PEOPLE IN THE LIFE OF A SERVANT

1 Timothy 6

Part 1

Verses 1-2

Introduction:  There are many people in the life of a servant. Paul dealt with several of these groups in the previous chapters. He dealt with widows, deacons, elders and several other groups of people.  In fact, the ministry is made up of people.  They may come from all walks of life.  As a good servant of Jesus Christ, you have to learn to deal with each group in their uniqueness.

      It is a part of the warfare of the Christian life.  Paul will take time in this chapter to remind us of this warfare that we are in.  He uses several military terms.  Let’s look at verse number twelve.  "Fight the good fight of faith."  Then again in verse thirteen, Paul says, "I give thee charge".  This word "charge" means to be in charge like a commander over troops.  In verse seventeen he penned these words "Charge them that are rich". In other words, let them understand that are rich.  Then in verse twenty he tells young Timothy "O Timothy, Keep that which is committed to thy trust." That word "keep" is the word for guard.

  We are supposed to be of the army of Jesus Christ.  Most of the time the church is very much unlike an army.  If the average military man on our side in World War II had behaved toward his superiors and their orders like the average believer behaves toward the Lord, we would have probably lost the war and we would be speaking German today.  Instead of singing the song "Onward, Christian Soldiers" one person suggested the following "Backward, Christian Soldiers."

  In this chapter, Paul instructs Timothy how to minister to four more groups that can be found in the local church.  He also continues to advice Timothy how to keep his life in the will of God.  The groups are as follows: Christian slaves (verses 1-2); false teachers (verse 3-10); the pastor himself (verses 11-16, 20-21) and lastly the rich (verses 17-19).

  Let's look at the first group.

CHRISTIAN SLAVES

      The word servant in this verse is referring to a slave in the Greek.  Many times in our New Testament, the word servant is the Greek word slave.  In several of New Testament books that Paul refers to himself as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In my research, each of these times referred to be a slave or a bondservant of Jesus Christ.

      History tells us that about half of the population of the Roman Empire was composed of slaves.  Many of these people were cultured and educated yet had no legal status.  They were slaves.

      The message of the Gospel, which is a message of freedom and liberty, appealed to the slaves.  I am sure that some of the verses found in John appealed to them.

                           John 8:32

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

                            John 8:36

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

      Even the Testament scriptures in which Jesus proclaimed as he was fulfilling must have rung a chord of joy to the heart of a slave.                 Isaiah 61:1-2

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound”

  When slaves could get away from their household duties, they would fellowship in local assemblies where being a slave was not an issue or handicap. Galatians 3:28

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

  The problem was manifested in this light.  Some of the slaves used their newfound freedom in Christ as an excuse to disobey and sometimes defy their masters.  It was causing problems in the church and for the church.  They need instruction how to deal their masters.  Even though they were saved and set free from the bondage of sin, this freedom did not alter their social standing.  We will look at both slaves with unbelieving masters and slaves with believing masters.  Even though we do not have slaves today, there are some principles involved with this passage that we ought to know and apply to our superiors at the job sites.

I.    SLAVES WITH UNBELIEVING MASTERS

                           Vs. 1

“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.”

                           Colossians 3:22-25

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

      When you rebel against an unbelieving master or in our case, unbelieving boss, you give an occasion for the name of the Lord to be blasphemed.  We are given some clear exhortations in this verse.

      A.  Treat your boss with respect.

      It is not your responsibility to try to figure out whether or not he or she is worthy of respect.  It is your place to do what God tells us to do.  If you do not do this then in the mind of the master, he thinks that the effect of this Christian religion just makes his servants restless, discontented, dissatisfied, and disobedient.

      Do you realize that Paul did not take up the cause of slavery and the abolishment of the same?  Why is that?  It is because would have branded the church as militant group trying to undermine the social order.  This would have hindered the progress of the Gospel.  Instead, Paul preached to change men and women instead of society.  This did not mean that Paul was in favor of slavery.  It meant that Paul dealt with changing society from within instead of from without.

      While under the yoke of bondage—the slave who is a believer ought to demonstrate patience, kindness, and respect for his master, and as long as the relation continued he was to be obedient.  Yes, it was not wrong for the slave to want to freedom but not at the expense of the master's eternal soul.

      There was more at stake than freedom for the slave.  It is really a two fold principle at stake. 

                        1.   The Master's eternal soul was at stake.

            If he sees no change or difference in your life, then why should he want part of your life in Christ?  This is a good reason why church problems should be kept at church instead of the community.  The lost sees you cannot get along than why should they want salvation that is supposed to change a life.

            2.   "The name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed" is the greater reason.

      This means the name and the Word of God be not dishonored and reproached, and that there may be no occasion to say that Christianity tends to produce discontent and to lead to insurrection.   Instead salvation is to produce necessity of patience and meekness, and forbearance in the endurance of all wrong—whether from private individuals. Mt 5:39-41

“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.”

                  1 Corinthians 6:7

“Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?”

      It may be under the oppressions and demands of Nero.  Romans 13:1-7

      Or it may be amidst the hardships and cruelties of slavery. These peaceful injunctions, however, did not demonstrate that Christ approved the act of him "that smote on the one cheek," or that Paul regarded the government of Nero as a good government, --and as little do they prove that Paul or the Saviour approved of slavery.                 Romans 2:24

“For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”

II.   SLAVES WITH BELIEVING MASTERS

                           Vs. 2

“And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.”

      The problems comes from this type of thinking: "Since I am saved and he is saved, that makes us brothers.  Since we are equal in Christ, he has no right to tell me what to do."  this type of thinking causes problems no matter where it is.  Whether it is on the job site, church or even in the family, it causes problems.

      Paul gives three reasons why this ought not to be so.

1. They are believers.  They are our brothers in Christ. Many of the believing masters were just men and really good to those who were slaves under them especially those who were fellow believers.  They were faithful to God and His Word. 
2. They were beloved in Christ just like the slaves were.

      Love does not look for ways to rebel or opportunities to escape responsibilities.  It looks for ways to do a greater work for Jesus Christ who we are in reality working.  I work for Smithfield Manor, Inc.  But in reality all my work is for the Lord.  For the believer, there is no difference between the secular and sacred.  For they are all sacred because we are working for the Lord Jesus Christ trying to please Him.

3. Both master and slave will benefit from obedience.

      Many times the slave owner would let the slave enjoy the benefits of his own labors.  The true benefit is a heart that is right with God.  It also knowing that both of your names are written in the Book of Life. 

Conclusion:  How you treat your boss can reveal how you feel about the Lord Jesus.  It is imperative that our relationship with our employers is right so our relationship with the Lord is right.

      I have talked with people who were supervisors of believers.  Some of them do not want believers as employees.  The believers were lazy and always mouthing off.  That is a shame and disgrace to God.  It is better not to say anything than spout off and allow the name and work of God blasphemed. 

      I have also talked with supervisors who had believers who wished they had many more like them.  It is because they are the best workers.

      I thank the Lord for a Christian boss.  It has made these past almost seven years some of the best in my life.

      Do right every time whether you like it or not.  You are accountable to God for every action, word, deed and even thought concerning your job as every part of your life.