Ephesians 6:1-9

Chad Myhre

Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

Ephesians 6:1–6

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Verse by verse message through Ephesians 6

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Ephesians 6:1–9 ESV

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Intro:

I’ve come to a conclusion..- that thhe Book of Eph.. is .. the hypocrite’s cure..

For what is a hypocrite?

If It’s not a person that talks one way.. and walks another.. ++

The hypocrite.. is the one who says…

You should never eat doughnuts.. doughnuts are evil.. those who eat doughnuts are bound for destruction and suffering..

Yet.. that very same person.. sneaks off to Krispy Kream when no one is looking..

And wolfs down a dozen glazed in a dark alley way.. ++

To differing degrees and at different times.. we all practice our fair share of hypocrisy..

Some of us, even admit to it..

We occasionally do those things that we say.. others should not do.. ++

We occasionally proclaim something as being wrong..

And we do.. that very thing, which is wrong.. ++

Or we proclaim a talk.. that we fail to walk.. ++

That’s one form of hypocrisy..

To do that thing, which we speak of, as being wrong..

But.. there is a different form of hypocrisy.. that I see throughout the letter of Ephesians.. ++

In this book.. we are told.. of how blessed we are..

The first three chapters have covered this..

In those chapters, were were not told… “do not touch.. or do not do”.

But rather.. in those chapters.. we were told – “you are saved.. you are rich.. you are empowered.. you are endowed.. you are alive forever." ++

Here, we see a different opportunity for hypocrisy..

Here.. we are told.. of our blessed privilege..

Then, we are guided.. or led.. into a responsive walk..

Chapters 1-3 are the talk..

Chapters 4-6.. are the walk.. ++

If our response to the blessings of chapters 1-3.. is contrary to chapters 4-6..

Then we.. again, fall into hypocrisy.. ++

Joyful obedience.. is a natural response.. to undeserved blessing..

– we have been blessed.. and we don’t deserve.. that which we’ve received from the Lord..

– we are SO blessed!

Therefore..

since we are called to walk.. – We WILL walk...

...and these are the different ways.. in which Ephesians has encouraged us to walk.. so far..

Walk.. in unity..

Walk.. in power..

Walk.. worthy, of our redemption..

Walk In the leading of the H.S.

In love..

In the light..

In wisdom..

In marriage..

And now.. we are called to walk out our faith… in the family.. and.. in the workplace..

Last week.. we hit a difficult topic..

walking.. in marriage.

Today.. we move on from marriage..

And move into..

A different aspect of family life..

The focus of the letter, is now falling on different ears..

As this letter was read to the people in Ephesus.... the elder or pastor would read it outlout..

And he Looked at the women.. when it addressed wives..

And he Looked at the husbands.. when it addressed husbands..

And now.. in the first 4 verses.. he’s looking at the “children”..

Ephesians 6:1–4 ESV

Before we consider the content.. let’s look first.. at the “target”

Paul had earlier written.. that we are called.. to submit one unto another..

Submit to one another in Christian fellowship

And within that Christian fellowship, submit to one another in the marriage relationship..

But the concept carries on…

There is also a submission that goes both ways… in the servant master relationship

And..also, in reference to the parent child relationship..

Parents have responsibilities to their children..

And they need to submit to their responsibilities.. and treat their children in a manner that is consistent to God’s teaching..

And .. children.. have responsibilities to their parents..

And they need to submit to their responsibilities.. and interact w/their parents in a manner that is consistent to God’s teaching..

the target here.. is “the children”

God’s Word.. has instruction for.. the children..

There is wisdom and guidance.. in God’s word.. for children..

It’s not reserved solely for the grown ups..

It’s not reserved for the middle aged..

It’s not reserved for the elderly..

It’s.. for all of us..

Sometimes.. in our culture.. the Bible is looked at, as if it were “prune juice”..

As if it were “pickled beets”

As if it were “3 bean salad”..

You know.. the foods that only older people eat..

young people don’t touch that stuff… but, you go to the buffet.. there’s the beets, there’s the 3 bean salad..

why’s it there?

Because… somebody’s eating it..

Who?

Those, who are much more experienced in years..

Some folks think this way about the bible?

They think… “when I get old.. then I’ll sit down and read that thing.. “

But now.. I’m too hip.. too modern.. too active..

I’m having a good time..

Don’t want to be roped down by some Bible..

When I get old.. then I’ll read it… that’s when people get into the Bible..

I’ll sit down.. read some Leviticus.. eat some pickled beets and wash it all down w/a big ol glass of prune juice…

But not now.. - it’s just not for me… Now… I’m young, and the Word of God is only for old people.

