Family Relationshlips

Ephesians 6:1-9

Introduction:  Modern families have trouble getting along.  They fight and break up.  Children are removed from the home.  And when these children move into our workforce, they have trouble keeping a job.  It is all because we don’t do what Jesus tells us to do in our families. 

I. Service   vs. 5:21

     A. Jesus

          1. Matthew 20:28   the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve

          2. John 13:15     I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

          3. Philippians 2:5-8 

     B. Our family relations are not based on what the world does, but on what Jesus teaches us.

II. Children    vs. 1-3

     A. ὑπακούω: to obey on the basis of having paid attention to; to obey, obedience.  Terms expressing the concept of ‘obedience’ may frequently be rendered in some languages as ‘to do what one says’ or ‘to carry out someone’s orders.’ 

     B. τιμάω: honor, show respect, give recognition, often implying action to show that honor

          1. 5th commandment

          2. Obedience gives the child the benefit of experience and keeps them out of trouble

III. Fathers     vs. 4

     A. παροργίζω:  make angry, exasperate (infuriate, frustrate, annoy);

          1. irritate , exasperate , nettle , provoke , rile , peeve mean to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance; irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage; exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience; nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging; provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action; rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation; peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty irritation.

          2. 4:26-27         “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

              Excessive teasing of your children can open the door for Satan.

     B. ἐκτρέφω:  provide food for, feed, nourish; rear (children), bring up a child

          5:29

     C. παιδεία:  discipline, training; punishment, chastisement for improving behavior      Correction

     D. νουθεσία:  teaching, instruction, exhortation      Explanation

IV. Slaves    vs. 5-8

A.  Obey the same as children obey parents

B.   Not just when people are watching, but as if Jesus was watching you    vs. 6

C.   Serve as if your Master was Jesus, himself    vs. 7

V. Masters    vs. 9

     A. Literally, “Do the same to them.”  Treat them properly

     B. Don’t threaten or bully them

     C. Christian masters have a Master, too.  And He treats them the same as the slaves.

VI. Lessons for us

A.  The Christian’s role in life is a servant

B.   Fathers, serve your family

C.   Employers, serve your workers

D.  Respect all

Conclusion:  I want this lesson to remind all of us that we are servants of everyone.  God didn’t call us to be served, but to serve and give our lives for people.