Historical Posts
Ephesians 05:23-33 – Why I Love The Church – Audio
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Text: Ephesians 5:23-33 (Reading by Andy Anderson)
Introduction to Why I Love The Church
1. There are many people who are cynical when they speak of the church
2. They see the church as a cold, sterile, formal institution
3. However, some people see the church as I do: Something to love
4. I grant the human side of the church remains in a constant state of renovation and repair, but that’s really no reason not to love it
5. Allow me to share with you four reasons why I love the church
Why I Love The Church
I. I Love the Church Because Jesus Loves It
A. My greatest aim in life is to be a Christian
1. I’ll never be perfect
2. But I hope and pray I look more like him today at 73 than when I was 23 years old
B. Jesus loved the church – Ephesians 5:25
II. I Love the Church Because the Church Is Family
A. Members of the church are called sons of God – Galatians 3:26
1. Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters – 1 Timothy 5:1-2
B. Because we’re family, we have support
C. We don’t have to go through life alone
1. Matthew 12:46-50
2. Mark 10:28-30
III. I Love the Church Because Of Its Impact on the World
A. Don’t we all lament the state of the world?
B. Just think what this world would be like without the influence of the church!
C. Matthew 5:13-16
D. The church is a moral voice and a conscience in our society
IV. I Love the Church Because It Is the Saved
A. Jesus Saves, not the church; but it is the church that Jesus saves!
B. Ephesians 5:25-30; Acts 2:47, 20:28
C. If I’m not a part of the church, then no matter what else I may accomplish in life, it’s all been for nothing – Matt 16:24-26
Conclusion to Why I Love The Church
1. The greatest gift you could ever give the Lord is to love the church of Jesus Christ supremely
2. The greatest gift you could ever give to your spouse is to love the church of Jesus Christ supremely
3. The greatest gift you could ever give to your children is to love the church of Jesus Christ supremely
4. The greatest gift you could ever give your neighbors and friends is to love the church of Jesus Christ supremely
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Ephesians 05:08-14 – Walking in the Light – audio
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Text: Ephesians 5:8-14 (reading by Don Treadway)
Introduction
A. Light and darkness are complete opposites.
1) It is impossible to have both at the same time.
2) In fact, just a little light will cancel out a great bit of darkness.
B. Spiritually speaking, sin is often equated with darkness and righteousness with light.
Body
I. We were once walking in darkness.
A. There is no one that does not sin (1 Kings 8:46).
B. All have sinned and have come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
C. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2).
D. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5,6).
E. The world was in darkness, and did not receive the Light (John 1:5-13; 3:19-21).
II. We have been called out of darkness.
A. God called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
B. The Lord called Paul to the Gentiles, turning them from darkness to light (Acts 26:15-18).
C. We are called by the power of the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).
D. By obeying it, we:
1) die to sin [darkness]
2) are buried with Christ in baptism
3) are raised to walk in newness of life [light] (Romans 6:1-7)
III. We must now walk in the light.
A. By becoming sons of God, we are sons of light and day; we are no longer of night nor darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5).
B. We must walk in the light as God is in the light (1 John 1:7).
C. Jesus commands us to let our lights shine before men (Matthew 5:16).
D. Light has no fellowship with darkness (Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
Conclusion
A. Are you in the dark?
B. Come to Christ, the true Light!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Ephesians 05:01-13 Unfruitful Works of Darkness – audio
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Text: Ephesians 5:1-13
Introduction
A. Before one obeyed the Gospel of the Christ
1. He was separated from God – Isaiah 59:1-2
2. lost in sin – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
3. In a state of spiritual darkness – Ephesians 2:1-2; 5:8
B. Jesus came to this sin-darkened world “to seek and to save” the lost – Luke 19:10
C. Those who follow Jesus do not live in darkness – Acts 26:16-18.
Body
I. HOW DOES ONE TURN TO THE LIGHT WHO IS SEPARATED FROM GOD, LOST IN SIN, AND IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL DARKNESS?
