WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.320 Thank you, Carolyn. 00:00:12.880 --> 00:00:16.039 I've never heard that about keeping track of the books of the Bible like that. 00:00:16.940 --> 00:00:20.699 Now, I can't remember what the acronym was I was supposed to remember, 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:22.960 so I struggle with both, but that's good. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:31.859 So, as we approach the end of our series in Ephesians, 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:34.039 I just wanted to do a quick review. 00:00:35.219 --> 00:00:38.679 Ephesians, overarchingly, is about our identity in Christ. 00:00:39.159 --> 00:00:43.920 So we have the first half of Ephesians, which is about our belief, our calling, 00:00:44.420 --> 00:00:48.060 and the second half is the behavior that goes along with that, 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:51.799 and that's the section that we're in now, chapters 4, 5, and 6. 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:57.820 Last week, we heard from Paul Rocha about marriage and what that means, 00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:04.219 and we'll be digging into more areas of that this morning. 00:01:05.399 --> 00:01:11.519 But before we get into that, we see a progression in these last couple chapters 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:16.200 that help us get ready for this area of love and submission, 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:17.640 which is what we're talking about today. 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:23.719 So, the beginning of chapter 4, Paul urges us to bear with one another in love. 00:01:24.540 --> 00:01:26.200 In chapter 5, in the beginning, he says, 00:01:26.340 --> 00:01:30.140 Be imitators of God as beloved children and walk in love, 00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:32.859 as Christ loved us and gave himself for us. 00:01:33.500 --> 00:01:35.719 And then right before last week's message, 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:38.200 chapter 5, verse 21 says, 00:01:38.299 --> 00:01:41.640 Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 00:01:41.640 --> 00:01:46.200 So, we are to walk in love as Christ loves us, 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:48.739 and we're to submit to one another for his sake. 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:50.019 But how do we do that? 00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:51.439 What does that look like? 00:01:52.019 --> 00:01:55.579 And this is what our current section in Ephesians is going to teach us. 00:01:55.980 --> 00:02:01.200 So, again, last week, Dan Rocha hit on marriage and love and submission, 00:02:01.599 --> 00:02:08.000 how a man and a woman should be a reflection of the relationship between Christ and the church. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:10.099 How does that happen in marriage? 00:02:10.219 --> 00:02:13.340 Well, you have a wife that submits to her husband with respect, 00:02:13.500 --> 00:02:15.580 not as a lesser person, as an equal, 00:02:16.020 --> 00:02:19.139 allowing him to lead the family, to nurture and grow the family. 00:02:19.699 --> 00:02:21.439 So, the wife submits to her husband, 00:02:21.780 --> 00:02:24.939 being a reflection of the church submitting to Christ. 00:02:25.580 --> 00:02:29.180 And then also, as the husband should love his wife as his own body, 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:31.280 protecting and cherishing her, 00:02:32.020 --> 00:02:35.759 loving her sacrificially as Christ loved the church. 00:02:35.759 --> 00:02:41.359 So, there we have the perfect picture of the relationship between Christ and the church. 00:02:42.419 --> 00:02:44.840 So, today's message is a follow-up of that, 00:02:45.099 --> 00:02:46.939 because it follows verse 21 that says, 00:02:47.019 --> 00:02:49.340 to submit to one another at a reverence of Christ. 00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:54.799 So, we have husbands and wives submitting and following Christ's order and design, 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:57.840 and now we have a few other categories that we'll get into. 00:02:59.099 --> 00:03:03.359 So, our message this morning, I entitled Love and Submission Part 2. 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:09.480 So, but before you hear submission and start rolling your eyes thinking, 00:03:09.920 --> 00:03:11.240 I kind of heard enough about submission. 00:03:11.400 --> 00:03:14.180 It's not really something I enjoy to listen to. 00:03:14.540 --> 00:03:15.480 It's kind of old. 00:03:15.580 --> 00:03:16.420 It sounds restrictive. 00:03:16.920 --> 00:03:20.460 I would just encourage you to listen to what the Word of God has to say about submission, 00:03:20.740 --> 00:03:25.060 and see really how it fits into our life as Christians, 00:03:25.300 --> 00:03:28.260 and how it really fits into God's big picture for us. 00:03:28.259 --> 00:03:32.539 Because without that, without that submission and love, 00:03:32.780 --> 00:03:34.599 that's really what makes the church, 00:03:34.739 --> 00:03:39.280 it's what makes marriages and families stand out to a world. 00:03:40.179 --> 00:03:43.759 It's what God's big plan is for each one of us. 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:46.799 So, if we look at submission, 00:03:47.699 --> 00:03:51.780 and in some of these cases, it's going to come out in the area of obedience. 00:03:51.780 --> 00:03:58.099 If we look at those, it doesn't take long before we see how they really are needed 00:03:58.099 --> 00:04:00.099 in every aspect of our life. 00:04:00.539 --> 00:04:05.659 Last week, Dan talked about a company who tried to run itself according to a model 00:04:05.659 --> 00:04:07.340 that kind of did away with hierarchy. 00:04:08.020 --> 00:04:10.719 There wasn't really any boss. 00:04:11.060 --> 00:04:13.639 Everybody kind of was their own boss, 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:15.180 and they led accordingly. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:17.899 And what they found out was things fell apart. 00:04:17.899 --> 00:04:22.439 People needed that management type of role. 00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:24.399 They needed to report to somebody. 00:04:24.519 --> 00:04:25.459 They needed structure. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:27.039 And so, it didn't work. 00:04:28.339 --> 00:04:33.459 And we also know that if we look at a lot of other areas of life, it won't work. 00:04:33.699 --> 00:04:36.620 Professional sports is not going to go very far 00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:39.639 if you have all the good athletes or the cocky athletes 00:04:39.639 --> 00:04:42.079 deciding they want to do things however they want. 00:04:42.199 --> 00:04:43.339 They'll show up when they want. 00:04:43.739 --> 00:04:44.939 They'll play when they want. 00:04:45.039 --> 00:04:46.199 They'll work out when they want. 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:48.959 Because they're that good, they can just do that. 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:50.199 It would never work. 00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:52.180 The team wouldn't go far. 00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:52.899 There's no winning. 00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:58.099 There's no team aspect when it's all self-centered and personal focused. 00:04:58.099 --> 00:05:00.240 So, we know that that won't work. 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:03.599 And it's the same if we look at companies, 00:05:03.819 --> 00:05:08.180 if we look at governments, branches of the military, 00:05:08.620 --> 00:05:10.039 or whole nations themselves. 00:05:10.040 --> 00:05:15.920 If there's no structure, if there's no ownership, 00:05:16.140 --> 00:05:19.200 if there's no leadership, then it's going to crumble. 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:19.920 It's going to fall. 00:05:20.840 --> 00:05:23.100 So, that's what we're going to be looking at today. 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:32.340 Now, we're going to be looking at these different areas this morning 00:05:32.340 --> 00:05:39.320 that covers parents and children and slaves and masters in the Bible. 00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:43.020 But for us, it's going to be employees and bosses. 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:45.420 So, when we get to each one of these sections, 00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:47.740 they may feel like they don't pertain to you. 00:05:47.740 --> 00:05:52.400 So, I would submit to listen anyway because they do pertain to you. 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:57.620 They pertain not only because it might not be where you are now, 00:05:58.060 --> 00:05:59.600 but it might be in the future. 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:04.900 So, you might be thinking, well, I'm not a child. 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:06.980 I don't have any kids. 00:06:07.259 --> 00:06:08.079 I'm not married. 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:08.900 And I don't work. 00:06:09.460 --> 00:06:11.660 So, that takes me out of all the categories. 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:14.439 And to that, I would say, 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:16.420 you're kind of in the perfect spot 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:18.560 where you could encourage those around you, 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:20.340 those in the family of God, 00:06:20.680 --> 00:06:22.520 who are in all those categories 00:06:22.520 --> 00:06:26.060 because you have a little bit more time or experience or whatever 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:27.439 to encourage those around. 00:06:27.960 --> 00:06:29.460 And that's what we're all called to do, right? 00:06:29.520 --> 00:06:31.879 We're called to encourage and help one another. 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:36.500 So, there's that aspect of it. 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:39.319 There's also, it may be helpful in your workplace 00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:43.860 as you come across an unsaved friend 00:06:43.860 --> 00:06:45.540 who is in a difficult marriage. 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:50.699 It could be a co-worker who is struggling as a mom 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:53.480 with kids who are rebellious and don't obey. 00:06:54.339 --> 00:06:56.819 It could be co-workers that complain about their boss 00:06:56.819 --> 00:06:58.839 and they try to pull you in on that. 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:02.980 These are all areas where we know where God tells us to stand, 00:07:03.180 --> 00:07:04.659 where God tells us to live. 00:07:04.660 --> 00:07:06.760 And we're able to speak into that, 00:07:06.820 --> 00:07:08.160 into those other people's lives 00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:10.020 in an encouraging way 00:07:10.020 --> 00:07:13.020 and in a way that could bring the word of God, 00:07:13.080 --> 00:07:13.720 the word of truth, 00:07:13.900 --> 00:07:16.120 to an area they've never known about before. 00:07:16.439 --> 00:07:17.260 So, I would say, 00:07:17.540 --> 00:07:19.500 listen as we go through this part. 00:07:21.840 --> 00:07:22.280 Sorry. 00:07:22.280 --> 00:07:22.379 Sorry. 00:07:28.520 --> 00:07:29.680 So, the first part. 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:34.740 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, 00:07:34.819 --> 00:07:35.620 for this is right. 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:42.019 It only happens, like, right before I come up to speak. 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:44.040 Like, I sang great. 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:44.980 I mean, nobody could hear me, 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:46.460 but I sang great this morning. 00:07:49.340 --> 00:07:49.699 Yeah. 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:51.340 Maybe it was because nobody heard me 00:07:51.340 --> 00:07:52.180 that I sang so great. 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:54.360 So, verse 1. 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:55.939 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:56.759 for this is right. 00:07:56.759 --> 00:07:56.800 Right? 00:07:57.860 --> 00:07:59.740 Obeying is something that we do 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:01.939 for someone else 00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:04.539 when we don't necessarily want to do that thing. 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:04.879 Right? 00:08:05.779 --> 00:08:07.420 We'd rather be doing something else. 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:09.800 So, why is it that we tell children 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:11.439 to obey their parents? 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:14.579 Well, we pretty much know the answer to that, 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:15.599 but there are a couple reasons. 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:16.800 The first one is because 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:19.079 God said that's what they should do. 00:08:20.779 --> 00:08:22.519 The second reason is because 00:08:22.519 --> 00:08:24.819 children learn and they grow, 00:08:24.819 --> 00:08:26.939 but they don't start out knowing what to do. 00:08:27.019 --> 00:08:28.620 They don't know what's right or wrong. 00:08:28.699 --> 00:08:30.439 They don't know what's safe or what's not. 