All In The Family Series

INTRODUCTION

• SLIDE #1

• One of the things you may or may not have noticed when you read the writings of Paul is the fact that he generally starts off his letters with a great deal of theological content, then midway or so through the letter, he shifts gears to application.

• He takes the theological content and tells us how to apply the teachings on one’s life.

• Today as we continue with our series MASTERPIECE IN PROGRESS, we are going to move to a section of the letter to the church at Ephesus that will give us some important practice instruction in an area where it is desperately needed.

• Here Paul offers practical instructions about relationships. Within the family, he talks about the effect the gospel has between husbands and wives as well as parents and children (5:21–6:4).

• These instructions reveal several things to us, but mainly the good news that God is interested in our relationships and wants us to live out abundant life in every way.

• To be honest with you, some of this message will be difficult for some of us to hear because of past issues within our childhoods as well as past issues within our marriages.

• What I will lay out before you today is solid Biblical teachings, of which, you have to decide if you are going to listen and seek to apply, or are you merely going to tune me out and write this off because your husband, wife, children, or parents are not who they should be at this point in the relationship.

• I want to open with verse 21 from our passage because that verse sets the stage for the rest of the lesson this morning.

• SLIDE #2

• Ephesians 5:21 (CSB) — 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

• This command is part of what one who is filled with the Holy Spirit will do.

• To SUBMIT denotes subordination to those considered worthy of respect, either because of their inherent qualities or more often, because of their position.

• When there is no willingness to be submissive, anarchy can result.

• We also see in this foundational verse that submission is a two-way street.

• We are called to be submissive in the areas we will examine because of our reverence for Jesus.

• Today will be a REAL CHALLENGE for some here today, I am going to begin the challenge by asking you to stick with me and listen to the Word this morning, as well as considering the implications of that Word.

• Let’s turn to verses 22-24 in Ephesians 5 together.

• SLIDE #3

• Ephesians 5:22–24 (CSB) — 22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, 23 because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything.

• SLIDE #4

SERMON

I. Implications that submitting to Jesus has for a wife.

• HERE WE GO!

• In our society today, this is a tough passage to swallow. I remember being a YOUNG, DUMB husband hearing this passage.

• I would joyfully point out the passage.

• Actually, I am lucky to be still alive to tell this. ?

• Here are some things we all need to understand when it comes to this passage.

• First, the Biblical concept of being submissive is not a FORCED submission, it is voluntary.

• You do not have to even submit to God, but there is a consequence.

• I will tell you that you do not have to be submissive to your husband either, but there will a price you will pay in the relationship for not being willing to do so.

• Submission to the husband in no way makes you inferior, or less of a partner.

• This is about being obedient to Jesus.

• Submission does not mean BLIND OBEDIENCE, but rather, it implies a voluntary giving up of self-centered interests and agendas for the well-being of the other person. Submission does not mean that you are a doormat.

• Verse 23 tells us in the home the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.

• This means in the manner that the church takes her direction from Jesus, the wife is to take direction from her husband.

• The natural order of things is God-Jesus-husband-wife.

• SLIDE #5

• 1 Corinthians 11:3 (CSB) — 3 But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and God is the head of Christ.