Ray Bentley Ray Bentley

So when we come now to Ephesians chapter six, beginning in verse five, we come to an interesting passage beginning in verse five. Paul says, now bond servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling and sincerity of heart, as to Christ, not with eye service as men pleasers, but as bond servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will, doing service as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

How would you prepare a meal and serve the meal? If Jesus were going to eat it? You know, as a pastor now, there it is. And you like it. I don't know, you know.

Ephesians 6

Jesus says. Yeah, just like that. Only just the opposite. Today, from the writings of a bond servant in Ephesians. Pastor Ray brings us a good look at humility and servanthood. Let's open our Bibles to Ephesians chapter six. Okay, Paul, we've been in a section where the rubber meets the road. It's a very practical section. After beginning with all these beautiful truths of who we are and our identity in Christ and our eternal future as being accepted in the beloved.

The Bible does not condone slavery. It acknowledges slavery that it was there and part of the world then. And unfortunately, even this so modern 21st century in parts of the world, it is still with us today. So what? What about the gospel? What about Christianity? What about slavery? And what do we do with this passage where Paul says, bond servants be obedient to those who are your masters?

Ephesians 6

Now, there are two reasons for this call to honor and obey our parents. The first is there is a natural law of children obeying their parents, that God is just kind of written into the genetic code of of human existence. Or as Paul puts it, for this is right. And I think that we would generally agree. And it's interesting that essentially every culture and every society is built on the premise that children ought to obey their parents.

Ephesians 6

Paul writes, children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother. Which is the first commandment, with a promise that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 5:22-33

Okay, I married, I made this commitment, but I don't even know really what it means or how to keep it. I have my own needs and maybe even look at a spouse says, you're going to meet my needs and it fails. So what about a Christian man? A Christian man is a man who he doesn't just sacrifice his life out of nothing.

Ephesians 5:22-33

By the way, marriage is a religious thing. It is a spiritual thing. God is the originator of it. The world is not always gone along with it. In fact, when Paul was writing, to the church of Ephesus 2000 years ago, marriage was a lot different than it is today. Now, as it is today. At least until recently, the idea has predominantly, been captured of the idea of a Christian marriage