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:34.139 I was thinking of our youngest, Juliet. 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:37.220 She's learning how to crawl very well, 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:38.559 and in her eyes, 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:40.120 as she's moving across the carpet, 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:41.919 everything she wants. 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:44.179 It doesn't matter if it's a toy. 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:47.840 It also doesn't matter if it's a furry hairball. 00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:49.340 It's on the floor, 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:50.559 and she'd like to have it. 00:08:50.559 --> 00:08:53.039 So, sometimes we have to take that away, 00:08:53.179 --> 00:08:54.959 and she's not real happy about it, 00:08:55.219 --> 00:08:57.019 but we know she doesn't need a hairball. 00:08:57.339 --> 00:08:57.619 Right? 00:08:58.479 --> 00:08:59.779 We know she doesn't need 00:08:59.779 --> 00:09:02.339 a small button that could choke her, 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:04.899 but there are toys that she can play with. 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:07.839 So, as we'll see shortly, 00:09:08.199 --> 00:09:10.139 parents are to teach and guide their children, 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:12.419 and that can't be done with some obedience. 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:15.059 So, we have to start to teach that in our kids, 00:09:15.479 --> 00:09:17.899 even when it's something that they don't want to do. 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:24.759 Sometimes it requires us to be a little forceful, 00:09:25.220 --> 00:09:28.740 and that isn't always fun for the child. 00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:30.360 It's not always fun for the parent, 00:09:30.439 --> 00:09:33.919 because it's easy for us to want to be their friend. 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:36.720 It's easy for us to want to keep them on our side. 00:09:37.079 --> 00:09:38.240 And it's not always possible 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:40.039 if you want to be a parent 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:42.039 who wants to protect their child 00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:43.240 in a good and loving way. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:47.159 So, while this obedience is taking place 00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:48.940 between children and parents, 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:51.539 ultimately, it's obedience to God. 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:53.200 That's what we're looking to teach our children. 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:54.740 We want them to obey us, 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:57.100 but as they grow and get larger, 00:09:57.399 --> 00:09:58.399 we want them to see 00:09:58.399 --> 00:10:00.440 that it's conforming to God's desire 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:01.500 and His commands. 00:10:01.820 --> 00:10:03.060 That's why we're doing this, 00:10:03.180 --> 00:10:04.519 and that's what makes it right, 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:06.539 because it falls under God's commandment. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:09.580 And in the next two verses, 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:10.460 verses 2 and 3, 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:11.759 We honor your father and mother. 00:10:12.440 --> 00:10:14.360 This is the first commandment with promise, 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:15.800 that it may go well with you, 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:18.139 and that you may live long in the land. 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:20.180 This is a direct quote 00:10:20.180 --> 00:10:21.700 taken from the Ten Commandments 00:10:21.700 --> 00:10:22.800 in the book of Exodus. 00:10:23.400 --> 00:10:25.759 And as we look at the Mosaic Law, 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:28.320 those first five books of the Old Testament, 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:31.980 we see there's a very great seriousness 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:35.019 on the command for children to obey 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:37.100 and to honor their parents. 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:39.659 In chapter 21, 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:41.700 just following the Ten Commandments, 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:42.080 it says, 00:10:42.300 --> 00:10:44.580 Whoever strikes his father or his mother 00:10:44.580 --> 00:10:45.659 shall be put to death. 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:47.440 Following that, 00:10:47.540 --> 00:10:49.159 whoever curses his father or mother 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:51.180 shall surely be put to death. 00:10:51.420 --> 00:10:53.320 He has cursed his father or his mother, 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:55.060 and his blood is upon him. 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:58.519 So we see that disobedience and dishonor 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:00.060 is taken very seriously 00:11:00.060 --> 00:11:01.399 and dealt with very seriously 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:02.259 in the Old Testament. 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:04.000 And the reason for that 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:06.659 is because God is raising up for himself 00:11:06.659 --> 00:11:08.679 a people who will stand out to the world. 00:11:08.779 --> 00:11:10.019 The Israelites were his people, 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:11.559 his chosen family, 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:15.559 and disobedience among his family 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:18.419 starts to just wreak havoc. 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:20.299 You have kids that grow 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:21.379 and want to do their own thing. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:22.799 They don't want to follow after God. 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:24.919 And it doesn't take very many generations 00:11:24.919 --> 00:11:26.439 before you have a whole family, 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:27.399 a whole generation, 00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:28.639 a whole nation 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:30.720 that is no longer following after God. 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:33.680 And that's something that was being watched 00:11:33.680 --> 00:11:35.620 in on from all the other countries, 00:11:35.779 --> 00:11:37.560 all the other nations at that time. 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:39.639 But here in Ephesians, 00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:41.879 we see Paul quoting the same commandment, 00:11:42.160 --> 00:11:44.639 but the focus is more on the positive aspect 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:45.920 of God's command. 00:11:46.540 --> 00:11:46.980 He says, 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:48.860 Honor your father and your mother. 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:51.540 Then he draws attention to the promise. 00:11:51.920 --> 00:11:54.360 Remember, this is the first and only commandment 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:56.300 that has a promise connected to it. 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:58.379 Now, this promise in the Old Testament 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:01.000 was a portion of the promised land 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:02.379 that God was given his people. 00:12:03.419 --> 00:12:05.700 So to honor and to obey your parents 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:07.299 meant a share of that inheritance. 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:09.639 For those in the New Testament, 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:11.639 for us on this side of the cross, 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:14.039 part of the new covenant in Christ, 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:17.019 it means that life may go well 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:20.120 and that you may live long, 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:21.779 taking about, 00:12:22.460 --> 00:12:24.679 that's talking about the promise of eternal life. 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:26.639 So not necessarily that we're going to get land, 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:30.299 land or money for obeying our parents, 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:33.099 but a promise of a better life 00:12:33.099 --> 00:12:35.639 and eternal life with Jesus Christ. 00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:37.399 Now, first you might be thinking, 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:38.939 well, wait, that sounds a little bit like 00:12:38.939 --> 00:12:40.479 work salvation. 00:12:40.479 --> 00:12:42.199 If you obey and honor your parents, 00:12:42.239 --> 00:12:44.500 then things will go well 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:46.579 and you'll get to go to heaven. 00:12:46.580 --> 00:12:50.400 But that's not what I'm saying here. 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:52.220 What is happening is if 00:12:52.220 --> 00:12:56.440 Christians know that that isn't true, 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.759 that they're going to have an easy life. 00:12:58.800 --> 00:13:00.580 And Jesus tells us that. 00:13:00.660 --> 00:13:01.900 But what we're saying is 00:13:01.900 --> 00:13:03.420 if you disobey, 00:13:03.660 --> 00:13:05.660 if you bring dishonor to your parents, 00:13:05.800 --> 00:13:08.860 then you can be sure that life will not go well. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:13.500 And it's an indication 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:16.440 of you being a child of God 00:13:16.440 --> 00:13:18.899 that brings about your desire to want to obey 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:20.720 and follow after your parents. 00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:24.879 On occasion, I'll give some authority 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:26.759 to one of my children. 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:29.980 I might ask Daniel, my youngest son, 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:31.480 to go tell his older brother 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:33.779 that I want him to go do something. 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:37.039 And it's expected that that older brother 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:38.159 is going to go do it. 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:39.959 Why? Because I'm sending Daniel 00:13:39.959 --> 00:13:41.959 with my authority to tell him 00:13:41.959 --> 00:13:43.639 as if I went and told him myself. 00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:46.259 And this really is a picture of 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:50.079 God giving authority to parents 00:13:50.079 --> 00:13:50.980 for their children. 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:52.819 God gives them authority 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:55.159 to teach and instruct them. 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:57.579 And the children are to obey that 00:13:57.579 --> 00:13:58.819 and to listen to their parents. 00:13:58.919 --> 00:14:00.159 So for a child to disobey 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:01.500 and fight against their parents, 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:03.699 ultimately it's a fight against God 00:14:03.699 --> 00:14:04.919 and what God has laid out 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:06.579 in his design and his rules. 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:08.800 And we also know that 00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:10.300 as the problem continues, 00:14:10.420 --> 00:14:12.340 as the child just doesn't want 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:13.200 to obey his parents 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.720 and is rebellious, 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:16.980 that as they leave home, 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:18.580 being at odds with their parents 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:20.780 means that they're going to continue 00:14:20.780 --> 00:14:22.160 to be at odds with God 00:14:22.160 --> 00:14:23.740 because that's how it started out. 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:26.480 And as they start their own life 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.139 on their own, 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:28.860 they're putting themselves 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:31.180 in that position of authority 00:14:31.180 --> 00:14:32.660 where God used to be 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:34.079 and they're becoming their own God. 00:14:35.079 --> 00:14:36.779 And at no point in history 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:39.159 has there been a way of, 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:41.879 that's never going to go well 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:42.439 for someone. 