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Hello, welcome again to the Takeaway. I'm your host, pastor Harry Behrens, and in today's episode we're going to be discussing Ephesians, chapter 5, verses 5 to 9, the master-servant relationship. Now, before we begin, I want to invite you to share any questions or feedback you may have by using the Text Us link in the description of this episode, as your input is crucial in shaping future episodes. Here at the Takeaway, we are committed to creating content that supports your spiritual growth, and we can only do that with your feedback, so please let us know your thoughts, as we would love to hear from you Now as we begin.

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We saw in our last few episodes we have seen what it means to imitate Christ in the marriage as well as the parent-child relationship. In both we saw how we can draw close to God intimately and how he loves us deeply. There is no end to his love for us and no length to which he won't go to show us that love. It's that same love Jesus had with the Father that allowed him to trust the Father to death on the cross. There was nothing Jesus wasn't willing to do for the Father, because he knew he had the Father's best interest for him. Jesus knew something that we so desperately need to understand that the Father loves us just as much as he loved the Son, and that we can put our lives in his hands. John 3.16,. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. We don't need to understand everything God has for us. We just need to understand his love for us and that whatever he commands it's for our good. Romans 8, verse 28. And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose. To love God requires us to abandon the things of this world and cling to him by obeying his word and then putting our belief into action, which is our faith.

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Now, without faith, you cannot please God, and without faith, what evidence is there that you even love him? Faith is your basic belief in God and does not require understanding everything. You only need enough knowledge to take that first step, then one after that, and then the one after that. It's in your faith that you will experience him more fully and in turn, your faith will increase with your love, joy and satisfaction in him, knowing that your heavenly father will meet you in the darkness and shine his light, allows you to go in the first place. It's not a hope that he will, but a knowledge that you know he will. The more you experience it beyond the first step, the more you will increase your pace until you run in your faith.

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Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 1 to 2. Hebrews 12, verses 1-2. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. So continuing the message that Paul started in chapter 5, for us to imitate Christ. We will now look at the outward relationship, or the master-servant relationship. We first saw that the marriage relationship represented the church and Christ, Then the parent-servant relationship. We first saw that the marriage relationship represented the church and Christ, then the parent-child relationship reflected the inward relationship or the father-son relationship. Now we're going to see the master-servant relationship representing the outward, or the church operating in the world. These three relationships comprise the full spectrum of living in and for Christ, just as he does with the Father. That is the upward, inward and outward aspect of Christian living. When we enter into all three of these, the way the Father wills, our lives will be transformed into one that is glorifying to him and satisfying to us.

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Now, starting in Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 5 to 8. Bond servants, obey your earthly masters with fear, reverence and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye. Service as people pleasers, but as bond servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that, whatever good anyone Now a bondservant is a slave. In some Bibles, the word bondservant is translated as slave or servant. Translated as slave or servant, the Greek word doulos means one who is subservient to and entirely at the disposal of his master. This is a slave.

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Throughout history, we know, slavery has been prevalent. Whether voluntarily or involuntarily, it has always existed. The Bible doesn't shy away from the topic. Instead, it takes it head on. Slavery is something that man has caused, not God. However, god's word does talk about it, not to condone it but to operate within it, similar to divorce Matthew 19, verse 8,. He said to them because of your hardness of heart, moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. Divorce was not God's desire, but because of man's hardness. He gave us a way to deal with it. It's not the ideal outcome, but it takes care of issues arising from our sins. Slavery is the same way. God desires all men to be free, but because of sin it exists. So he gives us a way to deal with it.

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Sometimes slavery is forced and sometimes it's voluntary. We are more familiar with the forced kind of slavery, particularly the kind that goes against the will of people. That is not in any way a slavery the Bible condones. We should do everything we can to abolish this type of slavery. That would take the form of child sex trafficking, prostitution and that which we saw play out in this type of slavery that would take the form of child sex trafficking, prostitution and that which we saw play out in the history of our country People are taken from another country and brought here to do the work of another while being treated like animals. Again, the Bible does not agree with this type of slavery. Nor do I. We should do everything in our power to stop this type of slavery and rescue those trapped in it.

