Ephesians 6:10-24 =August 22

TITLE
Scripture

Intro Questions

Text Graphic

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• 
  
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• 
  
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

 

Document for DBS

Series: Our Struggle “Engaging in Spiritual Warfare”

We are in a battle. Not a battle of politics or militaries or nations. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood; it is against the powers of darkness that confront us daily. You don’t need to feel defeated or discouraged. God has made a way to redeem your struggle and give you victory!

Title: “The Armor” (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Bookmark: Click Here

Opening Thoughts: The armor for engaging in the spiritual battle.

v  Thanksgiving with family.

 

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Text: Ephesians 6:10-20

 

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

 

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Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.

v  Review and retell the story.

Reflections for applications:

v  Ephesians 1:18-21 NIV - I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

v  Colossians 2:13-15 NIV - When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

v  Protected by HIS Power

o   Ephesians 6:10-12

§  James 4:7 NIV - Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

§  Ephesians 2:1-6 NIV - As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins …But because of his great love for us … made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions ... And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.

v  Standing in HIS Protection

o   Ephesians 6:13-14a

§  Romans 13:12 NIV - The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

o   Ephesians 6:15-16

o   Ephesians 6:17

v  Protected by Prayer

o   Ephesians 6:18

§  Isaiah 65:24 NIV - Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

§  Philippians 4:7 NIV - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

v  While protected… Proclaim Victory

o   Ephesians 6:19-20

v  This week’s challenge: Finish getting ready each morning with Ephesians 6:14-17

 

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Digging Questions:

·         How will you respond to God “In Our Struggle”? What transformative move needs to be made?

·         What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?

·         What is God calling us (me and you individually) to do?

Take Away Challenges

·         What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?

·         Whom do you know who needs to hear this?

·         What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?

Hashtags #Struggle #Armor #Prayer

Sunday sermon link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEHYSC8PRgs&list=PLf6qIWBkF13ZWPxTsbbbfXpO0sJCbBnIv

Kevin’s Blog Link to more resources:       Click here for Kevin’s Blog Notes

Comments and resources with some more resources:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A10-20&version=NIV

Past notes are on my blog at https://kevinskomment.blogspot.com/search/label/Ephesians

Prison Epistles

Living Bold With God's Protection

Ephesians 6:10-24

WHO DO I SHOOT? — A new soldier was on sentry duty at the main gate. His orders were clear. No car was to enter unless it had a special sticker on the windshield. A big Army car came up with a general seated in the back. The sentry said, "Halt, who goes there?"
     The chauffeur, a corporal, said, "General Wheeler."
     "I'm sorry, I can't let you through. You've got to have a sticker on the windshield."
     The general said, "Drive on!"
     The sentry said, "Hold it! You really can't come through. I have orders to shoot if you try driving in without a sticker."
     The general repeated, "I'm telling you, son, drive on!"
     The sentry walked up to the rear window and said, "General, I'm new at this. Do I shoot you or the driver?"
     Sometimes, the trick in times of war is knowing who to shoot. In the heat of battle, armies frequently experience casualties due to "friendly fire", and the church suffers in the same way. In our zeal to shoot someone, we set our crosshairs on one another.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:10-12)
     May you be strengthened today in the spiritual warfare that Satan is waging against you.

Opening Questions — Get Us Thinking:
· What were some of your favorite Halloween costumes you saw?
· Putting on God’s Armor is practical not decoration.


The Armor of God — Ephesians 6:10-24
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Final Greetings
21Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
23Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.24Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Research Questions — “Dig Deeper” to find God’s Will
1. God is ... What do we learn about God?
2. We are ... What do we learn about people?
3. From his prison cell awaiting trial, Paul looks up and sees a battle raging (vv. 12-13) What is the battle? What is it over?
4. How are we to understand the word “full” (v. 11) Why would a Christian not want to use the full armor? What keeps them from using all God’s resources and power?
5. What are the 6 armors for the Christian? Which of these are offensive weapons? Defensive weapons?
6. We fight a spiritual battle, but we might well ask, who is the enemy? What attitude should we have as we face these forces?
7. How can one be “at peace” when one is at war? (v. 15) How do we regain the peace that has been lost? How do we pursue peace?
8. How does prayer fit into this spiritual battle? Do you set aside time for spiritual training?

