Sermon Notes

August 3, 2025

Living It Out: Working for the Lord

Colossians 3:22-4:1

Throughout Colossians 3, Paul has been showing us that Jesus should be first in our lives because we are a new creation in Him when we confess Him as our Lord and Savior. Verse 17 of chapter 3 gives the foundation for a believer living and working to live out our faith: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (ESV)

As we submit to His lordship in our lives, we see His leadership in everything. Every interaction in every relationship is to be done in the name of Jesus. We are to consider our interactions with one another as interactions with Jesus Himself. We must be obedient to Christ, no matter whether someone else is being obedient to Christ. We are to submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives first and foremost.

Continuing with the household order that we began last week, today’s passage speaks directly to our daily lives, covering our work and leadership. Last week, we talked about the relationships of husbands, wives, children, and parents. The household order that God gives doesn’t give us detailed advice for how to live out our faith in today’s industrial workplace. However, the order does contain basic and enduring Christian principles that can be applied anytime, across changing social structures, anywhere in the world.

In Colossians 3:22-4:1, Paul addresses bondservants and masters, which in our context applies to employees and employers, workers and supervisors, or anyone who serves and leads. He calls us to see our work as an expression of our worship to Christ, not just a means to a paycheck.

Today, when we read the words bondservant or slave, many of us immediately think of the horrific practice of race-based slavery that existed in our country’s past. Slavery was brutal, unjust, and completely incompatible with the heart of God. The slavery that existed in the Roman Empire during Paul’s time was very different from the race-based slavery we are familiar with from American history. It wasn’t perfect or just, but it was different in significant ways.

First, Roman slavery wasn’t based on race. People, regardless of ethnicity, became slaves by being captured in war, through poverty, debt, or being born into a slave household. Second, many Roman slaves were educated and held positions of responsibility like managing estates, teaching children, and even handling finances for their masters. Third, Roman slavery wasn’t always permanent as slaves could earn or be granted their freedom or Roman citizenship. Even though it was different, it was a system that denied people their full freedom and dignity. We know that discrimination of any kind and inhumane treatment of others is ungodly and unacceptable according to Scripture.

Paul is providing practical instruction for a Christ-centered response for those who find themselves in unjust situations. The greatest means for cultural and societal change remains a spiritual transformation through the power of the gospel. The gospel always meets us where we are and teaches us to respond anew to the circumstances we are in. Paul is not endorsing slavery and undermines the very foundation of slavery with how he speaks to it. While Paul doesn’t launch a political revolution, he plants the seeds of one by lifting the dignity of every believer, slave or free, as an equal in Christ. When we apply this passage today, we’re not endorsing any form of slavery. We’re looking at what it means to work under authority, to serve with integrity, and to lead with humility, because ultimately, we all serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:22-4:1 (ESV)
“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”

Work with Integrity. ( 22)

Beginning in verse 22 and continuing through 4:1, Paul qualifies and undermines the absolute authority of masters over bondservants. Bondservants are to obey their earthly masters in everything, but they are to do all things, “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col 3:17). So, just like the obedience we talked about last week with children to parents when they are told to “be obedient in everything”, and that wives are to submit to their husband’s Christ-centered leadership, the obligation to fulfill your role and responsibilities only goes as far as masters, parents, or spouses are not leading you into sin. God does not ever expect family members to subject themselves to abuse. He also does not expect us to do anything unbiblical, immoral, or illegal in fulfilling our roles and responsibilities in the home. We are to be obedient to God first as a qualifier for being obedient to people. A bondservant or worker operates under the same pretense. Paul tells bondservants to obey their masters in everything. As they are obedient, Paul gives them expectations of how they are working.

When we are living out our faith and working for the Lord, we work with integrity. We are to always work with integrity, not just while we are being watched. Paul begins by confronting eye service, or working well when our supervisor is watching, to make a good impression and to try and obtain favor. The Greek phrase here literally refers to “service to the eyes”. In other words, working only for appearances. It’s the kind of work that’s only done to impress; never to serve others. Not only is that dishonest, but that also makes you a people-pleaser who is shallow and self-centered.

As Christ-followers, our work ethic isn’t tied to who’s watching. Our work ethic is tied to who we belong to. Paul makes this argument for himself in Galatians 1:10. He asks, “…am I now seeking the approval of man, or God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” We are ultimately working for the Lord!

The right motivation is working with integrity or with “sincerity of heart”. That means we are genuine, consistent, and committed to the seen and unseen things. To work only when someone is evaluating you means you’re performing. However, if your heart is sincere, you’re worshiping through your work. You are doing it “in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Our deepest motivation is to obey and work with sincerity, simplicity, and singularity of heart out of “fearing the Lord”, or out of reverence or respect for God. The fear of the Lord isn’t about being terrified. It’s about reverence, knowing that God sees what others don’t, and we ultimately answer to Him. A Christ-follower’s work ethic is grounded in awe and respect for God, not fear of punishment. We work with integrity, not because of who is watching, but because of who we are working for.

