PART I - Honour

(1) Honour is a huge part of the Lord’s kingdom – we must learn to respect our parents, our masters, and the governing authorities placed over us

Ephesians 6:1-9

* See also Romans 13:1-8 and Proverbs 21:1

o Exceptions – Acts 4:19

* God is over all

(2) Prayer

Repent and confess

* Dishonour, anti-establishment sentiments, ingratitude towards those who have provided for us etc…

o Ingratitude breeds contempt and unbelief

o Repent: We are a generation of complainers, we are hard to please, we are always nit-picking and finding fault, we always think we can do better than those placed in authority over us

o It leads to rebellion

* Rebellion

o God hates rebellion – That is what characterised Satan, who was proud and rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:10-14)

Thanksgiving

* Thank God for our parents, for our teachers and principals, for our church leaders and pastors, for our bosses and for the good governance in Singapore

* None of these people are perfect, but they are good, and whatever they have done well, we must be thankful for

PART II - Standing

(1) What comes before standing

No Christian can hope to enter the warfare of the ages without learning first to rest in Christ and in what He has done (Ephesians 1:19), and then, through the strength of the Holy Spirit within to follow him in a practical, holy life here on earth (3:16,4). If he is deficient in either of these, He will find that all the talk about spiritual warfare remains only talk, and will never become a reality

The Greek word “stand” means to hold your ground. We are not on the offensive, we have already won the victory. Our Christian lives are the process of claiming victory over what is already God’s. Only those who can sit will stand.

(2) Know who you stand in

Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power

The name of Jesus

* “Given among men” (Acts 4:12)

The Lord asks us to “ask in His name” (John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-26)

* Preaching in His name (Acts 4:10-12)

o Cleansing, justification and sanctification to God

o Luke 24:47; Acts 10:43; 1 Cor 6:11

* Warfare

o Mighty against Satanic powers

o Binds and brings these powers under control

o Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17-19; Acts 3:6, 16:18

* Asking God of things

God looks at his Son in the glory, not at us here on the earth. It is only because we are seated with him there that his name and authority are with us.

* Illustration: A fellow worker asked a man for a sum of money. The man read his letter, prepared what his fellow worker had asked, and gave the money to the messenger. He did the right thing because the letter bore his friend’s signature. He did not require the messenger’s name, age or employment, for the messenger had come in the name of his friend, and he honoured that name.

* Note: relationship with Christ is the basis of authority in Christ Acts 19:13-15

Elements of what you stand in – the armour

Ephesians 6:10-20

Belt of truth buckled around your waist – Isaiah 11:5

Breastplate of righteousness in place – Isaiah 59:17

Wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom – Isaiah 52:7

Shield of trust

Helmet of deliverance – Isaiah 59:17

Sword of the Spirit, that is the Word of God – Heb 4:12; Rev 1:16; Isaiah 49:2

Pray in the Spirit on all occassions… for all God’s people

Ask the youths if they understand and appreciate each element

Are you with God or against Him?

In Paul’s generation, every believer had specific relation to the eternal purpose of God (4:11-16). That should be no less true of us today. The eyes of God are turning towards His coming kingdom. What we know as organised Christianity will shortly have to make way for something else – the sovereign rule of Christ. But as with the kingdom of Solomon, so now, there is first a period of warfare represented by the reign of David. God is seeking those who will cooperate with him today in that preparatory warfare.

Wives and Husbands

The similarities between Christ and the church and husband and wife

Fun fact: Marriage is the greatest area of conflict among human beings.

Verse 22-24

v21- Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
In the Revised Standard Version, v24 says "As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives be subject in everything to their husbands."
v22-24 is the application of the above principle. As Christian husbands and wives, the subjection is not merely on the part of one alone but it is to be done by both husband and wife.

The method of subjection for each other is different for both the husband and wife but the principle is the same for both.

So the question is: How does the wife subject herself to the husband, and how does the husband, on the other hand, subject himself to the wife, out of reverence for Christ? That is what we will find out today.

Definition of Submit/ Subject is to adjust yourself to the to the authority or will of another. So Paul is trying to say to the wives to "Adapt yourself to your own husband, adjust to him.". This is the fulfillment of the initial word of the Creator when he said of the woman that she was to "be a help meet for man" (Gen 2:20). Be a help definitely does not mean to be a slave or rival but a willing and loyal helper to accomplish his aims and goals as led by God. It is in this role that woman finds fulfilment.

