Relationship To Employers
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
2/19/2012 PM
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Text:
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I Timothy 6:1,2
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Psalters: |
404, 231, 266, 204 |
- Honor.
- The gospel came to every class of society, including slaves.
- Our text identifies every Christian as being “under the yoke,” i.e., having the yoke of Christ (Matt.11:29).
- Slaves who are saved by grace must know how to renew their minds so they might do the will of God.
- “Count worthy of all honor.”
- “Master” is the strongest word for an employer: despot, master, lord.
- “Count” is be esteemed, accounted and considered for ruling.
- “Worthy” is to have the weight of another thing of like value, corresponding to.
- “Honor” is the valuing by which a price is fixed. “All” is the highest regard and greatest respect is to be given.
- Idea is that the Christian slave/employee is aware that the honor of God is at issue.
- And obedience is to be rendered to our master/employer’s directives and commands.
- Eph. 6:3 and Col. 3:22a teaches that we now have two masters.
- Obedience to the master according to the flesh must be given “in all things.”
- The nature of the work makes no difference: noble or ignoble, self-fulfilling or demeaning.
- Pastor Titus was commanded to teach slaves to be in submission (an inner attitude) and even eager to please (2:9).
- Believing masters/bosses are owed the same obedience and honor; we are not freed from this command.
- We are to exercise forbearance when they treat us wrongly (I Peter 2:18ff).
- We are not free to disobey, to complain and grumble, and not submit when we think an employer is unreasonable.
- Slaves and employees exhibit godliness (aware of God) when they submit - especially to the unreasonable.
- These things keep teaching and exhorting (call alongside to teach and comfort).
- These matters are to be always put before the minds of God’s people (teach) and their wills (exhort).
- Thus we live down (instead of talk down) the ignorance of foolish men (I Peter 2:15).