by Roby Ellis
[Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:21-23]
Introduction
A. A slave is one who renders service not as a matter of choice, but because he is subject to a will other than his own.
B. If the thought of slavery is despised in modern America, it was utterly detested by the people of Greece and Rome.
C. To men who cherish freedom, Paul says we must be slaves (Romans 6).
I. Whether we like it or not, we are all slaves.
A. At some point in our lives we all become slaves to sin (John 8:31-34; Romans 6:17-18; Titus 3:3).
B. Those who have been rescued from sin are now slaves of God (Romans 6:22; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
C. We do have a choice in the matter (Matthew 6:24).
D. Jesus is the obvious choice (Ephesians 6:5-6; Matthew 11:28-30).
II. What does slavery to God entail?
A. One who is a slave to God is also a slave to others (Galatians 5:13; 1 Corinthians 9:19; Matthew 25:40).
B. Slavery to God involves stewardship (Luke 19:11-27).
C. God’s faithful slave has the promise of unimaginable rewards (Luke 19:17, 19; Revelation 2:10,26; 3:12).
D. God’s most humble slaves have been exalted above rulers (Genesis 45:8; Exodus 7:1; Philippians 2:9-11).
E. A slave does not live to do his own will, but his master’s (Matthew 8:9; John 5:30; Matthew 26:39).
Conclusion
A. We need to make sure we are serving in the right house.
B. As a slave of God, you will be given a new name (Acts 11:26).
C. As a slave of God, you couldn’t possibly be in better company (Luke 1:48; Romans 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1).