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:43.579 It's not going to, 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:46.419 it may look well in their life 00:14:46.419 --> 00:14:47.219 successfully 00:14:47.219 --> 00:14:49.879 from the world standards, 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.600 but it won't end there 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:53.339 because it's a life 00:14:53.339 --> 00:14:54.679 that's void of God. 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:56.600 And if it continues, 00:14:56.839 --> 00:14:58.519 if they don't correct that path, 00:14:58.879 --> 00:14:59.740 then what happens, 00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:02.059 the end is separation from God. 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:04.500 And that is tragic. 00:15:04.699 --> 00:15:05.919 So God loves us. 00:15:05.959 --> 00:15:07.339 He wants to protect us from that. 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:09.079 So he gives us commands for us 00:15:09.079 --> 00:15:10.319 and to pass on to our children. 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:13.620 So Colossians 3, 20, 00:15:13.699 --> 00:15:14.879 children obey your parents 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:16.059 in everything, 00:15:16.299 --> 00:15:17.620 for this pleases the Lord. 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.779 As children learn to obey their parents, 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:21.799 they fall under God's authority 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:23.579 and this is pleasing to him. 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:26.259 So living a life pleasing to the Lord 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:28.079 does make your life easier 00:15:28.079 --> 00:15:31.740 because you're not on your own side, 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.740 you're on God's side. 00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:33.600 You're pleasing to him 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.360 and he's with you 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:36.620 and that's what makes life easier. 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:38.080 So children, 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:40.440 obey and honor your parents 00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:42.180 and that means to submit 00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:43.060 and to love them. 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:45.240 The next section 00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:48.000 is fathers, 00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:49.360 but also to parents. 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:53.120 Chapter 6 starts out addressing both. 00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:53.940 It says that children, 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.379 obey your parents in the Lord. 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:57.939 So it's important to remember 00:15:57.939 --> 00:15:59.399 that God's design 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:01.600 was never to separate 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:03.080 and only have one parent, 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:05.480 but that both parents together 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:07.500 work to raise their children. 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.240 Does that ring into you guys 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:09.759 or just me? 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.320 Is it ringing? 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.100 It's okay? 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:14.480 Okay. 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:16.080 Never mind what I said. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.399 But as we come to verse 4, 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:21.100 we see that fathers 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:23.080 are addressed directly. 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:25.139 It says, 00:16:25.540 --> 00:16:25.620 fathers, 00:16:25.780 --> 00:16:27.259 do not provoke your children to anger, 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.180 but bring them up 00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:28.980 in the discipline 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:30.300 and instruction of the Lord. 00:16:31.020 --> 00:16:32.700 So as Paul has done before, 00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:34.200 he starts with a negative action 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:34.860 to avoid 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:36.280 and he follows it up 00:16:36.280 --> 00:16:37.980 with a positive action 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:39.340 that we want to improve on. 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.080 He says, 00:16:40.180 --> 00:16:41.580 do not provoke your children to wrath, 00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:42.759 but do bring them up 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.379 in the discipline 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.520 and instruction of the Lord. 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:46.460 So first we have this command 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:47.320 to do not provoke 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:48.920 your children to wrath. 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:52.679 We know that in disciplining 00:16:52.679 --> 00:16:53.360 our children, 00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:55.319 they're not going to like that. 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.259 They're going to get mad 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.279 when they can't have 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:58.379 or do what they want to do. 00:16:58.579 --> 00:16:59.679 That's not what Paul 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:00.639 is talking about here. 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:01.759 Sorry, kids. 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:04.119 But he's talking about 00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:05.099 provoking your children 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:05.779 to anger 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:07.440 because of discipline 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.019 that's done out of anger 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.639 or giving them commands 00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:11.159 or rules 00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:12.319 that are too restrictive 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:13.839 and don't have any reason. 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:15.299 It's basically discipline 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.379 without love. 00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:18.220 And in that way, 00:17:18.280 --> 00:17:18.980 you're going to provoke 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:19.560 your children 00:17:19.560 --> 00:17:21.100 to wrath or to anger. 00:17:22.020 --> 00:17:22.740 So I just want to hit 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:24.400 those sections, 00:17:24.520 --> 00:17:25.240 kind of break them up 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:25.660 a little bit 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.120 because I think 00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:26.760 they're important. 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:28.940 Not only for if you 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:29.700 have kids now, 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.880 but if you have kids 00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:31.440 in the future, 00:17:31.860 --> 00:17:32.980 this will kind of set 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:34.240 the foundation, 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:34.940 the framework 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:36.380 for what is going 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:37.300 to be helpful to you 00:17:37.300 --> 00:17:39.440 as you study God's word 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:40.800 and how to be a parent. 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:44.040 But Ephesians 4.31 says, 00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:45.240 be kind to one another, 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:46.060 tenderhearted, 00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:47.620 forgiving one another 00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:49.020 as God and Christ 00:17:49.020 --> 00:17:49.740 forgave you. 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.220 So even before 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.420 this section to fathers, 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:53.520 Paul is concerned 00:17:53.520 --> 00:17:54.380 about the anger 00:17:54.380 --> 00:17:56.140 that is coming out of us. 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.720 And once it comes 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.460 into parenting, 00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:59.440 that can be passed 00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:00.500 on to our child. 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.200 Usually that takes 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.960 the form of yelling 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:05.660 or some type of 00:18:05.660 --> 00:18:07.160 exaggerated action 00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:07.840 or speech 00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:09.160 that we lash out 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:09.860 at our child 00:18:09.860 --> 00:18:10.680 when they're not doing 00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:11.580 what they're supposed to 00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:14.100 or they failed 00:18:14.100 --> 00:18:14.760 to do something 00:18:14.760 --> 00:18:16.100 that we required of them. 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:18.680 And when it comes 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.740 to parenting, 00:18:20.320 --> 00:18:21.940 these outbursts 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:24.020 can get out of control. 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:25.420 These fits of anger 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:27.100 can be damaging, 00:18:27.280 --> 00:18:28.780 not just physically damaging, 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:29.960 but they can be emotionally 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:31.120 damaging to your child 00:18:31.120 --> 00:18:31.580 as well. 00:18:32.300 --> 00:18:33.820 And this type of behavior 00:18:33.820 --> 00:18:35.040 is worse for fathers. 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:36.200 I think we can all agree 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:38.720 that anger 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:40.780 when it comes to men 00:18:40.780 --> 00:18:41.780 is worse than women. 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:43.420 Now, women or mothers 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.180 in this case 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.599 do struggle with anger. 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.619 They're not perfect 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:47.579 like the rest of us 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.960 and they get mad. 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.299 But in general, 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:51.039 if we look at 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:52.779 extreme destructive behavior, 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:53.460 if we look at 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.460 domestic violence, 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:55.819 road rage, 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:56.879 acts of terrorism, 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.359 all these are far more 00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:59.119 likely to happen 00:18:59.119 --> 00:18:59.740 from a man 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:00.200 than a woman. 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:00.839 So Paul, 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.879 it makes sense, 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:03.059 is pointing out here 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:04.379 that fathers 00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:05.500 don't provoke 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.480 your children to anger. 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.579 You need to control 00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:08.139 your anger. 