Reflective Questions — Live it today.
1. What can you do for the church to help it be a stronger Christian armory?
2. If you had to compare your spiritual armor to this list, where are you strong? Weak?
3. What do you need to do to prepare for battle? What is at stake if you don’t?
4. What evidence do you see of the battle in your life? Your church? Your community? Your nation? The world?
5. What would it mean for you “to stand” in these particular battlefields?
6. I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
7. You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this?
8. How does this equip us be a better disciple and help empower us to “make disciples”?

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And that which I can do, by the grace of God, I will do." — Dwight Moody
 

Living For Jesus in Ephesians 6:10-23

https://youtu.be/YqffdfwnuQA

Today As we conclude the book of Ephesians we learn how to stand for God with the full armor of God that we wield with prayer. 

Faithfulness (Ephesians 6)

https://youtu.be/IP3NREcotzs

Ephesians 6:1-9 = August 21

TITLE
Scripture

Intro Questions

Text Graphic

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• 
  
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• 
  
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Ephesians 5:21-6:9 Spirit-Guided Relationships: Wives and Husbands = August 21

Spirit-Guided Relationships: Wives and Husbands
Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Intro Questions

Text Graphic

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• 
  
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• 
  
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Prison Epistles

Living For God in Your Home

Ephesians 5:21-6:9

   Your Chance to Change the World — For the sake of argument, let me assume that you have a career. There is something for which you see yourself best suited to make a living. You expect that career to make it possible for you to pay your bills, take care of your family responsibilities, and provide a certain standard of living. You probably also expect it to provide certain less-tangible rewards as titles and social standing.
    But do you also have a calling? Consistent with the way most people hear that term, a calling involves a clear sense of being commissioned by God for some task. It is your pursuit of the sovereignty of God over who you are and what you are doing with your life. It is the sense that God's hand is on you and that he has a sense of genuine pleasure in what you are doing.
    The real secret to fulfillment in one's life is to have career and calling merged into one. Don't you suspect the apostle Paul viewed his as one and the same? But what about you?
    I believe God has given you an opportunity to make a difference in the world. I am convinced he wants you to change the world. And I further believe that he wants you to see your job, business, profession or retirement as an extension of the kingdom of heaven. Here's what I mean by all this.
    The sense that one's career is also a holy calling shouldn't startle us. If slaves-become-Christians were counseled to "render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women, knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord" (Ephesians 6:7-8), then surely you are supposed to be the best employee or employer the Acme Widget Company has ever seen. If not, why not?
    Above paycheck or promotion, do something that contributes to the good of your world. Let your routine tasks reflect the character and excellence heaven is building into your life. Understand that your work is inseparable from your spiritual life -- and reflects its authenticity. When your faith cleanses and consecrates your workplace to God, you have found a calling larger than your career.
    Solomon put it this way: "There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in their work. This, I saw, is from the hand of God; for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?" (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25).
    How will you change the world today? God is ready to be your partner.
 

Opening Questions — Get Us Thinking:

· Which of these TV families reflects your family: Cleavers? Flintstones? Bradys? Huxtables? Waltons?

Instructions for Christian Households – Ephesians 5:21-6:9

21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

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

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

Chapter 6

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Research Questions — “Dig Deeper” to find God’s Will

1. God is ... What do we learn about God?

2. We are ... What do we learn about people?

3. How do verses 18-21, on the indwelling, affect your attitude toward these verses on submission?

4. Christ’s love led him to die to us. What would it mean for a husband to live with his wife with this type of love vv. 25-33? How did Christ act on his headship?

5. Paul begins with the statement, “Husbands, love your wives.” It sounds like such a simple statement, but what does he mean? What does it mean to love?

6. How did your parents approach marriage? Two masters? Two Servants? What is the goal of Christian marriage? v. 31?

7. It is sometimes said that if the husband were the kind of spiritual leader he should be, the submission of the wife would be easy. How “easy” is it for us to follow Christ’s leadership? v. 33

8. What does it mean to “honor your parents”? To bring up children in the Lord without exasperating them?

9. How many of us own slaves? Who among us is a slave?

10. If you work for someone, how are you to look upon your job? If you are the boss, how are you to look upon your employees? Can you hold to these principles today in your business and still make it?

Reflective Questions — Live it today.

1. What does a wife do when the husband does not take spiritual leadership?

2. Whom do you look up to as a good role model for marriage?

3. What is God saying to you about your spouse? Family?

4. I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?

5. You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this?

6. How does this equip us be a better disciple and help empower us to “make disciples”?

The Cherokee marriage-ceremony is very expressive. The man and woman join hands over running water, to indicate that their lives are thenceforth to flow on in one stream.

