Lord's Day Sermon (13 May 2012)

Ephesians 6:1-4
The Responsibilities of Children to Their Parents
by Pastor

The Spirit-filled children's attitude/behaviour to their parents.

Non-Christians content with us over Luke 14:25-27 and Matthew 10:37-38. "The bible tells you to HATE your parents". But the word 'hate' actually means 'love less', with the idea of putting Jesus first.

v1 - the word 'children' refers to... WHO? The word means 'all offspring'. So regardless of age or marital status, this command applies to all. "In the Lord" or "as unto the Lord" - obey your parents as you would the Lord!

Regardless of any bad blood - we must obey our parents. This pleases the Lord (Colossians 3:20).

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Disobedience to parents is a sinful thing! Also see Romans 1:30; it is a mark of an unbeliever.

v2 - honour BOTH parents! Don't forget one.

"Honour" - hold in highest regard.

Reminder to take care of parents when they are old, while they are alive. Spend your affections when they are living, not wait till they are gone.

v3 - it is a blessing to honour our parents.

"Go well with you " - Quality Life
For example, they have much experience and wisdom. Put away this 'generation gap' issue by bridging the gap. Do not shun their wisdom.

"May live long" - Quantity of Life

v4 - back to the husbands/fathers.

"Do not provoke" - unreasonable, reckless actions/words. Lest they be discouraged (Colossians 3:21).

'Bring them up in the discipline and instruction' - "Discipline", do not forgo discipline/admonition. "Instructions", to teach them the instruction 'of the Lord', as it is prescribed by the Lord.

Lord's Day Sermon (7 May 2012)

Ephesians 5:22-33
The Spirit-filled Wife and Husband - Pastor

A timely message because of...
The strong feminist movement around today. Look at how even bible translators follow them - e.g. NLT.
Also note the woman's standing in work and education today, even in the Church. This powerful woman will find it difficult to submit to man.

Men, do not take it lightly for we also have much to do.

Do not follow the world's standard but follow the Bible's standard.

v22-24
To the Spirit-filled wife... Accept v22 unconditionally!

A Christian family will see the wife submitted to the husband.

Again, note that there are no qualifications for this submission, regardless of the wife's status or the husband's capability.

1 Peter 3:1 - even if married to a non-believer, the wife must still submit.

Meaning of submission - subjecting to authority.

Is submission a kind of slavery? NO!

Submission acknowledges God's order.

Submission must be 'as unto the Lord' - which does not mean that the husband is like the Lord but that the wife is doing it like it is to the Lord.

Gv24 shows the model of submission.

v25-33
To the Spirit-filled husband...

Love your wife - A command! No strings attached, no stopping.
What kind of 'love' is Paul speaking of? 4 qualities...

A sacrificial love like how Christ gave Himself for the Church, to the extent of death.

We need to show this love - we men need to put away our likes and comforts for our wives and give of our time and efforts.

v24 shows the model of submission.

v25-33
To the Spirit-filled husband...

Love your wife - A command! No strings attached, no stopping.
What kind of 'love' is Paul speaking of? 4 qualities...

A sacrificial love like how Christ gave Himself for the Church, to the extent of death.

We need to show this love - we men need to put away our likes and comforts for our wives and give of our time and efforts.

v24 shows the model of submission.

v25-33
To the Spirit-filled husband...

Love your wife - A command! No strings attached, no stopping.
What kind of 'love' is Paul speaking of? 4 qualities...

A sacrificial love like how Christ gave Himself for the Church, to the extent of death.

We need to show this love - we men need to put away our likes and comforts for our wives and give of our time and efforts.

v24 shows the model of submission.

v25-33
To the Spirit-filled husband...

Love your wife - A command! No strings attached, no stopping.
What kind of 'love' is Paul speaking of? 4 qualities...

v25 - A sacrificial love like how Christ gave Himself for the Church, to the extent of death.

We need to show this love - we men need to put away our likes and comforts for our wives and give of our time and efforts.

v26, 27 - a purifying love like how Christ cleansed the Church.

In the context of Ephesians, Paul had in mind the sexual purity of the husbands because Ephesus had many temple prostitutes.

Men, be mindful of this.

V28 - 30 - the caring love.
Nourish her, even in spiritual food.

Cherish her - show her that you love her, remember dates.

v31 - the unbreakable love.
This quote from Genesis tells us about the permanence of marriage; the word 'join' means 'cemented'.
In Mal 2:16, God hates divorce.

Finally, in v33, Paul summarizes his instructions.