Slides: Christian Workers (1 Peter 2:18-25)

Control scum

We have slaves drawn from every corner of the world in our households, practicing strange customs, and foreign cults, or none—and it is only be means of terror that we can hope to coerce such scum. (Tacitus)

Scripture and slavery

You have only one Master and you are all brothers. (Jesus in Matthew 23:8).

Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—but if you can gain your freedom, do so. (1 Cor 7:20-21)

Honor God’s gospel

All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. (1 Timothy 6:1)

Make gospel attractive

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. (Titus 2:9-10)

Working class royalty

Christians are royalty, not scum.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (2:9)

Strategic submission

Christians are agents, not victims.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (2:12)

Living under the system

• Political system (2:13-17)
• Work system (2:18-25)
• Family system (3:1-7)

¹⁸ Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 

¹⁹ For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

²⁰ But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Christian workers

• Live under boss’s authority.

• Respect even a bad boss.

• Endure undeserved suffering.

• Focus on God’s approval.

• Follow Jesus’ example.

• Honor God with excellent work.

• Use talents; pursue passions.

• Earn your own living and share.

• Help society flourish and be fair.

• Be godly and share gospel.

• Suffer unfairly for doing good.

Jesus the slave

Follow in his steps

• Submit

• Serve

• Suffer

In his steps

The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 22:26-27)

In his steps

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:43-45)

Submit in his steps

Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a slave. (Philippians 2:6-7)

Serve in his steps

You call me “Teacher” and “Lord,” and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13:13-15)

Suffer in his steps

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. (John 15:20)