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:10.140 James 1.20 says, 00:19:10.300 --> 00:19:11.320 For the anger of man 00:19:11.320 --> 00:19:12.540 does not produce 00:19:12.540 --> 00:19:13.840 the righteousness of God. 00:19:15.800 --> 00:19:16.780 Over our years 00:19:16.780 --> 00:19:17.920 of raising kids, 00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:19.340 this has been a great verse 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:20.500 for Cheryl and I to use. 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:23.480 Not just me, 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.640 for her 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:26.080 in raising kids, 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:27.800 in every aspect of life. 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.680 Because you can take that verse 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.740 and put your name in it. 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.640 It says, 00:19:31.800 --> 00:19:32.740 For the anger of man 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.440 does not produce 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:34.620 the righteousness of God. 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.380 But you can put in, 00:19:35.780 --> 00:19:36.780 For the anger of Matt 00:19:36.780 --> 00:19:37.540 does not produce 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:39.039 the righteousness of God. 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:41.559 The anger of mom 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.579 does not produce 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:43.680 the righteousness of God. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:47.460 The fit of anger of dad 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.559 will never produce 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:49.659 the righteousness of God. 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.119 If you're trying 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:51.220 to raise your kid 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:53.279 to love and obey God, 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:54.639 it's never going to happen 00:19:54.639 --> 00:19:55.579 if you're using 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.659 your wrath, 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.319 your madness 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.420 to make it come about. 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.980 It will never produce 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:01.079 the righteousness of God. 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.920 That's James 1.20. 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:04.000 So if you're taking notes, 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.819 you can write that down. 00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:05.879 That'll be real helpful 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:07.980 now and for years to come. 00:20:09.820 --> 00:20:11.000 So parenting with anger 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:13.200 leads to frustration 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:14.940 and discouragement 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:16.180 on your child's part. 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:18.440 Colossians 3.21 says, 00:20:18.600 --> 00:20:18.880 Fathers, 00:20:19.520 --> 00:20:21.140 do not provoke your children 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:23.320 lest they become discouraged. 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:27.560 It also leads to more anger. 00:20:28.040 --> 00:20:29.560 Proverbs 15.18 says, 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.900 A hot-tempered man 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:32.040 stirs up strife, 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:34.099 and he who is slow to anger 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:35.159 quiets contention. 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:37.240 So anger is only going to lead 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:37.980 to more anger. 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.720 It's not going to lead 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:40.519 to the righteousness of God. 00:20:40.639 --> 00:20:41.279 It's not going to lead 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.139 to contentment 00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:44.639 or anything like that. 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:45.980 One of the problems 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:47.200 with anger is 00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:49.539 anger is like a cannibal 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:51.099 in that it's going to eat 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:52.700 all the other emotions up. 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.799 So a child taught 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:56.740 by an angry or violent father 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:58.220 usually will pass that down 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.019 to their child. 00:20:59.019 --> 00:21:00.720 And as anger is allowed 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.000 to remain, it grows, 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.039 and it becomes 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:04.119 the dominant trait 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:05.220 of all the other traits 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.200 that that child 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:07.200 might have had before. 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.779 If you think of kindness 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.779 or tenderness, 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:11.259 thoughtfulness, forgiveness, 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:13.960 where is the place of those 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:15.400 when anger is in control? 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.240 They don't fit. 00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:18.379 You can't be thoughtful 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.579 while you're being angry. 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.420 You can't forget 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:21.200 while you're angry. 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.879 So we see that 00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:24.660 those don't go together. 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.799 So the more anger 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:27.500 is allowed to grow, 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:30.220 the other ones will die off. 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.700 And those are traits 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.559 that we as Christians 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.619 are trying to develop. 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:35.099 So Paul's warning us 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:36.859 against parenting with anger 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.640 because it teaches 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.299 the opposite 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:40.059 of what God wants us to learn. 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:42.079 It also paints a picture 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:43.559 of a father 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.339 who's not like 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:45.119 your heavenly father. 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:48.660 Psalms 86, 15 says, 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.500 But you, O Lord, 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:50.740 are a God merciful 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:53.599 and gracious, 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:54.880 slow to anger, 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:55.920 and abounding 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:57.120 in steadfast love 00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:58.020 and faithfulness. 00:21:58.620 --> 00:21:59.920 So an angry father 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.440 on earth 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:01.640 does not give his child 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:02.440 a picture 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.680 in any way 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.640 of what a loving father 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:05.600 in heaven is like, 00:22:05.820 --> 00:22:07.040 which is what we want to do. 00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:08.120 We want to give that example 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:08.660 to them 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:10.080 of what a loving father 00:22:10.080 --> 00:22:10.740 looks like. 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:12.960 And as I go through this, 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.480 I understand 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.700 that there are 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.420 different families 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:16.480 and different situations 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:18.180 where a mother and father 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:19.360 might not be in place, 00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:20.940 in which case 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:22.440 the mother takes that role. 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:24.160 There may not be a mother 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:24.740 and the father 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.620 takes that role. 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:29.279 And mothers 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.580 can be 00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:31.799 that example 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.940 of a heavenly father 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.460 even though 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.539 there isn't a father there. 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:36.340 So when they come up, 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.259 just keep that in mind 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:41.620 that this still pertains 00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:41.960 to you, 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:43.539 that God still loves 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:45.320 you and where you are. 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.740 And if you don't have 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.880 a perfect situation, 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:49.600 if your children 00:22:49.600 --> 00:22:50.120 are older 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:50.860 and run away, 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.959 you don't have children 00:22:51.959 --> 00:22:53.419 or you don't have a spouse 00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:54.279 or you're divorced, 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:56.059 God doesn't expect you 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:57.539 to perfect yourself 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.539 and get yourself 00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.219 in the right place 00:22:59.219 --> 00:23:00.279 before he can love you 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.939 and work with you. 00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:01.879 He works with you 00:23:01.879 --> 00:23:02.599 where you are. 00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:08.299 So like anger, 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.619 being too restrictive 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.979 or having boundaries 00:23:10.979 --> 00:23:11.659 that are too small 00:23:11.659 --> 00:23:12.879 can also lead to this 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:14.759 causing our children 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.339 to provoke them 00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:16.899 to wrath. 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:19.340 And what I mean 00:23:19.340 --> 00:23:20.580 by that really is 00:23:20.580 --> 00:23:21.480 if you're parenting 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:23.100 with an iron fist, 00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:23.740 if you're locking 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:25.060 your kids in too tight 00:23:25.060 --> 00:23:26.780 and there really isn't 00:23:26.780 --> 00:23:27.560 a lot of reason 00:23:27.560 --> 00:23:28.600 for what you're doing 00:23:28.600 --> 00:23:29.780 about that 00:23:29.780 --> 00:23:32.320 or why you are doing that. 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:37.660 So like anger, 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:39.100 the child feels like 00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:40.280 there's no way out, 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:42.060 like they can't be good enough 00:23:42.060 --> 00:23:43.940 for what's happening. 