Good Slavery

Becoming slaves of Jesus Christ

Philippians 1:1-11

Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

            Boys and girls, how many of you believe slavery is a good thing?  How many of you even know what slavery is??  Who can tell me what a slave is?  A slave is someone who has a master who tells them what to do.  Can a slave do whatever they want?  No.  Slaves must obey their masters.  It’s like that game “Simon Says.”  You have to do whatever Simon tells you.  If Simon says, “Jump on one leg.”  You must jump on one leg.  If Simon tells you, “Pick your nose!”  You must pick your nose!  If you disobey Simon, what happens?  You lose the game!  Simon Says is modern day slavery!  Now, that’s just a game, and we’re only having fun.  But do you think it’s good to be a slave in real life?

            Do you know someone who thought slavery WAS a good thing?  It was St. Paul!  Listen to how he begins his letter to the Philippians.  He say, “Paul and Timothy, SLAVES of Jesus Christ, to all the holy ones in Philippi.”  Both Paul and Timothy were slaves!  Now, to whom did St. Paul say he was a slave, who was his “master”?  Jesus.  Do you think Jesus would be a good master?  Yes, he’s the best master, because he only tell us to do what is best for us.  He never tell us to pick our nose!

            Now, boys and girls, there are two kinds of slavery: “good slavery” and “bad slavery.”  Good slavery is when Jesus is your master and you obey him.  St. Paul teaches us about this good slavery, by offering us his example.  How many of you want to be a slave of Jesus Christ?  Good!  Bad slavery is when we are slaves to anything or anyone else besides Jesus.  For example, I am a slave to coffee!  I must have coffee everyday and all the time, or I think I will die!  That is bad slavery.  Some people are slaves to American Girl dolls.  They must have ALL the American Girl dolls, and ALL their outfits, and ALL their accessories!  That is bad slavery.  Some people are slaves to football.  They watch football on T.V., they play only football, they talk about only football, they EAT footballs!  That is bad slavery.  Some people are slaves to their phones.  They never leave home without it.  They may leave their home without their pants on, but they will NEVER leave their homes without their phones.  They believe they will die without it.  That is bad slavery.  We can be slaves to exercise, we can be slaves to money, we can be slaves to our children – because we always do what they want.  All these things are bad slavery because someone or something else is our "master" telling us what to do.

            You see, boys and girls, we are all slaves to someone or something.  The only question is: who is your master?  There is only one kind of slavery that is good, and only one Master who is good.  And it isn't coffee.

            Praised be Jesus Christ!