Verse 22-23

Key phrase is "as to the LORD". The wife is subject to her husband not because her husband is such a wonderful creature, but because she has a previous and primary relationship to her Lord. It is not for wives to worship the husband! She is just to yield herself to the will and aims of her husband.
The submission of a wife to her husband in the proper areas of his authority is the gauge of her submission to Christ.

It is a matter of headship and headship means authority. 1 Cor 11:3 states "But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." Focusing on the last part "The head of Christ is God", there are 4 elements involved in the headship of the Father.

1) Identity as to nature
"I and my Father are one" - John 10:30
When a man and a woman are married, they become "one flesh" - Gen 2:24/Matt 19:5-6, Mark 10:7-8

2) Cooperation as to work
"My Father is always at work to this very day, and I, too, am working" - John 5:17
We cooperate together

3) Honor as to person
"I always honor my Father" - John 8:49 and "It is the Father who honors me" - John 8:54
There is the mutual sharing of honor.

4) Subservience as to final decisions
"My father is greater than I" - John 14:28
Despite the identity of the person, there is a difference of authority for he says "I always do what pleases Him" - John 8:29

Verse 24 "Wives should submit to their husbands in everything", this definitely excludes moral wrong. Other than that, the husband is expected to encourage the wife to express her desires, soeak her viewpoint, or to bring out what she feels is the right way. But, ultimate decision is to honor his choice.

How is the church subject to Christ?

The Bible is the Lord's word to the church, the hymn book is the church's word to the Lord. The hymns reflect the hungerings and yearnings of the church subject to it's Lord.

Verse 25-32  can be summarized into one phrase and that is "Husbands,love your wives, as Christ loved the church"

Definition of love is grossly misused nowadays. Paul not only says that we should love but the extent at which we love is to be like Christ giving up himself for her (church). This are how husbands should love,by giving himself up for her. NOTE: It is not to give in but to give up himself for the wife.

The Lord gave himself up for the church with certain purposes. There are 3 factors listed in these passage.
1) Sanctification
Jesus gave himself up on the cross  in order that the church can be redeemed by His grace and that men and women might be called back to the original function and purpose of humanity. Similarly, husbands should
give himself up for the wife so that she might fulfil her womanhood.

The purpose of womanhood is twofold.
1) To be a helper to her husband. Husbands should not neglect their wives and exclude them from his thinking.

2) To contribute beauty into his life. Not only beauty of the physical form but a spiritual form as well. Just as Peter puts it clearly in 1 Peter 3:4. This is what the woman can uniquely contribute to life but it is the husband who opens the door to opportunity for a woman to do this by sharing himself with her.

Husbands can help their wives fulfil womanhood by giving himself up, sharing with her, discussing with her, talk about things. It is the husband's responsibility to open up and share with her.

2) That He might present the church to Himself in splendor (as a radiant church) - Verse 27
Just as Apostle Peter said in 1Peter 3:7. Similarly, the husband must give himself up to the end to honor his wife, glorify her and exalt her in the family circle.

3) He might fulfil the mystery of His own being. v30 - For we are members of His body
Christ loves us and continually gives Himself up for us because He cannot help it, we are part of Him and we belong to Him. v31 - And the two shall become one. This can be seen through how blended the lives of the husband and the wife are. Moreover, when conflict arises, what huts the wife damages the husband and if he is bitter towards the wife, it will eat him like a cancer in his own life and heart.

Verse 33

This verse is the basis of each person in the marriage relationship fulfilling his responsibility to Christ regardless of what the other does. You do not wait for the other partner to love you/ submit before loving him/her.

Ephesians 4

Recall:

Ephesians 4:1-16

Unity in the body of Christ

Lesson plan – Ephesians 3

God’s Marvellous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Theme: The inclusiveness of the Christian faith

The aim of the lesson is to help us understand that the Christian faith is an inclusive one, available for all people. However, most of the time, we tend to stick to our own groups of friends, and shut out others. We should reflect on the condition of their groups, whether in church or outside, and see if they have been doing so. If yes, what can we do about it? If no, what can we do to prevent it?

