9 Walk In Harmony

First half of chapter 5 was walking in light – contrasting behaviors of darkness and the old way of life with behaviors of the Light of Christ in you – your new way of life in the Spirit. These behaviors are driven by the inner condition of darkness or light.

Chapter 4 started with unity in the body.

Living as part of the body of Christ and then living in the world so the light exposes those around us to God as well.

Second half and into chapter 5 dealt with how to live the new life in the light while walking in this world.

Living as part of the body of Christ and then living in the world so the light exposes those around us to God as well.

transitioning from living in the world to personal relationships

First half of chapter 5 was walking in light – contrasting behaviors of darkness and the old way of life with behaviors of the Light of Christ in you – your new way of life in the Spirit. These behaviors are driven by the inner condition of darkness or light.

Overall, showing the harmony in relationships due to the Holy Spirit living inside.

Living as part of the body of Christ and then living in the world so the light exposes those around us to God as well.

Overall, showing the harmony in relationships due to the Holy Spirit living inside.

transitioning from living in the world to personal relationships

Overall, showing the harmony in relationships due to the Holy Spirit living inside.

(with the Spirit)

Read

(with the Spirit)

Intention and purpose in walk/life

Read

Intention and purpose in walk/life

Ephesians 5:15–20 NIV

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Walking in wisdom, not foolishness as unwise

Ephesians 5:15 NIV

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,

Walking in wisdom, not foolishness as unwise

Intention and purpose in walk/life

contrast behaviors of the unwise with the wise

Walking in wisdom, not foolishness as unwise

walk same as previously, continuing theme = way of life, how you live. walk in life aware and with wisdom

v.16 wise walk is being purposeful with every moment and not lazy, idle, wasting time.

contrast behaviors of the unwise with the wise

v.16 wise walk is being purposeful with every moment and not lazy, idle, wasting time.

v.17 not complacent or acting foolish but understanding Master’s purpose/plan

walk same as previously, continuing theme = way of life, how you live. walk in life aware and with wisdom

v.17 not complacent or acting foolish but understanding Master’s purpose/plan

v.18 giving example to wise walk/living

v.16 wise walk is being purposeful with every moment and not lazy, idle, wasting time.

against foolish acting by being drunk

v.17 not complacent or acting foolish but understanding Master’s purpose/plan

drunkenness (uncontrolled) leads to bad behavior = unwise

v.18 giving example to wise walk/living

controlled by (uncontrolled in) the Spirit leads to holy behavior = wise.

against foolish acting by being drunk

drunkenness (uncontrolled) leads to bad behavior = unwise

v.19 Spiritual music to each other – uplifting and filling with the Spirit

Spiritual music to the Lord

controlled by (uncontrolled in) the Spirit leads to holy behavior = wise.

v.20 Give thanks to God for all the blessings.

v.19 Spiritual music to each other – uplifting and filling with the Spirit

v.20 Give thanks to God for all the blessings.

Spiritual music to the Lord

v.21 is key to harmony = mutual submission.

v.20 Give thanks to God for all the blessings.

Both finishing the idea in 19-20 and bridging to the harmony in relationships.

Ephesians 5:21 NIV

21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Both finishing the idea in 19-20 and bridging to the harmony in relationships.

*Submission to each other as a form of worship and respect to Christ. Because of His Spirit in us the unity bringing peace and harmony.

v.21 is key to harmony = mutual submission.

*Submission to each other as a form of worship and respect to Christ. Because of His Spirit in us the unity bringing peace and harmony.

Big Idea: Mutual submission is the key to walking in harmony.

Both finishing the idea in 19-20 and bridging to the harmony in relationships.

submit/yield/honor/defer to

*Submission to each other as a form of worship and respect to Christ. Because of His Spirit in us the unity bringing peace and harmony.

submit/yield/honor/defer to

submit = yield, be subject to, obey, come under authority

Read Philippians 2:3-4

reverence = awe, respect, fear - motivation for submitting

Philippians 2:3–4 NIV

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Order presented is interesting also.

submit = yield, be subject to, obey, come under authority

Order presented is interesting also.

submit = yield, be subject to, obey, come under authority

1. Moves down the line in social status – wife, child, slave

reverence = awe, respect, fear - motivation for submitting

1. Moves down the line in social status – wife, child, slave

2. Starts each section with the one typically told to submit, then addresses one typically thought of as authority.

Order presented is interesting also.