Guess what… That’s wrong.

Think that way about 3 bean salad… but not about the Word of God.

The word.. applies. God wrote it for all of us.. young and old..

And here.. is a prime example..

Eph 6:1.. what is the first word?

Children.

Who’s he talking to?

CHILDREN..

Don’t underestimate those little humans.. from age 18 on down.. (or, Biblically, the age was irrelevant… “children” referred to any offspring that still lived with, and were somewhat supported by… their parents… even if they were 30”

But, for the sake of us thinking about this passage… let’s think about our younger children… not the ones in the basement who are 35 playing video games and self proclaimed experts on American politics..

Children… the Bible is speaking to them. They are able.. to receive, learn and walk according to the Word..

They are probably.. more able sometimes, than us..

They are: idealistic.. not as distracted.. not as tainted.. not as busy as us..

They are fully capable.. of learning the Word.. and devoting themselves to it..

Sometimes we put all our focus on the band-aid doctrines..

We talk only about.. peer pressure… dating… self esteem..

And we think.. – the youth.. the children.. can’t handle a real Bible study..

So, we’ll only do “band aid” studies.. just touch on the topics..

We underestimate them.. and think less of them.. and mis-judge their full potential..

The target of this section of Paul’s letter… - was children..

A Gk word.. “teknon”..

Which.. literally refers to anyone of any age.. living under his parent’s roof.

If you are 10 or 30.. and you’re living w/mom and dad.. supported by them.. in their home..

Then this.. is in reference to you..

There is a myth many of us have heard about.. -It sounds like this: - “when I turn 18 I don’t have to listen to Mom and Dad.”

Yes.. you don’t.. if you are out on your own.. paying your own bills.. washing your own laundry.. cooking your own food.. and paying for your own automobile insurance..

But.. if you are still supported by, and sheltered by.. Mom and Dad..

Then you do.. have to listen..

The target.. is children..

the content.. is divided up.. into four parts..

You obey.. because it’s part of being a Christian..

You obey and honor them.. because it’s the right thing to do..

You obey.. because it’s commanded.

You obey.. because it brings a blessing..

First part of vs. 1.. “obey your parents in the Lord”

In the Lord.. - that’s the important part..

What does that mean?

It means.. I’m a believer.. I am saved.. I am walking in.. existing in.. my salvation..

This “obedience to my parents”..

..is, an attribute of my faith to God..

This is one of those automatic responses..

I’ve been so blessed..

So I respond.. to that blessing..

By living.. w/honor and obedience to mom and dad..

Are mom and dad always going to be right?

No..

Will obeying mom and dad always be right.. even if they are wrong?

Unless you are being led to disobey the Word..

It will be.. the right thing to do..

If Mom and Dad are misled.. they will be responsible for that ..

You, are responsible.. to obey and honor..

And God will bless you because of it..

In Col 3:20 it say:

Colossians 3:20 ESV

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

I know it’s hard.. I know it doesn’t make sense..

I know.. it really feels like a sacrifice to obey God..

But God is pleased.. w/sacrifice..

We are called, in scripture.. to bring Him a sacrifice of praise..

To give up.. our contrary feelings.. to hold off, our personal wants and ambitions..

And offer to God.. that which we don’t feel compelled to do..

Our obedience.. our worship.. and our service to Him..

Why does vs.1 tell Children to obey?

Because it’s the right thing to do..

Now.. this verse has been re-written in our modern culture..

Not in print, in our Bibles.. but rather.. in deed… in the manner that parents lead their children...

For in our culture.. it’s quite prevalent to see a logic that says:

“parents, obey your children, for this will keep them happy and bring peace to the home”

“parents, obey your children, because it’s too much work to train them to obey you..”

“parents, obey your children, because it’s easier than dealing with the fights and the tantrums..”

Now.. I’ve learned a few things about rearing children..

Julie and I worked residential child care the first 5 ½ years of our marriage..

And we have had 7 children of our own… some out of the house as grown up adults… and some still in the house…

One of the most intriguing things I’ve learned about children.. is this:

That infant, is going to try as hard as it can..

To train, mom and dad.. from the day it is born..

Mom, dad… that is the goal of your infant… They want to train you..

It’s going to use different tools.. the most prominent of which..

Is screaming..

Mom and dad think: we must make the screaming stop..

Baby thinks.. Mom and Dad will do whatever I want them to do..

If I scream..

Now.. their logic is a bit more simplified than that.. but.. basically.. there it is.

Now.. it starts.. in infancy.. and there, it’s pretty harmless to give that infant everything they want..