*This may or may not follow from last week’s idea about how we treat our friends and whether we judge others :x



Questions:



1. Why are the Gentiles heirs together with Israel? (v6){comprehension question} What does that imply about the early church? {implied that the church served as one body, without distinction, or at least ideally that was what they aimed for}What implications does this have on our church today?{thinking question}

2. What then is God’s plan? How does it affect the way we live? {thinking question}

3. Why does Paul call himself “less than the least of God’s people”? (v8) – is it implying low self-esteem? (It’s not btw – he was comparing what he had to what was in God [which is really very little]) link here: http://www.preceptaustin.org/ephesians_38-9.htm {Just a reminder that any and everyone can be used by God – not crucial, can skip} Thus, who are we to gather in cliques and deny others the opportunity/comfort of seeking God? {thinking question}

4. We know we can approach God without hesitation- in the same way, when relating to others; do we assure them that we are approachable? WWJD? {thinking question}

5. But we know we can’t do it alone, because human nature is selfish. So, Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians rings true in our lives as well – leaders can pray this prayer in your groups=)



I hope the lesson helps us all to think and reflect about the condition of our small groups, and maybe our own lives, to keep us in check :x jyjy guys!

Done by: Joshua Tang

Ephesians 2

Verses:

1: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins

Examining the word dead: Not only diseased, but dead; absolutely void of all spiritual life; and incapable of helping ourselves.

2: in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

“followed the ways of this world”- this means a long series of times, wherein one corrupt age follows another.

“ruler of the kingdom of the air” – Satan’s power is penetrating and is continually roving to and fro., and he works in all who do not believe and obey the gospel.

3: All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

“Flesh”-  denotes  our whole evil nature, so the body opposed to the soul. Thus, we incur the wrath of God, as Gentiles do.

4: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy

Mercy removes misery: love confers salvation.

5: made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

In conformity to him, and by virtue of our union with him, we are made alive. The apostle speaks indifferently either in the first or second person; the Jews and gentiles being in the same circumstance, both by nature and by grace. This text lays the axe to the very root of spiritual pride, and all glorying in ourselves. This is repeated in Ephesians 2:8 , in the very same words- as a second reminder to us, who are naturally prideful.

6: And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Both Jews and gentiles- Believers are not yet possessed of their seats in heaven; but each of them has a place prepared for him.

7, 8: in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

By grace ye are saved through faith - Grace, without any respect to human worthiness, confers the glorious gift. Faith is the medium by which we receive this grace.

9: not by works, so that no one can boast.

Not by works - Neither this faith nor this salvation is owing to any works you ever did, will, or can do; we cannot earn it.

10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Why do we do good works then, if we can never earn salvation?

It is because we are made to do good works, which God had before preprepared - so we must still ascribe the whole to God. We are given the power to do good works,  though we are not justified by them.

11: Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—

Remembrance strengthens faith, and increases gratitude. We are formerly gentiles in the flesh - Neither circumcised in body nor in spirit.

12: remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

“separate from Christ” - Having no faith in, or knowledge of, him.

“excluded from citizenship in Israel “ - Both as to their temporal privileges and spiritual blessings.

“foreigners to the covenants of the promise“- The great promise in both the Jewish and Christian covenant was the Messiah.

“without hope” - Because they had no promise whereon to ground their hope.

13: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

We are now brought towards both God and his people.

near by the blood of Christ.

14: For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

For he is our peace - Not only as he purchased it, but as he is the very bond and centre of union. He who hath made both - Jews and gentiles, one church.

“dividing wall of hostility”- Alluding to that wall of old, which separated the court of Israel from the court of the gentiles. Such a wall was the ceremonial law, which Christ had now taken away.

15, 16: by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

By his suffering in the flesh the cause of enmity between the Jews and gentiles was abolished, And now a new mystical body is formed- the church.

17: He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

After his resurrection, He preached peace - By his ministers and his Spirit to you (Gentiles) who are far from God and to the Jews (those who were near)

18: For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Hence both - Jews and gentiles have access  through the Holy Spirit to God as our Father.

19: Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,

We are received into the very family of God.

20: built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

As the foundation sustains the building, so the word of God, declared by the apostles and prophets, sustains the faith of all believers. God laid the foundation by them; but Christ himself is the chief cornerstone of the foundation.

21, 22: In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

The whole fabric of the universal church rises up like a great pile of living materials, dedicated to Christ, and inhabited by him, in which he displays his presence, and is worshipped and glorified.