Transcript

Who's The Boss?

Colossians 3:22-4:1
Sunday, February 24, 2002
Pastor Randy Smith

As much as it sends a tingle up our spine, there can be no doubt exegetically that Paul, in our passage this morning is actually speaking of slavery. With our modern thinking in light of the atrocities committed upon African Americans recently in our nation's history, we find it unfathomable that Paul would not condemn the practice of slavery outright. Even the Lord Jesus Himself never condemned the practice. There must be a reason… we must understand the historical context!

Ancient historians estimate that there were approximately 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire. That number equated to about half of the total population. In Athens alone, it is estimated that 3/4th's of the population were slaves. As the numbers suggest, slaves were an essential element of the culture, primarily based on the belief that work lessened dignity. Practically everything from being a doctor to raising children was done by a slave. Therefore, as this section (in Colossians) alludes, each household had spouses, children, and slaves.

Unfortunately, like women and children, many slaves were severely mistreated. The Roman Varro classified farm instsruments into three classes: the articulate, the inarticulate and the mute (the articulate being slaves). A later Roman writer recommended a grim reality in buying a farm. He said: toss out the old slaves to die, because they are broken tools (and some did just that). Gaius, the Roman lawyer, said, "We may note that it is universally accepted that the master possesses the power of life and death over a slave."

Though the institution of slavery was abused in some cases, it was nevertheless a part of the Greco-Roman machine. It was an immovable force when compared to a small insignificant band of suspect and misunderstood soldiers who called themselves Christians. How was the Apostle to address this issue, which dominated his culture and greatly influenced those in the church?

Paul's solution was not to demand slavery's abolition; however, neither was it to condone the practice. Rather he sought to lay down some principles and guidelines. Paul's goal in writing to this obscure church in Colossae was to abolish the tension that existed as slaves and masters were becoming Christians. In 3:11 Paul makes his position clear, "- a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman , but Christ is all, and in all" (Col. 3:11).

Paul's concern was with the present, not the future. His concern was with the church members, not the leaders of society. His concern was to reconcile slaves and masters together in Christ as equals and then see the institution conducted in fairness, justice and accountability under the lordship of Christ.

Interestingly, most contemporary secular writings only addressed masters and instructed them how to get the most out of their slaves. On the contrary, Paul began his discourse to the slaves. He addressed them not as animated machines or farm instruments, but rather as responsible humans capable of moral duties. He encouraged them to live in a way that would bring solidarity and unity within the church.

Though slavery was not abolished immediately, the Christian principles of equality of men, sanctity of life, and dignity of work eventually led to its demise. History has testified that wherever the true gospel was accepted, slavery began to be undermined. The greatest thing we can do for society is not revolutionize, but evangelize. We must allow God to transform lives and change people from the inside out. The gospel writers stress that transformation begins in the heart, first for the individual, then leading to his or her impact on the society.

As I mentioned before, almost all of the work in the ancient world was done by slaves under the direction of their masters. Today the times may have changed (slavery is no longer accepted), but the need for work to be accomplished has not. We still need competent and qualified professionals to keep our country running. Though a slave/master relationship may be foreign talk, an employee/employer relationship still exists. Our text this morning, though originally addressed to slaves and masters, still finds tremendous Christian application in the modern workforce and the relationship between employees and employers.

In addition to our family, our job may be the greatest platform for Christian testimony both in word and deed. After all, time at work occupies nearly half of our waking hours each day! But yet for many of us our job brings disappointment, frustration and fatigue. It seems mundane, unrewarding and unfulfilling. It lacks appreciation, challenge and reward. If any or all of these characteristics apply to you, I guarantee this morning's sermon will transform your thinking, maximize your ability to be pleasing the Lord and help you find personal joy, satisfaction, and reward in your work. Let's first address employees , as you can see on your outline, with 5 sub points: the mandate, the master, the method, the motivation, and the monition (a fancy word for "warning").

EMPLOYEES

"Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality" (Col. 3:22-25).

1. THE MANDATE (3:22a)

First the mandate, "Slaves (or employees) in all things obey…" (Col. 3:22). From the get-go, the employee needs to realize he has been hired to perform a job. Regardless of whether or not he enjoys doing a specific task, is treated with justice, or even questions the effectiveness of a required duty, it is the employee's responsibility to obey the boss in all things. The command is simple; however, the application requires much faith to be accomplished.

