Is it wrong to take a job in a bar?

(to listen to a podcast of this sermon, please visit www.pacificviewbaptist.com and click on "sermons" from the menu on the left.)

Frequently avoided questions of the Christian faith
“Is it wrong to take a job in a bar?” Eph. 6:5-9, Col. 3:23

Intro…My years at Bobby McGee’s…
Big Pic: Every job is a ministry for God.
Text: Ephesians 6:5-9

Today’s message is a follow-up from last week about being salt and light in our world and being part of our culture.
• This passage follows the first 4 verses where Paul is talking about healthy family relationships…and that helps us understand better the slaves/masters theme of verses 5-9.

A world about slaves during this Biblical time.
• Slaves comprised about 1/3 of the population of a city like Ephesus.
• They were considered an integral part of the family, not unlike many nanny’s today.
• So, Paul’s instructions to slaves were a natural part of his dealing with family relationships. (see vs. 1-4)
• In both Greek and Roman culture, slaves had limited rights and were subject to exploitation and abuse.
• Paul is not condoning the system of slavery, but instead provides instructions to Christian masters and slaves regarding their relationship to each other in the Lord and how this should be lived out within the bounds of their social and legal culture.
• Slavery eventually died out through the influence of Christianity.
• So…the principles in this passage apply today in terms of the boss/employee relationship, the law etc.

Principles we can take in relation to our jobs.
• We need to work well for our bosses (within reason) because in the big picture we are working for God. (v.5, 6, 7 and 9).
• As long as you have a boss who isn’t a complete tyrant, you gotta go to work and get it done.
• In a recent job interview I had we were talking about how basic good employees are hard to find…
• In whatever job we have, we are missionaries and witnesses for Christ!
• If you’ve been in the church for awhile, sometimes full time ministry positions get put on an unreal pedestal, like that’s a “real” Christian job…I’m here to dispel that myth.
• For me, this is kinda what I do best…

Let’s talk about bartenders for a minute since that’s the title of the sermon.
• This could be a job for the Christian who could handle that atmosphere.
• In reality, our world could use more Christian bartenders…it’s a place where people from all walks of life gather, coming from work, wanting to relax, celebrate an event, watch a game, some come in complete despair…the bartender is the only person who interacts with all of them.
• The bartender is often the promise of acceptance, the hope of forgetfulness.
• What if that bartender were a Christian? How many times a day could he share his life with another person? How many great conversations could he/she have and be a bright light in the darkness?

Not everyone is called into “the ministry” yet all Christians are in “the ministry.”
• These verses give us some specifics on how to do be good employees.
• Sincere heart. A good heart helps you do the right things. You care about people, you’re not selfish etc.
• Not being a people-pleaser. Standing up for what’s right…
• Doing God’s will from our heart. Again, back to the heart. This takes it a step further. You have to ask yourself in every work situation, can I do _____________ and stay within God’s will?
• Rendering service with good will (being a good employee).

Ok so let’s say your kids grow up and take a job in an industry you aren’t exactly comfortable with?
• PIC Parents, can we love and accept our kids if they choose work that we may not necessarily agree with and even pray for them and encourage them to be creative in how they share Jesus in that work?
• In reality, working in a Starbucks, hospital, school, construction etc. gives the average Christian way more contact with non-Christians that someone “in ministry.”
• We need to be everywhere for the cause of Christ.
• As an employee of ______________ are you ethical, godly, righteous and a good worker? Is your work sacred?
• What industries have the greatest need for Christian influence?

Colossians 3:23-24, Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

• V. 8 God will reward us (not sure exactly how) for doing good.
• Selfless service is not ignored or forgotten by God. There is no discrimination with God. He will reward every faithful servant equally.
V.9. There is even a word to bosses. Stop threatening knowing that even you work for God.
• At the time, Masters had the power of life and death over their slaves. Beatings, imprisonment or sale into harsher servitude were other punishments.
• The duty of master or bosses in all authority is to do good to those in submission and not take advantage of their authority.
• Both the bosses and the workers will be judged by God.

Conclusion:
Growing up and choosing a career is one of the biggest decisions we make in life. Some of us work one career, some have many.
Unless you work someplace that is clearly unethical, unbiblical and ungodly, I encourage you to find work in a field you enjoy and then look for ways to live out your faith within that career.