When we talk about free will, we are usually concerned with the matter of salvation. https://www.gotquestions.org/is-God-sovereign.html

Sovereignty of God – Romans 8:29-39, Ephesians 1:4, 2:8-9

Free Will – John 3:16 https://www.gotquestions.org/arminianism.html https://www.gotquestions.org/calvinism.html https://www.gotquestions.org/semi-Pelagianism.html

Perhaps the more important question for the Followers-of-Jesus is this: what is the extent and limit of our free will?

Obvious Limits - Our free will is limited by our genes, our time and our space environment, as well as the actions of others.

Unavoidable consequences - We may have the free will to act, but once the free will action is taken, the resulting consequences are outside of our control.

A good heart and an empty head are no excuse to unavoidable consequences.

Will an erroneous intent or the lack of knowledge excuse the unavoidable consequences of our free will choices? No, unavoidable consequences are just that, unavoidable. A child who plays with matches may have neither the intent nor the knowledge, yet he will get burnt just the same. All of which to say, once we take an action, there are no excuses, defenses, or exemptions that will protect us from the unavoidable consequences of such an action.

Simply being human has unavoidable consequences.

We are men and women under the curse of Adam. We are not free to live forever. As Followers-of-Jesus, we are not free from the Judgment Seat of Christ. And, we are not free to change the plans of God the Father.

Consequences are no respecter of person.

The question is what was our Lord's approach to his earthly ministry? See Corinthians 11:1

What are Not Acceptable Ministry Practices? Let us at ways and methods our Lord specifically rejected when it came to ministry. See Luke 4:1-13

1. Bribes - Jesus rejected the first temptation, to turn stones into bread. On a ministry level, Jesus rejected the temptation to give people "stuff," that is to bribe them into following him. Bribes include: bread, rice, money, and so on. This means that Jesus rejected ministries such as the Prosperity Gospel, Name It and Claim It ministries, positive confessions, faith contracts, visualization, and the like.

2. Worldly Power - Jesus rejected the second temptation, to bow to Satan and to use the resources of the world to further his Kingdom. On a ministry level, Jesus rejected the temptation in ministry to compromise with the world (Satan) and to use worldly ways and the governments of this world for "godly purposes."

This means that Jesus rejected any ministry that uses political power to further its mission, whether that be the Roman Catholic Church, or Protestant churches grounded in Dominion or Reconstruction type Theology. Jesus rejected: the creation of a Christian political power, Christian leaders delivering Ohio and Florida to the Republican Party in the 2000 Election, and political endorsements from the pulpit, to name a few.

3. Miracles and Entertainment - Jesus rejected the third temptation, to use the miracle of jumping off the pinnacle of the Temple and being rescued by angles in front of all the people in order to be declared the Messiah by the High Priests and those in attendance. Jesus rejected the use of miracles as a way to get people to follow him. This means Jesus rejected any ministry that is "focused" on Signs and Wonders, that is charismatic gifts. It also means that Jesus rejected any ministry that is "focused" on entertaining people. For example, Hollywood-type, mega-church worship productions may fall into this category if their worship service goes from glorifying God to mostly entertaining the people in attendance.

What are Acceptable Ministry Practices? See Luke 10

Jesus sent out 72 disciples, two by two, without a purse or bag or sandals. They were not to worry about how they would live. Instead, God took care of them through the hospitality of the local people they stayed with. The 72 were not to try to improve their situation on the mission field, but to minister faithfully wherever God led them. The job of the 72 was simply to preach the Word, to heal, to cast out demons, and in faith, to rely on the Lord for everything else. These are the acceptable ministry practices.

Is there a purpose for suffering?

For Followers-of-Jesus, the New Testament teaches the following four-fold reason or purpose for suffering:

There is an internal purpose for suffering. All suffering and trials of any kind strengthen and mature the Christian’s faith. From the Book of James we know that if a Christian responds to the suffering brought on by the various trials and tribulations of this life with an open heart to God that the Lord Jesus will give him a crown-of-life for his perseverance when he stands before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

There is an eternal purpose for suffering. When a Christian perseveres in suffering through various trials and tribulations, he is a witness to the unsaved. For some unsaved people this witness is positive, and the suffering of Christians will lead them to salvation. For other unsaved people this witness is negative as they are not moved by the suffering of Christians, and as such are left with no excuse on the Day of Judgment.

