American men seem to think that Christian faith is for women and sissies. Where does this misconception come from? It doesn’t come from the Bible. A true Christian man is a warrior (Eph. 6:10-17).
Speaking the Truth in Love
Speaking the Truth in Love
Sermons on Ephesians (Page 3)
The Bible teaches both slaves and masters to remember the Master in heaven (Eph. 6:5-9). The basic principles implied in this teaching also apply to workers and employers in a free society.
Roman society permitted men to treat their sons and daughters abominably. A father’s power over his children was legally absolute. But the apostle Paul urged Christian fathers to treat their children kindly and considerately (Eph. 6:4).
The Lord teaches children to obey and honor their parents (Eph. 6:1-3). Why? Isn’t it true that moms and dads sometimes make foolish mistakes?
“Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18) is a passive command. We can’t fill ourselves with the Spirit. We don’t control God. We can give him more room in our hearts, though. But how?
Americans who think themselves sophisticated tend to believe that gray is the best moral color. Question everything. Reject any moral principle that seems old-fashioned or inconvenient. But the Bible addresses moral issues in sharply contrasting terms (Eph. 5:3-14).
Paul urges the church to put off the old nature and “put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). But what do real “righteousness and holiness” look like?
The old nature is impure, ignorant, and insensitive (Eph. 4:17-24). Paul doesn’t encourage us to hide it. He challenges us to cast off the old nature and put on something new.
Jesus gave spiritual gifts to the church so that apostles, prophets, evangelists and shepherds might build it up (Eph. 4:7-16). Is Christ still bestowing gifts today?
How could a “doctrinally sound” congregation split? It definitely happens. And whenever it does, there’s a disconnect between head and heart. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul tells the church how to maintain true unity (Eph. 4:1-6).
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