New Heart Community Church
Series: Doing Church God’s Way
I Timothy 6:1-2 “Lunch Bucket Christians”—Serving God in the Workplace
Sunday, April 20, 2008
GETTING STARTED:
Roman Slaves - Radical Christianity
I Timothy 6:1-2(NIV)
1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.
Galatians 3:26-29(NIV)-we’re introduced to a “new concept”.
26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
THE SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT JOB
R It probably doesn’t exist.
Genesis 3:17-19(NIV)
To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."
IF YOUR BOSS IS A JERK
Respect & Obey Anyway
WHY? (Four principles)
u It makes IT MAKES GOD LOOK GOOD.
Titus 2:9-10 & 2 Corinthians 5:20
Titus 2:9-10(NIV)
9Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
v It will SAVE YOUR NECK!
Proverbs 16:14 & Proverbs 20:2-3
Proverbs 16:14(NIV)
A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it.
w It’s the best way to GET AHEAD.
Proverbs 27:18/ Daniel 1
Proverbs 27:18(NIV)
He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
x It’s what GOD SAYS TO DO.
1 Timothy 6:1/ 1 Peter 2:18-21/ Proverbs 3:5-6 & Proverbs 16:25
I Peter 2:18-21(NIV)
18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
IF YOUR BOSS IS A BELIEVER
I Timothy 6:2(NIV)
2Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.
Here’s what it means practically:
R Never take ADVANTAGE OF THE RELATIONSHIP.
WHEN WORK ISN’T WORKING OUT
Two Key Questions
u Am I being asked to do anything UNETHICAL?
Daniel 1 & 6/ 2 Timothy 3:12
R If Yes:
II Timothy 3:12(NIV)
12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
R If No:
v Can I QUIT?
1 Corinthians 7:17 & 21-24/ Psalm 15:1-4/ Philippians 4:11-13
R If Yes:
R If No: