Ephesians
The Beauty of Marriage: Wives
In Ephesians 5:22-33 Paul describes the ways in which marriage reflects the relationship between Christ and His Church. The creation of marriage pointed to this at its inception. It is a picture of the Church’s union with Christ. Today we will see how wives following their husbands points to the Church’s submission to her Lord.
Spirit-Filled Living
In Ephesians 5:18-21, Paul gives the Ephesians three ways they can live Spirit-filled lives. By God’s grace we are enabled to further submit to the Spirit’s sanctifying work through worship, thankfulness, and mutual submission. This is what it looks like to live a life yielded to the Holy Spirit. When we live submitted to the Spirit through these means, we can expect to progressively experience the fruit of the Spirit. We will truly be living as the temple of God.
Walking in Wisdom
In Ephesians 5:15-17, Paul gives the Ephesians three ways they can ensure they are walking in wisdom. He calls them to be watchful, intentional with their time, and understand the will of the Lord. As Christians, we can ensure we are walking in wisdom by paying attention to our lives and hearts. Similarly to how Paul calls Timothy to watch his doctrine and life, he calls all Christians to keep a close watch on their life. The unexamined life will lead to immaturity and foolishness. However, the mature Christian examines himself regularly to ensure he is walking in accordance with his calling. Christians also must redeem the time, ensuring they use it for the glory of God. Lastly, Paul calls us to understand God’s revealed will contained in the Scriptures. If we are practicing these things as Christians, we are well on our way to walking in wisdom.
Wake Up – Living in God’s Light
If you’ve been following along with us in Ephesians, the Apostle Paul has been writing about orthodoxy (right thinking) for some time. But as we open chapter 5, the orthopraxy (right living) continues as Paul emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects God’s character and rejecting dark behaviors. He issues the church at Ephesus – and churches today – a wake-up call. Believers are called to walk in love, and live in God’s Light. Walk in love Avoid the darkness Keep living in the Light Examine what pleases God .
The New Man in Thought, Word, and Deed
Paul urges believers to put away falsehood, control anger, speak with grace, and forgive as God has forgiven us. These verses paint a picture of a transformed community shaped by truth, kindness, and love. When we walk in step with the Spirit, our lives become a reflection of God’s character to the world.
The New Man
The Apostle Paul calls believers to walk in holiness by shedding their former way of life and embracing the new identity found in Christ.
God’s Gracious Gifts
God, in His grace, has given each believer unique gifts through Christ—not for personal gain, but for building up the body of Christ in unity and maturity. Ephesians 4:7-16 reminds us that we are all called to grow in faith and work together in love as one body under Christ, our head.
The Power and Ability of God
In Ephesians 3:20-21 Paul details the power and ability of God. He tells us of the extent of God’s power, the objects of God’s power, and the goal of God’s power. As Paul writes to Christians who are discouraged they need to remember that God can do far more than they think or ask. As Christians, we frequently can become discouraged when our prayers aren’t answered as we would like. However, we can trust that God can do far more…
Three Needs of the Church
In Ephesians 3:14-19 we see Paul petitioning the Lord on behalf of the Church. He first asks that the Church be strengthened. This tells us that we need to be strengthened spiritually. We are naturally weak, but Paul is not confused about where the source of strength comes from for the Christian. It comes through the Spirit of the living God. The purpose of this strengthening is so that Christ would further dwell in our hearts. The more Christ dwells in our hearts the more we will love God and others. He then asks that the Lord would cause the saints to know the love of God. God’s love is beyond human comprehension and it takes a work of God for us to grasp and experience it. But when we do – we are transformed by it. This leads to Paul’s final petition that the Church be filled with the fullness of God. In essence, that the Church would be mature like Christ. That’s the end goal of His prayer and should be our goal as Christians. However, it takes the supernatural strength of God to bring this about. So let’s pray to that end!
The Greatest Mystery
Paul breaks off mid-sentence in the beginning of chapter 3 to recap and marvel over a profound revelation. This is Good News…perhaps we don’t realize how good. At the center of this text lies a great, deep mystery (the word ‘mystery’ is repeated three times): a mystery reserved for the body of Christ – His Church.
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