First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Lord’s Day March 30, 2003 Anno Domini

Ephesians 6:5-9

With Goodwill Doing Service as to the Lord

  I.  Slavery, work and the curse.
      A.  Work is a command and a blessing from God
        

Genesis 2:2-3; Genesis 1:28; Prov 8:30-31

      B.  Sin brought a curse on the means of work.
        

Gen 3:17-19; Gen 4:8, 19, 23; Gen 6:11; Gen 37:28; Gen 5:29.

      C.  Slavery: man exercises dominion over man.
        

Leviticus 25:39, 42.

      D.  Greco-Roman slavery.
         1.  A completely accepted institution, fully a part of the labor
structure of the time.
         2.   Many slaves enjoyed better living conditions than many free
laborers. (See Gal 4:1-2).
         3.  The slave being part of the household was expected to share
the religion of the paterfamilias.
        

  II.  Christ the Lord, slaves in Christ, masters in Christ.
      A.  The lordship of Christ transforms social structures.
        

Eph 6:6, 9; 2Cor 4:5; Phmn 15; Gal 4:4-7; 1Cor 7:20-23.

      B.  Christian slaves can be obedient, with fear and trembling, as to
Christ.
        

1Peter 2:18-21.

      C.  Christian masters can do good to their slaves, knowing that
Christ is impartial in his judgment.
     

   III. Work with the curse lifted: with goodwill doing service, as to the
Lord.
      A.  Serve the Lord with all your heart and he will be pleased with
you.
      B.  Your final evaluation is the one that really matters, v. 8.
      C.  The Lord transforms work from necessity to sincere service.
      D.  You are free; do not become slaves.
        

Remain free in the Lord. Do not become slave to:

         1.  Sin: Rom 6:16-18, 22-23.
         2.        Men: 1Cor 7:23
         3.  Lenders: Prov 22:7
         4.        False teachers: 2 Peter 2:19
         5. Time:  Ecclesiastes 3:1, Exodus 20:8-11, Hebrews
4:9.
        

Pastor Christian Adjemian, Dipl.Div., Ph.D.

pastor@reformedprescambridge.com phone: 617.864.3185