Ephesians Live Wisely Ephesians 5:15-21

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1 Ephesians Live Wisely Ephesians 5:15-21 Today s society is sadly lacking in wisdom. All you have to do is read the paper or listen to the news to know we are living in the day of the oxymoron. Consider this report from the February 23 rd Sacramento Bee. The postponement of Michael Angelo Morales execution has created a de facto moratorium on California's death penalty for much of this year, perhaps longer, the state attorney general's office said Wednesday amid new calls for action ensuring even longer delays. U.S. District Judge Jeremy Fogel will hear arguments in the Morales case in May, but appeals to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court are likely to keep the state out of the execution business for "most of 2006, perhaps longer," said Nathan Barankin, a spokesman for Attorney General Bill Lockyer. Morales, 46, was scheduled to die Tuesday in San Quentin State Prison for the rape and murder of Terri Lynn Winchell in Lodi 23 years ago. His life was spared temporarily over claims that the state's system of administering lethal injections amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. 1 I don t think you have to be pro or anti-death penalty to find this story weird. We can t execute someone unless we have an anesthesiologist around to make sure the criminal isn t in pain when they re put to death. Am I nuts, or is something really messed up here? Personally, I think the blood bank needs to find another way to take blood because those big needles they use constitute cruel and unusual punishment. Just ask those who have to stick me. We ve already talked about this kind of thinking previously, when I noted today s free speech advocates are adamant about the need for people to be able to express whatever they want, that is, as long as they don t bring Christian moral values into the discussion, because that s offensive to the immoral. We certainly wouldn t want to hurt anyone s feelings with truth. I Introduction II Don t Live Foolishly Verses 15-18a III Live Wisely Verses 18b-20 IV The Call to Submission Verse 21 V Conclusion Introduction: This morning I am looking at a fairly small section. The primary reason is because I want to spend one week each on the wife and the husband presenting Paul s concerns and instructions for marriage. What we find in this small section is of extreme importance, especially keeping in mind it flows into the discussion of the relationship between husbands and wives. The lack of wis- 1 Sanders, Jim and Dan Smith, Sacramento Bee, State s Death Penalty on Hold, February, 23, p. A1.

2 dom in the world has a great impact on thinking about marriage, roles and the permanency of the institution. The word s view on is marriage it s fine as long as it works. If it doesn t, get out. If you re not happy get out. For example, Liz Taylor believes in marriage. That s why she does it so often. (Or as Shel Silverstein once said, if you wait long enough she ll get around to you.) Verses 15-18a: In light of the fact we have been called to Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children (5:1) and consequently are to live moral and pure lives, Paul goes on to warn us to be careful in how we live. Previously he contrasted the light and darkness. Now his focus shifts to wisdom and folly. So we can see why the world finds the Word offensive, because in it God describes all of the world s wisdom as nothing more than foolishness. It is easy fall into worldly thinking, pragmatism, political correctness, because we are inundated with this type of thought. Can you give any examples? And Paul puts some urgency into his instruction for caution and wisdom. The Psalmist speaks to this when he notes: Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). The simplest way to understand the verse (16) is, the world is living in immoral, evil times and so as believers we are to use wisdom and redeem our time for the Lord. But this requires care, thinking biblically in all aspects of life. The NIV Study Bible Notes puts it this way: The foolish person has no strategy for life and misses opportunities to live for God in an evil environment. 2 I ve mentioned before that years ago I had a client who was unhappy in her marriage, and not totally without cause. Well, she met this other guy at church and got involved with him. She told me how they prayed and studied the Word together and that God wanted her to be happy. So she was going to get a divorce and then marry this guy. It is to this kind of thinking Paul is speaking here foolish! We are to use wisdom seeking God s will. Lately where have you seen this contrast between God s wisdom and worldly foolishness? Knowing God s will isn t always that hard. The problem, as with my client, isn t we don t know His will, it s that we want what we want more than we want to be obedient. This is biblical foolishness. Wood explains the word: Foolish (aphron ) is a stronger word than asophoi in v.15, alluding to stupid imprudence or senseless folly in action. 3 An example of this kind of foolishness is drunkenness. Some argue this is not a moral issue, but a medical. Interestingly enough, even AA, which hold this view, in practice take a behav- 2 NIV Study Bible Notes, Zondervan Interactive Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, Wood, A. Skevington, The Expositor s Bible Commentary, Ephesians, Zondervan Interactive Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1990 ) 120 (