A. Every alien sinner is called by the Gospel of Jesus Christ – 2 Thessalonians 2:14
B. When one hears, believes, and obeys that Gospel, something takes place.
1. Colossians 1:13
2. 1 Peter 2:9
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:5
4. Romans 13:12
5. 1 John 1:6-7
C. All these things being true, it is no wonder that Paul would exhort the Ephesians – Ephesians 5:11
II. APPLICATION OF EPHESIANS 5:11
A. In the context Ephesians 5:11 applies to the immoral practices in which the phrase is found; But it is not limited to its immediate context of Ephesians 5.
B. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
C. 1 Timothy 5:22
D. Matthew 7:17-20
E. THINK! Is Jesus merely talking about trees and the fruits they produce, or is he using this figure to illustrate the fact that false teachers and others producing the “unfruitful works of darkness” are actually evil?
1. By their fruits we shall know that they are corrupt.
2. In order for a good tree and evil tree to have fellowship, they would have to be producing fruit together.
3. Herein lies the problem. Can a good tree, a tree of light, produce “unfruitful works of darkness”? NO!
4. If a good tree cannot produce “unfruitful works of darkness,” how is it possible for it to be in fellowship with the kind of tree that does? IT CANNOT!
5. What kind of a tree produces “unfruitful works of darkness”? An evil tree, a tree of darkness – in other words, one who walks in darkness
F. Fellowship with God is contingent upon “walking in the light.” The fellowship we have with others walking in the light – 1 John 1:6-7
G. It is impossible for one “walking in the light” to have fellowship with one “walking in darkness.” When one does so, he himself ceases to “walk in the light” because he becomes a partaker (Fellowshipper) of the evil deeds being done by the one who is “walking in darkness.” – 2 John 9-11.
Conclusion
A. Light is often used by the NT writers as a synonym for truth and righteousness, while darkness represents sin and error – 1 John 1:6-7
B. Ephesians 5:8-13
C. Matthew 5:14
D. 1 Thessalonians 5:5
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Ephesians 05:01-21 Walking in Love, Light and Wisdom
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Text: Ephesians 5:1-21
Introduction
1. Though we now enter chapter five, we are still noticing how to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” – Ephesians 4:1
a. We have been “called” to be
1) “holy and without blame before Him in love” – Ephesians 1:4
2) “sons by Jesus Christ to Himself” – Ephesians 1:5
3) “fellow citizens with the saints” – Ephesians 2:19
4) “members of the household of God” – Ephesians 2:19
5) “a holy temple in the Lord” – Ephesians 2:21
6) “fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ” – Ephesians 3:6
b. What sort of “walk” is worthy of such a calling? So far we have seen that it is one in which we are
1) “Walking Together in Unity” – Ephesians 4:1-16
2) “Walking In Truth and Holiness – Ephesians 4:17-32
2. As we come into the fifth chapter, we learn that our “walk” (or conduct) which is worthy of our calling is one in which we
a. Walk In Love – Ephesians 5:1-7
b. Walk As Light – Ephesians 5:8-14
c. Walk As Wise – Ephesians 5:15-21
Body
I. WALK IN LOVE (Ephesians 5:1-7)
A. FOLLOWING CHRIST AS OUR EXAMPLE (Ephesians 5:1-2)
1. Jesus certainly has loved us and given Himself for us
2. He offered Himself to God as an offering and sacrifice in our behalf
3. Let His example teach us how to “walk in love” – cf. John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:16-17
B. WITH A LOVE THAT IS PURE (Ephesians 5:3-7)
1. Our love should be free from any hint of immorality or greed – Ephesians 5:3
2. Even words or jokes suggestive of immorality or greed are unbecoming those who are “saints” (holy, set apart for God’s purpose) – Ephesians 5:4
3. This is a serious concern, for immoral or greedy persons have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, but instead will experience the full wrath of God! – Ephesians 5:5-7
II. WALK AS LIGHT (Ephesians 5:8-14)
A. WE ARE NOW “LIGHT IN THE LORD” (Ephesians 5:8-10)