A third purpose of suffering is identification. When a Christian suffers unjustly for Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit rests upon this person in a special way. We are told that Jesus Christ personally knows who is suffering unjustly for him and blesses this person. By way of example we read in the Book of Acts that when Stephen, the first martyr, was being stoned to death, he could see Jesus standing at the right hand of God the Father waiting to take him into Heaven.

The fourth purpose for suffering is fellowship. A person who suffers unjustly for Christ Jesus understands in some way how Christ suffered unjustly on the cross for him. The person who suffers because he is a Christian has a special bond of fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Somehow this person literally participates in Christ’s suffering, not for purposes of salvation but for fellowship with Christ. While this may seem strange at first, we can all identify with the concept. When we are suffering a particular loss or trial in life, only a person who has suffered through a similar loss or trial can really understand and sympathize with what we are going through.

No one wants suffering, yet suffering in this life is not optional. The difference between a follower-of-Jesus and an unsaved person is that the follower-of-Jesus suffers for a reason, and the unsaved person suffers for nothing.

Based upon: Phil 3:10-11; 2 Tim 1:8; James 1:2-4, 12; 1 Pet 1:6-7, 2:18-21, 3:1-2, 8-9, 13-17, 4:1-2, 12-19

The conclusion in the modern mind is that God either does not exist or if he does, he is neither all-powerful nor all-good. This results in a Theodicy, an effort to defend the existence of God (and his power and goodness) in the face of evil in the world. 

The Intellectual Problem of Evil – How do you make a rational argument for the coexistence of an all-good, all-powerful God with evil and human suffering? (This is the subject of the apologists.)  

The Intellectual Problem of Evil has vexed philosophers and theologians for centuries. It presented the main intellectual attack against Christianity. By and large this was a problem for the academics, until World War I, The Great War. So terrible and horrible was the suffering on a world-wide basis, that Western Culture was stunned that God allowed it to happen. And so began the slide of churches, universities, and indeed most institutions in Western Civilization away from Christianity in earnest. No educated or thinking person could believe that God existed after the horrors of WWI. 

However, in 1967, Dr. Alvin Plantinga published the Free Will Defense Argument. Using the classic logical arguments of secular philosophers, Plantinga convincingly proved that an all-good, all-powerful God had morally sufficient reasons for allowing evil and human suffering to exist, such as giving man  

Free Will, which necessitates the existence of evil and its resulting human suffering. (You can easily search the internet for a more thorough explanation of Plantinga’s Free Will Defense.) 

Today the Intellectual Problem of Evil is an interesting study, but thanks to Plantinga, it is no longer the main attack by academia against Christianity. All but the most ardent and narrow minded atheists have acknowledged Plantinga’s significant work. As proof of the universal, although begrudging, acceptance of the Free Will Defense and its many subsequent forms, the main attack by academia against Christianity and the existence of God is now focused on evolution vs intelligent design. Those academics on the forefront of the fight against Christianity are no longer philosophers but biologists and others in the hard sciences. 

The conclusion in the modern mind is that God either does not exist or if he does, he is neither all-powerful nor all-good. This results in a Theodicy, an effort to defend the existence of God (and his power and goodness) in the face of evil in the world. 

The Intellectual Problem of Evil – How do you make a rational argument for the coexistence of an all-good, all-powerful God with evil and human suffering? (This is the subject of the apologists.)  

The Intellectual Problem of Evil has vexed philosophers and theologians for centuries. It presented the main intellectual attack against Christianity. By and large this was a problem for the academics, until World War I, The Great War. So terrible and horrible was the suffering on a world-wide basis, that Western Culture was stunned that God allowed it to happen. And so began the slide of churches, universities, and indeed most institutions in Western Civilization away from Christianity in earnest. No educated or thinking person could believe that God existed after the horrors of WWI. 

However, in 1967, Dr. Alvin Plantinga published the Free Will Defense Argument. Using the classic logical arguments of secular philosophers, Plantinga convincingly proved that an all-good, all-powerful God had morally sufficient reasons for allowing evil and human suffering to exist, such as giving man  

Free Will, which necessitates the existence of evil and its resulting human suffering. (You can easily search the internet for a more thorough explanation of Plantinga’s Free Will Defense.) 