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The slavery talked about in the Bible, on the other hand, is one of payment or lack thereof. For instance, people could be ordered into slavery to pay off debts. This type of slavery has guidelines so that all parties involved are treated appropriately. Again, even this type of slavery God doesn't desire, but he realizes man will get himself in all sorts of trouble and needs a way to make things right. So in this instance he could do labor for the one he owes. He does not become an employee with freedom. Instead, he is a servant who is essentially the master's property until his debt is paid or forgiven.

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The year of Jubilee was a law given by God to ensure all men had an opportunity to be set free and wouldn't be taken advantage of. The land sold or leased was returned and everything was restored to its original owner. That shows that God's desire is indeed that he wants people to be free. But people will be people taking out loans they can't pay and so on. So the law required them to become servants to pay these debts and when there was no other way to do so. With that said, servants are to act or behave a certain way.

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While in bondage, that includes those who work freely for someone else, that would be a willing servant or someone who chose to be a servant or slave, not because you owe them anything, but because you get something from it. For us here in America, that's often a paycheck. That could also indicate someone who loved his master and wanted to serve him, because he provided for his servants well and treated them like family. The Bible has conditions for this also Exodus 21, verses 5 to 6. But if the slave plainly says I love my master, my wife and my children, I will not go out free. Then his master shall bring him to God and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl and he shall be his slave forever. Now that stands as a picture for us that Christ is our master and we are his servants. That is how we are to submit to him. It is a complete submission and not partial in any way.

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Once the servant decided to be marked and stay his master's servant, it was forever. There was no going back or changing his mind. It was also a beautiful testimony of who his master was or is. It was also a beautiful testimony of who his master was or is. That someone would choose to become a permanent slave stated that the master was kind, fair, merciful, gracious and loving and that there was no place they would rather be than in the master's house, in his presence. On the other hand, when people were enslaved, they often desired to be freed from it, and they should if they could.

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1 Corinthians 7.21. Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you, although if you can gain your freedom, do so. Often, being free isn't an option, even for us today. In our jobs, because of debts we owe or obligations, we must keep working, and so we should. We owe or obligations, we must keep working, and so we should. If this is the case, then you are required by God to do your work as unto Christ, as this will glorify him. Colossians 3, verses 23 and 24. Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Again, the Bible's position on slavery is not to abolish it, but to operate within it.

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Slavery comes in many forms and we as believers have first to recognize that we were slaves to sin. Also, romans 6, 20-23. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness and the result is eternal life, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord. We were set free from sin but now, as Paul says, we are slaves to God and, as we see in verses 5 to 8, we are commanded to be obedient servants to our earthly masters. That is honorable to God, as it will show the world our love for him as we work with sincerity. Here's the picture of our relationship with God through the lens of slavery. We enter a covenant with Christ and become children of God who are told to be obedient servants who imitate Christ.

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Let's look at John 13, verses 12 to 20. As we will see, jesus washes his disciples feet as an example for us to follow, starting in verse 12,. When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them do you understand what I have done to you? You call me teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I, then your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet, for I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly truly, I say to you a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you. I know whom I have chosen, but the scripture will be fulfilled. He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me. I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place, you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you whoever receives the one I send, receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.

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Now, why did Jesus humble himself to the level of a servant? Well, probably because we are all slaves to something at all times. It's not about being free from the chains of this world, but about how we operate within it, knowing we have been set free by God. After setting us free, we are told to stay right where we are and honor God, because where we are is where God wanted us to be all along, not to be concerned with our slavery, but to use it to our advantage for the gospel. Paul understood this as we see in Philippians 1, verses 12 to 14.

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Listen to this Now. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ and because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. We know that we will inherit the kingdom when we die, but while we are here, we are to be obedient, just as Christ was, even to death for the gospel's sake. How we operate in this world as slaves with a joyful heart will show this lost world that we serve a greater master than the one that rules this world. So show the world how much you love the chains you are in because they have been put on you for the furtherance of the gospel. Now, if you could be made free and are set free. This also is of the Lord and it comes with a different responsibility, as we will now see.

