Protecting God’s Reputation
1 Timothy 6:1-2
June 6, 2010
I have to tell you from the start that I find tonight’s topic to be one that is extremely important to our Christian walk in the day in which we live.
And I don’t know about you, but after so many sermons on pastor qualifications I am ready for something that convicts more people than just myself.
You notice from our opening reading of the text that we are talking about slaves and how they relate to their masters.
There are a couple of things you need to know just to be in the right frame of mind before we study the text.
1) RETHINK SLAVERY
Whenever we hear the word “slavery” we automatically go to the civil war and think about the social abuses that occurred there.
That is not the same thing as the slavery here.
In Bible days slavery was not nearly as negative a word as it is today.
Mostly because slaves were not the worst off in a society.
Slaves had their meals and housing provided as well as a small salary and because of the benefits involved most slaves did better for themselves than regular day laborers.
They were also protected from murder and other things we commonly associate with the slavery that occurred in America.
2) SLAVERY IDENTIFIES CLOSER WITH “WORK” THAN SLAVERY
You would really do better to think of a man and a job today than of civil war slavery.
While some attributes of it definitely resembled slavery (buying and selling, born into it, etc.) it really had more of a feel of a job than a social injustice.
That means that we can easily make a parallel involving you and your job when studying this type of text.
And so I want you to know that from the outset we can all identify a little with what Paul has to say, even though you are not a slave, nor do you own one.
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING HERE IS ABOUT THE ROLE OF A SLAVE AND A MASTER.
Taken for us, we learn about
How a Christian handles himself in the workplace.
But even as we learn the specifics of that role,
It is also apparent from our text that Paul is using this topic
As a way to express an even bigger concept.
You will notice how Paul ends this section.
(2) “Teach and preach these principles.”
What Paul has in mind here for Timothy goes well beyond just simple instructions for slaves.
What Paul ultimately has in mind here is that Timothy continually instills these principles into every area of Christian life.
And the principles are easy to understand.
IT IS THE NEED FOR EVERY BELIEVER TO LEARN
TO ENDURE AND SACRIFICE FOR THE SAKE OF SOMEONE ELSE.
The picture of a slave is a welcomed mascot for every believer.
(It is what most Bible writers referred to themselves as)
Romans 1:1 “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”
James 1:1 “James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…”
2 Peter 1:1 “Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ…”
Jude 1 “Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ…”
DOULOS is the Greek word used.
It refers to one who is a slave by preference and willingly submissive to their master.
Exodus 21:1-6 “Now these are the ordinances which you are to set before them: “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment. “If he comes alone, he shall go out alone; if he is the husband of a wife, then his wife shall go out with him. “If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone. “But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,’ then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.”
And so we understand that the “slave” is a perfect picture
Of what the Christian has determined to be.
That then means that the truths we learn here are applicable to all areas of Christian life and not just meant for slaves in their single role.
What Paul outlines for us here are two scenarios, and in them how a believer is expected to live.
#1 SERVING THE SINNER
1 Timothy 6:1
It is obvious here that Paul is referring to
All who serve as a slave in any capacity.
As I said, we could easily apply this to everyone who has a job.
We could take it even further I suppose and say to everyone who is under anyone else’s authority.
That means it could be workers to their employers…
It could be students to their teachers…
Etc.
Our world runs on people understanding their roles and fulfilling them well.
And Paul is addressing that here as he refers to slaves.
We also notice that based on the fact that Paul deals with having a believing master in verse 2, verse 1 must be him addressing slaves with unbelieving masters.
So now we are dealing with anyone who is
Under the authority of a person who is not a believer.
They may be moral, but not a believer.
They may be a tyrant because they are not a believer.
And here Paul tells any and all how they should respond to such a one.
“All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor.”
And there you have the command.
“regard” them as worthy of “all honor”
Not some honor, but all honor.
It is also beneficial to note that the Greek word for “regard”
Is more of a MENTAL term than it is an EMOTIONAL one.
In other words, honor may not be what you feel, but it is what you determine you need to give.
You may not like them, you may not respect them, you may not honor them naturally, but you push back those feelings and do it anyway because you know it be the right thing to do.
“regard their own masters as worthy of all honor.”
And so that is clear.
If you have a boss (like him or her or not) you must show them all honor.
Have a teacher (like him or her or not) you must show them all honor.
WHY?
“so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.”
AND THIS IS HUGE
You may not realize that in the way you live your life
You actually carry around with you the reputation of Jesus.
For those who claim Christianity, who go to church, who wear Christian T-shirts, who put a fish on their car.
You now carry with you the reputation of Jesus.
You must understand the world is looking to shoot a hole in you,
Not because they hate you,
But because they long to scar the reputation of Jesus.
And if you claim Christianity and then live your life as an unruly, unsubmissive, complainer, you will only scar the reputation of Jesus.
“So is that the kind of stuff they teach you there at your church?”
“Is that the kind of stuff Jesus wants you to do.”
And in one moment of selfishness
You put a scar on the back of Jesus
That 20 years of holy living will not be able to erase.
People are looking to blaspheme God and you cannot give them that opportunity
Yet sadly many do.
Romans 2:17-24 “But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? For “THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU,” just as it is written.”