1. Moves down the line in social status – wife, child, slave

Read

2. Starts each section with the one typically told to submit, then addresses one typically thought of as authority.

word submit is not there in v.22, but connected back to 5:21 submit to one another

Read

word submit is not there in v.22, but connected back to 5:21 submit to one another

Ephesians 5:22–24 NIV

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Ephesians 5:22 NIV

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.

so starting a list of mutual submissions and harmonious relationships in several contexts.

Wife to your own husband - husband you possess.

word submit is not there in v.22, but connected back to 5:21 submit to one another

Lord is same word as master – context gives meaning of Lord Jesus Christ because it goes on to use Christ as head/authority/source.

so starting a list of mutual submissions and harmonious relationships in several contexts.

Paul is running a parallel picture here and crossing back and forth across the parallel.

Wife to your own husband - husband you possess.

Paul is running a parallel picture here and crossing back and forth across the parallel.

Lord is same word as master – context gives meaning of Lord Jesus Christ because it goes on to use Christ as head/authority/source.

Wife with Husband, Church with Christ.

v.23 Husband head of wife, Christ head of Church

Paul is running a parallel picture here and crossing back and forth across the parallel.

Head = authority, source,

Wife with Husband, Church with Christ.

Ephesians 5:25–33 NIV

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Ephesians 5:

Ephesians 5:23–33 NIV

23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

It is said of Christ the church is His body and He is the Savior. Not so of the husband. Not Savior.

Husband head of wife, Christ head of Church

v.23 Husband head of wife, Christ head of Church

v.24 Church submits to Christ, wife submits to husband

Head = authority, source,

Again – word submit is not there but references back to v.21.

It is said of Christ the church is His body and He is the Savior. Not so of the husband. Not Savior.

If he stopped there it would make a good case for husband lordship, male hierarchy

v.24 Church submits to Christ, wife submits to husband

Again – word submit is not there but references back to v.21.

Actually, the husband has even more responsibility in submitting.

If he stopped there it would make a good case for husband lordship, male hierarchy

v.25 memory verse for men’s d-groups

Actually, the husband has even more responsibility in submitting.

Ephesians 5:25 NIV

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Love your wife. Love, compassion, care

Husband loves wife, Christ loves Church

v.25 memory verse for men’s d-groups

Gave himself up for her = sacrificial love

Love your wife. Love, compassion, care

Consider your wife more important than yourself – .

Husband loves wife, Christ loves Church

Consider your wife more important than yourself – .

Wife submit to authority, husband submit in love

Gave himself up for her = sacrificial love

v. 26 Purpose = make holy, cleanse/purify,

Consider your wife more important than yourself – .

v. 26 Purpose = make holy, cleanse/purify,

Wife submit to authority, husband submit in love

wash with water through word = picture of baptism but the purifying of spoken word

word of God purifying Church, word of husband to wife setting her apart.

v. 26 Purpose = make holy, cleanse/purify,

word of God purifying Church, word of husband to wife setting her apart.

v.27 Amazing! Present her to himself – the church, His body

wash with water through word = picture of baptism but the purifying of spoken word

radiant, holy, stainless, no blemish, blameless.

word of God purifying Church, word of husband to wife setting her apart.

The beautiful bride, not preparing herself, but the groom lovingly preparing her to be the most beautiful and radiant.

v.27 Amazing! Present her to himself – the church, His body

The beautiful bride, not preparing herself, but the groom lovingly preparing her to be the most beautiful and radiant.

radiant, holy, stainless, no blemish, blameless.

v.28 In this same way = the parallel picture

husbands (should, ought) must, expected love wife as own body

The beautiful bride, not preparing herself, but the groom lovingly preparing her to be the most beautiful and radiant.

parallel picture = v.29 Christ cares for His own body the church

v.28 In this same way = the parallel picture

parallel picture = v.29 Christ cares for His own body the church

v.31 quotes two become one flesh

husbands (should, ought) must, expected love wife as own body

so – husband with wife = one flesh = body.

parallel picture = v.29 Christ cares for His own body the church

Christ with church = one flesh = head and body

v.31 quotes two become one flesh

v.32 profound mystery – surely the man and wife becoming one, but Paul is talking about the parallel Christ and church.

so – husband with wife = one flesh = body.

Christ with church = one flesh = head and body

Summary. Husband love wife, wife respect husband. Mutual submission.

v.32 profound mystery – surely the man and wife becoming one, but Paul is talking about the parallel Christ and church.

Ephesians 5:33 NIV

33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

it is clear that this is not a “lording over” relationship but a mutual love and respect relationship

Summary. Husband love wife, wife respect husband. Mutual submission.

Read

it is clear that this is not a “lording over” relationship but a mutual love and respect relationship

Read

Carrying the theme of mutual submission into the rest of the family.