Today the Intellectual Problem of Evil is an interesting study, but thanks to Plantinga, it is no longer the main attack by academia against Christianity. All but the most ardent and narrow minded atheists have acknowledged Plantinga’s significant work. As proof of the universal, although begrudging, acceptance of the Free Will Defense and its many subsequent forms, the main attack by academia against Christianity and the existence of God is now focused on evolution vs intelligent design. Those academics on the forefront of the fight against Christianity are no longer philosophers but biologists and others in the hard sciences. 

In the Old Testament, a "tithe" is usually thought of as giving 10%, of the produce of your land: crops, fruits, herds and flocks, but not your actual land

The Old Testament:

1. Levitical Tithe - 1/10 - Annually - to the Levites, who in turn gave 1/10 to the Priests   Lev 27:30-33, Num 18:21-29  
2. Festival Tithe - 1/10 - Annually – Deuteronomy 14:22-27
3. Poor Tithe - 1/10 - Every Three Year - to the poor - Dt. 14:28-29, 26:12-13  

All of which adds up to as much as 23 1/3% per year over a three-year period-of-time. 

The New Testament:  

Christians are not under the Law of Moses, so no biblical requirement to tithe.

Acts 15 – The Jerusalem Council

Romans 7:4 – Christians have died to the Law of Moses and the requirement to tithe.

Colossians 2:14 – The Law of Moses and its consequences were nailed to the cross.

What the New Testament teaches about giving.

2 Cor. 9:7, Every man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  

Reasonable Solution

If it did not cost you anything to give, then you did not give anything.  Luke 21:1-4

Give just until it hurts a little.

God does not want what you do not what to give.  Give not under legalism but out of joy from a grateful heart.

Give Weak Christians grace when they demand you give a 10% tithe out of your gross annual income.  Romans 14  (But do not show them your IRS Form 1040.) 

Matthew 5:2-11, Luke 6:20-26 – Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake and on account of their testimony about Jesus. 

Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 

Matthew 11:6 - And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.

Matthew 18:7, Luke 17:1 - Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

Matthew 23:1-36,  Luke 11:37-52 - Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.  

Woe to those preachers and teachers who teach falsely.                                     Woe to those who swear oaths before God.                                                        Woe to those who neglect justice, mercy, and faithfulness.                                   Woe to those preachers and teachers who are hypocrites and lawless.           Woe to those preachers and teachers full of greed and self-indulgence.      Woe to you lawyers(Pharisees)! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.  

Matthew 24:46, Luke 12:37-38, Luke 12:43 - Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing his will when he comes.

Matthew 25:34 – Blessed are those who inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

Luke 11:28 - Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!

Luke 13:35 -  Blessed is the one who says blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

John 13:17 - If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

John 20:29 - Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

Discussion Questions:

Who are the blessed?

Who are those who are cursed with woes?

Matthew 4:4 - Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 

Matthew 7:26-27, Luke 6:46-49 - And everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a man who builds his house on a solid foundation. 

Matthew 11:25-30 - 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light 

Matthew 12:48-50, Luke 8:21 - For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. 

Luke 11:28 - Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it! 

Luke 16:1-13 – Use the assets given to you faithfully.  Cannot serve God and money. 

John 8:31-32 – If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. 

John 12:25-26 - If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 

John 13:15-17 - For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.  

John 13:20 -  Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. 

John 14:15-24 - If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  

John 15:1-17 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  

Discussion Questions: 

Summarize the Jesus commands on obedience. 

Are you obeying the commands of Jesus?  

And if not, what help do you need in order to start obeying his commands? 

Matthew 4:7 - You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.

Matthew 4:10 - You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.

Matthew 5:33-37 – You shall not swear falsely.  Do not take an oath.  Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.

Matthew 12:32 - Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Matthew 22:34-38, Mark 12:28-30 - You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.

Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-23 – Take the bread and the wine in remembrance of me.

John 2:16 - Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.

John 4:24 - God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.

John 12:44-45 - Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.

Discussion Questions:

How do we put God to the test?

Do worship things like cars or a football team? 

Why is does it mean to speak against the Holy Spirit? 

What does it look like to worship in spirit and in truth?

Matthew 7:15-16 - Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits. 

Matthew 12:36 - On the day of judgment, you will give account for every careless word you speak.

Matthew 15:10-11, Mark 7:14-23 - It is what comes out of the mouth; this is what defiles a person.  For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 

Mark 8:15, 12:38-40, Luke 12:1, 20:45-47 - Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, the Scribes and the Herodians which is hypocrisy. 

Luke 12:15 - Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Luke 21:34-36 - Watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.  But stay awake at all times; pray that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.