3 ioral rather than a medical approach. And even if there is for some a physiological aspect, wisdom is not to drink, because immoral behavior arises out of drunkenness. What this passage does not teach is abstinence. Instead it teaches the importance with not being controlled by something other than Verses 18b-20: the Holy Spirit. This is what the filling refers to, being constantly controlled by the acting of the Holy Spirit. And while some are inclined to interpret this as referring to the human spirit under the actions of the Holy Spirit, the more direct application seems to be more accurate. Wiersbe writes: Be filled with the Spirit is God s command, and He expects us to obey. The command is plural, so it applies to all Christians and not just to a select few. The verb is in the present tense keep on being filled so it is an experience we should enjoy constantly and not just on special occasions. And the verb is passive. We do not fill ourselves but permit the Spirit to fill us. The verb fill has nothing to do with contents or quantity, as though we are empty vessels that need a required amount of spiritual fuel to keep going. In the Bible, filled means controlled by. They were filled with wrath (Luke 4:28) means they were controlled by wrath and for that reason tried to kill Jesus. The Jews were filled with envy (Acts13:45) means that the Jews were controlled by envy and opposed the ministry of Paul and Barnabas. To be filled with the Spirit means to be constantly controlled by the Spirit in our mind, emotions, and will. 4 Years ago, when Janette and I were in a choir at our church in San Francisco, we experienced what can only been described as the moving of the Spirit. The choir was singing My Eternal King, which we had many times before, and for whatever reason everyone was so moved by the Spirit that we almost didn t make it through the number. This is what Paul says comes from being filled with the Spirit, believers speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. First, what does Paul mean be speaking to one another this way. Again quoting Wood: The verb to speak (laleo ) is not confined to normal conversation but covers utterance of any kind and so is perfectly applicable to the medium of psalms, hymns, and songs. 5 As for the types of songs, the breakdown isn t all that important. What is important is the filling of the Spirit leads to a community of worship. But the three types can be understood as, Psalms: This clearly does refer to the Old Testament Psalms which were a song book for both the Jews and the early Church. Hymns: These would have been songs specifically praising Christ. Sacred Songs: These would have been other worship music in contrast to secular songs of the day or songs inspired by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers. The issue here isn t the type of music we use, hymns, choruses, vocal only, instruments, etc. The issue here is that we make music that is worshipful, that is, directed to the Lord. 4 Wiersbe, Warren W., The Bible Exposition Commentary, New Testament ~ Volume 2, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1971, p Wood. ) 121 (

