What the Bible Says About Slavery & Employment | 1 Timothy 6:1-2
Series: Guard the Treasure
Title: What the Bible Says About Slavery & Employment
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:1-2; Matthew 11:29-30 NIV
Bottom line: Honoring God leads us to honor people. Honoring people blesses them, celebrates his message, and honors God.
INTRODUCTION
CONTEXT
SERMON OUTLINE
CONCLUSION
NOTES
OUTLINES
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
MAIN REFERENCES USED
INTRODUCTION
Philip Towner tells how when he and his buddies Erving int he military in England became Christians, they let their enthusiasm for Christ overcome their diligence in following the mundane rules about shined boots and clean uniforms. As a result, they quickly got a reputation from their superiors: Christians are sloppy and insubordinate soldiers.
Another true story told by Kent Hughes is about 2 seminary students who seemed to always be standing around talking about God during work hours.
“3 Chapters of John in the John”
The worst though was when he noticed one go to the bathroom for 20 min. When he came out he overheard him tell his fellow-student, “I just had the most wonderful time. I read 3 chapters of the gospel of John.” No wonder he was becoming skeptical of Christians. Hughes, p. 148
Most gospel sharing happens in the workplace. And it makes sense since we spend so much time there. People see us in action. How we work with people matters.
The question we’re answering today is what does the Bible say about slavery, employment & following Christ.
In his book about living out your last days and dying well, Bill Bright, the founder of CCC or Cru as it’s known today, talks about the day when he and his wife decided to fully surrender their lives to Christ. They changed their thinking about their lives and decided to live as a slave to Jesus Christ. They would only obey him. They would only do what he called them to do. And they did that for the rest of their lives launching a missionary ministry that would cover the globe. In 2020, they had 19,000 staff in 190 countries.
CONTEXT
50-60 million slaves in Roman Empire.
About 1/3 of the cities were slaves.
Slavery affected virtually every aspect of the Ephesian church.
Half of all slaves were freed by age 30.
Social status came by association.
Not usually a race thing but an economic and social thing.
Some stayed slaves for security (especially the poorer slaves).
Slaves were cooks, managers, medical workers, and even government workers.
Some sold themselves into slavery so that they could become legal Roman citizens getting those rights.
Slaves could save money, own property, and even own other slaves. They were usually working towards buying their freedom.
Roman slavery was similar but different from antebellum slavery. So when Paul calls slaves following Christ to respect their masters, it’s not like the slavery of the south. While slavery (as commonly understood) is still a sin against God, Paul’s focus is on even more than that. He’s not just thinking about the social evils of his day. He’s thinking on the gospel that speaks to all of those social evils at the same time.
Yoke—typically symbolizes oppression in scripture. And yet Jesus talks about his yoke in Matt 11.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”“ -Jesus in Matthew 11:29-30 NIV
SERMON OUTLINE (influenced by David Platt’s outline)
How does the Bible speak to slavery (employment)?
Slaves (employees) who follow Christ: Respect your masters (bosses). Why?
Because they are made in God’s image. (Genesis 1:26-27)
So you don’t slander God’s name and teaching. (1 Tim 6:1)
Because, if they are a believer too, they are worthy of even greater service from you as your brother in Christ. (1 tim 6:2)
Not because slavery is legitimate.
Slavery means
We buy and sell you like property
We coerce you to work for our benefit
God is anti-slavery
We’re made in the image of God
Therefore, people are equal in value in God’s eyes (and should be in each others’ eyes)
Slavery today—we should care about this.
About 27 million slaves around the world today (more than ever)
Most are young girls
Much is for sex trade/forced prostitution
Much is happening in the US
Grateful for ministries like IJM, A21 and Doors to Freedom who work to eradicate this wickedness
Slavery is spiritual too.
We are all born into spiritual slavery—we’re born slaves to sin, that’s why we sin.
Christ frees us from slavery to sin and the kingdom of darkness when we believe the good news that he saves us by grace through faith in him alone.
He sets us free to serve him.
If someone saves your life, you don’t mind serving them the rest of the life you almost didn’t have.