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:47.720 And if we parent this way, 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.539 it's really opposite 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:50.940 of how God teaches us 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:52.200 because God is not oppressive. 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:54.440 God does not command us 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.259 to do things 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:57.380 that we are incapable of doing. 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.220 Instead, 00:23:58.519 --> 00:24:00.539 he lays down for us. 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.720 He submits to us, 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.460 Jesus Christ, 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:04.320 who died out of love for us. 00:24:04.340 --> 00:24:05.039 And that's the picture 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.660 that we have. 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:09.380 So we need to get rid of anger 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:10.059 in our parenting. 00:24:10.860 --> 00:24:12.500 As for rules and restrictions, 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:14.779 that they are necessary. 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:15.819 We're raising kids 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.700 they don't know. 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:18.099 This is why they are 00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:19.640 put under our authority. 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:20.640 But, 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.519 and I'm not going to give you 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.660 a list of all 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:25.759 of the rules and restrictions 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.319 you should have 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:26.819 on your child 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:27.640 because it's going to change. 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:28.279 It's going to change 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:29.819 based on family, 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.660 on situation, 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.960 and on child. 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:33.119 Every child is different. 00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:34.960 But restrictions 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:36.700 are good and necessary. 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:38.400 So you need to think about them. 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.160 You need to pray about them. 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.079 Seek God's word. 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.839 And you need to lay them out 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:43.500 and explain it to your child. 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.419 You don't always have 00:24:44.419 --> 00:24:45.480 the opportunity to tell them 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.519 why you're telling them no. 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.019 They need to, 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:48.519 they need to obey 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.539 when they're told to obey. 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.699 But in general, 00:24:50.699 --> 00:24:52.000 you need to explain to them 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.779 why you, 00:24:52.919 --> 00:24:54.159 why you're doing certain things, 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.839 why they can't do certain things. 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.839 And this leads to the second part. 00:24:58.919 --> 00:24:59.899 That was all under the 00:24:59.899 --> 00:25:00.599 don't do this. 00:25:00.659 --> 00:25:01.619 This is under the do. 00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:03.099 We want to bring them up 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.919 in the discipline 00:25:03.919 --> 00:25:05.579 and instruction of the Lord. 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:07.379 This is discipline 00:25:07.379 --> 00:25:09.199 that is tempered with love. 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:10.700 It's knowing what's best 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:12.500 and knowing that it may not 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.920 always be what the child 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.940 wants at the time. 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:15.940 And really, 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.559 if we look at it, 00:25:16.580 --> 00:25:17.519 this is similar to 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:21.100 how God is to us, right? 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.360 There's things that we want. 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.620 God knows what's best 00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:24.740 and we don't always get it. 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:27.240 And we have to understand 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.340 that he's God, 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:28.779 we're not. 00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:29.660 He knows what's best 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.200 and we don't 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:31.180 and we're okay with that. 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.500 Hebrews 12, 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.360 5 through 11 says this, 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:36.879 My son, 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.479 do not regard lightly 00:25:38.479 --> 00:25:40.139 the discipline of the Lord, 00:25:40.199 --> 00:25:41.059 nor be weary 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:43.019 when reproved by him. 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:44.319 For the Lord disciplines 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:45.559 the one he loves 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:47.479 and chastises every son 00:25:47.479 --> 00:25:48.719 whom he receives. 00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:52.399 For it is for discipline 00:25:52.399 --> 00:25:53.859 that you may have to endure. 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.579 God is treating you as sons. 00:25:55.699 --> 00:25:57.139 For what son is there 00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:57.759 whom the father 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.659 does not discipline? 00:25:59.199 --> 00:25:59.939 If you are left 00:25:59.939 --> 00:26:00.759 without discipline 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:02.359 in which all have participated, 00:26:03.179 --> 00:26:05.159 then you are illegitimate children 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:06.120 and not sons. 00:26:06.840 --> 00:26:07.620 Besides this, 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:09.180 we have had earthly fathers 00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:10.200 who disciplined us 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.320 and we respected them. 00:26:11.580 --> 00:26:12.660 Shall we not much more 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:13.820 be subject to the father 00:26:13.820 --> 00:26:14.900 of spirits and live? 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:17.100 For they disciplined us 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:17.980 for a short time 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:19.660 as it seemed best to them. 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.560 But he disciplines us 00:26:21.560 --> 00:26:22.200 for our good 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:23.200 that we may share 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.880 his holiness. 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.580 For the moment, 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:27.180 all discipline seems painful 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:28.220 rather than pleasant. 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.380 But later, 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:31.220 it yields the peaceful fruit 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:31.920 of righteousness 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:33.580 to those who have been 00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:34.460 trained by it. 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:37.240 It's teaching and correcting 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:39.279 according to God's plan, 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:40.600 according to God's word. 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:44.240 The same way we are learning 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.380 to live as Christians 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:46.460 from his word 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.640 with his strength 00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:48.200 and through prayer, 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.400 we begin teaching that 00:26:49.400 --> 00:26:50.120 to our children. 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.460 So that's what it means 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.820 to raise them up 00:26:52.820 --> 00:26:54.120 in the discipline 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:55.380 and the instruction 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.220 of the Lord. 00:26:57.320 --> 00:26:58.700 It's starting with that 00:26:58.700 --> 00:27:00.540 cute little adorable, 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.440 precious, 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:04.519 selfish little sinner 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:07.059 and it's teaching them 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:08.019 about who God is. 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:11.299 This starts by pointing 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.840 to the most important thing 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:14.900 and that is that we realize 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:16.080 that there's a God 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:16.840 who loved us. 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.140 There's a God 00:27:18.140 --> 00:27:20.120 who sent his son Jesus 00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:21.120 to die for us 00:27:21.120 --> 00:27:22.600 in our place 00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:23.759 because we couldn't do it. 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.480 We couldn't have 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.840 a relationship with God 00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:27.660 until Jesus died for us 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:28.600 to cover up the sins 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.879 that was the barrier 00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:31.119 between us and God. 00:27:31.459 --> 00:27:32.379 That was done 00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:33.379 and we get to know God. 00:27:33.459 --> 00:27:33.879 We get to have 00:27:33.879 --> 00:27:35.159 a relationship with him 00:27:35.159 --> 00:27:36.559 and we get to spend 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.599 eternity with him. 00:27:37.959 --> 00:27:38.959 That's the foundation 00:27:38.959 --> 00:27:39.959 of what we're trying 00:27:39.959 --> 00:27:41.059 to teach to our kids. 00:27:41.679 --> 00:27:42.799 Without that foundation, 00:27:43.159 --> 00:27:44.059 everything falls apart. 00:27:44.219 --> 00:27:45.759 Everything will leave 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.439 them empty 00:27:46.439 --> 00:27:48.199 if you leave God 00:27:48.199 --> 00:27:49.399 and eternal life 00:27:49.399 --> 00:27:50.299 out of the question. 00:27:52.419 --> 00:27:53.419 Without telling them 00:27:53.419 --> 00:27:53.919 there's a God 00:27:53.919 --> 00:27:55.219 that created and loved them, 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.679 there isn't any lasting hope. 00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:59.519 So if you don't know God, 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:01.200 you're not going to be able 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:02.299 to teach your kids 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:03.560 what it is to know God. 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.799 So I would encourage you 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.539 if you're struggling 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.200 with that, 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.400 if you're struggling 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.799 with whether you are saved 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.460 or not saved, 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.279 who God is 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:11.180 and if he loves you, 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:12.580 then I would suggest 00:28:12.580 --> 00:28:13.160 that you come 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:15.039 and talk with one of us. 00:28:15.120 --> 00:28:15.640 Talk to Sean. 