A WORD TO SERVANTS

September 2, 2001 PM

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Sermon Outline

1 Pet 2:18-21a

INTRO: In the section of scripture we are studying the subject has been Christian liberty. Peter has dealt with social and civil responsibilities with a view to silencing the ignorance of foolish men (2:15). He has said that Christian liberty does not release one from obligations! It rather gives clues to Christians about making every obligation an opportunity for declaring Christ in our lives. In our text, Peter moves on to another common area of life in which this Christian liberty must be considered...that of ones vocation, his employment. We might, then, call this A Word to Servants.

I. A CHRISTIAN EMPLOYEE IS:

A. Submissive to his employer 2:18a

1. word servant is not common word for slave

2. it is rather a word for a wider scope of employmentcan most assuredly speak to employees of any time/place

a chain of authority in commerce is recognized here

4. masters, employers, the boss is to be respectedhere must be the basis for orderliness, productivity, contentment in ones work situation./..1 Tim 6:1

B. One who does his work well 2:20b

1. how can a Christian do less than his best?

2. limitations of talent, handicap aside, we must be people who strive for excellence in our vocations

3. Eph 6:6,7 why? because Christians view everything they do as done to/for the Lord

4. would we want to offer Him second best?

C. A person of grace 2:19a & 2:20c

1. thankworthy & acceptable are from same word

2. that word means grace...and here speaks of ones goodwill, his loving kindness, favor

3. he can, then, work well for good employers1Tim 6:2

4. he can work well for bad employers...because it is the attitude one possesses, not that of an employer, which determines our disposition and deportment

D. Certainly, an exemplary person 2:20

1. he is always putting God first-v. 19- "conscience toward

2. he is always doing his best-v. 20-do well

3. and if suffering for well doing is his lot...O.K.

4. he will bear it patientlyhe seeks no retaliation, is not a critical, negative person

5. but any suffering at the hands of others in social, civil, or vocational relationships must be always undeserved!

II. A CHRISTIAN KNOWS EVERY ROLE IS AFFECTED BY CHRIST 2:21a

A. hereunto were ye called

1. not necessarily to a place of suffering

2. rather, to a life of conviction, of goodness, of faith, of seeing the attitude of Christ in all one does

3. no conceivable role would exclude Christ and His teachings

B. Now, where all that may lead is certainly open

1. it may lead to suffering on the job, at school, etc.

2. yet, it may also lead to ones being honored by His employer, his fellows

3. and it will assuredly lead to Gods approval-see Col 3:23-25

III. ARE YOU TEMPTED TO BE A COMPLAINER2:21b

A. For all of that, there are some human temptations

1. number one is to criticize an employer, a fellow worker...or to just be a moping complainer

2. something doesnt go just right, we dont get our way

3. every business has its chronic complainers

B. Well note how Peter handles this with reference to Jesus

1. Jesus never did anything but goodhe hurt no one

2. but He was caused tremendous suffering! it was all uncalled for, unjust...He had a right to complain

3. but He didnt ... He patiently endured all of that

4. and left us an example to follow

CLOSE: Think of it. We are freed from all of the typical vocation attitudes so that we can be the verybest employee humanly possible.

Cecil A. Hutson

02 September 2001