2. THE MASTER (3:22b, 23, 24b)

That leads us to point #2, who's the boss? According to 3:22 we have "masters on earth." Apart from those who are either self-employed or stay at home moms, most of us have an employer, and Paul referred to them here as our "masters on earth." Our employers have a job to instruct, guide and if necessary, discipline us if we fail to live up to the required expectations. They function as our master deserving our respect and obedience, but nevertheless, they are only "masters on earth." The Christian also answers to a higher Master that transcends this earthly realm. Look at the second half of verse 24.

"It is the Lord Christ whom you serve" (Col. 3:24). Literally, we could translate this verse, "Serve the Lord Christ!" Lest the employer forget, Paul reminds him of the identification of his true Master. Interestingly, the same Greek word kurios is used for both Master and Lord (both can be translated "lord," however Paul probably chose "master" to prevent confusion). Though employees are expected to serve their employers (their lords, small "l"), true allegiance is to Jesus Christ, the Lord of all lords.

Regardless of whether you are a housewife or on the job force, the master you are serving is ultimately the Lord Jesus Christ. He is your ultimate authority and no action, in spite of what the earthly boss may command, should contradict Christ's expectations clearly outlined in the Scriptures. This is why Paul said in 3:23, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men " (Col. 3:23). Your boss is only a tool in the hands of God. He is not to be bypassed; he is to be obeyed. And ultimately when he is obeyed, the Lord is obeyed. Serving the boss can be difficult, but serving the Lord is a joy. Therefore, view your work as not in an effort to please the boss, but rather in an effort to please the Lord!

Often we think of church ministry as the only time we can please the Lord; however, this verse is teaching that everything we do in our job is a service to God. The verse echoes the sentiments from 3:17, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father" (Col. 3:17). In the context you can imagine these Colossian slaves feeling dejected with menial tasks, minimal encouragement and little enthusiasm for the future. They labored in a dead end job with little to no hope of input, release or advancement. Some of you may feel the same way about your jobs today. This verse gives great hope. It gives the dejected Christian hope to know that he is serving Christ. Jesus is watching! Jesus is pleased! Jesus is in control! Jesus is rewarding! Whether it be washing floors, making phone calls, stacking boxes, pouring cement, teaching students, pulling teeth, changing diapers…every work is to be done as for the Lord rather than for men. Even the most menial task done for the Lord is an act of worship! As Christians we can find ultimate purpose and meaning in our jobs unknown to the unbeliever. We no longer need to live only for the weekend.

Interestingly, though we are to obey our earthly masters "in everything." We are to obey our heavenly master in "whatever we do." With God, the standard is higher. The earthly master may only be concerned with the performance and achieved outcome; but the heavenly Master though concerned with visible work, is more concerned with the internal condition of the heart. The verse says to do the work "heartily," literally meaning, "from the soul" or according to the modern vernacular, "putting our heart into it!" The boss may let it slide (as long as you get your job done), but the Lord gives no excuse for complaining, sulking or minimal effort simply to "get by." When we realize that it is the Lord whom we are serving, we can understand how He expects joyful service with a standard of excellence.

3. THE METHOD (3:22c)

The end of verse 22 expands this thought. Let's move to point #3, the method of service. "Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord " (Col. 3:22).

Let's first examine the negative aspect, "not with external service, as those who merely please men." Literally it could be said, not with "eye service" as a "man-pleaser."

I can recall my earlier days when I was involved in athletics. I loved the thrill of competition, but I often struggled with the agony of practice. Possibly, more than any other sport, my involvement with competitive swimming found me doing whatever was necessary to slack off in practice. I entered the water only when forced to do so by my coach. I often practiced only when his eyes were on me. In utilizing my advantage of height, I became a master of walking on the bottom and moving my hands in the motion of a swimming stroke. Other times I would simply hold my breath and hide underwater. I employed deception and just enough effort to "get by."

Many employees approach their professions with the same attitude. They work only when the boss is watching. They work simply to gain the boss' attention. They serve with a reluctant attitude, and they do the minimum amount to escape punishment. I read a study this week which revealed that Americans spend 32% of their workday "goofing off." Unfortunately, as Christians, they fail to realize that they are stealing the company's time, destroying their testimony and dishonoring their Master above?