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.460 Talk to myself. 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:18.039 Come up and have prayer. 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:19.680 Spend time seeking the word 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:21.279 and just seeking God 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.560 to show himself to you 00:28:22.560 --> 00:28:24.880 because you can't lead someone 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.779 down a path 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.660 that you've never been. 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.899 Our next section 00:28:29.899 --> 00:28:31.319 is on servants 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:32.440 or bond servants. 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:34.220 This is verses 5 through 8. 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.519 Bond servants, 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.960 obey your earthly masters 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.099 with fear and trembling, 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.680 with a sincere heart 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:40.859 as you would Christ, 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.740 not by the way of eye service 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.059 as people pleasers, 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:46.019 but as bond servants of Christ, 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:47.240 doing the will of God 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:47.940 from the heart, 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:49.639 rendering service 00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:50.639 with a good will 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:51.339 as to the Lord 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.139 and not to man, 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.599 knowing that whatever good 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.480 anyone does, 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.819 this he will receive back 00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:56.459 from the Lord, 00:28:56.919 --> 00:28:58.219 whether he is a bond servant 00:28:58.219 --> 00:28:59.719 or whether he is free. 00:29:00.959 --> 00:29:02.759 In the time around 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:04.519 where Ephesians was written, 00:29:05.219 --> 00:29:09.459 slavery was a normal part of life. 00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:10.679 There was somewhere between 00:29:10.679 --> 00:29:12.279 a fourth and a third 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:14.399 of the population of Ephesus 00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:17.279 was made up of servants. 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:20.720 So if their estimated population 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:23.000 was about 250,000 people, 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.379 then it would be safe to say 00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:26.259 that 60,000 plus of those 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.059 would be slaves. 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:29.539 So it makes up a large group 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:31.399 of the existence. 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:33.039 It became a normal part 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:34.079 of everyday life 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:35.740 for the people of Ephesus. 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:37.099 And for that reason, 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:38.899 we find it quite fitting 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:40.619 that Paul is talking to us here 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:43.200 about servants and masters 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.559 in this section. 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:46.899 Immediately, 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:47.779 you might be thinking, 00:29:47.899 --> 00:29:48.059 well, 00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:49.539 I think Paul should be preaching 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:50.519 against slavery 00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:52.839 and against the system 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:54.500 that is allowing it to continue. 00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:56.899 And that might be true 00:29:56.899 --> 00:29:57.700 to an extent. 00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:59.659 God did create people equal 00:29:59.659 --> 00:30:01.519 and slavery was wrong. 00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:03.839 And that's true 00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:04.519 and that's right. 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.659 But there's a couple things 00:30:05.659 --> 00:30:06.500 to keep in mind. 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.379 First is that 00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:10.159 in the society 00:30:10.159 --> 00:30:11.659 that Paul finds himself, 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:14.400 slavery and ownership 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:15.860 of humans 00:30:15.860 --> 00:30:17.120 was legal and accepted. 00:30:17.380 --> 00:30:18.560 So it wasn't that 00:30:18.560 --> 00:30:19.820 it was an illegal thing 00:30:19.820 --> 00:30:20.960 that he would be 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:22.000 stepping in to stop, 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:23.759 but it was normal 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.480 and accepted. 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.300 Secondly, 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:27.500 and probably most importantly, 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.580 is that God did not 00:30:28.580 --> 00:30:29.460 choose Paul 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.400 to end slavery. 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:33.019 Fighting to end slavery 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:34.300 would be a noble task, 00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:36.259 but God called Paul 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:37.240 to preach the gospel. 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.620 He called him 00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:39.440 to bring the good news 00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:41.220 of salvation to Gentiles, 00:30:41.620 --> 00:30:41.820 right, 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:42.620 to start churches, 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.980 to preach the word of God, 00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:45.279 to make disciples, 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:46.640 to encourage Christians 00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:48.299 to live for the glory of Christ. 00:30:48.380 --> 00:30:49.059 That's why he wrote 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:50.640 this book for us. 00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:52.360 That's what Paul's mission was. 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.559 It wasn't to end slavery. 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.299 It's also helpful 00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:57.140 to keep in mind 00:30:57.140 --> 00:30:59.539 that as Christianity grows, 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.600 slavery doesn't find 00:31:01.600 --> 00:31:02.460 its place. 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.440 As people grow 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.420 in their knowledge of Christ 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:06.180 and how they should live 00:31:06.180 --> 00:31:06.700 for Christ, 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:08.460 it starts to become obvious 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:10.400 that slavery has no place. 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:11.779 So, 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.340 and we could also see 00:31:13.340 --> 00:31:14.579 that from Ephesus 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:16.660 is as Christianity grew, 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:18.240 the rights of slaves 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.160 and how they were treated 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:20.140 also improved, 00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:21.680 even to the point 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:22.400 where they were able 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:23.559 to buy their own freedom 00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:26.340 and to own businesses 00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:28.519 so they were no longer 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.779 slaves anymore. 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.059 So, 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:33.500 Paul's speaking to slaves 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.680 in his time. 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.660 He's also talking to us 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.360 in our time. 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.299 So, 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.759 you might be thinking, 00:31:38.899 --> 00:31:38.939 well, 00:31:38.979 --> 00:31:39.619 I'm not a slave. 00:31:39.719 --> 00:31:40.939 That doesn't seem to apply. 00:31:41.479 --> 00:31:42.139 And that's true. 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:42.539 We're not. 00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:43.519 But the work ethic 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:45.339 that Paul is laying out here 00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:47.579 is the same work ethic 00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:48.719 that applies to us, 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:49.379 right? 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:50.919 We get paid by someone 00:31:50.919 --> 00:31:52.419 because we do work 00:31:52.419 --> 00:31:52.979 for someone. 00:31:53.979 --> 00:31:54.299 Yesterday, 00:31:54.459 --> 00:31:55.119 I was thankful 00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:56.619 to be able 00:31:56.619 --> 00:31:57.419 to go to 00:31:57.419 --> 00:31:58.799 a hair-cuttering place 00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.639 and get my hair cut. 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:01.920 it was looking pretty bad 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:03.460 and I was thankful 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.380 for someone to do that 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:05.560 because I can't do it myself. 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.440 But for a time, 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:09.180 I paid the lady money 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:10.700 and she became a servant 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.620 to me in the area 00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:12.540 of cutting my hair. 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.840 And that's normal. 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.440 That happens 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:15.820 all throughout life. 00:32:17.100 --> 00:32:18.440 God calls us to work, 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.740 whether it be at home 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.480 or outside. 00:32:21.040 --> 00:32:22.140 And while working 00:32:22.140 --> 00:32:22.759 for someone, 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.620 we come under 00:32:23.620 --> 00:32:24.200 their leadership. 00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:25.319 We become under 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.240 their ownership 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:27.000 for a time 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:28.259 and we do that 00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:29.460 with godly obedience. 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:29.840 Why? 00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:31.000 Because regardless 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:32.319 of whoever we work for, 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:33.140 whoever the person 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:34.440 or company that we work for, 00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.700 whoever signs our checks 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.580 that gives us the money, 00:32:37.140 --> 00:32:37.559 ultimately, 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.580 we're working for God, 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:40.299 not just that person. 