Paul's Epistles - Ephesians - Part 11: Instructions for a Christian Household

Paul's Epistles - Ephesians - Part 11:

Instructions for a Christian Household

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

SERMON INTRODUCTION

In Paul’s 35 years of ministry, since his conversion in Damascus, we have recorded in the Holy Bible many of his epistles, or letters.

Paul’s first journey took place from 33AD (the year of his conversion), through 46AD, leaving Damascus in 38AD.

Paul’s 2^nd journey began in 50AD, four years later; during this time he wrote 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians, and Galatians, with his second journey ending in 54AD.

Paul’s 3^rd journey began in 55AD and lasted until 58AD where he found himself imprisoned in Judea from 58-60AD. During his 3^rd journey Paul wrote 1^st and 2^nd Corinthians, and Romans. We have no record of writings from Paul during his prison time between 58-60AD in Judea.

After his release from Judea, Paul traveled on his voyage to Rome from 60-61AD, writing Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon, and finding himself in a Roman prison in 63AD.

Released soon after his incarceration, Paul then writes the epistles Hebrews, 1^st Timothy, Titus and his final letter before his death 2 Timothy, which was written from a Roman prison he was placed in during 66-68AD.

Though the bible does not tell us when or how Paul died, it is believed by scholars that he was beheaded in 68AD in May or June.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Ephesians 5:21-33

 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸ In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body.³¹ “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” ³² This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Paul explains how the Body of Believer’s are to live as Spiritually Mature, and many need to Instructions for a Christian Household.

The message of this epistle to the church is “The Church, The Body of Christ”.

We have seen Paul explain over the last few weeks what Spiritual Immaturity looks like, and what Spiritual Maturity looks like, as well as how we are to always walk in love.

This is the foundation of the next teaching, instructions for having a Christian Household.

A.    You must be Spiritually Mature

B.     You must walk in love

If you are Spiritually Mature, and walking in Love, you will;

C.     Walk in the way of Love as Christ and the Apostles did

D.    Abstain from sexual immorality, impurity and greed

E.     Thanksgiving will proceed from your mouth

F.      You will be careful how you live, discovering what pleases the Lord

G.    You will not become drunk, or indulge in sensual pleasures rather be filled with the Spirit of God, making music in your heart, and singing praise and thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.

To be Spiritually Mature you must;

·        Be gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love.

·        Make every effort to keep unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

·        And not behave Spiritually immature;

o   Self-centered

o   Cry a lot especially when you think your needs are not being met

o   Causing (metaphorically speaking) messes and not cleaning them up

o   Impatient

o   Do not cooperate

o   Cannot submit to others

o   Cannot understand deep things

o   Are unable to apologize and resist sharing

o   Explosive, go off at just about anything

o   Expecting everything from others and nothing but excuses for yourself

These things MUST be the foundation of a Christian Household if you are to try and apply Paul’s next teaching.

You CANNOT be spiritually immature, not walking in love, or living to gratify the lusts of your flesh and expect to have a Christian Household; Why? Because the foundation is broke.

Paul first says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Reverence means a deep respect. In other words, “Because of your deep respect for Christ, submit to one another as you have been instructed to.”

    I.      WIVES, SUBMIT YOURSELVES TO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS AS YOU DO TO THE LORD

a. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church

                                                                                                 i. His body, of which he is the savior

                                                                                              ii. Of which, he died for

b. As the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything

c. Being the Spiritual Head

                                                                                                 i. What if we are unequally yoked?

1. 1 Corinthians 7:15: "Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace."

2. We are to try and live as an example in hopes of converting, however, if he leaves, let him.

3. We are instructed to live in peace, whether we stay with them, or they want to leave.

                                                                                              ii. As far as obeying a non-believer, we must keep peace, but only submit within the realm of obedience to Christ.

                                                                                           iii. You must respect your husband, but you do not need to obey ungodly directions.

II.      HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES, JUST AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH AND GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR HER

a. To make her Holy

                                                                                                 i. Cleansing her by the washing with water (Holy Spirit) through the Word

1. Men, you need to be in the Word, so that through the Word, the Holy Spirit can lift up, encourage, strengthen and keep your wife strong and holy.

                                                                                              ii. Some husbands give nothing up for their wives

                                                                                           iii. We must be willing to give everything up for them

b. And present her to himself as a radiant church

                                                                                                 i. Without stain, or wrinkle, or any other blemish

                                                                                              ii. But holy and blameless

                                                                                           iii. Perfect because Christ says she is

c. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies

                                                                                                 i. He who loves his wife, loves himself

1. For you are one flesh!

                                                                                              ii. You feed and care for your body, just as Christ does the church

1. Are you feeding and caring for your wife?

2. Feeding her body and spirit?

                                                                                           iii. A man that doesn’t provide…

1. I Timothy 5:8 “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

III.      FOR THIS REASON (Marriage)

a. A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife

                                                                                                 i. And the two will become one flesh

                                                                                              ii. Leaving the father and mother!

1. Not just moving out, but becoming the Spiritual Head and the one responsible for a new Christian family.

2. Your father doesn’t rule your house

3. Your mother doesn’t rule your house

4. Stop being a mama’s boy

5. It is time to be a man of God

b. This is a profound mystery

                                                                                                 i. Speaking of Christ and the church

1. Jesus uses marriage to describe the covenant of Salvation

2. We accept the covenant (contract) of Christ’s, the New Testament, through Communion, just as a marriage

3. We become one with the body of Christ, just as a husband and wife become one

                                                                                              ii. This is why keeping marriage is sacred

1. It represents Christ and Salvation

2. To pervert marriage is to pervert God’s promise

                                                                                           iii. That’s why you cannot vote for any candidate that is pro-any marriage other than what God sets forth.

