Covenant Marriage Eph. 5:31-33 Purpose: Marriage Covenant Mirrors Christ’s Covenant with His People 1. The Marriage Mystery Ephesians 5:31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. Paul uses Genesis 2:24 as his authority The great mystery, Paul is speaking about Christ and the church So husband love your wife. And wife respect your husband. But the church didn’t exist in the time of Genesis. What must Paul mean? 2. The Original Model for Marriage 2 Timothy 1:9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, In whom was God’s purpose and grace granted us? in Christ Jesus When was the grace granted us from all eternity (see Eph. 3:11) Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. When did God choose us in Christ? before the foundation of the world This answers the Genesis question 3. The Meaning of Marriage (summary from John Piper) “¢ God modeled marriage on the covenant love between Christ and the church at the beginning. “¢ Therefore marriage has always been a witness (or a drama or a parable) of the covenant love of Christ and the church. “¢ Therefore the roles of husband and wife derive from the roles God designed for Christ and the church. “¢ Therefore confusing or minimizing these roles obscures the meaning of marriage as a drama of the covenant love between Christ and the church. “¢ Therefore let every husband seek to love and lead and nourish and protect his wife like Christ does, and let every wife love her husband and honor his Christ-like role, joining hands in Christ-exalting mission as God meant for the church to do.
Christian Marriage: The Living Parable Eph.5:22-33 Purpose: The Covenant of Marriage Mirrors the Covenant of Christ with His People 1. Wives, You Reflect the Church Ephesians 5:22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Wives are to be subject to your own husbands (v. 22) How? as to the Lord #1 Why? for the husband is the head of the wife (v. 23) “As” what? Christ also is head of the church #2 The command reiterated (v. 24) 2. Husbands, You Reflect Christ Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. Husband love your wife HOW? As Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her #3 (v. 25) Why? that He might sanctify her (v. 26) How? having cleansed her by washing of water with the word Why? to present to Himself the church (v. 27) How? (+) in all her glory (-) no spot or wrinkle (+) holy and blameless “So” what? husbands love your wives (v. 28 command repeated) What does a husband’s love for his wife show? love for himself As by instinct from God we “nourish and cherish” our flesh (vv. 29-30) What does this look like and why? Christ and the church #4 (v. 32) Wives, live for your husbands. Husbands, die for your wives. Both display Christian love. Wives and husbands, let your marriage show the world Christ’s church.
How to Be Filled With the Spirit Ephesians 5:15-21 Purpose: Walking wisely, in the Spirit, submitting to God and one another 1. Walking Wisely Ephesians 5:15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Walk carefully how? Not as unwise men but as wise Making the most of of your time because the days are evil 2. Filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5:17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, Do not be foolish But understand what the will of the Lord is (See 1 Cor. 2:12-16; Rom. 12:1-2) Do not get drunk with wine But be filled with the Spirit “All of you must keep on being filled by someone else!” 3. How? Exalting Jesus Christ & Submitting to One Another Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Speak-ING to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs Sing-ING and mak-ING melody with your heart to the Lord Always Giv-ING thanks in all things In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God And be subject to one another in fear of Christ What do these descriptions sound like?
Run Away! Eph. 5:6-14 Purpose: Run away from immorality by living IN Christ! 1. Don’t be Deceived! Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; Let no one deceive you, how? With empty words (See Col. 2:8) What is coming because of empty deceptions? the wrath of God (See Eph. 2:2) Upon whom? ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬the sons of disobedience (See Eph. 2:2) “Therefore” what? Do not be partakers with them”¦ Run Away! 2. Learn what is pleasing to the Lord Ephesians 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Why should we not live like we used to? you are Light (See Matt. 5:14-16) We are light IN the Lord. Thus, we must walk as children of Light! “For the fruit of light” is in all 1) goodness, 2) righteousness, and 3) truth (See Eph. 4:24) Trying to learn what? what is pleasing to the Lord (See Rom 12:1-2) 3. Indecent Exposure Ephesians 5:11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness”¦ Run Away! But instead expose them! Why? Because it is disgraceful even to speak of the secret things 4. Awake Sleeper! Ephesians 5:13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” All things become visible when exposed by the light Live not as a dead person but as one alive IN Christ! “¦ Run to Christ! Be Holy! See 2 Cor. 4:6; Rom. 13:11-14; 1 Thess. 5:4-8
Risen! Purpose: recounting the greatest events of world history, Jesus is alive! Friday Luke 23:33-49 ““ Friday, Jesus Crucified Before Our Eyes Luke 23:50-55 ““ Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb, Women Witnesses Saturday Luke 23:56 ““ Sabbath Day of Rest Sunday Luke 24:1-12 ““ Early Sunday AM ““ He is Not Here, Women & Angels & Apostles Luke 24:13-35 ““ Resurrection Sunday ““ Two Men Leaving, Jesus, Scripture & Apostles Luke 24:36-53 ““ Resurrection Sunday ““ Witnesses Gathered, Jesus, Scripture & All Nations 40 Days Later Acts 1:1-8 ““ Jesus’ Prophetic Proclamation, Jesus’ Ascension, Power for World-Wide Witness Acts 2:4 ““ The Power Comes for the Witness to Go Pentecost Acts 2:14-36 ““ Pentecost, Peter Proclaims God’s Plan & Jesus’ Victory Acts 2:41 ““ 3,000 Believe in Jesus Christ and are Baptized = Only the Beginning
“Who Are You Imitating?” Eph. 5:1-5 Purpose: Imitate God, not the world! 1. What Imitating God Looks Like Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. What’s the “therefore” there for? Command: Be imitators of God! As beloved children Walk how? in love Who is our example? Christ Who loved you and 2) gave Himself up Offering & sacrifice & fragrant aroma are all descriptions of worship 2. What Imitating God is NOT Like Ephesians 5:3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting What must not be even named among us? 1) immorality 2) any impurity 3) greed as is proper among who? saints = believers And there must be no 4) filthiness 5) silly talk 6) coarse jesting Which are not fitting See Matthew 12:36, 15:1-20! 3. Why? Your Inheritance is at Stake Ephesians 5:4b but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Immoral, impure, and covetous people will not inherit the Kingdom Notice the relation between “children” in v. 1 and “inheritance” here Connecting all of this with Palm Sunday: Behold your King, do you believe?
