Faith And Our Relationships Series

INTRODUCTION

• In our series on the book of Ephesians, we have been examining the impact of the church of Ephesus on the city and the world.

• This series is not just about the concept of being an impactful church, a church that makes a difference for Jesus; it runs much deeper than that goal.

• We are called to be people who impact our world for Jesus.

• If we are people who make a difference, then the church will be a church that makes a difference.

• God called us to make a difference for Him in this world, by influencing as many people to come to Jesus as possible.

• We have talked about many things that go into being a church and people who make an impact on the lives of those around us.

• Our church places a great deal of emphasis on what we teach, as we should, but today’s message is something that if we do not grasp, what we teach will make no difference because people will not listen to the words we say, they will look at the lives we live!

• If the way we live does not match the magnificent message we preach and teach, the message will not be listened to!

• Today we examine how our faith should impact our relationships.

• There are two areas, in particular, we will dig into today, your church family and the husband/wife relationship.

• The church and your home should reflect the faith you have in Jesus.

• The faith you have in Jesus should make a major impact on these two families.

• Your witness will be impacted if the husband/wife relationship is messed up and riddled with issues.

• If your relationship with those within your church family or your spouse is not good, or if your relationship struggles with your brothers and sisters in Christ or spouse is aired out publically, your witness and the witness of the church is negatively impacted.

• For your earthly relationships to be on good terms, your relationship with God must be healthy.

• Healthy relationships come from a healthy trust in God.

• Let’s dive into the text.

Ephesians 5:19–21 (NET 2nd ed.)

19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord,

20 always giving thanks to God the Father for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

21 and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

SERMON

I. The Christian friend.

• When I give my life to Jesus and place my faith in Him, what does that mean, and what does that look like?

• When I am baptized into Christ, I am a new creation.

• Being in Christ means I have to treat and see people differently than I used to.

• The dynamics of my relationships have to reflect who I am in Christ.

• We tend to value things over people and bulldoze over people to get what we want when we want it.

• We get mad at folks who do not give us what we want or when they do not do things how we want it done.

• Before we hit verses 19-21, we need to look at the key to this section, verse 18.

Ephesians 5:18 (NET 2nd ed.)

18 And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit,

• The whole section we are examining today is anchored to this verse.

• Christians are called CONTINUALLY to allow ourselves to be filled with the Spirit/

• Being filled with the Spirit is allowing the Spirit to guide and work in the depths of our soul so we can be more Christlike.

• Let me ask you something.

• As a proclaimed Christ-follower, did Jesus mistreat people over real or perceived injustices?

• What did He do when He hung on the Cross?

• Did He yell, scream, curse, or blast those who hurt Him?

• He was tough on the religious leaders only because of their position and the fact they should have known better!

• Was Jesus continually offended, did He act nasty to those around Him?

• Did Jesus storm off in fits of anger when people did not respond to Him appropriately?

• When Jesus looked down on Jerusalem, where He would be rejected and crucified, did He hate them, KNOWING how He would be treated?

• NO, HE hurt for them. He LOVED them!

• In verses 19-21, Paul lists five actions of those filled with the Spirit.

• The list is as follows.

• Verse 19. SPEAKING TO ONE ANOTHER in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

• Verse 19. SINGING and MAKING music in our hearts to the Lord.