"THE PIERCED EAR"
I. A SLAVE.
A. How one became a slave.
1. Captured nations.
2. Sold.
3. Kidnapped.
4. Born.
B. Conditions of a slave.
1. Food, clothes, shelter provided by master.
2. No possessions of their own.
3. No rights.
4. Submitted to will of another.
C. A slave's state related to master.
1. Under some intolerable.
2. Under others very good, had more than they could have had otherwise.
II. ALL MEN ARE SLAVES, "SOLD INTO SIN."
A. That by birth "Born in sin."
B. Terms of Satan's lordship.
1. Absolute control.
a. "Who walk according to the course of this world."
b. "And were by nature children of wrath."
2. Deceptive control.
a. "The god of this world hath blinded their...
b. If I just had - then I would be content.
3. Unfullfilling service "vanity, vanity, all is vanity."
a. How empty are the accomplishments?
b. You give your life to a work only to have the next generation discard it.
4. Poor reward "The wages of sin is death."
a. Your master seeks to ultimately destroy every essence of goodness in you.
III. THE HOPE FOR A SLAVE.
A. That he might be redeemed by someone more compassionate.
B. Slaves by choice.
1. Terms of such slavery.
a. "Love his master."
b. "Desire to remain."
c. Willing submission based on love.
2. Results of such slavery.
a. Fulfilling service (everything counts for eternity). "Your labor for the Lord is not in vain."
b. A pleasant service.
c. A joyful service.
d. A rewarding service. "Thou hast been a good and faithful servant."
IV. THE TRUE QUESTIONS.
A. Not, do you desire to be a slave?
B. Who is your master?
To whom do you bow your knee?
C. Have your ears been pierced?