Look in the Mirror, What Do You See? Eph. 4:25-32 Purpose: to call us to live out the “New Self in Christ” Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. 26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. How should we forgive? As God in Christ forgave you
What We’re Not! What We Are! Eph. 4:22-24 Purpose: Because Jesus is Truth, how then shall we live? 1. Lay Aside the Old Ephesians 4:22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, Lay aside the old self You are a re-creation, don’t go back! 2. Be Renewed Ephesians 4:23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, Be renewed Where? _in the spirit of your mind Who does the action? God See Romans 12:1-2 3. Put On the New Ephesians 4:24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Put on what? the new self Which is in the likeness of God This is restoration!! How was the “New Self” created? in righteousness and holiness of the truth Who did that? God in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:10) Illustration: Like a butterfly!
Jesus, the Anchor of All Ephesians 4:20-21 Purpose: drawing near to Jesus, The Anchor of our new life 1. Learning Christ Correctly Ephesians 4:20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, You did not learn Christ how? in this way see context of verses 17-19 Meaning what? walking in darkness Darkness v. Light = Put Off v. Put On See Ephesians 5:14 & 2 Corinthians 6:14- 7:1 See also Revelation 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 19:6; 21:22 “Almighty” pontakrator Learning Christ Correctly means that we live in His light 2. Hearing Christ Correctly Ephesians 4:20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, Notice the “condition” statement, why is the “if” there? maybe some have not Christ Think of Jesus’ parable of the Tares and the Wheat (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43) Have you heard Christ? Hearing Christ Correctly means we have met Him 3. Living in Christ Correctly Ephesians 4:20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus Where is truth found? in Jesus (see John 14:6-7) If you have heard Him and have been taught IN HIM (see Rom. 10:9-17) Then you should be NOT like the rest of the world!! Get it? Living in Christ Correctly means we follow His teachings
You’re Not Who You Think You Are Ephesians 4:17-19 Purpose: people who have met Christ are changed forever 1. No Longer Futile Ephesians 4:17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, We are to walk not like who? the Gentiles (but that was us?!) Remember Ephesians 2 Who WERE you? You are not that way anymore! Who ARE you now? 2. Called Out of the Darkness Ephesians 4:18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. How is that kind of living described that Christians are NOT to live like anymore? darkened in their understanding excluded from the life of God because of ignorance and hardness of heart callous given themselves over to sensuality, impurity, greed
How To Grow In Christ Eph. 4:14-16 Purpose: living out the result of Christ’s gifts in the body of Christ! 1. No Longer Children Ephesians 4:14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; We are no longer to be children see Heb. 5:11-14 “solid food” How are the children described? 1.tossed here and there by waves 2.carried about by every wind of doctrine “by . . .” the trickery of men and “by. . .” craftiness in deceitful scheming 2. Growing Up Ephesians 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, “BUT,” Speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in all respects into Him. Jesus is the head of the body. Always pointing to & focused on Christ! 3. Biblical Body Building in Love Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. “From Christ comes . . .” Note the action, process, and purpose of this verse. Action: being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies Process: according to the proper working of each individual part Purpose: causes the building up of the body in love (Compare with Ps 127:1; Rom. 12:4-5!; 1 Cor. 12:12ff; Eph. 2:16, 3:6, 5:23; Col 1:18)
How To Grow In Christ Eph. 4:14-16 Purpose: living out the result of Christ’s gifts in the body of Christ! 1. No Longer Children Ephesians 4:14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; We are no longer to be children see Heb. 5:11-14 “solid food” How are the children described? 1.tossed here and there by waves 2.carried about by every wind of doctrine “by . . .” the trickery of men and “by. . .” craftiness in deceitful scheming 2. Growing Up Ephesians 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, “BUT,” Speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in all respects into Him. Jesus is the head of the body. Always pointing to & focused on Christ! 3. Biblical Body Building in Love Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. “From Christ comes . . .” Note the action, process, and purpose of this verse. Action: being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies Process: according to the proper working of each individual part Purpose: causes the building up of the body in love (Compare with Ps 127:1; Rom. 12:4-5!; 1 Cor. 12:12ff; Eph. 2:16, 3:6, 5:23; Col 1:18)
Spiritual Gifts? For What? Ephesians 4:7-13 The Church’s Purpose: God gives gifts for growing the body to maturity in Christ 1. The Giver Ephesians 4:7-8 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” Who gave the gifts? Jesus Christ To whom? ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ each one of us/to men Ephesians 4:9 Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things. Doctrinal section: Where did this Giver come from and go to? far above the heavens 2. The Gifts Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, What are the specific gifts mentioned here? Some as apostles Some as prophets Some as evangelists Some as pastors & teachers 3. The Growth Ephesians 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Why were the gifts given? “For . . .”the equipping of the saints To do what? for the work of service “To. . .” the building up of the body of Christ 4. The Goal Ephesians 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. “Until we all” what? attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God! “To a . . .” a mature man (note the singular “a man” made up of “we all”) “To the measure of . . .” the fullness of Christ (see 3:19)