Living For Jesus in Ephesians 5:14-29
https://youtu.be/MkIlJGkHUXE

This week (Ephesians 5:14-29), we finish the section on renewing the personal life of a believer and then begin the section on personal relationships that are willing to defer.

Living For Jesus in Ephesians 5:28-6:9

https://youtu.be/sJxSZgSLsGQ

Today we are learning from Ephesians 5:28-6:9 about relationships where we defer to the other In marriage, in the home and at work.

An Ordered Life (Ephesians 5-6)
https://youtu.be/l5DIaqiw7pA

A Wife’s 3 Greatest Needs


Wives, just like husbands, have many needs, but what are three of the greatest needs that a wife has?


Your Love
I believe that we all need love and to give love, but love might be the greatest need of all for her, next to her relationship with Christ. Telling your wife verbally that you love her is important, but showing it by your actions is more important. Love is not just in word but in deed, as the Apostle John wrote, “… let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Love is a verb more than a feeling. Love is proactive. Jesus didn’t depend on His feelings to make Him go to the cross. He did it because He knew it was our only way to be saved. Show your wife you love her by sending her a card in the mail, by bringing her flowers, taking her out to dinner, scheduling a “bed and breakfast” weekend, taking out the trash, or whatever else you see that you can do to help her and show your love for her. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25).

Your Attention
I am so guilty of this. My wife says something and my body language acknowledges it, but it doesn’t sink in. Shame on me. Instead of burying myself in thought, the paper, or even the Bible, I need to look my wife straight in the eyes and give her my full attention. She might not want me to solve whatever she is talking about, but she does want me to listen. It is so disrespectful when someone says something to you and you don’t even acknowledge what they said by words or by nodding your head. Men, are you really listening to your wife? Could you repeat the last sentence she said? Drop whatever it is you had going on, including the remote if necessary, and stop, look, and listen. She deserves your attention, don’t you think?

Your Faithfulness
Surely, we husbands need to remain faithful to our wives. That is clearly commanded in Scripture. By remaining faithful to her, I mean not only avoiding adultery and pornography but avoiding commenting about other husband’s wives or looking at other women with lust. Men can so easily commit adultery of the heart. It’s like we’re hardwired that way, but we are supposed to be new creations in Christ, as Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17). When we are born again, we are given a new nature, as Ezekiel wrote, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you” (Ezek. 36:26a), and as such, we were “buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Rom. 6:4).

Conclusion
Obviously, there are a lot more than three things a wife needs that are not listed here, but surely we recognize that we need to love our wives as Christ loved the church. That means a life-sacrificing life of serving her. We need to give her our full attention when she is talking, and we need to be ever faithful to our bride, for she is a gift of God. We should treat her as such.

May God richly bless you,
Pastor Jack Wellman

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4 Key Ways the Enemy Attacks Your Marriage


The Enemy finds many ways to try and destroy marriages. What are four of the many ways that the Enemy uses to attack marriages?

Lack of Trust
Trust is part of the foundation structure of any marriage and when trust is lacking, there is doubt, fear, and uncertainty in all areas of the marriage. We should hold no secrets with our marriage partner and when we do, we either don’t trust them or we are hiding something from them. The Enemy would love nothing more than to create an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion between the marriage partners. I have known couples who check one another’s email, text messages, and voice mail without their knowing it. That is a deadly sign that trust is missing from their relationship, a relationship that should be the most trustworthy of all on earth.

Pornography
This scourge may be the single, greatest contributing factor in couples lacking sexual satisfaction. With each passing exposure to pornographic material, the person who is addicted increasingly becomes more dissatisfied with their partner’s sexually satisfying them. Their pornographic addiction becomes like a drug; it takes increasingly graphic doses (or exposure) to satisfy the person until it becomes next to impossible for their mate to ever fully satisfy them again. When the innocent spouse continues to be neglected, their risk for having an affair increases because they are not being sexually fulfilled at home either. Also, pornography devalues women and men too as the rates of pornographic addictions are also increasing among women. The Enemy must love this because it is an addiction that he tempts them with and then he just sits back and watches them self-destruct.

Finances
With the economic uncertainty of the times and the growing debt among families, the tensions created by living on the edge of financial ruin greatly stresses the family and that is why money is one of the greatest causes for separation and divorce. Recent indicators are that families once again are increasing their debt which can only put families at greater risk for divorce. The Enemy wants you to spend freely today and don’t worry about tomorrow’s consequences.