 Discussion Questions:

What should we beware of?

How can you guard yourself against these behaviors and actions?

Matthew 6:19-21 -  Do not lay up for yourself riches on earth, which perish, but lay up for yourself riches in heaven that are eternal.  Where your treasure is, there is your heart also.

Matthew 6:25-27 – Do not be anxious about your life, you cannot add a single hour to your life.  God knows what you need, and he will provide it.

Matthew 6:34 -  Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Luke 12:22-31 - Do not be anxious about what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.  For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 

Luke 12: 32-34 - Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 

Discussion Questions:

Are you anxious about the things of life?

How can we not be anxious for the things of life?

Where is your heart and what are the treasurers that you store up?

Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:17, Luke 20:21-26

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"  But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius.  And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."  When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

Matthew 5:41 - And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Mark 1:44 – Go show yourself to the priests.

Matthew 5:17 - “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Discussion Questions: 

Are there any civil laws that we should not obey?

Is it difficult to obey authorities who are themselves not obeying the law?

Are you obeying the commands of Jesus regarding civil authorities?  And if not, what help do you need on order to start obeying these commands?

Leona Helmsley – We don’t pay taxes; taxes are for little people.

Matthew 6:2-8 – Do not let anyone know about your giving or your praying.

Matthew 6:16-18 – Fast in secret.

Matthew 18:4 - Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:42-45, Luke 22:24-27 - Whoever would be great among you must be a servant to all.

Mark 10:45 - For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Luke 9:23-27 - And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.  For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 

Luke 14:7-11 - For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 14:25-33 - So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Luke 18:9-14 - But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 

John 13:12-17 - When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you?  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 

Discussion Questions:

Are the commands of Jesus on humility optional for a Follower-of-Jesus?

Are you obeying the commands of Jesus when it comes to humility? 

And if not, what help do you need in order to start obeying these commands?

Matthew 5:1-32 – Blessed are the meek, the merciful, and the peacemakers.

Matthew 5:38-48, Luke 6:27-37  – Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.

Matthew 6:14 – Forgive others their trespasses against you.

Matthew 7:1-2 - Judge not, that you be not judged. 

Matthew 7:12 – Do unto others what you would have them do to you.

Matthew 15:4 – Honor your father and mother.

Matthew 18:4 – Turn and humble yourself like a child. 

Mathew 18:22 - Forgive your brother 70 x 7 times, as in always forgive.

Mathew 19:3-9 - Do not divorce except for adultery. 

Matthew 19:14 -  Let the little children come to me.

Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 9:35, 10:42-45, Luke 9:46-48, 22:26  – Whoever would be great among must be servant of all.

Matthew 22:39-40 - You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 

Matthew 25:31-46 – Feed and cloth the poor among you.

Mark 9:42 – Do not cause a young one who believes to sin.

Mark 10:10-21, Luke 16:18 – Do not divorce and marry another.

Luke 6:38 – The measure you give is the measure you receive.

Luke 10:36-37 -  Show mercy to your enemies.

Luke 12:57-59 – Always try to settle an argument peaceably.  

Luke 14:7-24 – Always choose the lowest place of honor, do not exalt yourself.

Luke 17:1-4 – Do not tempt someone else to sin.  

John 13:31-35 - Love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 

Discussion Questions:

Are the commands of Jesus dealing with others optional for a Follower-of-Jesus?

What are the behaviors and actions that Jesus commands us to do?

What are the behaviors and actions Jesus commands us not to do?

What does Jesus command when someone sins against us?

What does Jesus command when we sin against someone else?

Are you obeying the commands of Jesus when dealing with others?  

And if not, what help do you need in order to start obeying these commands?

Matthew 4:19 and Mark 1:17 - And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Matthew 9:37 - "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

Matthew 10:16 - Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Matthew 10:19 - When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.

Matthew 10:32-33, Matthew 10:40, Luke 10:16, Luke 12:8-12, John 13:20  - So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.  "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

Mark 9:38-41, Luke 9:50 – Do not stop him who does a work in my name.

Mark 16:15-18 - "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 

Luke 8:39 - "Return to your home and declare how much God has done for you." 

Luke 9:57-60 - "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

Acts 1:6-8 – You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Discussion Questions:

Are the commands of Jesus on evangelism optional for a Follower-of-Jesus?

Are you obeying the commands of Jesus regarding evangelism?  and if not, what help do you need to start obeying these commands?