After all.. they just want to be held.. they just want to eat a little bit..

Not problem..

But soon, they are walking..

And they find ways to get mom and dad to give them what they want.. - So the process of training mom and dad continues…

Same methods.. same tools.. it’s just.. a little more hard to handle..

A baby that cried in a crib… one thing..

A toddler that can break the t.v. screen by pounding it with your sauce pan..

That’s more difficult..

So.. we still want them.. to be quiet and calm..

So we give them what they want..

Then.. they get a little bigger..

Same methods from the child..

Same responses from mom and dad..

Most parents pick up on this.. as the child gets into grade school… and they start to reel things in..

But some don’t.. some just let it continue..

Then.. one day.. that child is as big as mom..

AT that point.. they realize.. they are free..

Growing up.. mom and dad did not establish authority..

So all’s mom and dad had going for them.. was physical dominance..

Now.. the child is 15.. – just as strong as mom.. and in complete and total control..

++When I was in child-care.. I’d say, that over 90% of the kids that came into our program....

.. had this kind of a history..

They were totally ill prepared for life.. because life requires a recognition of authority.. life requires the ability to show respect.. life requires the will and the strength to submit to leadership..

When we worked in residential childcare-.. we simply provided a well defined schedule.. clearly defined expectations.. and a very clear and unwavering system of behavioral consequence..

The most incredible thing happened..

When we, as the house parents provided this atmosphere.. and took charge..

The kids.. almost always.. responded to it positively..

The bible says: children.. obey parents.. not the other way around..

This is not only a Biblical system.. but It’s very consistent to the ways of nature..

The bigger, the smarter, the stronger.. the one who protects and provides..

Is automatically given.. authority..

We humans.. have often times.. done what was un-natural.. and turned it around..

Proverbs 6:20 ESV

20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.

Proverbs 23:22 ESV

22 Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Why again.. is a child to obey mom and dad?

It’s consistent to his/her faith..

And.. it just.. the right thing to do..

Here’s what the OT law said to do.. w/rebellious children:

Deuteronomy 21:18–21 ESV

18 “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, 19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, 20 and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ 21 Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Yikes! Good thing, we were now living under grace..

The rebellious one.. under the law.. was harmed...

The rebellious one.. under grace..

Is harming… himself.

The rebellious child… is slowly.. destroying their ability.. to succeed and survive. In the world that is before them..

Setting before themselves.. a destination.. a path of hardship and trial..

Under the law.. they got rocks tossed at them..

But here, in the New Covenant... we have the option.. in our lessons learned.. –to fall upon the Rock..

To learn from Jesus..

To be strengthened and restored..

the third reason for obedience..

is.. “it’s commanded”

In the first half of vs. 2.. the 5th of the 10 commandments is cited..

Honor.. – a word that speaks of obedience.. but also..

It speaks of: respect.. love.. care.. and of a life, that brings honor to them..

Finally.. the 4th reason for obedience..

found in vs. 3..

.. obedience brings a blessing..

That it may go well with you..

That you may live long in the land..

Now.. this doesn’t assure a long life..

But it is speaking.. of: the likelihood of a long life..

It’s a principle.. when children obey their parents in the Lord..

They will escape a good deal of sin and danger.. and avoid the things that could threaten or shorten their lives..

But life.. is not only measured by quantity of time..

it’s also measured by “quality of experience”..

Sin robs us.. but obedience.. always enriches us..

In vs. 4.. the instruction turns on the Father..

Dad’s .. you are called to submit to your part of the deal too..

The Bible.. has given us several negative examples.. of poor fatherhood..

Even amongst some of the men we admire the most..

David pampered Absalom.. the results were tragic

Eli failed to discipline his sons.. and they brought disgrace to his name.. and defeat to Israel..

Isaac pampered Esau.. while his wife favored Jacob..

The result.. was a divided home..

In the culture of Paul’s day.. - Not Biblical culture… but the secular world he lived in… -the father had supreme authority over the family..

When the baby was born.. it was laid at the father’s feet..

If the father picked it up.. it meant.. that he was accepting that baby..

If he did not.. the baby could be sold, given away or even left to die..

And this.. was legal..

The authority level.. was great..

Paul’s encouragement.. was to these dad.. the ones who possessed great levels of authority..

He told them.. don’t use your authority.. or your power.. to abuse, provoke or discourage your child..

Instead.. use it.. to bring them up.. in the training and in the counsel of the Lord..

Dads.. we too have authority and power.. in our homes..

Not like the Roman’s of Paul’s day..