1. Before coming to Christ, we were once “darkness” (remember Ephesians 2:1-3); but now we are “light in the Lord” and should walk as “children of light” – Ephesians 5:8
2. The fruit expected of those children of light is goodness, righteousness and truth – Ephesians 5:9
3. By bearing such fruit, we fulfill our role as “light” by “proving” (demonstrating) what is well-pleasing to the Lord – Ephesians 5:10; cf. Romans 12:1-2
B. AS “LIGHT” WE MUST NECESSARILY EXPOSE “DARKNESS” (Ephesians 5:11-14)
1. We are not to have fellowship with “unfruitful works of darkness” – Ephesians 5:11, 5:3-4
2. Instead, our task is to “expose” them – Ephesians 5:11b-13
a. Things that we must expose are often so disgraceful, it is shameful to speak of them
b. But by “walking in the light” ourselves, we can through example and word expose by contrast these “works of darkness”
3. Thus the need to be “light” ourselves, something that comes only from Christ – Ephesians 5:14
a. Christ gives “light” to those who were spiritually asleep and dead – cf. Ephesians 2:4-6
b. Some scholars think this verse (Ephesians 5:14) may have been an early “baptismal hymn”, sung at a person’s baptism
III. WALK AS WISE (Ephesians 5:15-21)
A. CHARACTERISTICS OF “WALKING AS WISE” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
1. Doing so with great care – Ephesians 5:15
a. The word translated “circumspectly” means “exactly, accurately, diligently”
b. Unlike fools, who care little about where they are going or what is happening
2. Taking advantage of the time available to one – Ephesians 5:16
3. Understanding the will of the Lord – Ephesians 5:17
a. Only by understanding the will of the Lord can we be a “wise people”
b. Just as Israel was to demonstrate their wisdom by doing the will of the Lord, so we can “walk as wise” only if we understand His will for us – Deuteronomy 4:5-6
B. TO WALK AS WISE REQUIRES BEING “FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT” (Ephesians 5:18-21)
1. While those who “walk as fools” delight in being filled with wine, those who walk as wise” will endeavor to be filled with the Spirit!
2. What evidence is there that one is “filled with the Spirit”? Paul describes three indications…
a. One indication is singing praises – Ephesians 5:19
b. Another indication is giving thanks – Ephesians 5:20
c. A third indication is submitting to one another in the fear of God – Ephesians 5:21
Conclusion
1. Children of God who delight in:
a. Singing praises and making melody in the heart
b. Giving thanks always for all things to God
c. Submitting to one another in the fear of God
d. Demonstrate that they are “filled with the Spirit”, and as such, truly are “followers of God as dear children” – Ephesians 5:1
2. As children of God, and “filled with the Spirit”, they are able to walk in a manner worthy of their calling, as they:
a. “Walk in love”
b. “Walk as light”
c. “Walk as wise”
3. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we live in a world:
a. That has perverted the meaning of “love”
b. That takes perverse pleasure in works of darkness
c. That stumbles around aimlessly, like drunken fools
d. Can we not see the need for the people of God today to live up to their “calling”, and to “prove what is acceptable in the Lord”?
4. May God fill His children with His Spirit:
a. So that we can truly “walk in love”, “walk as light”, and “walk as wise”
b. And thereby show to the world the fruit of the Spirit, goodness, righteousness, and truth
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Ephesians 02:04-10 Salvation by Grace Through Faith
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Text: Ephesians 2:4-10
Introduction
1. In the previous lesson we saw our true condition outside of Christ:
a. Dead in trespasses and sins – Ephesians 2:1
b. Walking with world and the devil – Ephesians 2:2
c. Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and mind – Ephesians 2:3
d. Truly we were “sons of disobedience” and “children of wrath”!
2. At the close of the previous lesson, I asked, “How can such ‘sons of disobedience’ and ‘children of wrath’ ever become…”
a. “Holy and without blame”?
b. “Receive the adoption as sons”?
c. “Accepted” by God?
