44. Ephesians Part 4
Grab the recipe to Overcome the Overwhelm
Ephesians Chapter 5
We are called to “walk” in love. Christ modeled walking in love by being an offering and a sacrifice.
Several Types of OT Offerings:
Burnt Offering Lev 1:2-17 and 6:8-13
Grain Offering Lev 2:1-16 and 6:14-23
Peace or Fellowship Offering Lev 3:1-17, 7:11-21
Christ’s offering was a fragrant aroma to God
Are you offering something as a fragrant aroma to God?
We are called to be Light in the Lord (verse 8)
Fruit of the Light is goodness, righteousness and Truth
The introduction in chapter 5 sets the stage for the conclusion of how we walk this out in marriage.
Submit in verse 22 is a yielding IN Love (see again Eph. 5:1). Submission does not mean inferiority and only applies to your husband. This is not a general submission of women to men in general.
Not in V 22 it says “as unto the Lord.” This is not a command to love your husband AS God, your husband is NOT your God. If he is, you have made your husband an idol. Look back at verse 21, it is out of reverence for Christ. Think of this as “sub” under the “misson” of God. This is part of our Christian mission. This whole passage of scripture is a mutual submission to what God has called each of us (husband and wives) to in a godly marriage
It is crucial to note this is not submission without exception! This idea is what can lead to abuse and we are most certainly not talking about that here. Look at what is required of the Husband in vs 25-30. Husbands are called to preserve, cherish, shield, protect, provide for their wives as Christ cared for and loved the church. This type of “headship” or “leadership” is not the worsly type, it’s the godly example we see in Christ. This is an AGAPE love.
Savor Moment:
Think about how you can serve someone else by putting their interest ahead of yours. If you are married, think about your spouse’s favorite meal and make that for him. Pray for him as you are preparing the meal.
If you are not married, think of who God might be asking you to serve and try your hand at making this Caramel Cake Recipe.