And you get the picture.
That is why Paul said that slaves have to make a conscious effort
To honor their masters.
Peter understood this as well as he actually wrote to those who had bad masters.
1 Peter 2:18-20 “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.”
DID YOU CATCH PETER’S POINT?
It’s not about you, it’s about God.
It’s not about you, it’s about God.
It’s not about you, it’s about God.
Our chief concern is what others will think about our God
When we are finished.
Paul told Titus the same truth, only with a positive spin.
Titus 2:9-10 “Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.”
Paul told Titus that if slaves would do it right,
They might actually convert their masters.
It is the clear point that you have to learn that
Everything you do reflects upon your God
And you must be more concerned about God’s reputation
Than your own personal comfort.
And no occupation better illustrates this than the occupation of slave.
1 Corinthians 7:21-24 “Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.”
Hear Paul asking you for contentment?
He wants you to have such a love for Christ that you would be willing to do anything and remain anywhere if it made your Lord happy.
DO YOU HAVE SUCH A WILLINGNESS?
Ephesians 6:5-8 “Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.”
Again in:
Colossians 3:22-25 “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”
Those passages obviously parallel each other
And in them we see what Paul is saying.
In your service you are serving God, honor Him by how you serve.
In your service God will reward you, sacrifice now for eternity.
It was the call to FOCUS
This concept is everywhere.
Look in the sermon on the mount.
Matthew 5:38-42 “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”
I just find this so applicable today,
Because we must realize that the way we live
In the little areas of our lives have such a lasting effect
On what people think of Jesus.
I remember a friend of mine in college who one weekend went to the bar.
“Oh, look it’s the guy who wears all the Jesus shirts”
She may not remember him, but no doubt she has used that against Christians and churches for many years to come.
We just have to remember the consequences of the way we live our lives.
Martin Luther said:
“To call popes, bishops, priests, monks, and nuns, the religious class, but princes, lords, artisans, and farm-workers the secular class, is a specious device…For all Christians whatsoever really and truly belong to the religious class, and there is no difference among them except in so far as they do their different work…Every one of them in his occupation or handicraft ought to be useful to his fellows, and serve them in such a way that the various trades are all directed to the best advantage of the community, and promote the well-being of body and soul, just all the organs of the body serve each other.”
(MacArthur, 1 Timothy, pg. 228)
He was reiterating what Paul was saying.
If you are a Christian, there is not trivial service.
Even in serving as a slave you are serving God and leaving a lasting impression about him on others.
Even in serving as a student you are serving God and leaving a lasting impression about Him on others.
Even in serving in the lowliest occupation you are serving God and leaving a lasting impression about Him on others.
TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY.
Live your lives in a way that brings glory to God.
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “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.”
We really can’t stress it enough.
In this world, the lost are watching, be careful how you live!
Serving the Sinner
#2 SERVING THE SAINT
1 Timothy 6:2
Here Paul addresses the same concept, but to a different beneficiary.
“Those who have believers as their masters”
Now we are dealing with those who are in good jobs or good situations.
But the temptation is to take advantage of their good circumstances.
And for lack of a better term, “To use them”.
Paul adamantly says NO.
“must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren.”
You don’t get to treat them like they are your equals.
According to God’s sovereign design, they are your authority.
Praise God that He has been so merciful as to allow you to have Christians as your authority, and that does not mean you get to disrespect them.
Furthermore:
You “must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved.”
Not only do you not get to slack off, but you ought to try even harder because you get the opportunity to bless a brother or sister in Christ.
Have a Christian boss, work harder to make his job easier, and to make it look to his superior like he is doing a good job.
I thought about coaches.
EVER WATCH A COACHES KID WHEN ON THEIR DAD’S TEAM?
They work twice as hard because they realize that my play affects my dad’s job, and they want to be a blessing.
That is the same mentality to the work place when you are employed by a believer.
I want to do everything I can to make their day a blessing so I work twice as hard for them.
And this is Christian mentality.
2 Corinthians 4:7-14 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ” I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.”
2 Corinthians 12:15 “I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?”
Philippians 2:17 “But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.”
Colossians 1:24 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.”
1 Thessalonians 2:8 “Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.”
We are talking about self-sacrifice
For the sake of benefiting God’s people.
IS THAT NOT WHAT CHRIST DID ON THE CROSS?
I mean, it is a mindset issue.
I have to come to the point that I realize that everything I do affects God and God’s people, and so everything I do must be done well.
Let go of your selfish mindset and take the reputation of God seriously.
And Paul concludes by saying:
“Teach and preach these principles.”
In other words, these are principles that apply to all of life
And they must be learned.
In these two verses Paul is basically asking us to do two things.
1) SACRIFICE SELF FOR GOD’S GLORY
2) SACRIFICE SELF FOR OUR BROTHER’S BENEFIT
What we have there is the two most important commandments.
Matthew 22:37-39 “And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment. “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’”
In short it’s just a call to put your money where your mouth is.
If you are going to claim Christianity then live Christianity.
If you are going to claim God’s glory then live for God’s glory.
If you are going to claim brotherly love, then love your brother.
It is desperately needed in the church, it is desperately needed in the world.
IT IS VITAL
1 Timothy 3:14-15 “I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”