3. In the text for this study (Ephesians 2:4-10) we find our answer, where we learn that salvation by grace through faith involves many elements besides just grace and faith to begin with, salvation by grace through faith:
Body
I. INVOLVES THE “GREAT LOVE” OF GOD (Ephesians 2:4)
A. THIS IS THE BEGINNING POINT OF SALVATION…
1. From this, all else flows
2. What mercy, grace, etc., that God shows mankind is founded upon the fact that God has a great love for us – cf. John 3:16
B. THIS LOVE IS NOT BECAUSE OF WHO WE ARE, BUT WHO GOD IS…
1. God did not love us because we were lovable, but because God is loving!
2. As John wrote in an effort to inspire his brethren to love one another, God is love, and that moved Him to offer His Son – 1 John 4:7-10
II. INVOLVES THE “RICH MERCY” OF GOD (Ephesians 2:4)
A. DEFINING MERCY…
1. The word “eleos” is defined by Vine’s Expository Dictionary as the outward manifestation of pity”
2. Mercy, then, is compassion that one has for those in trouble
B. GOD’S “GREAT LOVE” MAKES HIM “RICH IN MERCY”…
1. His great love for sinners enables God to be filled with compassion toward them
2. The riches of His mercy seek to reach out to all who will accept it – 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9
III. INVOLVES BEING “MADE ALIVE TOGETHER” WITH CHRIST (Ephesians 2:5)
A. HERE IS WHERE “GRACE” REALLY ENTERS IN…
1. For notice that Paul says “WHEN we were dead…(God) made us alive”
2. While STILL “dead in trespasses” God has somehow made us alive together with Christ!
3. Though not fully explained in this passage how (and when) this happened, it occurred because of God’s “unmerited favor” (the definition of “grace”)
B. HOW (AND WHEN) WE WERE “MADE ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST” IS EXPLAINED ELSEWHERE…
1. Especially in Colossians 2:11-13
2. Where we learn that it is in baptism…
a. We are buried with Christ and then raised with Him – Colossians 2:12; cf. Romans 6:3-6
b. We, who were “dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh”, were thus “made alive together with Him (Christ)” – Colossians 2:13
c. Our trespasses were all forgiven – Colossians 2:13; cf. Acts 2:38; 22:16
IV. INVOLVES BEING “RAISED UP TOGETHER” WITH CHRIST (Ephesians 2:6-7)
A. WE SAW IN Ephesians 1:20
1. Where Christ was raised from the dead
2. And then was seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly places
B. NOW WE LEARN FROM Ephesians 2:6-7
1. That we too are raised up and made to sit together with Christ in the heavenly places!
a. This speaks of our present condition in the “spiritual realm” (heavenly places)
b. Because of our union with Christ, we enjoy an exalted position together with Him
c. Which union serves as the basis for our wonderful spiritual blessings – cf. Ephesians 1:3
2. But our present condition, and the blessings it entails, are only the beginning!
a. There is more “in the ages to come”
b. There are “exceeding riches of His grace in kindness” yet to be shown in Christ Jesus!
