Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.” (Ephesians 5:17-6:10)

Getting the Church into People: Homes Directed by the Spirit of God

Ephesians 5:17-6:10

Paul here warns believers to avoid drinking too much wine, which would lead to foolishness, but to instead drink in all that we can of the Spirit of God. He invites us to give the Spirit control of our lives. This impacts how we speak to one another, how we worship, and how we approach the world, giving us a thankful attitude in everything. Giving the Spirit control of our lives also impacts our relationships. Paul describes that impact with the concept of mutual submission and throughout this passage shows us how that concept will play out in our homes. In the ancient Roman world, the home consisted of husband - wife relationships, parent – child relationships, and master – slave relationships. We might speak of the latter as workplace relationships and think of it in terms of employer – employee relationships. The point of this passage is that giving the Spirit the controlling influence in our stories has a profound impact upon all our relationships, and particularly upon our closest relationships. Instead of asserting domineering authority, Paul depicts the Spirit directed home as one that is characterized by mutual submission that plays out in actions of love, sacrifice, respect, honor, and sincerity. As we submit ourselves to King Jesus, we bring our lives and our homes under the direction of His Spirit. As we do that, He empowers us to “submit ourselves to one another.” How are we doing in that regard?

· What are some ways in which this passage has been mis-read over the years in abusive ways? What does this passage actually say about the ideals of life within a Christian household?

o What kind of relationship does Paul describe between husbands and wives?

o … parents and children?

· How might Paul’s instructions impact life in workplaces if more Christians put them into practice in employee – employer relationships?

If you missed this week’s message, you can catch up here. We look forward to worshiping with you again on Sunday!