Ephesians | Unity In Community
In a culture that idolizes the individual, Paul calls us to Covenant Community. The Spirit-filled life (Ephesians 5:18) is not just an emotional experience; it overflows into the practical relationships of our daily lives: marriage, parenting, and work.
1. The Family: Discipleship at Home
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother,' which is the first commandment accompanied by a promise... Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:1-2, 4 (NET)
The home is the training ground for godliness.
- Children: Obedience is an act of worship. It trains the heart to honor God's authority.
- Fathers: Authority is not for crushing, but for cultivating. We are called to nurture, disciple, and instruct without causing bitterness.
2. The Workplace: Work as Worship
"Slaves, obey your human masters... not like those who do their work only when someone is watching—as people-pleasers—but as slaves of Christ... Obey with enthusiasm, as though serving the Lord and not people."
Ephesians 6:5-7 (NET)
The Gospel redeems our labor. Whether you are the CEO or the entry-level employee, your true Boss is in Heaven. This shifts our motivation from "working for the weekend" to "working for the Lord."
The Three Spheres
Transforming Relationships through the Gospel
| The Sphere | The Command | The Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage | Submit & Love Wives submit; Husbands love sacrificially. | The Mystery "This mystery is great—but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church." Ephesians 5:32 (NET) |
| Family | Obey & Nurture Children obey; Fathers train without provoking. | The Promise "...that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." Ephesians 6:3 (NET) |
| Workplace | Serve & Treat Fairly Slaves serve sincerely; Masters give up threatening. | The Master "...because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him." Ephesians 6:9 (NET) |
Marriage
Command
Wives submit; Husbands love sacrificially.
Motivation
To display the mystery of Christ and the Church.
Family
Command
Children obey; Fathers train and nurture.
Motivation
It is right, and it carries a promise.
Workplace
Command
Work with sincerity; Lead without threatening.
Motivation
You serve the Lord Christ, not just men.
At Home
Parents: Replace one moment of frustration with intentional nurture this week.
At Work
Pick one task or person and serve them wholeheartedly "as to the Lord."