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:41.860 That's just the first layer 00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:42.220 of that. 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:43.640 So as we look 00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:44.120 at these verses, 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:45.519 notice the number of times 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.340 that our working 00:32:46.340 --> 00:32:48.539 is connected back to God. 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.779 Verse 5, 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:51.860 obey your earthly masters 00:32:51.860 --> 00:32:53.920 as you would Christ. 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.940 Verse 6, 00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:56.940 as bondservants of Christ, 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.160 doing the will of God 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:58.819 from the heart. 00:32:59.160 --> 00:32:59.840 Verse 7, 00:33:00.600 --> 00:33:01.440 rendering service 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:02.259 with a good will 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.080 as to the Lord. 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.380 Verse 8, 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:05.779 whatever good anyone does, 00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:06.759 this he will receive 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.819 back from the Lord. 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.360 As we work 00:33:09.360 --> 00:33:09.900 and fulfill 00:33:09.900 --> 00:33:11.420 our earthly obligations, 00:33:12.080 --> 00:33:12.960 it's actually a service 00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:14.080 we're doing for the Lord. 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:15.220 This is what he calls, 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:15.880 this is a good 00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:16.880 and right thing to do. 00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:20.180 Verse 5, 00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:21.680 obey your earthly parents 00:33:21.680 --> 00:33:22.220 with fear 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:24.080 or your earthly masters 00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:25.039 with fear and trembling 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:27.319 with a sincere heart 00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:28.399 as you would Christ. 00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:30.399 We are to work 00:33:30.399 --> 00:33:31.500 for employers. 00:33:32.159 --> 00:33:33.460 We do our job 00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:34.439 as if we're doing them 00:33:34.439 --> 00:33:35.319 for Christ himself 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:36.480 because he's called us 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:37.399 to that job. 00:33:39.639 --> 00:33:41.179 And while there's nothing wrong 00:33:41.179 --> 00:33:42.539 with getting praise 00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:44.259 for doing something, 00:33:44.639 --> 00:33:46.319 that isn't what we want 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:47.339 to be working for, 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.039 right? 00:33:48.099 --> 00:33:49.000 We want to be, 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:50.259 we don't want that 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:51.380 to be the driving force 00:33:51.380 --> 00:33:52.900 behind what we're working for. 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:53.640 That should be 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:54.579 to please Christ 00:33:54.579 --> 00:33:55.220 in our work. 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:57.079 He's the one 00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:57.680 that saved us. 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.099 He's the one 00:33:58.099 --> 00:33:58.799 that's placed us 00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.339 in that job. 00:33:59.579 --> 00:34:00.180 He's the one 00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:01.460 that we're working for. 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:06.339 So in verse 6, 00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:08.900 not by way of eye service 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:10.059 as people pleasers, 00:34:10.259 --> 00:34:11.500 but as bondservants 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:12.079 of Christ 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:13.420 doing the will of God. 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:15.519 Don't work for the purpose 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.259 of looking good 00:34:16.259 --> 00:34:17.239 to please people, 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:19.099 to get personal recognition. 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:21.159 We work out of a desire 00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:22.239 to please Christ. 00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:26.719 If we work for making 00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:27.779 ourselves look good, 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:29.440 what happens is 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.759 we get pulled into 00:34:30.759 --> 00:34:31.739 a number of sins 00:34:31.739 --> 00:34:32.659 that pull us away 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.239 from God. 00:34:33.239 --> 00:34:34.559 So if we think about 00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:35.859 working for yourself, 00:34:36.459 --> 00:34:38.479 you start to pull in pride 00:34:38.479 --> 00:34:39.699 and self-centeredness. 00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:41.419 Could be deceit. 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:42.339 Could be lying 00:34:42.339 --> 00:34:43.599 as you try to get your way 00:34:43.599 --> 00:34:44.179 in the workplace 00:34:44.179 --> 00:34:46.419 and make yourself look good 00:34:46.419 --> 00:34:47.579 maybe when you messed up 00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:48.339 and you don't want 00:34:48.339 --> 00:34:48.919 to get blamed. 00:34:50.379 --> 00:34:51.679 Those should not be 00:34:51.679 --> 00:34:52.839 characteristics of how 00:34:52.839 --> 00:34:53.879 we work for the Lord. 00:34:54.399 --> 00:34:55.279 But if we're working 00:34:55.279 --> 00:34:55.759 for the purpose 00:34:55.759 --> 00:34:56.739 of pleasing Christ, 00:34:56.899 --> 00:34:58.479 it helps us avoid 00:34:58.479 --> 00:34:59.219 those things 00:34:59.219 --> 00:35:00.919 because we put on traits 00:35:00.919 --> 00:35:02.159 like kindness to others 00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:03.460 and thoughtfulness, 00:35:03.599 --> 00:35:04.539 honesty, integrity. 00:35:04.879 --> 00:35:06.099 Those things should describe 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:06.759 how we work 00:35:06.759 --> 00:35:08.000 and by working that way, 00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:09.779 we avoid the sins 00:35:09.779 --> 00:35:11.239 that will pull us away 00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:12.960 from being a child of Christ. 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:16.739 I think of an example 00:35:16.739 --> 00:35:18.940 of particle board. 00:35:19.159 --> 00:35:19.739 Does everybody know 00:35:19.739 --> 00:35:20.659 what particle board is? 00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:21.920 If you've bought 00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:25.000 nice wood-looking furniture 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:26.659 for a fairly cheap price, 00:35:26.819 --> 00:35:27.980 it's probably made 00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:28.899 of particle board. 00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:31.880 wood chips, 00:35:32.240 --> 00:35:33.680 shaving stuff 00:35:33.680 --> 00:35:34.920 that they've pulled together 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:36.960 and they put some glue, 00:35:37.099 --> 00:35:37.920 some adhesive to it 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.880 and they heat it 00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:39.680 and squish it together 00:35:39.680 --> 00:35:40.599 and put it in the shape 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.139 that they want. 00:35:41.780 --> 00:35:43.119 And it's strong. 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:45.019 They can make it look like wood, 00:35:45.300 --> 00:35:46.400 but it's not wood. 00:35:47.400 --> 00:35:48.420 If you ever chip 00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:50.639 the corner of your furniture, 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:52.340 it doesn't chip like wood does. 00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:53.360 It starts to look bad 00:35:53.360 --> 00:35:53.980 and come apart. 00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:56.300 And I think the biggest thing 00:35:56.300 --> 00:35:58.400 is if it gets a little bit wet, 00:35:58.880 --> 00:35:59.440 you might as well 00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.139 throw it away. 00:36:00.659 --> 00:36:01.000 You know, 00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:01.659 I could leave 00:36:01.659 --> 00:36:02.960 a nice piece of wood 00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:03.820 out in the rain, 00:36:04.099 --> 00:36:04.559 bring it in, 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:05.099 and wipe it off. 00:36:05.139 --> 00:36:05.559 It'd be okay. 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:06.320 If I did that 00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:07.820 with particle board, 00:36:08.199 --> 00:36:08.699 I might as well 00:36:08.699 --> 00:36:09.619 just take it to the dump. 00:36:09.679 --> 00:36:10.440 It's just going to start 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:11.179 to fall apart 00:36:11.179 --> 00:36:12.280 and it'll be useless. 00:36:12.880 --> 00:36:13.699 This is the same 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:15.800 with our working for Christ. 00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:16.840 It should be something 00:36:16.840 --> 00:36:17.920 we're doing from the heart 00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:19.300 and not just for the outside 00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:20.320 so that we look good. 00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:22.340 And this thought 00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:24.120 continues on into verse 7 00:36:24.120 --> 00:36:24.720 as it says, 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:25.740 rendering service 00:36:25.740 --> 00:36:27.039 with a goodwill 00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:27.960 as to the Lord 00:36:27.960 --> 00:36:29.140 and not to man. 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:32.740 If we were to reword that, 00:36:33.460 --> 00:36:34.140 change the words 00:36:34.140 --> 00:36:35.559 a little bit of that verse, 00:36:35.640 --> 00:36:37.680 it would be obeying 00:36:37.680 --> 00:36:39.300 or being devoted to 00:36:39.300 --> 00:36:40.760 with kindness 00:36:40.760 --> 00:36:42.120 and enthusiasm 00:36:42.120 --> 00:36:44.380 as to the Lord 00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:45.200 and not to man. 00:36:46.100 --> 00:36:47.980 So we are to be obeying 00:36:47.980 --> 00:36:49.820 and we are to be devoted 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:50.580 to our job 00:36:50.580 --> 00:36:51.340 and doing it 00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:53.580 in a Christ-like way, 00:36:53.720 --> 00:36:55.039 in an enthusiastic way 00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:56.400 because we're doing it 00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:57.019 not to man 00:36:57.019 --> 00:36:57.780 but to the Lord. 00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:00.400 And then in verse 8, 00:37:00.780 --> 00:37:01.720 knowing that whatever good 00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:02.519 anyone does, 00:37:02.720 --> 00:37:03.680 this he will receive 00:37:03.680 --> 00:37:04.760 back from the Lord, 00:37:05.100 --> 00:37:06.400 whether he is a bondservant 00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:07.780 or he is free. 00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:10.280 We should serve 00:37:10.280 --> 00:37:11.720 with good actions 00:37:11.720 --> 00:37:13.059 coming from a good heart. 00:37:14.860 --> 00:37:16.440 Those who bless others 00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:17.340 will be blessed 00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:18.019 by the Lord. 00:37:18.019 --> 00:37:21.179 Colossians 3.24 says, 00:37:21.280 --> 00:37:22.360 knowing that from the Lord 00:37:22.360 --> 00:37:23.679 you will receive 00:37:23.679 --> 00:37:24.400 the inheritance 00:37:24.400 --> 00:37:25.559 as your reward. 00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:26.719 You are serving 00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:28.039 the Lord Christ. 