4 A major component of our music is to be thanksgiving. We are to be thankful in all things, giving God the praise. Matthew Henry notes: All God s people have reason to sing for joy. Though we are not always singing, we should be always giving thanks; we should never want disposition for this duty, as we never want matter for it, through the whole course of our lives. Always, even in trials and afflictions, and for all things; being satisfied of their loving intent, and good tendency. 6 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips (Psalm 34:1). So, as we live a wise life, not getting entangled in the world s thinking, as we strive for a pure life, as we care for one another within the context of the local body of believers, our lives are to be typified by love of God and others, and constant praise and worship. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6). Verse 21: And now we hit the verse this chapter rotates around. The word is submission. A submissive attitude flows from all that has gone before, specifically from the filling of the Holy Spirit. Submission becomes the basis by which we are to interact with one another. This is why Paul speaks of mutual submission. This serves as an introduction to the concept and we ll pick up at this same point next time. The most important principle though is to recognize that submission is voluntary. The basic principle of Christian submissiveness that governs the community life of the church applies also to social relationships. 7 The NIV Study Bible Notes introduces this section, ending at 6:9 by saying: In chs. 2-4 Paul showed the way God brought believing Jews and Gentiles together into a new relationship in Christ. In 4:1-6 he stressed the importance of unity. Now he shows how believers, filled with the Spirit, can live together in a practical way in various human relationships. 8 We are all called to submit to one another. So, first let s talk about the concept of submission. Back to Wood The verb to submit (hypotasso ) occurs twenty-three times in Paul and denotes subordination to those considered worthy of respect, either because of their inherent qualities or more often because of the position they held. Christians are to submit to civil authorities, to church leaders, to parents, and to masters. The whole structure of society as ordered by God depends on the readiness of its members to recognize these sanctions. Without them anarchy prevails. The Christian, however, observes them not merely for their own sake, or even because they are imposed by God, but out of reverence (phobos ) for Christ (cf. v.17). Moreover, within the fellowship of the church (and Paul has this more prominently in mind than the community at large) this submission to others is reciprocal ( to one another, allelous ). No one is to coerce another, for all voluntarily accept the discipline. Hence, any delusions of superiority are banished and no one thinks of himself more highly than he ought. 9 6 Henry, Matthew, Commentary On The Bible (condensed), Ephesians, Public Domain, hypertexted by Oak- Tree Software, Inc. 7 Wood. 8 NIV Study Bible Notes 9 Wood. ) 122 (

5 The most important aspect of this submission is what motivates it. The only reason we can be submissive is we are filled with the Holy Spirit and are committed to pleasing Christ. We submit because we are Christ s. We submit out of reverence, out of the fear of the Lord. Let me close this section with some words from Dr McGee: Submit is a very interesting word. It does not mean obey. Paul is not saying that the child of God is a buck private in the rear rank taking orders from somebody in the church who thinks he is a sergeant or a captain. We do take orders, but they are from the Captain of our salvation. You and I are under a Captain, but the relationship is not military but on the basis of love. Our Lord said, If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15). 10 Conclusion: Are we prepared to address every aspect of our lives as believers? This would seem a rhetorical question with a Yes answer. But, sometimes I think we get so caught up in just surviving that we at times become pragmatic, practical atheists. The answer to this is being in the Word, in prayer, and constantly being filled with the Holy Spirit. Do you understand what this means? We can t live the Christian life without the filling of the Holy Spirit. We can t live submissively in the church, in the family, in society without the filling of the Spirit. Stott notes: Here, then is a message for both the defeated and the complacent, that is, for Christians at opposite ends of the spiritual spectrum. To the defeated Paul would say, Be filled with the Spirit, and he will give you a new love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control. To the complacent Paul would say go on being filled with the Spirit. Thank God for what he has given you thus far. But do not say you have arrived. For there is more, much more, yet to come. 11 If we are struggling in any of these arenas, it is because we re trying to live out of our own strength and it can t be done. But praise the Lord, it isn t supposed to be done. God doesn t expect us to live the Christian life, He wants to live it through us. As we gather may Your Spirit work within us, as we gather may we glorify Your Name. Knowing well that as our hearts begin to worship, we ll be blessed because we came, we ll be blessed because we came McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Vol. 5, Ephesians, Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville, TN 1982, p Stott, John R. W., The Message of Ephesians, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1979, p Fay, Mike and Tom Coomes, Maranatha Music Praise Chorus Book, As We Gather, Maranatha Music, USA, 1990, #249. ) 123 (

6 Ephesians Live Wisely Ephesians 5:15-21 I Introduction II Don t Live Foolishly Verses 15-18a III Live Wisely Verses 18b-20 IV The Call to Submission Verse 21 V Conclusion I Introduction: II Don t Live Foolishly: (Ephesians 5:1; Psalm 90:12)

7 III Live Wisely (Luke 4:28; Acts 13:45; Psalm 34:1; Philippians 4:6) IV The Call to Submission: (John 14:15) V Conclusion: Personal Application: This week focus on being filled by the Spirit, and praising God. Prayer for the Week: Lord, fill me with Your Spirit and empower me in Your service. Amen