Text: Colossians 3:18-25
Theme: Service for Christ ought to be the goal in every human relationship.
Intro:
- Last week, we looked at the first 2 of our 4 main points for this passage, drawing thoughts from Ephesians 5:22 – 6:9 which is the sister passage to Colossians 3:18-25, and which gives us some further details that help to explain why the Bible places these expectations on us as Christians.
“It is important to remember that our bodies belong to the old creation still, and it will not be until the redemption of the body at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto Him, that we shall be above the natural relationships in which we stand to one another as men and women here in the world[1]”
- For the purpose of our study today we will break the remainder of the passage down into two main headings.
- Christian Living Within Workplaces (Vs 22)
- Christian Living Everywhere Else (Vs 23-25)
[1] H. A. Ironside, Lectures on the Epistle to the Colossians. (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1929), 155.
I. Christian Living Within Workplaces (Vs 22)
- The Christian is commanded to obey those who have authority over them, specifically in the workplace.
a. These are masters according to the flesh, which means they are physical human beings rather than spiritual authorities.
b. The boss at work should not have to keep an eye on you at all times to make sure that you are doing your job properly.
– Eyeservice means that the labourer needs to be watched or else nothing gets done.
c. We are told to have such a high reverence for God, and an awe of His power and majesty, that we will work wholeheartedly for the authorities God has allowed to be over us. - We are to serve with singleness of heart, fearing God.
a. I knew a guy who worked in a fairly low area of the warehouse. He had the skills to work at a higher level, but he didn’t want to put in the extra effort, so he refused to tell the boss that about his skills. That is not serving in sincerity and with generosity with our time and talents.
b. Singleness of heart means that you put your mind, feelings, and energies into the tasks you have been given.
II. Christian Living Everywhere Else (Vs 23-25)
- Christians living for Christ (Vs 23-24)
a. Wherever you are, with whomever you are with, and whatever you are doing it ought to be done as to the Lord.
b. There isn’t really any room for anything to fall outside of the scope of this command. The whole Christian life is to be lived for the glory of our Saviour. - Heartily means that our service flows out of the whole body, soul, mind, and spirit of man.
a. Verse 22 makes it clear that while we have earthly authorities that we are required to obey and give due deference to, the Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate authority in our lives, and our service is ultimately for His glory. - The reward for our service comes from Christ. (Vs 24)
a. If we serve Christ, then we know that we will receive a reward for our inheritance when we join Him in glory.
b. To look for approval from men would be like an Olympic sprinter looking to please the judges of the swimming competitions. That would be looking to the wrong people for a reward. - Christians living for self (Vs 25)
a. The man who serves himself rather than Christ has a different reward to look forward to.
– The phrase “he that doeth wrong” refers to an unjust person, who is self-serving and does wrong to others in the pursuit of selfish gain.
– Those who serve self may get temporal gains to themselves, but they will one day find themselves facing judgement for their selfish lifestyle.
b. There is no respect of persons with God. God isn’t going to show you or anyone else any special favours on judgement day. There is no favouritism with God. The only thing that will count on judgement day is whether or not you lived for Christ.
Conclusion:
- What sort of a testimony are you in your workplace? Do you work heartily, knowing that Christ is always watching, or are you slack because the boss isn’t always around?
- What about the rest of your life, are you devoted to Christ and serving Him, or are you living for self and the applause of men?