V. INVOLVES “FAITH”, AND NOT MERITORIOUS WORKS (Ephesians 2:8-9)
A. SALVATION IS FIRST AND FOREMOST, BY “GRACE”…
1. Up to this point, Paul has said nothing about man’s part in the process of salvation
a. It was GOD’S mercy, love, and grace which made salvation possible
b. It was GOD’s working that made us alive, raised us up, made us sit together with Christ
2. Truly, salvation is…
a. “not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”
1) Some understand this phrase to refer to “faith”
2) But I understand Paul to be referring to salvation
b. “not of works, lest anyone should boast”
1) We are not saved by works of merit, whereby we earn salvation
2) But as Paul told Titus “according to His mercy He saved us…” – Titus 3:5
B. NEVERTHELESS, SALVATION IS BY GRACE “THROUGH FAITH”…
1. “Faith”, together with the “working of God”, is how we were “raised with Christ” in baptism – cf. Colossians 2:12
2. In other words, it is an obedient faith that receives the salvation in Christ – cf. Hebrews 5:9
3. So when a person in faith is being baptized…
a. They are not “earning” their salvation
b. Rather, they are “receiving” their salvation which is by God’s grace and God’s working, for in baptism they are receiving Jesus Christ and all He accomplished by His death and resurrection! – cf. Galatians 3:27
VI. INVOLVES BEING “CREATED…FOR GOOD WORKS” (Ephesians 2:10)
A. IN CHRIST, WE ARE “HIS WORKMANSHIP”…
1. As Paul intimated in his discussion of baptism in Co 2:12 (“the working of God”)
2. Through God’s “working” in which He…
a. “made us alive”
b. “raised us up”
c. “made us sit together in the heavenly places”
d. we have truly become “a new creation”! – cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17
B. THE GOAL OF THIS “WORKMANSHIP”: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS…
1. Though not saved by good works, we are to do good works!
2. God “prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”
a. It is part of His predetermined plan
b. Not just to save, but to create a people diligent in good works! – cf. Titus 2:11-14
3. Therefore, the people of God should…
a. “be ready for every good work” – Titus 3:1
b. “be careful to maintain good works” – Titus 3:8
c. “learn to maintain good works” – Titus 3:14
Conclusion
1. So it is “by grace through faith” that…
a. “Children of wrath” can become “children of God”!
b. “Sons of disobedience” can “receive the adoption as sons” of God!
c. We can be “accepted” by God!
2. Because “Salvation By Grace Through Faith” involves:
a. God’s great love
b. God’s rich mercy
c. God making us alive together with Christ
d. God raising us up together with Christ to sit with Him in the heavenly places
e. An obedient faith that trusts in God’s workmanship, not one’s own works
f. A new creature that is diligent in doing good works to the glory of God
3. How can one receive this wonderful salvation? Let Jesus and His apostles show you the way, for it is when we in faith submit to the Lord’s command to be baptized that we enjoy the blessings of God’s love, mercy, and workmanship… – Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:12-13
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Resolutions – Ephesians 3:16
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Text: Ephesians 3:16
(presented on 12/31)
If we’re the resolution-making type, what we’re really resolving to do is to have more self-discipline, right?
- We just apply it to different areas of life:
- Weight loss (avoid Krispy Kreme)
- Productivity (manage time better)
- Spirituality (stick to one-year Bible-reading plan)
It’s all about self-discipline.
Everything will work out if I do this or don’t do that.
If I do what I don’t want to and don’t do what I want do.
If I stick with it.
It’s all about me.
Except it’s not. Not really.
Especially when we’re talking about spirituality.
Growing in our relationship to Christ is about what God does in us.
Notice the common factor in these verses:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23).
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16).
Did you catch the common thread?
How can you can be more:
- loving
- joyful
- patient
… and have more self control?
Paul says it comes from the Spirit; it’s His fruit (not ours).
How do you grow spiritually?
- Is it by trying harder?
- Is it by praying harder?
- Is it by serving harder?
No.
It is God who strengthens you.
Too often we get frustrated spiritually because we think it’s all up to us.
We’ll reach our spiritual goals if we can just get the formula right: incorporate the spiritual disciplines in the right way, and conformity to Christ follows.
But it doesn’t work that way.
We need to realize that holiness, growing more and more into Christ’s image, is God’s work, not ours.
So much of our striving and stretching and reaching ends up putting the focus where it doesn’t need to be. On us.
And history shows that our efforts at attaining holiness fail miserably.
This year, focus on trusting God, not yourself.
- Talk to Him
- Love Him
- Worship Him
- Ask Him to mold you and shape you
Yes, read your Bible! But not so you can claim sainthood as a Daily Bible Reader. Do it to know God better.
Pray to God, not to shape His will to yours, but to cultivate your relationship with Jesus and shape your will to His.