Ephesians 6:1–4 NIV

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

obey = listen, hear, pay attention, obey, honor

Carrying the theme of mutual submission into the rest of the family.

Ephesians 6:1 NIV

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Carrying the theme of mutual submission into the rest of the family.

in the Lord (master) as you are in Christ, or following the Master.

Carrying the theme of mutual submission into the rest of the family.

right = proper

obey = listen, hear, pay attention, obey, honor

in the Lord (master) as you are in Christ, or following the Master.

v.2-3 quotes the 5th commandment as grounds for submission.

right = proper

v.4 another memory verse for men’s d-groups

Fathers – do not provoke, make angry. Instead love them through investing right training to follow Jesus.

v.2-3 quotes the 5th commandment as grounds for submission.

Fathers – do not provoke, make angry. Instead love them through investing right training to follow Jesus.

Children obey and honor, father train and teach discipline

v.4 another memory verse for men’s d-groups

Fathers – do not provoke, make angry. Instead love them through investing right training to follow Jesus.

Really about slaves and masters, but also good example of our responsibility in work.

Children obey and honor, father train and teach discipline

Really about slaves and masters, but also good example of our responsibility in work.

Read

Really about slaves and masters, but also good example of our responsibility in work.

Taking submission down to the next level, and maybe the most difficult to do.

Read

Ephesians 6:5–9 NIV

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. 9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Taking submission down to the next level, and maybe the most difficult to do.

Slave = subservient, controlled by another.

Ephesians 6:5 NIV

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

Slaves obey earthly masters (lord), respect, fear, sincerity just as you would obey Christ.

Taking submission down to the next level, and maybe the most difficult to do.

vv.6-7 obey not only when they’re watching, as serving the Master, not people.

Slave = subservient, controlled by another.

vv.6-7 obey not only when they’re watching, as serving the Master, not people.

Slaves obey earthly masters (lord), respect, fear, sincerity just as you would obey Christ.

v.8 another reward promised for doing right.

v.9 masters also work for God as servants of Christ, so treat workers/slaves well.

vv.6-7 obey not only when they’re watching, as serving the Master, not people.

No partiality = masters and slaves both stand before the same Master to be judged.

v.8 another reward promised for doing right.

No partiality = masters and slaves both stand before the same Master to be judged.

Whether the literal slave/master relationship, or the worker/boss relationship, these principles apply to serve each other as serving the Lord.

v.9 masters also work for God as servants of Christ, so treat workers/slaves well.

Whether the literal slave/master relationship, or the worker/boss relationship, these principles apply to serve each other as serving the Lord.

Read

No partiality = masters and slaves both stand before the same Master to be judged.

Reminder - rulers are to be servants, just as Jesus.

Whether the literal slave/master relationship, or the worker/boss relationship, these principles apply to serve each other as serving the Lord.

Read

Mark 10:42–45 NIV

42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Since we are part of the body of Christ, we walk daily in the power of God’s Spirit in us.

Reminder - rulers are to be servants, just as Jesus.

Since we are part of the body of Christ, we walk daily in the power of God’s Spirit in us.

Reminder - rulers are to be servants, just as Jesus.

We walk in love, unity, and harmony. We serve others in humility.

We submit to each other out of reverence for Christ.

Walking in harmony means submitting to each other.

We submit to each other out of reverence for Christ.

Not living as unwise, but wise, being filled with God’s Spirit, encouraging each other and praising God.

Paul is using the picture of the body to show how Christ loves His body and we should also love our body – the husband the head as Christ is our head, and the wife being also part of the husband’s body (mystery of marriage).

Husband preparing his body (wife) for unity and harmony as Jesus does with His body (church). Since we are part of the body of Christ, we walk daily in the power of God’s Spirit in us.

Parents and children in mutual submission, children obeying, fathers investing in love.

Slaves and masters both serving each other as though they are serving their Master, Jesus Christ.

We walk in love, unity, and harmony. We serve others in humility.

We submit to each other out of reverence for Christ.

9 Walk In Harmony

Introduction

Points

Points

Harmony In Life

Harmony In Life

Points

Harmony In Life

Big Idea: Mutual submission is the key to walking in harmony.

Harmony in Marriage

Harmony in Marriage

Harmony in Marriage

Harmony in Family

Harmony in Family

Harmony in Family

Harmony in Work

Harmony in Work

Harmony in Work

Conclusion

Conclusion

Conclusion

Big Idea: Mutual submission is the key to walking in harmony.

Big Idea: Mutual submission is the key to walking in harmony.

What About You?

What About You?

Big Idea: Mutual submission is the key to walking in harmony.

What About You?