How We Ought To Work
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
2/12/2012 PM
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Text:
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Ephesians 6:5-8
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Psalters: |
112, 329, 382, 164 |
- Aware of Christ’s yoke.
- Paul distinguishes between masters according to the flesh and the Master (Lord) of the spirit.
- For our working to be sanctified we must have a proper attitude.
- The right attitude is that “ye serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:24).
- “Fear and trembling” characterizes those conscious of the yoke of Christ.
- Fear originates not from the earthly master who can punish
- Always be telling myself that I am serving the Lord Christ.
- All work is to be performed with a self-conscious awareness of the eye of Christ (6; Col. 3:22,23).
- “Eyeservice as men pleasers” is working conscious of the eye of the earthly master.
- Aware of Christ’s yoke and eye, we “doing the will of God from the heart” (6b; cf. “heartily” in Col. 3:23).
- It is to work as the servant of Jesus much more than doing service to a man or men (7b).
- It is to work striving to make my heart right (“good,” 8a).
- A huge difference is made when we self-consciously cultivate the awareness of Christ’s eye (cf. Ps. 16:8).
- And all our working is to be done with a view to our Lord’s throne of judgment (8).
- Be aware that “whatsoever ... any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord” (8; Col. 3:24,25).
- We are to work in the shadow of Christ’s throne of judgment (II Cor. 5:10).
- There is coming a day of reckoning, in which all we do with our cruel masters will receive its reward.
- The knowledge of this face has profound implications on every true believer.
- Instead of the dread of the impenitent, we anticipate that day to reveal God’s love for us (I Jn. 4:17,18).
- God’s judgment throne is “most desirable and comfortable to the righteous and elect” (Belgic, Art 37).
- Now see yourself yoked to Christ Who commands us to work.