Worship Him weekly, not for what you get out of it, but to love and adore Him openly.
When everything we do is God-focused, we might be amazed at the incredible things He will do.
He doesn’t really need our help.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Ephesians 04:02-09 What Are You Doing with God’s Grace? – audio
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(Presented at Willowbrook Christian Home on 8/19/2012)
Text: Ephesians 2:4-9
Introduction
Mercy
From God’s Word, we recognize that mercy is the forbearance, compassion, kindness shown by God from inflicting punishment for those who break the law.
In John 8:1-11 the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus taken in the act of adultery, and ask Jesus what would he do in light of the law of Moses. He asked a question that convicted them of their own sins and the woman was left uncondemned. Jesus said go and sin no more.
Through God’s mercy we are saved – 1 Peter 1:3-5
Grace
A companion of mercy is grace.
Grace means that which causes joy, pleasure, delight, charm, sweetness, and loveliness. This has come to signify the kindness of God toward man.
God’s unmerited favor saves mankind by providing a sufficient and perfect sacrifice to remit the sins of man, so that he can be reconciled to his God.
The Oracles of God declare we are saved by God’s grace through faith – Ephesians 2:4-8
It (grace) has appeared unto all men – Titus 2:11
The Benefits of God’s Grace are Accessed Through Faith
Through Faith
If you want to enjoy the benefits of the grace of God, such as eternal life with God, love, joy, and peace, you must access them through faith in God – Ephesians 2:8; Romans 5:1-2
Dead or Living?
The question you must ask yourself is your faith dead or alive?
A dead faith merely believes, but does not produce obedience to God. James 2:14-17 describes faith without works as dead. But a living faith is characterized by loving obedient actions towards God – James 1:22-25.
Living Faith
You can only benefit from the grace of God when you decide to be faithful and obedient to Him and live for Him – Hebrews 4:1-2
Plan of Salvation
- Hear the Word of God – Romans 10:17; Hebrews 3:15
- Believe in Jesus Christ – Hebrews 11:6
- Repent of past Sins – Luke 13:3
- Confess Jesus is the Son of God – Romans 10:9-10
- Baptized for the forgiveness of your Sins – Acts 2:38
- Daily Live Faithful for Jesus – Revelation 2:10
What Are You Doing with God’s Grace?
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
The Husband’s Duties – Ephesians 05:25-29
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Text: Ephesians 5:25-29
Introduction
1. Our previous lesson argued that marriage is not an institution
a. Created and designed by man or the state
b. Subject to alteration by societal whims
2. But rather, that marriage is a sacred institution
a. Instituted by God in the beginning
b. Regulated by Jesus and His apostles in the Word of God
c. Reserved for sexual intimacy between a man and a women
3. Indeed, marriage is a successful institution
a. When we follow the Biblical injunctions concerning it
b. When members of the family fulfill their proper roles
c. Preventing marriage and family from becoming an emotional and psychological straitjacket, the proverbial ball and chain, and source of much strife and hurt in one’s life
4. What are those Biblical injunctions concerning the proper roles?
Body
I. LOVE YOUR WIVES!
A. HUSBANDS ARE TO LOVE THEIR WIVES
1. As Christ loved the church – Ephesians 5:25-27
a. He gave Himself for the church!
b. He nourishes and cherishes the church!
2. As they love their own bodies – Ephesians 5:28-29
a. Which they nourish and cherish
b. Which they handle with care
3. Free from bitterness – Colossians 3:19
a. That is, resentment or hate
b. Often accompanied with wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking – Ephesians 4:31
B. HUSBANDS ARE TO LOVE THEIR WIVES
1. With “agape” love (active good will)
a. Which is commanded – Ephesians 5:25
b. Which is defined – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
c. The same sort of love we are to have toward God and all men
2. With “phileo” love (sentimental, affectionate)
a. As one would have for his own body – Ephesians 5:29
b. As parents would have for their children – Ephesians 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:7