Domestic Violence
With all of the recent news about violence in the home, domestic violence in the form of spousal abuse and child abuse is ripping families apart at the seams. Sometimes the combination of a lack of trust, pornography, adultery, financial difficulties, problematic children, all can contribute, but not excuse, an increase in domestic violence. When couples fail to put on the full armor of God, they are vulnerable to spiritual attacks and fail to resist the enemy and can become more like him…who was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44).

Conclusion
The Enemy would love nothing more than to destroy the institution of marriage because marriages are the foundation of any nation and when the foundations crumble, so too will the nation. God help us all to live the model that Christ revealed to us; to love one another and to live lives of self-sacrifice. As Paul wrote, we ought not to think more highly of ourselves than we should (Rom 12:3); maybe even not think about ourselves at all and to “love one another in brotherly (and sisterly) affection” (Rom 12:10) so my advice to you is as Paul’s is; “let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Eph 5:33).
May God richly bless you,
Pastor Jack Wellman

================

WHAT GOOD ARE FATHERS?
Dr. Joe Pettigrew

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3

Happy Late Father’s Day.

Whether you call him Dad, Papa, Pops, or Father, his role as head of the home demands selfless sacrifices with big responsibilities. God commissions a father to care for the children entrusted to him, to teach them God’s ways—leading by example.

Yesterday may have been challenging for you. Perhaps your father didn’t fulfill his responsibilities as he should have or was abusive. Maybe you grew up without a father, or he’s no longer living. You may feel fatherless. We’re all created by, and for God, so we’ve got to get the picture of who God is, right.It’s no secret that fathers are very powerful in shaping the identity of their children, and giving them confidence in life.

Numerous studies link fatherlessness to a variety of social issues, from depression to poor academic performance and experiences of abuse. The role of fatherhood is one God intended to be modeled from His own example, and that’s why it can be so rewarding when we do it well, but so damaging when something goes wrong.

All of us were wired for this relationship with God, so we have a special connection to our dads. That’s not to say mothers aren’t amazing, but when Dad gets home what do their kids say? “Daddy watch me!” They want to hear Dad say, “Way to go girl, or well done big guy.” We long for approval and blessing from our fathers from birth.

When talking to Louie Giglio about fatherhood a few years ago, he shared with me this story. His own father died prematurely. He had a conversation with his dad close to the end of his life that explained a lot about their relationship.

“My dad was amazing,” Louie said, “but he and I didn’t have common ground around our faith in Jesus which was awkward given I was called to preach.We had a lot of ups and downs in our relationship, but he was a great guy. At the end of his life, a few years before he died, we were talking in the hospital one day, and he told me that he’d never been loved and he’d never been wanted by his parents. He didn’t believe God loved him or wanted him either. I could hardly catch my breath, but for the first time I saw my dad not as a father, but as a son.”

We must be willing to forgive our dad, and move forward from the pain they may have caused us. For some, it’s hard to imagine wanting to “bless” your dad. Especially if you’re estranged and uncomfortable with the concept of a perfect, loving father in God.

People have told me flat out, I will never forgive my dad for what he did to me and my family. I get that, it’s real, and we can’t just sweep all that under the rug. God isn’t asking us to do that.

Whether your father is one of the best or fell short, there’s a perfect Dad waiting to embrace you as His own. His name is God the Father. He’s good and full of unconditional love. He wants to adopt you and make you a King’s kid.

Thought of the Day
If you don’t know the Father, ask Jesus to introduce you to His. God promises this, “I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters.”

Ephesians 5:1-21 = August 18

TITLE
Scripture

Intro Questions

Text Graphic

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• 
  
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• 
  
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Prison Epistles

Living In Love

Ephesians 5:1-21

THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE — Why is it that time drags when you want it to pass quickly and flies when you need more of it? It's not very cooperative!

              Time is the great equalizer. We all have the same amount of it. The difference between successful people and average people is this: Achievers manage their time wisely. Rather than wasting time or spending time, they invest time. They make the most out of each moment.

Today people are realizing that time is more important than money. Money is a renewable resource -- there are always places to get more of it. Time is a limited resource.

You only have a certain allotment of time in your life. When it's used up ... that's it! YOUR TIME IS YOUR LIFE. When you give someone your money, you've given them something that you can replace. When you give someone your time, you've given them a part of your life. This means "time management" is really "life management." The Bible has this to say:

"Live life with a due sense of responsibility ... as people who know the meaning of life ... Make the best use of your time. Don't be vague but grasp firmly what you know to be the will of God." (Ephesians 5:15-17 PH) I'd summarize these verses this way:

1. ANALYZE YOUR LIFESTYLE!

Be aware of where your time is going.

