 Points for Employers 4. “There is no partiality with Him”•Scripture says God is no respecter of persons– whether high or low birth, rich or poor, slave or free, all are the same to Him•One of the quickest and surest ways to destroy morale and confidence of company employees is showing partiality among them•Practice the 3 Fs: Fair, Firm, Friendly

Take Home…1. To employees: You work hard with integrity, honesty, and incorruptibility not only for your earthly boss, but also for the Ultimate Boss, Jesus2. To employer and boss: Treat your employees with integrity, fairness, kindness, and honesty: Golden Rule3. To both: You will give account for your attitudes and actions to the Lord someday