                                                                                            iv. They are legislating and legalizing sin, and you cannot have any part in helping others to sin…God WILL hold you accountable to how you vote and exercise your freedom.

1. 1 Corinthians 8:9 “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”

2. God will hold you accountable

3. Matthew 18:6 "If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

c. Each of you also MUST love his wife as he loves himself and the wife MUST respect her husband

CONCLUSION – THE INSTRUCTIONS TO HUSBANDS AND WIVES

wives –

·        Submit to your husband’s as spiritual head of the house as to the Lord

·        Respect your husband

Husbands -  

·        Love your wives as Christ loved the church

·        Give yourself up for her

·        Cleanse her with the Holy Spirit through the Word

·        Present her as a radiant church

·        Holy and blameless

·        Love your wife as your own body

Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?    CLICK HERE!

Paul's Epistles - Ephesians - Part 10: Wake Up!

Paul's Epistles - Ephesians - Part 10:

Wake Up!

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

SERMON INTRODUCTION

In Paul’s 35 years of ministry, since his conversion in Damascus, we have recorded in the Holy Bible many of his epistles, or letters.

Paul’s first journey took place from 33AD (the year of his conversion), through 46AD, leaving Damascus in 38AD.

Paul’s 2^nd journey began in 50AD, four years later; during this time he wrote 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians, and Galatians, with his second journey ending in 54AD.

Paul’s 3^rd journey began in 55AD and lasted until 58AD where he found himself imprisoned in Judea from 58-60AD. During his 3^rd journey Paul wrote 1^st and 2^nd Corinthians, and Romans. We have no record of writings from Paul during his prison time between 58-60AD in Judea.

After his release from Judea, Paul traveled on his voyage to Rome from 60-61AD, writing Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon, and finding himself in a Roman prison in 63AD.

Released soon after his incarceration, Paul then writes the epistles Hebrews, 1^st Timothy, Titus and his final letter before his death 2 Timothy, which was written from a Roman prison he was placed in during 66-68AD.

Though the bible does not tell us when or how Paul died, it is believed by scholars that he was beheaded in 68AD in May or June.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Ephesians 5:1-20

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul explains how the Body of Believer’s are to live as Spiritually Mature, and many need to WAKE UP!.

The message of this epistle to the church is “The Church, The Body of Christ”.

    I.      FOLLOW GOD’S EXAMPLE, THEREFORE, WALK IN THE WAY OF LOVE

a. God gave us His example

                                                                                                 i. God gave us Christ as the perfect example

                                                                                              ii. He also gave us the Apostles as the imperfect examples

b. ‘Therefore”, meaning because you are Spiritually Mature

                                                                                                 i. Over the last couple weeks Paul has explained to us through scripture what it means to be Spiritually Mature.

                                                                                              ii. Therefore is reference to the fact that, Spiritually Mature Christians are going to be held accountable to these instructions.

c. Walk in the way of love

                                                                                                 i. This is bringing I Corinthians 13 to life as Christ and the Apostles did.

                                                                                              ii. Walking in Love is not a suggestion, but a command, and expected behavior if one is truly following Christ

II.      WHAT IS THE WAY OF LOVE?

a. Among you (followers of Christ) there must not be even a hint of;

                                                                                                 i. Sexual Immorality

1. GRK - Pornia (where we get our word Porn from)

2. Meaning “fornication”

a. Or, illicit intercourse

b. Adultery

c. Homosexuality

d. Bestiality

e. Incest

f. Pre-marital intercourse

3. Metaphorically speaking

a. Worship of idols

                                                                                              ii. Any kind of impurity

1. Meaning lustful

2. Or profligate living

a. Wasteful living / waste your life

                                                                                           iii. Or greed

1. Greedy desire to have more

2. Covetousness (greed for what others have)

3. Greed for wealth or material gain

                                                                                            iv. These are improper for God’s Holy people

b. Nor should there be;

                                                                                                 i. Obscenity

1. Dirty talk

2. Cultural swearing (cursing)

                                                                                              ii. Foolish talk

1. Speaking of things you have no understanding of

                                                                                           iii. Coarse joking

1. Dirty talk with humor attached

2. Indecent or vulgar jokes, improper jokes

                                                                                            iv. Which are out of place

                                                                                               v. But rather, let thanksgiving come out of your mouth!

c. For this you can be sure of

                                                                                                 i. No immoral, impure or greedy person—because such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God

                                                                                              ii. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 

1. If anyone says otherwise, their words are empty

2. These things bring God’s Wrath!

3. Because those who are sexually immoral, impure, greedy, obscene, vulgar are considered idolaters

a. And they have NO inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and no inheritance in the kingdom of God

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          i.      Kingdom of Christ is the “Spiritual Kingdom”, the “Body of Christ” here and now on earth.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ii.      Kingdom of God is the heavenly kingdom, the afterlife inheritance

                                                                                           iii.  Therefore do not be partners with them.

1. Partners, meaning “partakers”

2. Meaning to participate “with”

III.      WAKE UP!

a. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

                                                                                                 i. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. 

                                                                                              ii. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 

                                                                                           iii. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

                                                                                            iv.  But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

                                                                                               v. “Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

b. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 

                                                                                                 i. Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

c. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

                                                                                                 i. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.

1. Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures.

2. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 

                                                                                              ii. speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit

CONCLUSION – Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord

            …always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are Spiritually Mature, you will;

·        Walk in the way of Love as Christ and the Apostles did

·        Abstain from sexual immorality, impurity and greed

·        Thanksgiving will proceed from your mouth

·        You will be careful how you live, discovering what pleases the Lord

·        You will not become drunk, or indulge in sensual pleasures rather be filled with the Spirit of God, making music in your heart, and singing praise and thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.

Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?    CLICK HERE!