3. With “eros” love (sexual)
a. Joining together as one flesh – Ephesians 5:31
b. Providing physical attention and affection due the wife – 1 Corinthians 7:2-5
4. Husbands have a duty to love their wives in every way!
II. RESPECT YOUR WIVES!
A. BY HOW YOU TREAT THEM
1. With understanding – 1 Peter 3:7
a. In an understanding way – 1 Peter 3:7 ESV
b. Be considerate – 1 Peter 3:7 NIV
c. Learn what makes her “tick”, and treat her accordingly
2. With honor – 1 Peter 3:7
a. Praise her in the gates – Proverbs 31:28
b. Put her on a pedestal
c. Do not ridicule her publicly
3. As to the weaker vessel – 1 Peter 3:7
a. Not that your wife may actually be the weaker vessel
b. Many wives are spiritually stronger, some physically stronger
c. But treat her “as” a weaker vessel (treat her like china, not steel)
B. BY HOW YOU VIEW THEM
1. As a fellow heir of the grace of life – 1 Peter 3:7
a. For whom Christ died
b. A beloved sister in Christ, worthy of respect
c. With whom you hope to spend eternity
2. As one who affects the efficacy of your prayers! – 1 Peter 3:7
a. How we treat others has a bearing on our prayers – Mark 11:26; Proverbs 21:13
b. God will not heed our prayers if we mistreat our wives! – Malachi 2:13-16
III. SUPPORT YOUR WIVES!
A. BY PROVIDING FOR THE FAMILY
1. The husband (and father) has the duty to provide for his family – 1 Timothy 5:8
2. Failure to do so is to deny the faith (the doctrine of Christ!) – ibid.
3. Unbelievers (and most creatures) provide for their own
4. A man should not take a wife unless he is willing and able to support her financially
B. BY LETTING HER CONTRIBUTE
1. The virtuous woman contributed much to the support of the family – Proverbs 31:16-19,24
2. A wise husband lets her contribute, and to be praised for it! – Proverbs 31:31
3. Of course, not to the neglect of her familial duties – Proverbs 31:21,27; 1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 2:4-5
Conclusion
1. The Christian husband is a man who
a. Loves his wife in every way
b. Respects his wife by how he treats her and views her
c. Supports his wife financially, emotionally, and spiritually
2. This is because the Christian husband is a man who
a. Is a Christian first, and a husband second
b. Gladly accepts the Biblical injunctions given to him as a husband
c. Looks to the Word of God and prayer for the strength he needs to fulfill his duty
3. When a man is a Christian husband
a. He is more likely loved and respected by his wife
b. She is more likely the sort of wife she should be
c. The children are more likely as they should be
4. In our next lesson, we shall consider the duties of wives.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Moral Issue: Gambling – Ephesians 04:17-20 – audio
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Moral Issues: Gambling - Sex - Tobacco Use
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Introduction
1. We turn now to gambling, a moral issue confronting Christians due to:
a. The proliferation of government sanctioned gambling (e.g., state lotteries)
b. The easy access to gambling (race track, lottery tickets in convenience stores, bingo, charitable gambling and casinos are going to be back on the ballot) [editor’s note: Casino’s are now opening in Columbus Oct 8th, 2012. Voted down by Franklin county voters, but voted in by the statewide Ohio electorate]
2. What is gambling (or gaming)…?
a. The wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods
b. Typically, the outcome of the wager is evident within a short period
c. The term gaming in this context typically refers to instances in which the activity has been specifically permitted by law
3. Sadly, some religions encourage gambling
a. Both the Catholic and Jewish traditions traditionally set aside days for gambling – Dwayne Carpenter, quoted in Gambling Had Role in Religious History
b. The above article mentions Christmas and Hanukkah as holidays in which gambling was permitted, if not encouraged