Work Hard for the Lord. ( 23-24)

We also work hard for the Lord. Paul says in verse 23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” We are not only to obey our masters with integrity but are also to work out our given duties with all the energy we can muster. There are no exceptions to the tasks Paul includes here. God makes it clear that all things matter to Him.

The phrase used for “work heartily” communicates the idea that our work should be “from the soul”. It means to put your whole self into it. Don’t work half-heartedly or reluctantly. Our work should have a spirit of zeal or enthusiasm, and devotion. That means that we won’t look for ways, as a Christ-follower, to do less in our work. We will look for ways to do more so that we can honor God. Romans 12:11 says the same thing: “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in Spirit, serve the Lord.” However, working heartily is not about overworking or burning out. Working heartily is about having the right spiritual posture in your labor.

Paul also says to work “as for the Lord, not for men.” The heart of work ethic for a Christ-follower is that we are not ultimately working for human supervisors; we are working for Christ Himself. The parallel passage in Ephesians 6:5-7 reiterates this same heart: “Obey . . . with a sincere heart, as you would Christ . . . rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man.” If you are in Christ, your work is being seen and measured by your Savior, and there is a reward in that!

Verse 24 says, “from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward”. Paul is speaking to bondservants; people who, in earthly terms, had no inheritance. That is another great example of how the gospel reverses everything in our lives. The world may not reward your faithful work, but the Lord will! The world may give out promotions and paychecks, but only Christ gives out eternal rewards.

We “are serving the Lord Christ” (v. 24). Christ is the real boss. You’re not just working a job; you are serving the King. Your workplace becomes your worship space when you realize you serve Jesus there. View interruptions, hard coworkers, or long days as opportunities to worship. See your job as a platform for glorifying Jesus. He promises a reward far greater than a raise or promotion. You’re not just an employee; you are a servant of the King.

Work Knowing God Is Just. ( 3:25-4:1)

We know we can work hard for the Lord because God is just. We are to serve Christ, “for the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality” (v. 25). People will reap in the future the spiritual harvest of what they sow in the present. Far from turning a blind eye to wrongdoing, God will judge the wrongdoer regardless of who they are. People are morally responsible to God, and God, who is impartial, will hold all people accountable for their own sin.

Believers are included in that (cf. 2 Cor 5:10). The judgment on disobedience is as certain as the reward is for faithfulness. While salvation in the Bible is according to grace, judgment is according to works, whether good or bad. Although we are forgiven our sin and saved by grace through faith, we will still be held accountable for how we live out our faith this side of heaven. This is not something that we should take lightly. God judges with impartial fairness toward both masters and servants. God’s judgment is a warning to the lazy or deceitful worker, but it’s a comfort to the faithful worker who is overlooked or mistreated. God does not favor people based on status, position, popularity, or pay grade. He judges with perfect fairness. There is no such thing as “getting away with it” before God. That’s a call to faithfulness.

Verse 1 of chapter 4 carries this same sentiment of God’s justice over to masters, or supervisors, or leaders: “Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” Treating those we supervise “justly and fairly” is not a suggestion. Being just and fair reflects God’s character and is an absolute expectation for those in leadership.

To lead justly means that you are doing what is right in the eyes of God. Whether this is dealing with wage assessment or correcting wrongdoing in the workplace, the expectation is that you will do things according to God’s Word. Leading fairly implies equality, balance, and impartiality. Biblical fairness doesn’t mean treating everyone identically but treating each one according to God’s standard and their unique worth.

We are to lead “justly and fairly” because we “also have a Master in heaven.” God does not give us leadership to dominate others, but to steward what He has blessed us with. We are not the final authority. We are accountable to the One who sees all and rules all, our Master in heaven. We should treat our employees with the same consideration as we hope to receive at the hands of our Lord.

Earthly masters share the same Master with those they oversee. This should break down any sense of superiority. If you are saved by grace and so is your employee, then you are co-heirs, not competitors. Leadership is not a crown, it’s a cross. We are called to lead like Jesus, who washed His disciples’ feet and gave up His life for others. As we lead, we should say, “I lead because Christ leads me. I serve because Christ served me. I am accountable because He is my Master.” Paul’s instructions for masters and bondservants in these verses mirror his emphasis for all the members of the household: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (v. 23). This means that regardless of our circumstances, everything we do – in our homes, in our workplaces, and our church – should be done for the honor of the Lord as we diligently labor for our Master.

Throughout the letter of Colossians and in our series here in chapter 3, Paul has focused on God’s redemptive love through Christ that we can experience by faith. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross provides forgiveness for sins and reconciles us to God by meeting us where we are and redeeming our lives for His purpose and His glory.

Are you doing your work as eye service, or are you working with integrity as an act of worship? Are you working hard like you answer to Christ? Are you working or leading, knowing that everyone will be held accountable by God? We are not just employees and supervisors; we are servants of the Lord Jesus. We are being watched, not by man, but by the One who gave His life for us.

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Sermon Notes

Living It Out: Working for the Lord

Colossians 3:22-4:1

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