How We Ought To Work

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