Matthew 4:17 –   Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mark 1:15 –         Repent and believe in the gospel.

Luke 7:50 –         Your faith has saved you, go in peace.

Luke 13:5 –         Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish 

Luke 13:22-30 – Strive to enter through the narrow door.  Many will seek but will not be able.

John 1:1-12 –     But to all who received him and believed, he gave the right to be children of God.

John 3:1-21 –     You must be born again.

John 4:1-15 –     Whoever drinks of the water that I give will never thirst and have eternal life.

John 6:35-40 –   Everyone who looks at the Son and believes shall have eternal life.

John 6:52-69 –   Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.

John 7:37-39 –   Whoever believes in me, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.

John 8:12 –        Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but he will have the light of life.

John 11:25-27 – Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet he shall live, I am life.

John 12:44-45 – Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me.

John 14:1 –        Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God; believe also in me.

John 20:29 –     Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

Discussion Questions:

What does it mean to repent and to believe?

What does it mean to receive Jesus?

What does it mean to be born again?

What does it mean to eat the flesh and to drink the blood of Jesus?

How can we die yet live in Christ?

Can you believe in faith?  What does it mean to have faith?  See Hebrew 11:1-40

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Know whose slave you are and whose slave you are not. Submit to those in authority, but do not be their slaves. 

Remember whose slave you are and whose slave you are not. As a believer you are called to be a Slave-of-Christ. You are not called to be “slave” of your husband, your wife, the pastor, or any other person of authority within the church or any other ministry.  Jesus stated in Mark 10:42-45 that believers in positions of authority are not to “lord it over” others, explaining: whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 

But the sad truth is that there are local churches in which pastors and elders do lord it over others in the congregation. There are spouses who lord it over the other spouse.  

We see an example of this in 3 John. The Apostle John writes to the “beloved Gaius.” It seems that Gaius and the local church were struggling with a leader named, Diotrephes, “who likes to put himself first.” Diotrephes was a “control freak” (not sure there is a Greek term for this) who wanted to be in charge of everything and to tell everyone else what to do. Diotrepehes refused to recognize the authority of the Apostles and ex-communicated or threw people out of church if they did not obey him.  

John dismisses the actions of Diotrephes as evil and urges Gaius not to imitate such evil ways. John gives us insight as to how to deal with such men, walk away from them if you can, and let the Lord deal with them. But even if you cannot walk away, know that you are not their slave. 

Paul urges all the believers in Ephesus to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. So we submit, in the sense of deferring, to leaders and others in authority.  In contrast, in Ephesians 6:5, actual slaves are called to obey their earthly masters with fear and trembling. But nowhere are believers called to obey husbands, wives, pastors, and other ministry leaders with fear and trembling as if we were the slaves of such men (women). 

Well, it’s time to go to work. 

Today we are going to look as some Biblical examples of the Slaves of God. I have to warn you, it’s not pretty.

The slaves of God in Scripture did not act because they "felt" like it or because they had the "heart" for it. Instead they acted simply because God commanded it. Indeed in most cases, if they had followed their hearts, they would not have acted at all.

Slaves-of-God are not asked if they would like to “help” God out. Slaves-of-God are not offered choices. They are not always given ministry tasks that fit their spiritual gifts or their heart story. Slaves-of-God are simply told to do something, and they are not always told why. See:

Moses – Exodus 1:1-4:20

Philip – Acts 8:26-40

Ananias – Acts 9:10-19

Peter – Acts 10

Paul – Acts, 2 Corinthians 11:23-38

Being a Slave-of-Christ surely means being called to serve outside of our comfort zone, like Philip and Peter; being in vulnerable positions, even physical danger, like Ananias and Paul; being rewarded for obedience like Peter; being extremely difficult and frustrated as Moses leading the rebellious Hebrews though the desert for forty years; and in still other situations, we are called to act like Philip but not given a lot of information why. See also Philippians 2:5-11.

And yes, some like Peter and Paul are called to follow the example of Jesus, being martyred for their obedience to the faith. We are called to be Slaves-of-God, men and women such as these. But count the cost, it’s not pretty.

Perhaps we are not always obeying the commands of Jesus, but what about worship? Do we not show our love for God through our worship? Some have said that God wants our worship more than our obedience. But is that true?  Let’s start by asking what it means to “worship.”

