Spiritual DNA: Three Dimensional Living in a Two Dimensional World
Written by John Maulella
Sunday, 30 August 2009 09:00
Today’s Passage: Ephesians 6:1-9
Children and Parents
(1) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (2) “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – (3) “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (4) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Slaves and Masters
(5) Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. (6) Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. (7) Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, (8) because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
(9) And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
Sermon Outline
Dealing with authority
Centurion’s faith: he understood authority
Why should children obey their parents?
3 motivations:
- Because it is right
- Because you love Jesus
- Because God commanded it
Why is it so important to God
- God knows that parents are the first image of God that children see.
- A promise: so that it will go well with you.
To fathers
- Do not exasperate your kids
- Bring up your children “in the Lord” and watch for opportunities
Slaves [employees] and Masters [employers]
- What kind of slavery is this? Mostly indentured servitude.
- Slaves [employees]: don’t be slackers
- You can leave, but while you are there...
- Who is your real boss? -> Jesus
Listen up Masters
- Remember: All authority is delegated for a limited time.
- Remember who your boss is: Jesus.