Good Work
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Joined Together, Growing Together
Ephesians 6:5-9 (ESV)
5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Sermon Outline
Life in Christ transforms people so everything they do, including work, is shaped by their walk with God.
1. Who and How You Serve
v6 “doing the will of God”, v7 “service with a good will as to the Lord”
v5 “with a sincere heart”, v6 “from the heart”
v5 “as you would Christ”, v6 “as bondservants of Christ”
2. Why This Needs to Be Clarified
v9 “there is no partiality with him”
v6 “not by the way of eye-service, as people pleasers”
v9 “stop your threatening”
3. What the Gospel Changes
v5 “your earthly masters”, v9 “their master and yours is in heaven”
v8 “whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord”
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, you rule the heavens and the earth with wisdom, authority, and love. We admit our failings. We have arrogantly strived to be masters, neglecting the way of service, and eager to have others serve us; yet we do not even have mastery over ourselves. Forgive us our manipulation, and all acts superficially meant to impress and please others. Forgive our threats and every effort to coerce. Forgive our sinful partiality. We thank you that Christ came to serve, and in taking the form of a servant, laid down his life for us. We appeal for grace and look to him in faith. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What does it (or can it) look like for you to do your particular work “rendering service with a good will as to the Lord?” What in the teachings and pattern of Christ can shape how you do whatever work/responsibilities you do?
If you have a boss/supervisor, what principles direct how you relate to that supervisor? How would God have you interact with their instructions/requirements? How should the way of Christ frame how you relate in the various kinds of interactions you have with your supervisor?
If you do not report to anyone in the work you do, how does (or can) service to God shape the way you do what you are responsible for?
Why is it a problem to work as a people-pleaser, in order to be seen? What corrections do you need in this area?
Why do people in positions of authority threaten those under them? Is this something you do? Why? How can you improve?
What difference does it make that all people are ultimately responsible to God?
How can faithfulness to God help you navigate a corrupt situation? What motivates you to be steadfast in doing good?
Do you believe that God will somehow return to you the good that you have done? Why or why not?
If you had complete confidence that in the future God will make things right, how would that change how you relate to difficult people? Navigate unfair situations? Manage your own discouragement?