Servants

Temple Baptist Church - 1-25-2015

Titus 2:9-10

 

 

Introduction:

 

A.  By way of interpretation, the word “servant” spoke of those who were subservient to another: one who was a slave or bond servant. 

 

1.  We do not have anyone here tonight who is either a slave or a bond servant but I used the word subservient when defining the word servant. 

 

2.  Subservient means to be submissive, obedient, or compliant. 

 

B.  By way of application,  the word servant in our day could imply employed.  Most of our men and women work for others and are not self-employed.  As an employee, you serve for pay.

 

1.  I thank the Lord for the jobs that I have had over the years because the Lord used those jobs to care for my family.  They paid the bills, put a roof over our heads, bought automobiles for us to ride in, put food on the table, clothed my family, gave us not only the necessities of life but many of the desires of our hearts such as ice cream and hamburgers at a fast food joint to vacations, etc.. 

 

2.  The love of money is the root of all evil but money is a necessity if we are to have those things that we need and want.  2 Thessalonians 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

 

C.  It is not the will of God that we should be “wards of the state.” 

 

1.  I understand that many of you are retired and thank the Lord for you being able to do so.  By “wards of the state,” I am speaking of those too lazy to work.  Those who live off of handouts from the government.  Our nation is rapidly moving in a socialistic one with “Big Daddy” government offering more and more freebies. 

 

2.  When you get “hooked” on handouts from the government, you become more subservient that you know!  You become a slave to the system because, if they give it to you, they can take it from you and you have to now meet their criteria for being supported. 

 

D.  I want to couple these verses in Titus with other places in scripture that deal with the subject in order for us all to get some help.  You see, I am also a servant to you!  Just what kind of servants should the children of God be?

 

1.  We are to be obedient servants.  “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters”  If they pay our salary, then we are to be obedient to them.  I know that some bosses are easier to work for and with than others but we are to do our very best to get done those things that they require. 

 

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

 

2.  We are to be well-pleasing servants.  “and to please them well in all things”  Not just pleasing, but well pleasing.  This speaks on not only doing our job but also going the extra mile to do the little things that we are not expected to do.  My dad always told me to give my employer 8 hours work for 8 hours play.  In order to do that, you have to do the little extra things when you are on the clock instead of sitting around because you are caught up.  I don’t mean that you have to work yourself to death but do such a good job that your employer will be glad that he/she/they employed YOU! 

 

Ephesians 6:5-8  Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;  (6)  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;  (7)  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 

 

3.  We are to be servants with bridled tongues.  “not answering again”  Everywhere I go, I have to listen to disgruntled workers who air their complaints both openly and publically.  I know that not all jobs pay a good living and not all jobs are what you want to do in life to earn a living, but they are jobs and YOU applied for them!  Stay our of groups of people who stand around complaining and talking about their employers or bosses.  If you don’t like your job don’t complain, QUIT!  If you work there and continue working there, then the choice was yours and you knew what the job was.

 

4.  We are to be hard working servants.  “Not purloining”  The word purloining is one that we never hear in a conservation in our day but it is good word to be used in this verse because it carries the meaning of sequestering oneself, to embezzle, or to keep back something.  It means to give all that you have or to do the best that your ability allows. 

 

Colossians 3:23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

 

5.  We are to be faithful servants.  “but shewing all good fidelity"  Fidelity means to be faithful, loyal, reliable, trustworthy, dependable, devoted, committed.  When I worked in the mines, they gave us 7 sick days and 7 personal days to go along with our regular vacation days.  They told us not to take these days unless we were sick or had a problem that had to be attended to.  At the end of the year, they would pay us for every unused sick or personal day.  That made for a great paycheck around Christmas.  Here was their reasoning: they did not hire extra people just to take our places when we want a day off!  They hired us to do our job; they hired us to be there every day!  I remember going year after year and never missing a day’s work because they hired me to work.  As God’s children, we should be dependable!

 

1 Timothy 6:1  Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

 

 

Conclusion:  “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

 

(8)  Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”

 

1.  It shows the world that our Christianity is real!

 

2.  We earn a good living plus our attitude and behavior brings with it the blessings of the Lord on our lives as well!