Ephesians 5:18-6:9: The Spirit-filled Person

The Spirit-filled Person, Ephesians 5:18-6:9

A. The Spirit-filled Person and His Worship (18-20)

1. Back to the comparison: “Be not drunk with wine”

a. The man who is drunk is not under his own control

b. He staggers, slurs his speech

2. Like this: “Be under the control of the Holy Spirit”

3. The more we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the more we shall glorify the Lord Jesus

4. This makes all of life an experience in worship

a. Worship in the heart (Colossians 3:16)

b. Creates an attitude of praise

5. But this does not mean that Spirit-led worship is out of control

6. H. C. G. Moule: “We may be very sure that the command means nothing which shall ‘unhinge’ the Christian’s life, cast it loose from the noblest saint and the most steadfast order”

7. Worship is free but fanatical or fleshly

8. Desire for God to have His way is evident

9. Thanksgiving and praise are dominant

B. The Spirit-filled Person and His Wife or Her Husband (21-23)

1. The Spirit-filled life is most evident in the home

2. Moule: “The perfecting of the home is the masterpiece of the Gospel.” “The primary point in the Gospel is humiliation; self is dethroned as against God, and consequently as against men.”

3. Wives are submitted to their husbands as to the Lord

a. The wife who is submitted to her husband is not a doormat or robot

b. Neither must she discard all her natural abilities

c. Her greatest joy, however, is ministering to her husband

d. His happiness is her delight and aim

4. Husbands, love your wives even as Christ loved the church

a. A sacrificial love . . . an enduring love

b. An oft-repeated love . . . again and again

c. His greatest joy is in ministering to his wife

d. Her happiness is his delight and aim

5. Two powerful principles that can revolutionize your home. What are they? Submission and Love

6. These affect the entire family (6:1-4)

C. The Spirit-filled Person and His work (6:5-9)

1. The Spirit-filled workman does his work with all diligence

a. He overcomes laziness and boredom

b. He does his work as to the Lord, not to men

2. The Spirit-filled employer treats employees as he would be treated.

a. Forbearing threatening

b. Treat them as you want the Lord to treat you

3. Let Christ be exalted in the workplace by employees and employers