We have the greatest potential to be an ambassador for Christ when we are at work. Both the quality of our work and how we relate to others in the workplace send a message about Jesus. Today’s passage informs us how being transformed by the gospel and empowered by the Holy Spirit enables us to put God’s glory on display in the workplace.

Tyler’s Main Points

• The Christian worker strives to obediently do good work with a good attitude for God’s glory.

• A Christian boss seeks the good of their workers with an attitude of good will for God’s glory.
  

Key Takeaways

• When Monday morning comes, we aren’t to leave our faith at home, but allow the Gospel to impact how we work, why we work, and our working relationships.

• In contrast to the abuses of slavery, the Gospel elevate the dignity of the servant in the household and in the church, while ultimately calling into question and undermining the institution as a whole.

• Paul provides five characteristics for Spirit-filled, Gospel-centered work: 1) obedience; 2) respect; 3) sincerity; 4) integrity; 5) good will.

• As employees, we are to obey those in authority over us and faithfully carry out the duties and responsibilities expected of us.

• As employees, we are to respect those in authority by honoring the position of authority, speaking kindly to and about our employers, and encouraging them when given the opportunity.

• When we are respectful to unreasonable bosses, we are a living proclamation of God’s grace—the same grace we have received from Him.

• As employees, we are to embody an attitude of goodwill– pleasant, helpful, and cooperative.

• As employees, we are to work with sincerity by completing our work with excellence and not cutting corners.

• As employees, we are to work with integrity—not serving our earthly bosses, but Christ Himself. As C.S. Lewis defines, “Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.”

• How we work will either enhance or tarnish our witness for Christ. Through our work, God brings good to all.

• As Tyler suggests, “The most satisfied Christian workers are those set on pleasing Christ.”

• Paul similarly commands masters to heed everything he proposed for slaves. All people are equal in the eyes of the Lord and “there is no favoritism with Him.”

• If you are in a position of authority, God’s grace got you there, how you manage is to reflect the good authority and lordship of Jesus Christ, and your leadership should be marked by humble service.

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal application:

• How is your work positively and/or negatively affecting your witness of Christ to a watching world?
  
• Read the book of Philemon. How are you encouraged by the redemptive story of Onesimus and Paul’s plea to Philemon?
  

Discuss with your community group:

• In what ways can you grow in glorifying God in the roles, responsibilities, and relationships He’s entrusted to you in this season?
  
• Tyler highlighted five different characteristics of Christian workers (obedience, respect, sincerity, integrity, good will) from this week’s passage. Which characteristic(s) do you struggle with the most? What biblical stories or passages can you encourage one another with in these areas?

Passages Referenced for Further Study
Ephesians 6:5-9; Ephesians 5:21; Philemon 1:15-16; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; 1 Peter 2:18-20; Mark 10:42-45.