The word worship occurs approximately 188 times in the King James Bible. In Old Testament the underlying Hebrew word for the English word worship is most frequently shachah, which means: “to make low, bow, prostrate, fall down, reverence, and worship.” As an example, in Psalm 95:6 the call is made: To come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.

In the New Testament the underlying Greek word for the English word worship is almost always proskuneo, which means: “to kiss, fawn, crouch, prostrate, bow, reverence, and honor.” As an example, in Matthew 28:9, And behold, Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. The actual act of worship described in both the Old and New Testaments sounds an awful lot like what a slave or servant does before his master, all this bowing, prostrating, and making low. 

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-2, gives us the definition of spiritual worship, he says: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Consistent with the teaching of Romans, the Old Testament concept of worship is clearly tied the concept of service. Moses warned the Hebrew people not to go after other gods by serving them and worshipping them. Deu 8:19, 11:16, 30:17.

The Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, after the Temple was built, and warned him about serving other gods and worshipping them. 1 Kings 9:4-7; 2 Chron. 7:17-20.

King Amon is criticized for serving and worshipping the idols of his father, Manasseh. 2 King 21:21

Now you may say: “Well, I don’t always obey Jesus as well as I should, but I “love” Jesus.” But can we love Jesus if we do not obey his commands?

On that subject Jesus was very clear, If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15. Whoever has my commands an obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. John 14:21

If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching: These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:23-24

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed the Father’s commands and remain in his love. John 15:9-10

The Apostle John, proclaiming what he had seen and what he had heard from Jesus, writes: We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6. For this is love of God, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3

See also James 2:14-26

Disciplining programs often emphasize that the heart should follow the will, but that the will should never follow the heart in spiritual matters. Why is this so? The Prophet Jeremiah, said under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Then he quotes God the Father, by saying: I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve. Jeremiah 17:9-10.

The only way to show that we love Jesus is to obey his commands.

Our Lord Jesus Christ used the illustration of a slave(s) (duolos) in order to teach important points in his parables and stories.

When asked about the signs of the End-of-the-Age, Jesus gave his disciples a long dissertation using several parables in Matthew 24 and 25. Jesus gave an example of how his followers should prepare for his return in the Parable of the Faithful Servant, literally the faithful slave (duolos). The slave is faithful and wise if the slave keeps watch for his master, if the slave is careful with his master’s property in his absence, and if the slave properly treats all of the other slaves under his authority as they wait for the master’s return. Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-46.

Further in the dissertation on the End-of-the-Age, Jesus tells a Parable of the Talents. Three slaves are each given a sum of money by their master; one receives ten talents, another receives five talents, and the third receives one talent. The two slaves who wisely used and invested the money given to them by the master are called “good and faithful” slaves.

But The one slave who does not use and invest the money given to him by his master and instead buries the money for safekeeping is called a “wicked and lazy” slave, even though the slave returned the original money back to his master. Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27

The good and faithful slave keeps watch for his master and takes care of the assets entrusted to him by his master. In our case, the good and faithful slave actively uses the spiritual gifts and the material wealth given to us by God for God’s purposes.

In contrast, The wicked and lazy slave does not use the spiritual gifts and material wealth to honor God, but rather the wicked and lazy servant uses all of these assets for his own pleasure or does not use them at all.

Are you actively using the material assets and spiritual gifts given to you by God for his glory, or are you only using those assets and gifts for your own pleasure? In the first instance, you are good and faithful slave, in the second instance you a lazy and wicked slave. Perhaps it is time to become a good and faithful slave.

Romans 6:12-23; Ephesians 4:20- 32. 

In our second series we will look in greater details at what Jesus commanded as duties for those who would follow him. 

Here are words of the Apostles as to the duties of the slaves of God. 

1. The Slave-of-Jesus bears witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:2. – The Great Commission 

1. The Slave-of-God must be careful to honor, worship and adore only God. 
   Revelation 19:10, 22:9 – The First Greatest Commandment 

1. The Fellow-Slave-of-the-Lord must be a faithful minister of the word showing compassion, love, and care for others (believers). Colossians 1:7; 4:7                                                        – The Second Greatest Commandment 

1. The Slave-of-Christ is to be content with whatever position in life from which he was called to salvation. 1 Corinthians 7:22 –  

1. The Slaves-of-Christ must serve earthly masters and employers with goodwill as if they are serving the Lord himself and not a man. Ephesians 6:6-8 

1. The Lord’s Slave must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, and correcting his opponents with gentleness. 2 Timothy 2:24-25 

1. The Slaves-of-God must live as people who are free from sin, not using their freedom as a cover-up for evil. 1 Peter 2:16 

1. Remember that no matter how important you are and what your connections may be, you are a Slave-of-Jesus Christ. Jude 1:1 

Born is the USA! I am free!! I am slave to no man!!!