But, we can still do damage..

May our energies be..

For the positive building up.. of our children..

Rather than.. the tearing down..

My mom’s second husband was not a good man…

He left quite an impact upon my brother and me..

When my brother was in H.S.. right before he and my mom divorced..

He told my brother.. that he would never amount to anything..

That statement left an impact on my brother..

Years later.. many years.. my mom ran into her ex-husband..

He asked about my brother and I..

She said.. “Chad’s a pastor.. in Virginia.. and Todd works for a landscape company in Florida.”

When my brother found out.. that my mom said “landscape”.. he flipped.

My brother immediately thought that the father figure who told him he’d amount to nothing…

was making a living pushing a lawn mower in Florida..

When.. the reality, at that time.. my brother was a lead contractor.. over the theming construction division.. of a company that also did landscaping.

He was kind of a big shot.. - and is still in the industry as a superintendant.. and is still kind of a big shot..

But that father figure told him… he’d amount to nothing… and that left a lasting impact.

Dads.. we have incredible power..

May we use that power.. to build up.. and not.. tear down.

Ephesians 6:5–9 ESV

5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

For those of you.. who have jobs.. or, will one day.. have jobs..

here.. is some valuable information..

Slavery has existed in most every country, and in most every culture throughout the history of mankind… in the 1800’s… there was a wave of reform over the greater part of the world…

And, except for some Islamic country hold outs… legal slavery has mostly been eradicated in out world…

In the OT, for the people of Israel, slavery as we know it, was not permitted. Humans could not be property. When the OT uses the term slavery, in terms of Israel, and it’s laws...

It spoke of voluntary commitment, of one with debts, to serve a master for up to 7 years for the sake of paying off their debts.

It had guidelines for the master to treat the slave well, and when the term was ended, they were to be released with sufficient provisions to get their life started again.

In the OT, is was one of many, Biblical, forms of social justice… the Biblical way of making things right for the poor, indebted, oppressed, and for the sojourner.

In this letter, Paul is speaking to Ephesisans… not to Hebrew people who grew up with the teaching of the law… so these were a people who lived in a world, where slavery was practiced…

Paul spoke to those servants… concerning their masters..

Fortunately, we do not have a legal form of slavery anymore…

But we do still serve masters..

There are still.. overseers.. bosses. Authorities.. who look over the work that we do..

How do we deal with them?

What is our attitude.. in the work place?

Have you ever had.. a mean boss??

I have.. I’ve had a few..

But this.. is how I dealt with it..

I had to look beyond that person.. that person’s attitude.. that person’s “meaness”

And I had to keep on looking..

Yep, I looked at them as my authority.. but I looked on through them..

And through their bosses boss.. and the company president.. and the board of directors..

I just keep on looking.. till I saw my ultimate authority..

The Lord JX..

And I found it.. much easier.. to be an obedient servant, if I looked beyond the meager authority of my broken boss, and looked solely, to Jesus..

I also found liberty.. under a mean boss.. in I Peter 2: 18, 19..

For there, I learned.. that if I submit respectfully.. and endure it patiently..

That it’s commendable to the Lord..

And the Lord.. is pleased.. by our testimony..

The stabilizing factor of our attitude.. under the authorities we serve.. is found in the end of vs. 5..

how do we respond to our masters?

.with a sincere heart, as we would, Christ..

Instead of serving that Boss.. look beyond them..

And serve Jesus..

This ties in to vs. 6..

Don’t do things.. just to make men happy..

Do what you do.. simply because.. you are a servant of X..

Those who work.. to please men..

Are usually concerned with the things that they will receive… from those men they serve..

So.. there’s an attached motivation..

If I make Mr. So and So happy.. and put a good show on for him..

Then I will get that bonus..

God’s Word is giving us a different principle..

Just work for Jesus..

He’ll make sure everything is taken care of..

Finally, the encouragement falls upon the master..

if you’re a boss.. give up the threatening game.. No need to be a tyrant.. no need to pound your fist .. no need to show partiality..

Paul uses God.. as the ultimate example..

As a leader.. a boss.. an authority..

… follow the example of your Master..

There is no partiality… in your Heavenly master…

Close..

Fathers.. submit to your children… by fulfilling your role.. as a loving leader..

Bosses.. same thing.. submit to your employees.. by fulfilling your role..

Children.. submit to mom and Dad.. let them do what God called them to do.. – to train you.. and raise you up..

Employees.. servants.. submit to your boss.. by submitting ultimately.. to the Lord.. – serve Jesus.. in the workplace.. and do all that you do: heartily, as unto the Lord

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