Our work is unto the Lord, and therefore our service should be internal as well as external. It should be honoring to man, but ultimately pleasing to God. The positive aspect of this injunction explains how, "but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord" (Col. 3:22). Man examines the outward appearance, but the Lord examines the heart. In our work, the Lord is looking for: wholehearted devotion, sincere motives, and energetic labor with a Christlike attitude. This spirit should categorize our efforts whether the earthly boss is watching or not, and whether the work is pleasant or unpleasant, challenging or dull, interesting or menial.

All work is ultimately service unto Christ. As verse 22 concludes, we should serve with fear, awe and reverence when we consider the One whom we are serving. Many serve their earthly bosses out of fear; rather Paul is commanding us to recognize our greater obligation to Christ.

There can be no doubt that these are high expectations. As Christians we should exemplify biblical virtues such as honesty, hard work, integrity, dependability, positive attitude and excellence. It shouldn't surprise us that Christian slaves brought the most money on the auction block because they manifested these traits. And we, regardless of our situation, should likewise diligently pursue Christlikeness if we wish to bring credibility to our testimony, integrity to the church and glory to God. Jesus said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Mt. 5:16).

However, I must warn you that following these biblical commands may also bring potential rejection from fellow co-workers. In observing your behavior, they are often personally convicted over their own laziness and immorality. They are forced to either adjust their standards or criticize those who differ. I know some in this church alone who in their attempt to expose sin and work with integrity, have experienced severe persecution in their jobs. Yet we should not be surprised, "And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim. 3:12). Suffering for righteousness is often a good litmus test that we are allowing the light of Christ to shine brightly before a lost and fallen world in love with the darkness. Christ never promised that all people in this life would treat us with fairness. If anything, He promised us persecution (Jn. 15:20)! But despite the hardship, comes the blessed assurance that we are serving a just Master in heaven, One who will never leave us nor forsake us. One who is willing to dispense a Heavenly rest to those who persevere faithfully to the end.

4. THE MOTIVATION (3:24a)

Verse 24, "Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance." Despite any inequity from the earthly boss or fellow co-workers, our motivation for service comes from the Lord. We look toward His reward. We will enjoy His reward, because it is He whom we are ultimately serving. And unlike some human employees, our heavenly Lord can be trusted to give His reward at the end of the day, a reward that we can neither imagine nor deserve.

Interestingly, slaves did not receive a salary nor could they inherit anything under Roman law, but in Christ they had an inheritance (as it is stated in Colossians) prepared specifically for them in Heaven. The Jews felt their inheritance was in being a physical descendent of Abraham. The Gentiles felt inheritance was theirs in being a free man and Roman citizen. How ironic for slaves, the class that fits neither of these descriptions, that their inheritance was Heaven. They were on par with other Christians like you and I (freedom from sin/slavery to Christ) awaiting their future glory as alluded to elsewhere in Colossians. "Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven , of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel" (Col. 1:5). "Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light " (Col. 1:12). "If then you have been raised up with Christ , keep seeking the things above , where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above , not on the things that are on earth " (Col. 3:1-2).

May our future inheritance in Heaven likewise be motivation to persevere faithfully under His lordship.

5. THE MONITION (3:25)

You may be wondering, what about those who claim to know Christ and fail to bear any fruit? Well, it is doubtful these souls are in the kingdom. But what about the truly born-again individual who chooses to disobey these expectations spoken of in chapter 3? Allow me to take you to point #5, The Monition (or, the warning).

Verse 25, "For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." All Christians have responsibilities. The Christian should never presume the Lord's forgiveness or justify disobedience. Those who persistently reject Christ's commands and conduct an ongoing lifestyle in the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God. Whether individuals deny Christ by their words, or profess Him by their words and deny Him by their actions, they show themselves not to be His children and await the eternal condemnation in utter darkness. Some say this is what verse 25 is teaching, a need to persevere to the end lest we lose our external reward. That's possible. Others feel it relates to the Lord's discipline. That's possible too. But I believe, based on the grammar that it refers to disobedience amongst believers and Christ's future judgment.