Well, not exactly, actually the Bible says that we are all slaves to something.  There two kinds of people, those who are saved and follow Jesus and those who are not saved and do not follow Jesus.

1st Group As to unsaved people, Romans Chapter 1:18-32; Ephesians 4:17-19; and Romans 7:7-25.  Unsaved people are slaves to sin.  They cannot help themselves.

2nd Group As to believers in Christ, Romans 6:1-23 that once a saved person is free from the penalty of sin, he now has a choice; he can either become a Slave-of-God and do righteousness things, or he go back to being a slave to sin and continue to do sinful things. Paul commands Christians to present their bodies as slaves to righteousness that leads to sanctification.

Paul addresses the question of whether there is a 3rd option Chapter 6 of Romans.  See also Ephesians 4:20-32.  There is no 3rd option.  Because we are slaves, we will always be slaves to something, not free, and we will always drift back to being slaves to sin if we do not actively do righteous actions in order to be the slaves of God.

In the New Testament, the word mathetes is only used in the Gospels and the Book of Acts. Acts 21:16 is the last time in the Bible that the word disciple is used. 

In Acts as a young man new to faith and ministry, Timothy is called a disciple, a learner. Acts 16:1.  See Philippians 1:1; 2:19-24.  Years later after Timothy had been taught by Paul and had grown in the faith, Paul describes Timothy to the Christians in Philippi as a slave (doulos) of Christ Jesus that is in Philippians 1:1. Later in his letter, Philippines 2:19-24, Paul tells the Philippines that he has no one working with him was like Timothy and that they knew of Timothy’s "proven worth" because Timothy has “served” with Paul in the gospel. This would seem to be the trend in the New Testament from disciple or learner to servant/slave of God, one who does the work of God.

Paul addresses brothers in Christ, who are always learning but never doing.  In his first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 3. Paul calls them out. He says that he can’t call them “spiritual” people because like babies they are still taking milk and not solid food. He admonishes them to grow up, move on, and quit acting like babies, children. Children are cared for. They are full time learning. Adults, on the other hand, take care of and teach the children although no doubt continuing to learn more themselves.

The writer of Hebrews makes a similar point to his readers in Chapter 6. He says that recipients of his letter need to leave the elementary doctrine and instructions of Christ and move on to maturity. This is not to suggest or imply that there is deeper or higher wisdom to learn or that we can disregard the elementary doctrine and instructions. No, this is a strong call that with our feet firmly planted on the elementary doctrine and instructions, we need to start serving.  That is, we should become the Slaves-of-God, doing the will of our master.

Paul tells the Christians in Rome that they had become Slaves-of-God. Romans 6:22.

Paul tells the Christians in Corinth that even though they were freemen of Rome, once they accepted Christ that they were now Slaves-of-Christ. 1 Corinthians 7:22.

Paul tells the Christians in Ephesus that they should be Slaves-of-Christ. Ephesians 6:6.

Paul tells the Christians at Colossae that Epaphras and Tychicus were his Fellow-Slaves in Christ/the Lord. Colossians 1:7, 4:7.

Paul writes to his spiritual son and protégé, Timothy, and admonishes him as to what the Lord’s slave must be like, referring to Timothy.

The Apostle Peter said that he was a Slave-of-Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1.

Peter admonished Christians in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia that even if they were free within the Roman Empire, yet they were to live as Slaves-of-God.
1 Peter 2:16.

Jude said he was the Slave-of-Jesus Christ (his half-brother). Jude 1

The Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, referred to himself as the Slave-of-God. Revelation 1:1.

In Revelation the blood of the martyrs is referred to as the blood of his slaves.
Revelation 19:3.

An angel of the Lord admonished John in Revelation not to worship him as he was a Fellow-Slave-of-God, along with John and the other brothers in Christ. Revelation 19:10, 22:9.

So our young international friend got it wrong. The Lord does not call the followers of Jesus to be hired servants; he calls us to be slaves.

Join me in the next episode as we look at the difference between being a slave and being a disciple.

Well, it’s time to go to work.