2. UTILIZE THE PRESENT!

Make the most of this moment.

3. RECOGNIZE WHAT'S IMPORTANT!

Focus on priorities that last.

A question to consider as you work this week: "How much of what I'm doing right now is going to count ten years from now ... 50 years from now ... or for longer?"

You have just enough time to fulfill God's purpose of your life. If you "can't get it all done" it means (1) You're doing things God never intended for you to do, or (2) You're doing the right thing in the wrong way.

A PRAYER: "God help me to manage my time wisely this week."

Opening Questions — Get Us Thinking:

· Did you ever get your mouth washed out with soap?

· What were your parents rules about language in your home?

 Living as Children of Love—Ephesians 5:1-21

1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and 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.

3But 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. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For 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.^a 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.7Therefore do not be partners with them.

8For 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) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,

rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

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

 Research Questions — “Dig Deeper” to find God’s Will

1. Ephesians was known for sexual immorality. The Temple of Diana had 300 prostitutes. Sexual pleasure was part of the “religion” of the city. How does the apostle Paul confront this pagan culture?

2. What is the standard Paul sets for Christians in verses 1 and 8? What does verse 6 say about resisting “peer pressure”?

3. What does it mean to be light? (9-20)

4. What is the difference between “foolish talk or course joking” (4) and a good belly-laugh? Between the “fruitless deeds of darkness” (11) and good clean fun?

5. How far should we go in “having nothing to do with … darkness? (11)

6. Paul tells us that jesting about immorality is not “fitting” for saints. Why? What is wrong with humor that deals with immortality?

7. What contrasts does Paul draw between the old and the new life in (15-21)? What sights, sounds, feelings, attitudes and actions define this new life?

8. What does set apart a Spirit-filled church? (18)

 Reflective Questions — Live it today.

1. As you look back over your life since becoming a Christian, what positive changes have you seen in your motives and desires?

2. As you compare the life that you lived before Christ to the life you live today, where have you seen the greatest change? In your language? Your desires? Your values? The way you treat your spouse? Your children?

3. How does this equip us be a better disciple and help empower us to “make disciples”?

A young minister, when about to begin a career in ministry, stated, that, at one period of his life, he was nearly an infidel. "But," said he, "there was one argument in favor of Christianity which I could never refute -- the consistent conduct of my father."

Living For Jesus in Ephesians 4:29-5:14

https://youtu.be/p1MZZtSgxW4

In The first three chapters of Ephesians, we saw how God fulfilled his eternal purpose. Now, in these last three chapters, we are continuing to learn practical ways that we can fulfill God’s purpose in the Church. Today we are in Ephesians 4:29-5:14.

True Piety (Ephesians 5)

https://youtu.be/QtIHAGRBopc

This section builds on the previous two by adding piety as a true response of the church to God because of His blessings. (Ephesians 5:15-21)

Life's Daily Pages

Give God your best

God made you for a reason and he expects you to make the most of what you've been given. He doesn't want you to worry about or covet abilities that you don't have. Instead he wants you to focus on talents he has given you to use.

When you attempt to serve God in ways that you're not very talented to serve, it feels like forcing a square peg into a round hole. It's frustrating and produces limited results. It also wastes your time, talent, and energy.

The best use of your life is to serve God out of your God given abilities. To do this you must reflect on what God has given you resources to do, learn to accept and enjoy it, and then develop it to God’s fullest potential.

The Bible says, "Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." (Ephesians 5:17 NLT) Don't let another day go by. Start finding out and clarifying what God intends for you to be and do.

Begin by assessing your Godly gifts and spiritual abilities. Take a long, honest look at what spiritual service you are good at and what you're not good at. Paul advised, "Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves ...." (Romans 12:3b NLT)

Make a list. Ask other very spiritual people for their candid opinion. Tell them you're searching for the truth, not fishing for a compliment. Spiritual gifts and natural abilities are always a blessing to God's people.

If you think you are gifted to be a teacher or a singer and no else agrees, guess what? If you want to know if you have the gift of leadership, just look over your shoulder! If no one is following you, you're not a leader.

Ask questions like these: Where have I seen fruit in my life that other people confirmed? Where have I already been successful in bringing glory to God?