4. If both states and some religions approve of gambling, what could be wrong with it?
Body
I. FALSE ARGUMENTS USED TO JUSTIFY GAMBLING
A. LIFE IS A GAMBLE?
1. Does not Solomon say time and chance happen to them all? – Ecclesiastes 9:11
2. So it may appear when life is viewed under the sun (a purely worldly perspective)
3. But God’s will in our lives precludes a life of pure chance – 1 Corinthians 4:19; James 4:15
4. Life is not gambling, it involves the will of God!
B. FARMING IS A GAMBLE?
1. Does not the farmer take a risk in sowing when he may not reap?
2. But God has promised seedtime and harvest would not cease – Genesis 8:22
3. Farming is an honorable way of receiving God’s blessings – Psalm 104:14
4. Farming is not gambling, it involves the activity of God!
C. BUYING INSURANCE IS A GAMBLE?
1. Is not buying insurance a gamble?
2. Insurance is simply a method of shifting risk (accident, illness) from one party to another
3. It is also a way of providing for one’s family, an important duty – 1 Timothy 5:8
4. Insurance is not gambling, when used to shift risk and provide for others
D. INVESTING IS A GAMBLE?
1. Is not investing in business or the stock market a gamble?
2. It can be, when involving speculative or significant risks
3. But good and safe investments are not evil within themselves – Matthew 25:14-30
4. Investing is not gambling, when done prudently
II. ARGUMENTS AGAINST GAMBLING
A. THE PRINCIPLE IS SINFUL
1. Gambling violates the work ethic – Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
a. To gain from honorable labor
b. Not get rich quick schemes
2. Gambling violates the stewardship ethic – 1 Chronicles 29:13-14; 1 Peter 4:10
a. All things come from God
b. We will have to give an account for our stewardship
3. People gamble for a quick buck, willing to risk what is not theirs
B. THE MOTIVATION IS SINFUL
1. People gamble because of greed – 1 Timothy 6:9-10
a. Their desire to be rich, which leads to foolish and harmful lusts, destruction and perdition
b. Their love of money, which leads to loss of faith and many sorrows
2. People gamble because of covetousness – Ephesians 5:3-7; Colossians 3:5-6
a. They want something more than God, making it idolatry
b. They will bring the wrath of God upon themselves
3. People gamble because they want to be rich, a desire we should flee (1 Timothy 6:11)
C. THE FRUIT IS SINFUL
1. It takes advantage of others’ weaknesses – Romans 15:1-2
a. Exploiting others or extorting money for one’s own advantage
b. Do gamblers care what happens to those who lose?
2. It leads to unsavory companions – 1 Corinthians 15:33; Ephesians 5:11
a. Others who are motivated by greed and covetousness
b. Those quick to take advantage: bookies, loan sharks, etc.
3. It leads to addiction – 2 Peter 2:19
a. Gambling can become psychologically and physically addictive
b. Monetary reward in a gambling-like experiment produces brain activation very similar to that observed in a cocaine addict receiving an infusion of cocaine. – Hans Breiter, MD, co-director of the Motivation and Emotion Neuroscience Centre at Massachusetts General Hospital
4. It leads to other sins – Mark 7:21-23
a. As debts build up, people turn to other quick sources of money (theft, drugs)
b. Suicide is common, along with abuse, divorce, other mental disorders
5. People who gamble do not consider how they hurt themselves and others
Conclusion
1. Which is gambling more like…?
a. The works of the flesh, or the fruit of the Spirit? Galatians 5:19-23
b. The deeds of the old man, or the apparel of the new man? Colossians 3:5-14
2. One does need to look long to see that gambling is sinful:
a. The motive is greed
b. The desire is to get rich quick (covetousness)
c. The harm to self and others is extensive
3. Consider these tidbits of wisdom:
a. Gambling: The sure way of getting nothing from something – Wilson Mizner
b. The safest way to “double your money” is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket
c. By gaming we lose both our time and treasure – two things most precious to the life of man – Owen Felltham
d. Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math – Author Unknown
Only those blinded by the deceitfulness of sin have problems seeing the problems with gambling…
“This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ…” – Ephesians 4:17-20
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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