Slave-this term had a different connotation in Paul’s day than it does in modern America. For one thing there was no race attached to slavery in Paul’s day. Some slaves were temporary and others were life long slaves. They all were considered ‘living tools’ of their masters though with no personal rights. That was in common with America’s slave history.
Ephesians 6:5-9 instructions to slaves
Philippians 2:22 Same word…to serve as a slave
ESV 1 Timothy 6:2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.
ESV Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
ESV Romans 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
The parallels with slavery in scripture tied to the physical practice in their day of real slavery. It also tied to the real condition of slavery to sin & the freedom to move from slavery to sin now to a new slavery…slavery to Christ.
ESV Romans 6:15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We were bought on the slave market of sin…the auction block…when no one would buy us…Christ purchased us to make us slaves of righteousness!! Freed to be slaved…
Genuine concern for others vs concern for ourselves
Review a couple key points:
ABS
Advance-Put the advance of the gospel first. Put the gospel first.
Believers-Put your fellowship with believers around the gospel first.
Stand United-Put unity for the sake of the gospel as a premium priority.
Focus on the cross! Put the gospel first.
Adopt Jesus’ death as the test of your outlook!! Put the gospel first.
How do we know if we are self centered or Gospel centered?
Center yourself on others because of Christ, His Kingdom & the Gospel!
Make Spirit –led plans for the benefit of others first!
Listen to and emulate worthy Christian leaders
Emulate those who are sincerely concerned for others
Emulate those who have proven themselves during hardship
Not the untested
Not the headstrong strutting peacocks who promote themselves
Christ
Paul
Timothy
Epaphroditus
Philippians
Now it’s your turn!
Amy’s constant example for me regarding myself and the children.
Always thinking of what the other person will need first!
The examples of true Christianity come from home life more often than we realize.
We are called to care for those we preach the gospel to as a mother cares for her children.
We are called to train faithful men who will train faithful men as a father teaches his son his favorite hobby or a job skill.
Five dimensions of teammates shown in Epaphroditus:
Five ways to emulate Paul & his team
Use uplifting labels for each other in the ministry:
1) My brother First we are called family.
2) My co-worker Laborers for the harvest field (spiritual vision, work & profit)
3) My fellow soldier Discipline, Unity & Combat in the field (mission trip)
4) Your messenger Courier to encourage the missionary Paul
5) Your minister Dispensing financial aid to the missionary Paul
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