For instance, what about the truly "born-again" individual who disobeys? Without a doubt, Christ's blood covers him from eternal condemnation; but is he then simply "off the hook?" As a follower of Jesus Christ can I simply ignore my God-given gifts? Reject fellowship with other believers? Serve without the proper motives? Shortchange the Lord on my financial giving? Condemn, judge, slander and gossip others? Can I do all these things, simply ask for forgiveness, and then have it forgotten? Many Christians believe so though the Scriptures seem to teach the contrary. In the future there will be The Great White Throne Judgment that every unbeliever will face. However, there will also be a judgment seat of Christ that every believer will face at the end of the church age, not to determine our justification (that was accomplished at Calvary), but rather to evaluate our deeds done in the body.

In speaking to Christians we read, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10). "But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God" (Rom. 14:10). "And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming" (1 Jn. 2:28). "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire" (1 Cor. 3:10-15).

All Christians will stand before the judgment seat (Bema Seat) of Christ where they will be individually examined, stripped of all disguise and measured by God's standards. According to Colossians 3:25, Christ will judge without partiality. Literally, He will not "receive anyone by the face." He will not judge on sentimentality or popularity as the world judges. He will judge with perfect justice.

Though this time is ultimately a time for handing out rewards, a joyous celebration, the lack of (or absence of) rewards are the consequences for our disobedience. I have no doubt that this will be a sad and embarrassing time for many Christians. I believe these are the consequences Paul is speaking of in Colossians 3:25 when he says, and he "will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done and that without partiality." Paul wanted to be sure that the slaves didn't allow their inheritance of Heaven to be an excuse for disobedience. Wrongdoing, even for believers, will have eternal consequences, not in regard to condemnation, but rather in regard to rewards. May this be a warning to us as employees, but also as Christians in general.

EMPLOYERS

1. ACTIONS TO EMPLOYEES (4:1a)

From employees , allow us now to turn our attention to employers . Like the slave-masters of old, many employers treat their employees like farm animals or personal property. Colossians 4:1 has sound instruction to employers, and again I remind you these commands were startling in the context of ancient slavery laws. "Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven" (Col. 4:1).

First, Paul describes the actions with which they are to treat their slaves. The Apostle mentions 2 words: justice and fairness. Again, masters were reminded that both they and their slaves were equal in Christ. Their slaves were to be viewed as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Their slaves were not a personal possession, but rather precious children of God. Therefore God expects equity in the forms of justice and fairness. The slaves were not to be repressed, victimized, impartially treated or taken advantage of due to their helpless position.

The principle applies equally today regardless of "acceptable business practices." Those of you in upper management positions are expected to care for all of your employees with a spirit of justice and fairness.

2. ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD (4:1b)

If the command in and of itself didn't carry enough weight, Paul drives the point home with the final clause of verse 1, "knowing that you too have a Master in heaven". Imagine God saying, "Masters, don't even think for a moment that you are the final authority. You're answerable to a greater Master in Heaven, Me, and I establish the standard of fairness and justice." What served as a great source of accountability to masters must have been a great source of comfort to the slaves.

Masters and slaves in the context, employers and employees in the application. I trust the Spirit has convicted your heart and brought much application to your personal life. Much application can be taken from the text including: obeying your earthly employers in all things, understanding your ultimate allegiance to your Master in heaven, serving with a sincere heart and not with external service as a man-pleaser, doing all your work as for the Lord, with a whole-hearted attitude, realizing Christ, whom you serve, will give you an inheritance, contemplating the consequences of doing wrong from an impartial God, granting employees fairness and justice, remembering that all, whether employee or employer, have a Master in heaven.

In conclusion, I'd like to finish where I began with the topic of slavery. I mentioned that the principles of Christ brought an end to slavery. But from another perspective, the principles of Christ instituted another form of slavery- slavery to Christ. Romans 6 says we were once a slave to sin resulting in death, but now we are a slave to obedience resulting in righteousness. 1 Corinthians 7 says the Lord's freedman is likewise Christ's slave. This is the ultimate paradox. We can only become free when we become a slave to Christ. Bottom line, we are all slaves, either to sin or to righteousness. The only question is, "What master are you serving?" Choose for yourself this day. There are only two options: if it's Satan , follow Him along with many others who choose the broad road which leads to destruction; if it's Jesus Christ , submit to His Lordship, present yourself as a living sacrifice, and follow Him to an everlasting inheritance.