A study of the book of Colossians. You can hear the accompanying sermon at edthepastor.podbean.com

1. Part of the
Workforce
Colossians 3:22–4:1

2. Colossians 3:22–4:1
Slaves, in all things obey those who are your
masters on earth, not with external service, as
those who merely please men, but with
sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever
you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord
rather than for men, knowing that from the
Lord you will receive the reward of the
inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you
serve. For he who does wrong will receive the
consequences of the wrong

3. which he has done, and that without
partiality. Masters, grant to your slaves justice
and fairness, knowing that you too have a
Master in heaven.

4. Part of the
Workforce
Colossians 3:22–4:1

5. Question of slavery
85% of population were slaves
Christianity was considered a slave religion
Does this passage endorse slavery?

6. Give an answer to every man
Bronze age ended nearly 1,000 before this was
written.
Out of context
Agenda driven

7. Jesus’ Ministry Statement
The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He
has anointed Me to preach good news to the
poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to
the captives and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year
of the Lord’s favor.
Luke 4:18–19

8. A true statement of equality
a renewal in which there is no distinction
between Greek and Jew, … slave and freeman,
but Christ is all, and in all.
Colossians 3:11
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is
neither slave nor free man, there is neither
male nor female; for you are all one in Christ
Jesus.
Galatians 3:28

9. Unity
Equality 1 Corinthians 7:21 Were you
called while a slave? Do not
worry about it; but if you are
able also to become free,
rather do that.
For by one Spirit we
were all baptized into
one body, whether
Jews or Greeks,
whether slaves or
free, and we were all
made to drink of
one Spirit.
1 Cor. 12:13

10. Spiritual Equality
Philemon- treat as a beloved brother in the flesh
and in the Lord
Paul- Andronicus and Urbanus (common slave
names) called “kinsman,” “fellow prisoner,”
and “fellow worker”

11. 0pen condemnation
…We also know that the law is made not for
the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels,
the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and
irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or
mothers, for murderers, for the sexually
immoral, for those practicing homosexuality,
for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and
for whatever else is contrary to the sound
doctrine
1 Timothy 1:9-10 NIV

12. Part of the
Workforce
Colossians 3:22–4:1

13. Principle
Whatever you do
in word or deed,
do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks
through Him to
God the Father.
Colossians 3:17

14. Workforce

15. 1. Obey those in authority
2. Just don’t go through the motions
3. Don’t kiss up
4. Give it your best effort as a
service to God
For those of who
work
Slaves, in all things obey those who are
your masters on earth, not with external
service, as those who merely please men,
but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

16. Our work ethic isn’t subjective
Servants, be submissive
to your masters with all
respect, not only to
those who are good and
gentle, but also to those
who are unreasonable.
1 Peter 2:18
Those who have
believers as their
masters must not be
disrespectful to them
because they are
brethren, but must
serve them all the
more, because those
who partake of the
benefit are believers
and beloved.
1 Timothy 6:2

17. Why?
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for
the Lord rather than for men, knowing that
from the Lord you will receive the reward of
the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you
serve.
1. You work for Jesus
2. He pays with an inheritance

18. Payday
…each man’s work will become evident; for
the day will show it because it is to be
revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test
the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s
work which he has built on it remains, he will
receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned
up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be
saved, yet so as through fire.
1 Corinthians 3:13–15

19. Good for the goose
Masters, grant to your slaves justice and
fairness, knowing that you too have a Master
in heaven.
1. Justice not under Roman law
2. Fairness

20. Good for the gander
With good will render service, as to the Lord,
and not to men, knowing that whatever good
thing each one does, this he will receive back
from the Lord, whether slave or free. And
masters, do the same things to them, and give
up threatening, knowing that both their
Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no
partiality with Him.
Ephesians 6:7–9

21. Part of the
Workforce
Colossians 3:22–4:1