Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION
5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Ephesians 6:5-9

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. Life in the 1st Century

a) There were Slaves
b) There were Masters (owners of slaves)
c) There were freedmen (Slaves that had been given freedom somehow)

2. Instructions to Christian Slaves

a) To practise genuine obedience

i) With fear and trembling
ii) With sincerity
iii) As if they were serving the Lord Jesus
iv) It would not be an easy thing to do

b) To avoid false obedience

i) With eye service
ii) Pretending to serve sincerely

c) Serving the Lord

i) Not serving men
ii) Ultimately, we serve the Lord

d) The Lord will bless and reward

3. Instructions to Christian Masters

a) Adopt the same principles
b) Don’t use threats
c) Fearing the Lord as Master of all
d) There is no partiality with the Lord at all

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. Living in a different century

a) We do not have Slaves and Masters today
b) But the same principles of faith and life apply

2. Our challenges

a) To recognize the Lord as our Master
b) To serve with genuine obedience
c) To live for the Lord as we should
d) We must want to live out Biblical principles in practical ways
e) Let the word of the Lord fill our heart and mind deeply

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan