1 Timothy 6:1-5

Bringing the sermon home:

Having addressed the topic of honoring qualified widows and of honoring qualified elders, Paul then addresses the topic of slaves honoring their masters, though this time "honor" means showing respect through diligent service. Try to put yourself in the place of oppressed slaves in the first century and consider how challenging it would be to hear the charge to “regard [your] own masters as worthy of all honor”! This teaches us much about the life to which we have all been called as followers of Christ.
 
We’re told that slaves must show this honor “so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled”. Why would failing to respond to evil with good cause the reputation of God and His gospel to be brought into disrepute? It’s because of the name we have taken upon ourselves: the name of the One who has repaid our evil toward Him with indescribable good. To honor Christ as Lord, we must reflect Him before others by likewise repaying evil with good, and if the gospel is powerful enough to shine through the service of a slave to their master, then it’s powerful enough to shine through any relationship we encounter in our day.
 
Finally, as Paul returns to the topic of false teachers, we see that we are to honor Christ as Lord by receiving His instructions and by reproving those who distort or deny that teaching within the church. May we honor Christ by unifying around the life-giving words of Christ spoken through His prophets!

Sermon outline:

1. Honor Christ as Lord by reflecting His example (vv.1-2a)
2. Honor Christ as Lord by receiving His instruction (vv.2b-4a)
3. Honor Christ as Lord by reproving His opponents (vv.4b-5)