Ephesians 6:5-9
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Display Christ Through Your Attitude v.5
You are either a life-breather or a death-bringer! If your attitude displays anger, disunity, disobedience to authority, the likelihood of you winning your co-workers to Christ is slim. If you display a joy that can only come from a redeemed relationship with Jesus, than you’re on the right tract.
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Employment, our work ethic, should demonstrate a joy that is not of this world. A very similar passage is found in Colossians 3:22-25
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22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Display Christ Through Your Actions vv.6-8
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***Employee responsibilities: Hard Work
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Col 3:23 and Ephesians 6:5 make it clear that we should represent who we belong to in all things. The employer may see our work ethic and be drawn to the Lord we serve.
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Proverbs 13:4 “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.”
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2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.”
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Proverbs 14:23 “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”
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Philippians 2:14-15 “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”
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1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
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1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 “And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” Are you pleasant to be around?
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Display Christ Through Your Ability to Affirm v.9
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Affirm the glory of God through your attitude and actions. It will take being in a trustworthy relationship with co-workers in order for them to share their needs and for you to share His message of hope.
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***Employer responsibilities: Fairness and Forgiveness
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Paul wanted to inform Philemon that he’s witnessed a transformation in his run-away slave Onesimus. Paul wanted to make sure that Onesimus was being treated fairly, because he is different than when he left.
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Philemon 17-20 “So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.”
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If you’re an employer or leader in your business or organization, you’ve got to be a good cat wrangler! Pray, pray, and pray. Let’s show the world that we’re different in Christ!
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I want you to see the context of Philippians 4:13. Paul’s main thread of concern when he wrote this passage is contentment, not dreaming big dreams. Listen to verses 10-13
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“10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
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Being an excellent employee and employer for the glory of God will take the proper attitude, actions, and ability to affirm or manage by the power of the Holy Spirit. You’ll need to daily put on the full armor of God!