November 30, 2003 Communion Dedication - Baldwin Christian Church

Colossians 3:22-25
22. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
23. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
25. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Last week we heard the tale of Onesimus, a bondservant (a "doulos") of Philemon. These four verses refer not to a servant of the church, a deacon or deaconess ("diakoneo"), a noble service that we are all called to, men and women. No, it goes beyond that. In context, these verses are addressed to bondservants, but how do they apply to you and me in the twenty-first century? Well, in the New Testament alone, Paul, James, Peter, Jude, John, Simeon, and even Mary the mother of Jesus, they all referred to themselves as bondservants of the Lord (using the word "doulos"). The Strongs defines "doulos" as a literal slave, but also as a metaphor that's used when describing someone whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men. Servants devoted to others even to the disregard of their own interests. Now, doesn't that sound like Jesus?

1 Thes 4:11-12 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

1 Peter 2:18-25
18. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

(The crooked, wicked, and unfair masters.)

19. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

(...who, thankfully, is also our Boss!)

1 Cor 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

(If people treat you poorly, you don't have to let it get you down.)

2 Cor 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.