Things that are God's
A Sermon on Ephesians 6:5-9
Originally preached June 12, 1960
Scripture
5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7With good will …
Sermon Description
Many Christians see Christianity simply as a way to change the world through politics and social work. They insist that the role of the church is to pronounce a judgment on every current world event. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:5–9 titled “Things That are God’s,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones showing that while the church should have much to say on current events, its primary responsibility is the proclamation of God’s word. It is only there that the deepest and most central problems in the world can be addressed. According to the Bible, everything else is just symptomatic of humanity’s fallen and sinful nature. This is why the gospel is so important; it alone addresses humanity’s relationship to sin and to God and gives the answer in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When the church moves away from the gospel as the central message and heart of Christianity, it soon becomes like every other human institution and society. But when the church proclaims Scripture as God’s revelation to sinners and the hope of salvation that is contained within, it brings a new message that is wholly different from any other that the world has to offer. It proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ as the hope for all sinners who will repent and believe.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon examines Ephesians 6:5-9 which deals with the relationship between servants and masters. The passage specifically refers to slaves and masters, not hired servants.
- The sermon acknowledges this is a controversial topic as many criticize the Bible and Christianity for not condemning slavery. However, the sermon argues the Bible is more concerned with one's relationship to God above all else.
- The sermon lists several other biblical passages that deal with one's relationship to authority and government including Matthew 22:15-21, Matthew 17:24-27, Romans 13, Philemon, and 1 Peter 2:13-18.
- The sermon notes there are few direct teachings on slavery and authority in the Bible. The Bible is primarily concerned with one's relationship to God.
- The sermon says this life is secondary to the afterlife according to the Bible. Christians are "strangers and pilgrims" passing through this temporary life.
- The sermon argues the church should focus on one's relationship to God and how to act in various circumstances, not try to change circumstances themselves. The early church did not protest slavery.
- The sermon says some Christians wrongly believe they should withdraw from the world and not vote or participate in politics. But the Bible teaches Christians should participate in the world while keeping it in the proper perspective.
- The sermon concludes by saying Christians must put their relationship to God first above all else. If they view this life as temporary and secondary, they will have the proper perspective to address issues like slavery and authority. But if they do not have this eternal perspective, their conclusions will likely be wrong.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon on Masters and Servants: Questions & Answers
What Bible passage does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focus on in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on Ephesians 6:5-9, which addresses the relationship between servants (slaves) and masters. He reads the passage at the beginning of his sermon: "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, not with eye service as men pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart..."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the important context for understanding Ephesians 6:5-9?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this passage must be understood in the context of Ephesians 5:18-21, particularly verse 21: "submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." He states this is "the controlling thought" and that we are looking at "one of the illustrations which the apostle gives us of how, being filled with the spirit, we are to submit ourselves one to another." He stresses that these words are "not addressed to the world as such" but to Christians who are filled with the Spirit.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the biblical approach to social issues like slavery?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that the Bible contains relatively little direct teaching on social issues like slavery. This is because "the Bible's real big interest everywhere is in a man's relationship to God." He explains that the Bible doesn't primarily focus on changing social conditions but on how Christians should conduct themselves within those conditions. He notes: "The business of the church is not to deal with conditions as such, but rather with the Christian's relationship to them and how he is to conduct himself while he still finds himself in them."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the Christian's view of this present life?
He states that "life in this world is always regarded in the Bible as being of secondary importance." Christians are described as "strangers and pilgrims" who are on a journey, not settling down in this world. He explains: "We are pilgrims of eternity. We are a colony of heaven, says Paul. Our citizenship is in heaven." This perspective doesn't mean ignoring this world but keeping it "in its right subordinate position" with God first, heaven first, and earthly matters as secondary.
What key scriptures does Dr. Lloyd-Jones reference regarding submission to authority?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones references several passages: - Matthew 22:15-21 (render unto Caesar what is Caesar's) - Matthew 17:24-27 (Jesus paying the temple tax) - Romans 13:1-7 (being subject to governing authorities) - 1 Peter 2:13-18 (submitting to human institutions) - The letter to Philemon (dealing with a runaway slave) - Examples from Daniel and Paul in Acts regarding civil authority
What criticism does Dr. Lloyd-Jones make of church leaders in his day?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones criticizes church leaders for focusing too much on political and social issues rather than spiritual matters. He states he cannot find biblical justification "for bishops and archbishops taking their seat in the House of Lords... to debate about politics and social affairs." He adds there is "as little justification for free Church or nonconformist ministers who spend their time in preaching politics and economics and social matters." He calls it "tragic" that "while the main trouble is that men have forgotten God... the church is spending the bulk of her time almost in dealing with the secondary matters."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about Christians withdrawing completely from worldly affairs?
He rejects the idea that Christians should "contract altogether out of the world." He addresses those who believe "it's wrong for a Christian to vote at a borough election or a general election" or who "regard it as sinful for a Christian to go in for politics." He calls this "a complete misunderstanding of the teaching" and says Christians "don't cease to be a citizen of this world, and you are to exercise certain functions as a citizen while you are in this world." The key is proper priorities and emphasis.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest we should approach difficult biblical teachings?
He advises: "Look at your scriptures. Look at them carefully, bring them all together. Compare scripture with scripture. Don't rest out a text and say, this is what the Bible says. Take it in its context, take it as a whole, put it together with all the others. Then see the great principles of teaching." He warns against jumping to conclusions and using "slogans" about complex issues.
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.