00:37:29.539 --> 00:37:30.480 So Christian workers 00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:31.280 are to demonstrate 00:37:31.280 --> 00:37:32.159 by their example 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:34.179 what love and submission 00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:35.719 according to God 00:37:35.719 --> 00:37:36.300 looks like. 00:37:36.420 --> 00:37:37.300 And that's really the theme 00:37:37.300 --> 00:37:38.159 that I'm trying to press 00:37:38.159 --> 00:37:39.179 in each one of these areas. 00:37:39.699 --> 00:37:41.579 It's how we demonstrate 00:37:41.579 --> 00:37:43.559 what God calls us to 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:44.739 in the areas of love 00:37:44.739 --> 00:37:45.340 and submission 00:37:45.340 --> 00:37:46.760 and what that means. 00:37:47.880 --> 00:37:49.100 The next section 00:37:49.100 --> 00:37:51.160 starting in verse 9 00:37:51.160 --> 00:37:52.519 is about masters. 00:37:53.620 --> 00:37:54.079 Christians 00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:56.039 at that time 00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:57.220 who had slaves 00:37:57.220 --> 00:37:57.920 like Philemon 00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:59.780 he owned a slave. 00:38:00.300 --> 00:38:00.980 They were charged 00:38:00.980 --> 00:38:02.320 to treat their servants 00:38:02.320 --> 00:38:04.880 or they're charged 00:38:04.880 --> 00:38:05.680 to treat their servants 00:38:05.680 --> 00:38:06.640 different than 00:38:06.640 --> 00:38:08.100 how the rest of society 00:38:08.100 --> 00:38:08.800 treated them. 00:38:09.300 --> 00:38:10.079 They weren't called 00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:11.319 to be overbearing 00:38:11.319 --> 00:38:13.139 and violent 00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:13.980 or mean 00:38:13.980 --> 00:38:17.039 or fill in the blank. 00:38:17.119 --> 00:38:17.699 I'm sure there was 00:38:17.699 --> 00:38:21.480 a lot of things 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.299 that were just done 00:38:22.299 --> 00:38:22.840 overboard 00:38:22.840 --> 00:38:23.539 in the area 00:38:23.539 --> 00:38:24.699 of slaves 00:38:24.699 --> 00:38:25.440 and ownership 00:38:25.440 --> 00:38:27.239 or slave and ownership. 00:38:28.099 --> 00:38:30.059 But here in this case 00:38:30.059 --> 00:38:30.920 in this passage 00:38:30.920 --> 00:38:32.719 Paul is calling them 00:38:32.719 --> 00:38:34.579 to act differently. 00:38:34.819 --> 00:38:36.019 Stop threatening them. 00:38:36.860 --> 00:38:39.699 He's telling them 00:38:39.699 --> 00:38:40.539 to treat them 00:38:40.539 --> 00:38:42.119 just like they were told 00:38:42.119 --> 00:38:43.119 to treat their masters. 00:38:45.619 --> 00:38:47.340 So the same principles 00:38:47.340 --> 00:38:48.639 that we just talked about 00:38:48.639 --> 00:38:51.139 with fear and trembling 00:38:51.139 --> 00:38:52.079 serve them 00:38:52.079 --> 00:38:53.079 with a sincere heart 00:38:53.079 --> 00:38:54.519 not with eye service 00:38:54.519 --> 00:38:55.739 with a good will 00:38:55.739 --> 00:38:56.380 as to the Lord 00:38:56.380 --> 00:38:57.039 not to man 00:38:57.039 --> 00:38:58.000 knowing that whatever 00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:59.380 good anyone does 00:38:59.380 --> 00:39:00.099 he will receive 00:39:00.099 --> 00:39:00.659 from the Lord. 00:39:01.119 --> 00:39:02.460 Do all these things 00:39:02.460 --> 00:39:03.599 just like I'm calling 00:39:03.599 --> 00:39:04.539 them to do to you. 00:39:04.960 --> 00:39:05.920 Oh and add to that 00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:07.240 knock off your threatening 00:39:07.240 --> 00:39:08.500 because it's not 00:39:08.500 --> 00:39:09.159 Christ honoring. 00:39:10.599 --> 00:39:11.380 And remember 00:39:11.380 --> 00:39:12.260 that God is no 00:39:12.260 --> 00:39:13.220 respecter of persons 00:39:13.220 --> 00:39:13.860 so if you think 00:39:13.860 --> 00:39:14.220 that you're going 00:39:14.220 --> 00:39:14.680 to come and say 00:39:14.680 --> 00:39:15.860 well he's my slave 00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:16.420 I'm his master 00:39:16.420 --> 00:39:17.099 I can do that. 00:39:17.400 --> 00:39:17.960 Paul says no 00:39:17.960 --> 00:39:20.200 God is an impartial judge. 00:39:20.880 --> 00:39:21.760 So it doesn't matter 00:39:21.760 --> 00:39:22.579 if you're a slave 00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:24.720 or a master 00:39:24.720 --> 00:39:25.500 if you're a worker 00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:26.440 or a boss 00:39:26.440 --> 00:39:28.159 a male or female 00:39:28.159 --> 00:39:30.539 poor or rich 00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:32.019 it doesn't make 00:39:32.019 --> 00:39:32.500 any difference 00:39:32.500 --> 00:39:33.380 in the eyes of God. 00:39:33.880 --> 00:39:34.820 He rules over them 00:39:34.820 --> 00:39:36.500 equally 00:39:36.500 --> 00:39:37.780 and he requires 00:39:37.780 --> 00:39:38.180 of them 00:39:38.180 --> 00:39:39.220 the same obedience. 00:39:40.780 --> 00:39:42.300 So by their example 00:39:42.300 --> 00:39:43.360 masters 00:39:43.360 --> 00:39:44.460 or in our case 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.400 employers 00:39:45.400 --> 00:39:46.140 or owners 00:39:46.140 --> 00:39:46.800 of companies 00:39:46.800 --> 00:39:48.380 they can demonstrate 00:39:48.380 --> 00:39:49.280 how God 00:39:49.280 --> 00:39:50.000 our master 00:39:50.000 --> 00:39:50.680 in heaven 00:39:50.680 --> 00:39:51.559 rules over us 00:39:51.559 --> 00:39:52.140 and that is with 00:39:52.140 --> 00:39:52.600 patience 00:39:52.600 --> 00:39:53.539 and forgiveness. 00:39:54.200 --> 00:39:54.480 So if you're 00:39:54.480 --> 00:39:55.019 a Christian 00:39:55.019 --> 00:39:55.940 master 00:39:55.940 --> 00:39:56.680 if you're a Christian 00:39:56.680 --> 00:39:57.140 owner 00:39:57.140 --> 00:39:58.620 or manager 00:39:58.620 --> 00:39:59.880 and there's people 00:39:59.880 --> 00:40:00.640 that are under you 00:40:00.640 --> 00:40:01.220 you're called 00:40:01.220 --> 00:40:02.120 to treat them 00:40:02.119 --> 00:40:03.279 the same way. 00:40:10.179 --> 00:40:10.659 So 00:40:10.659 --> 00:40:13.339 what's the point 00:40:13.339 --> 00:40:14.920 of all that? 00:40:15.059 --> 00:40:15.900 In case you missed 00:40:15.900 --> 00:40:16.559 some of it 00:40:16.559 --> 00:40:17.859 in case it still 00:40:17.859 --> 00:40:18.319 didn't like 00:40:18.319 --> 00:40:19.019 okay that's great 00:40:19.019 --> 00:40:19.719 all that sounds good 00:40:19.719 --> 00:40:20.319 but what do I do 00:40:20.319 --> 00:40:20.719 with it? 00:40:21.099 --> 00:40:21.960 What's the point 00:40:21.960 --> 00:40:22.759 of that passage? 00:40:22.859 --> 00:40:23.339 What's the point 00:40:23.339 --> 00:40:23.839 of our passage 00:40:23.839 --> 00:40:24.460 last week 00:40:24.460 --> 00:40:24.739 when we were 00:40:24.739 --> 00:40:25.759 talking about marriage? 00:40:26.500 --> 00:40:27.519 How does it fit 00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:28.440 into Ephesians? 00:40:28.579 --> 00:40:29.299 Again Ephesians 00:40:29.300 --> 00:40:29.800 is about 00:40:29.800 --> 00:40:30.800 our identity 00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:31.400 in Christ 00:40:31.400 --> 00:40:31.860 who we are 00:40:31.860 --> 00:40:32.380 in Christ 00:40:32.380 --> 00:40:33.260 our identity 00:40:33.260 --> 00:40:34.000 in everything else 00:40:34.000 --> 00:40:34.620 is going to fail 00:40:34.620 --> 00:40:35.180 our identity 00:40:35.180 --> 00:40:36.500 in our job 00:40:36.500 --> 00:40:37.700 in our kids 00:40:37.700 --> 00:40:38.460 in our workplace 00:40:38.460 --> 00:40:39.039 in our money 00:40:39.039 --> 00:40:39.940 all that is going 00:40:39.940 --> 00:40:41.300 to fail at some point 00:40:41.300 --> 00:40:42.360 so if you have 00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:42.860 your identity 00:40:42.860 --> 00:40:43.480 in there 00:40:43.480 --> 00:40:44.360 then it's going 00:40:44.360 --> 00:40:44.840 to let you down 00:40:44.840 --> 00:40:45.440 at some point 00:40:45.440 --> 00:40:46.100 if your identity 00:40:46.100 --> 00:40:46.980 is in Christ 00:40:46.980 --> 00:40:48.039 that will last forever 00:40:48.039 --> 00:40:49.180 so Ephesians 00:40:49.180 --> 00:40:49.900 is about that 00:40:49.900 --> 00:40:50.420 our identity 00:40:50.420 --> 00:40:51.080 in Christ 00:40:51.080 --> 00:40:53.580 as part of that 00:40:53.580 --> 00:40:54.100 identity 00:40:54.100 --> 00:40:55.340 God has a plan 00:40:55.340 --> 00:40:56.340 for each one of us 00:40:56.340 --> 00:40:57.660 whether it's a husband 00:40:57.660 --> 00:40:58.220 or wife 00:40:58.220 --> 00:40:59.280 whether it's a child 00:40:59.280 --> 00:41:00.920 whether it's an employer 00:41:00.920 --> 00:41:02.280 or a worker 00:41:02.280 --> 00:41:04.600 you have a job 00:41:04.600 --> 00:41:05.200 given to you 00:41:05.200 --> 00:41:06.000 by Christ 00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:07.260 and that fits 00:41:07.260 --> 00:41:08.360 into his framework 00:41:08.360 --> 00:41:09.140 of submission 00:41:09.140 --> 00:41:09.680 and love 00:41:09.680 --> 00:41:10.580 that's how this 00:41:10.580 --> 00:41:11.560 that's how this 00:41:11.560 --> 00:41:12.560 is practical 00:41:12.560 --> 00:41:13.400 that's how this 00:41:13.400 --> 00:41:14.000 means anything 00:41:14.000 --> 00:41:14.519 to us 00:41:14.519 --> 00:41:15.360 because we each 00:41:15.360 --> 00:41:15.940 have a job 00:41:15.940 --> 00:41:16.720 that fits 00:41:16.720 --> 00:41:17.620 into this framework 00:41:17.620 --> 00:41:18.160 it starts with 00:41:18.160 --> 00:41:19.019 God at the top 00:41:19.019 --> 00:41:21.820 God and Christ 00:41:21.820 --> 00:41:22.540 the one who died 00:41:22.540 --> 00:41:23.019 for us 00:41:23.019 --> 00:41:24.700 who died 00:41:24.700 --> 00:41:25.780 for his church 00:41:25.780 --> 00:41:27.080 and then from there 00:41:27.080 --> 00:41:27.620 we see love 00:41:27.620 --> 00:41:28.160 and submission 00:41:28.160 --> 00:41:28.760 come down 00:41:28.760 --> 00:41:29.260 and it falls 00:41:29.260 --> 00:41:30.060 into the church 00:41:30.060 --> 00:41:30.420 it falls 00:41:30.420 --> 00:41:31.240 into your workplace 00:41:31.240 --> 00:41:31.880 it falls 00:41:31.880 --> 00:41:32.680 into your family 00:41:32.680 --> 00:41:34.040 and if we 00:41:34.040 --> 00:41:35.220 fight against that 00:41:35.220 --> 00:41:36.180 we find that life 00:41:36.180 --> 00:41:37.040 gets very difficult 00:41:37.040 --> 00:41:37.880 life won't 00:41:37.880 --> 00:41:38.640 match up 00:41:38.640 --> 00:41:39.460 with God's plan 00:41:39.460 --> 00:41:40.720 because it's outside 00:41:40.720 --> 00:41:41.600 of God's plan 00:41:41.600 --> 00:41:42.080 it's outside 00:41:42.080 --> 00:41:42.940 of that framework 00:41:42.940 --> 00:41:45.880 so we love 00:41:45.880 --> 00:41:46.440 one another 00:41:46.440 --> 00:41:47.180 as Christ 00:41:47.180 --> 00:41:47.880 loved us 00:41:47.880 --> 00:41:49.040 and we submit 00:41:49.040 --> 00:41:49.800 to one another 00:41:49.800 --> 00:41:50.960 according to 00:41:50.960 --> 00:41:51.700 the authority 00:41:51.700 --> 00:41:52.360 and the order 00:41:52.360 --> 00:41:52.840 that God 00:41:52.840 --> 00:41:53.420 is laying out 00:41:53.420 --> 00:41:54.000 for us 00:41:54.000 --> 00:41:55.300 and that we do 00:41:55.300 --> 00:41:56.240 for his glory 00:41:56.239 --> 00:41:56.779 we do that 00:41:56.779 --> 00:41:57.399 for his glory 00:41:57.399 --> 00:41:58.259 we do that 00:41:58.259 --> 00:41:58.919 for our good 00:41:58.919 --> 00:42:01.119 thank you 00:42:01.119 --> 00:42:01.799 let me close 00:42:01.799 --> 00:42:03.339 in a word 00:42:03.339 --> 00:42:03.839 of prayer 00:42:03.839 --> 00:42:05.679 and then we'll 00:42:05.679 --> 00:42:06.699 have some 00:42:06.699 --> 00:42:07.339 prayer time 00:42:07.339 --> 00:42:09.079 Lord we thank you 00:42:09.079 --> 00:42:10.419 for Ephesians 00:42:10.419 --> 00:42:11.099 we thank you 00:42:11.099 --> 00:42:12.359 for identity 00:42:12.359 --> 00:42:13.000 in Christ 00:42:13.000 --> 00:42:13.939 that we can have 00:42:13.939 --> 00:42:14.879 that matches 00:42:14.879 --> 00:42:15.639 nothing else 00:42:15.639 --> 00:42:16.539 we thank you 00:42:16.539 --> 00:42:17.239 for a hope 00:42:17.239 --> 00:42:18.539 that we can have 00:42:18.539 --> 00:42:19.659 that nothing else 00:42:19.659 --> 00:42:20.199 can touch 00:42:20.199 --> 00:42:20.779 we thank you 00:42:20.779 --> 00:42:21.339 for a God 00:42:21.339 --> 00:42:22.079 who loves us 00:42:22.079 --> 00:42:22.939 like no one 00:42:22.939 --> 00:42:23.939 else can love us 00:42:23.940 --> 00:42:25.539 Lord we ask 00:42:25.539 --> 00:42:25.920 that you would 00:42:25.920 --> 00:42:26.340 help us 00:42:26.340 --> 00:42:28.320 to take 00:42:28.320 --> 00:42:29.639 these commands 00:42:29.639 --> 00:42:30.139 to heart 00:42:30.139 --> 00:42:31.059 not as 00:42:31.059 --> 00:42:32.320 heavy commands 00:42:32.320 --> 00:42:32.740 that we have 00:42:32.740 --> 00:42:33.139 to do them 00:42:33.139 --> 00:42:33.720 but commands 00:42:33.720 --> 00:42:34.200 that are given 00:42:34.200 --> 00:42:34.700 to us 00:42:34.700 --> 00:42:35.380 out of love 00:42:35.380 --> 00:42:36.320 to make 00:42:36.320 --> 00:42:37.139 our life 00:42:37.139 --> 00:42:38.220 better 00:42:38.220 --> 00:42:38.840 to make 00:42:38.840 --> 00:42:39.480 our life 00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:40.119 more in tune 00:42:40.119 --> 00:42:40.679 to what you 00:42:40.679 --> 00:42:41.559 have for us 00:42:41.559 --> 00:42:42.240 to make 00:42:42.240 --> 00:42:43.079 us more 00:42:43.079 --> 00:42:43.800 Christ-like 00:42:43.800 --> 00:42:45.159 that we would 00:42:45.159 --> 00:42:46.280 reflect your glory 00:42:46.280 --> 00:42:47.280 Lord we ask 00:42:47.280 --> 00:42:47.800 for your help 00:42:47.800 --> 00:42:48.400 in these things 00:42:48.400 --> 00:42:49.800 and we ask 00:42:49.800 --> 00:42:50.420 for these things 00:42:50.420 --> 00:42:51.220 in Jesus' name 00:42:51.220 --> 00:42:51.639 Amen 00:42:53.940 --> 00:42:55.940 Amen