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Ephesians 6, verse nine Masters, do the same to them and stop your threatening, knowing that he, who is both their master and yours, is in heaven and that there is no partiality with him. What a great responsibility, as masters, we are to recognize, first, who we serve and, second, that those working for us are from the same Lord and for the Lord. We must care for them well so that the gospel is advanced in serving and ruling over them. Luke, chapter 7, verses 1 to 10. We see that Jesus here marveled at a centurion who rules and serves. Listen to this.

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When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There, a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him. This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue. So Jesus sent with them. I'm sorry, jesus went with them.

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He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word and my servant will be healed, for I myself listen to this, for I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one go and he goes, and that one come and he comes. I say to my servant do this, and he does it. When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him and, turning to the crowd following him, he said I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel. I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel. Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant. Well, remember John 13, 17?. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. The only time Jesus marveled at faith was with a Gentile who, by his own admission, was a servant and a master. He recognized, something that most do not.

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We are all in this situation. You don't think so. You don't think you have anybody that serves you. What about a waitress at a restaurant? Or a cab driver? What about a cashier? Or pastors? Many people serve us throughout our day and we rarely stop to consider them or whether or not they may be servants of the same God we serve. We will all be held accountable for how we treat people, whether in service or being served.

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The purpose of all this is to further the gospel. Do you look for those opportunities in all things, or do you look to be served or freed from service? We are in a position because God placed us in it, like it or not. How do you or will you use your chains to share the good news that Jesus is your master and has freed you from the chains of sin? Do you even care to be an example for Christ while at work? Do you do your job as unto Christ? Our best witness is our actions, not our words.

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Way too many Christians are complaining at work and looking to take shortcuts to make their life easier just to get that paycheck. They never consider the ones they serve and the impact their actions, or lack thereof, have on them. That's how the world thinks, or lack thereof have on them. That's how the world thinks. We, on the other hand, are to care for our leaders and realize that God placed them over us for a purpose, just as we were. So do your job well and let it be a testimony for the one you serve, our Lord Jesus Christ. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut and don't bother to let anyone know you are Christ, so you don't look like a hypocrite and make the word of God powerless. 2 Corinthians 4, verse 2.

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But we have renounced disgraceful, unhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we could commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. Let's pray, father, god, thank you so much for your word. Thank you for the direction and the understanding and the correction that you give us. Thank you for the example you've given us, jesus, in serving, being the one who is most high above all things, who came down and washed the feet of your disciples, which was like the lowest of low jobs that you could do, teaching us, god that we should also humble ourselves to this level of service, since our master himself came down to do these things. We shouldn't do anything less than that. We are to come down as far as you went down, as we deserve to be even lower than that. We are to come down as far as you went down, as we deserve to be even lower than that, and you have shown us that to be the most humbled servant is honoring to you, god, that it glorifies you. I pray that you would help our listeners today see that, to understand that your desire to be glorified is in our service and how we represent ourselves in this world. Father, please empower us to live this humble life, as it is very difficult, as this world tries to get us to live for our desires, our wants, our needs, and takes our eyes off of you. Holy Spirit, please empower us to keep our eyes focused on our Lord Jesus. Father, we love you and we thank you in Jesus' name. Amen. Father, we love you and we thank you in Jesus' name. Amen. Now I want to thank you for joining us today and I hope this message helped you take a step closer in your relationship with Jesus and that you have a better understanding of just how much God loves you and wants you to know him.

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In our upcoming episode, we're going to finish our journey through Ephesians, as we come to the end of chapter six. Putting on the full armor of God, paul will wrap things up by taking everything he has talked about in this letter to help us understand how to live a life wrapped in the armor of God, so that we'd be effective warriors for his kingdom. God did not leave us helpless, as he gave us everything we need for life and godliness that is only found in a genuine relationship with him. Now, before we go, I want to encourage you to send us a text message from the link provided in the description of this episode. Again, we would love to hear your feedback and questions that you may have from today's message, as it helps us to produce future episodes that are beneficial to you. In addition, please feel free to use this podcast as a resource to help others and to shine your light into the darkness. God bless, and we'll see you next time on the Takeaway.