We grow in Christ to the extent that we gladly surrender all to him as our King and Lord, Creator and Redeemer who ransomed us and set us free. While we are yoked to Christ (by choice), it’s not your typical slavery:
”Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.“ Matthew 11:29 NIV
”For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”“ Matthew 11:30 NIV
The Apostles referred to themselves as slaves to Christ (not just Apostles):
Paul introduced himself 3X this way (Philippians, Romans and Titus)
Peter in 2 Peter
Jude in his letter
James in his letter
CONCLUSION
Bottom line: Honoring God leads us to honor people. Honoring people blesses them, celebrates his message, and honors God.
What about me?
Do I consider my boss/teacher worthy of full respect?
Am I thinking about the 27 million (mostly young) people in slavery today?
Have I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ?
Pray
NOTES
From David Platt’s commentary
Slavery in History—4 types
Slaves in Paul’s Day that had trusted Christ. Respect your masters…
Because they are made in God’s image
So you don’t slander God’s name and teaching
Because, if they are a believer too, they are worthy of even greater service from you as your brother in Christ
Not because slavery is legitimate
God is anti-slavery
This parallels how we are to relate to our employers as followers of Christ. We respect them too
Because they are made in God’s image
So we don’t slander God’s name and teaching
Because, if they are a believer too, they are worthy of even greater service from us as their brother in Christ
Slavery today
About 27 million slaves around the world today (more than ever)
Most are young girls
Much is for sex trade/forced prostitution
Much is happening in the US
Grateful for ministries like IJM, A21 and Doors to Freedom who work to eradicate this wickedness
Slavery is spiritual too.
We are all born into spiritual slavery—we’re born slaves to sin, that’s why we sin
Christ frees us from slavery to sin and the kingdom of darkness when we believe the good news that he saves us by grace through faith in him alone.
We grow in Christ to the extent that we gladly surrender all to him as our King and Lord, Creator and Redeemer who ransomed us and set us free.
The Apostles referred to themselves as slaves to Christ (not just Apostles):
Paul introduced himself 3X this way (Philippians, Romans and Titus)
Peter in 2 Peter
Jude in his letter
James in his letter
Let’s ask some summary questions:
Q. What do I want them to know?
A. That how we treat others reflects on God and his message.
Q. Why do I want them to know it?
A. Because we’re all made in his image and therefore are worthy of full respect whether we deserve it or not.
Q. What do I want them to do about it?
A. Consider all people worthy of full respect. Consider God worthy of full allegiance.
Q. Why do I want them to do it?
A. Because God deserves it and created people in his image.
Q. How can they begin to do this?
A. Evaluate how you’re treating those who have authority over you at work or school or home.
OUTLINES
Outline Bible (Willmington)
SECTION OUTLINE SIX (1 TIMOTHY 6)
Paul addresses the workers, the wicked, the wise, and the wealthy.
He closes his letter with some final instructions for Timothy.
I. PAUL'S WORDS TO THE PEOPLE (6:1-10): Paul addresses four types of individuals.
A. The workers (6:1-2): Paul urges Christian servants to render faithful service to their masters, lest the name of God be slandered.
B. The wicked (6:3-5)
1. They deny the faith (6:3-4a).
2. They are conceited and argumentative (6:4b).
3. They cause confusion, envy, and friction (6:4c).
4. They use spiritual things for financial gain (6:5).
C. The wise (6:6-8): They realize that godliness with contentment is great gain.
D. The wealthy (6:9-10)
1. The desire (6:10): "The love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil."
2. The destruction (6:9): This kind of greed, if unchecked, will result in ruin and destruction.
II. PAUL'S WORDS TO THE PASTOR (6:11-21)
A. What Timothy is to do (6:11-14, 17-21)
1. Flee from evil, and follow after good (6:11).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process:
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?
Who am I going to tell about this?
Final Questions (optional or in place of above)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Alternate Discussion Questions: Based on this passage:
Who is God?
What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?
Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)
What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)
Final Questions (index cards optional)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“1 - 2 Timothy,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes
“1 & 2 Timothy” by John Stott
Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus, David Platt, Daniel Akin, Tony Merida
“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)
“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)
Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)
ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt