Ephesians 6:5-9 

The Christian Workman is to Obey: 

1. With Fear and Trembling– Vs 5 “with fear and trembling”. This is not a fear of our superiors. This is having a healthy fear of our “heavenly father” as we work for our “fleshly masters”. We respect our superiors because they are appointed over us. Colossians 3:22 “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God”. 

• • Stealing- Time, Resources, Supplies. 
  • Cutting Corners- It should be done this way but were doing it this way. 
  • Being Irresponsible- It takes a specific part but were putting a cheaper one, etc. 
  • Cheating- to get ahead of someone. 
  • All these things bring reproach to Christ. 
  • Constantly Working on It- Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” This is something we need to exercise in our Christian life or else we will become deficient in this area. 
  • Not Wanting to Disappoint God- This fear and trembling of God is knowing that we don’t want to disappoint God by doing anything to our fleshly masters, that goes against God’s Word. Don’t be afraid of what your fleshly masters can do to you if they catch you doing something wrong, be afraid of what God can do to you if you do something that displeases God. 

2. In Sincerity of Heart– Vs 5 “in singleness of your heart” (as unto Christ). Working with a purpose and focused attention. Without any pretense, slack, or hypocrisy. 

1. • I Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 
   • This persons labor is offered unto the Lord. He is totally committed to his/her work. His heart is single-minded and focused upon doing his job and doing it well. 
   • People in services use to take pride in their work, not anymore. Now, “if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself”. 
   • Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might”.  

3. Not with Eye Service– Vs 5 “not with eye service as men pleasers”. Not saying one thing or being one way with fleshly masters and another way with God. Working only when the boss is around. 

• Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Example- co-worker telling the boss “everything” he is doing.  
• Saying in the office, “walk fast and everyone thinks your busy. Walk around with paper in your hands and everyone thinks your busy, etc. 
• Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For it I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ”. 
• Seeking to please men will lead us to eye service and lack of sincerity. After a day of work, has he pleased the Lord? 
• Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe”. 

4. As the Servants of Christ– Vs 6 “as the servants of Christ”, “doing the will of God from the heart”. 

1. • We must work to serve Christ and do the will of God. 
   • With interest and energy, the opposite of routines and no energy. Everything that we do is for Christ although we work for a fleshly master. 
   • People say this regarding the law enforcement profession: When your heart is no longer in it, its time to retire, and this goes for any profession. We should enjoy what we do and it should come from the heart and not be something that is forced on us to do, that we don’t want to do. 

5. With Good Will– Vs 7 “with good will”. This is done as unto the Lord and not unto men. Ready to do anything that is required of them because they are faithful at what they do. 

1. • A military soldier usually joins the military because he loves his country, wants to serve his country, and is willing to do anything for his country. We joined God’s army, and we should be ready to do anything at any time for our great commander. 
   • I Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful”.  

6. And be Rewarded by the Lord– Vs 8 “the same shall he receive of the Lord”. However, it is that God keeps track of someone’s labor and effort, God will reward the good that a person does. This is encouraging to us because we still have the opportunity to do right from this point forward.  

1. • I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that you labour is not in vain in the Lord”.  
   • II Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ: that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 

Conclusion: God has given us jobs to do here on this earth and we are to them to the best of our abilities because everything that we do should be done as unto the Lord. As Christians we are to obey with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, not with eye service, as the servants of Christ, with good will and one day be rewarded from the Lord for doing good.