What does the message of Christ

look like when fleshed out in the most basic of

relationships?

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If we have set our spiritual north, our hearts and If we have set our spiritual north, our hearts and minds, to Christ (1-4), if we have set out to kill the minds, to Christ (1-4), if we have set out to kill the vestiges of sin (5-7), casting off selfish personal vestiges of sin (5-7), casting off selfish personal expression (8-11), if we have put on the clothing of the expression (8-11), if we have put on the clothing of the Spirit (12-14), if the peace of Christ rules in our hearts Spirit (12-14), if the peace of Christ rules in our hearts (15), if the person and work of Jesus Christ is (15), if the person and work of Jesus Christ is revolutionizing us (16) and if our motivation is only to revolutionizing us (16) and if our motivation is only to honor him (17), what should our most basic honor him (17), what should our most basic relationships look like? relationships look like?

If Christ does not effect our family and work If Christ does not effect our family and work relationships, does he actually effect anything?relationships, does he actually effect anything?

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. 1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

1818Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.the Lord.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~wives ~ could also be translated women (husbands: wives ~ could also be translated women (husbands: men)men)

submit ~ hupotasso: to arrange under; lowering your submit ~ hupotasso: to arrange under; lowering your rankrank

Let your man be in charge. (No competition)

Interpretive principle: Who is being addressed?Interpretive principle: Who is being addressed?

This does not say: “Men, keep your women in This does not say: “Men, keep your women in line!”line!”

A brief look at Ephesians 5:21-25A brief look at Ephesians 5:21-25

2121Submit to one another out of reverence for Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Christ. 2222Wives, [submit] to your husbands as to the Wives, [submit] to your husbands as to the Lord.Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. which he is the Savior. 2424Now as the church Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands their husbands in everything. in everything. 2525Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . loved the church and gave himself up for her . . . .

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.~~~~~~~~~~wives ~ could also be translated women (husbands: men)

submit ~ hupotasso: to arrange under

Let your man/men by in charge. (No competition)

Interpretive principle: Who is being addressed?

This does not say: “Men, keep your women in line!”

The Hugo men’s study Bible might put this verse in the footnotes . . .

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.~~~~~~~~~~wives ~ could also be translated women (husbands: men)

submit ~ hupotasso: to arrange under

Let your man/men by in charge. (No competition)

Interpretive principle: Who is being addressed?

This does not say: “Men, keep your women in line!”

Back to Eden ~ What was the original plan? (“fitting”)

Adam and Eve were put in charge of the Earth.Genesis 1:26-28Genesis 2:18-25 Charge to Adam with Eve as

his “helper”The Hebrew for helper, “ay-zer”, is used in many applications, including God as “helper”. (See Ps. 30:10)There is no diminishment connoted by this word.

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. ~~~~~~~~~~love ~ agape: the highest self sacrificing form of love

Ephesians 5:25-31 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. ~~~~~~~~~~love ~ agape: the highest self sacrificing form of love

Ephesians 5:25-31 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her~~~~~~~~~~Is Jesus patient with you?Is Jesus kind towards you?Does Jesus seek to dominate you?Has Jesus not given everything for our well-being?

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. ~~~~~~~~~~love ~ agape

Ephesians 5:25-31 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ~~~~~~~~~~This is a metaphor. Paul is not saying that women are dirty sinners, but rather stating the extent of Christ’s love toward us that we might love our wives with a view to their benefit and growth rather than our own.

Value them above yourself.

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. ~~~~~~~~~~love ~ agape

Ephesians 5:25-31 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. ~~~~~~~~~~love ~ agape

Ephesians 5:25-31 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”~~~~~~~~~~You are one with your wife. Act like it!

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. ~~~~~~~~~~love ~ agape

harsh ~ to make bitter: to produce a bitter taste in the stomach

Is your man giving you a headache?

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ~~~~~~~~~~obey ~ hupakouo: listen with the idea of obeying. This goes beyond “doing what you are told,” but respecting the person and content of what is spoken.

Teens cost their parents about $10,000 a year . . .Years of experience.Looking out for your best.

If they are supposed to be listening, what are they hearing?

When does this stop?

Loneliness/sadness Loneliness/sadness Difficulty in trusting Difficulty in trusting Divorce/separation Divorce/separation Early and prolonged time in Early and prolonged time in day care day care Poverty Poverty Poor body image Poor body image Athletic insecurities Athletic insecurities Academic difficulties Academic difficulties Excessive time in sports Excessive time in sports activities activities Lack of balanceLack of balance

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. ~~~~~~~~~~“embitter” ~ to provoke to anger (frustration)Conflicts in parents such as Conflicts in parents such as

being being angry, controlling, selfish angry, controlling, selfish or distant or distant Selfishness Selfishness Parental enabling of Parental enabling of narcissism narcissism Rejection by siblings Rejection by siblings Rejection by peers Rejection by peers Modeling parental anger Modeling parental anger Marital conflicts Marital conflicts Low self-esteem Low self-esteem

1818Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. the Lord. 1919Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. with them. 2020Children, obey your parents in everything, for this Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. pleases the Lord. 2121Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. become discouraged. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Have reasonable expectationsHave reasonable expectations (Character is #1)(Character is #1)Monitor stressMonitor stressFocused time (priority)Focused time (priority)ResponsibilityResponsibilityExample of integrityExample of integrityParenting as disciplingParenting as discipling

1818Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. the Lord. 1919Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. with them. 2020Children, obey your parents in everything, for this Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. pleases the Lord. 2121Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. become discouraged. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~When others see our family relationships, do they see When others see our family relationships, do they see the the difference that Christ makes, or are we pretty much a difference that Christ makes, or are we pretty much a model model of the norm?of the norm?

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22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ~~~~~~~~~~Our culture no longer has formal slavery, however, employers and bosses still hold massive sway over the lives of their employees and their families.

You can be fired, laid off or “let go” for any reason or no reason whatsoever. (Threat of financial ruin.)You can be forced to work massively long hours.Your wages can be cut.You can be transferred to any other job. You can be forced to relocate.

article on Roman article on Roman slaveryslavery

article on “wage” article on “wage” slaveryslavery

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ~~~~~~~~~~In your employment, remember who you represent.You attitude is your testimony. (evangelism)

Exhibit integrity (you will be disliked for this . . . )Understand who your ultimate employer is.Can you endure this for Jesus’ sake?

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. ~~~~~~~~~~God will deal with injustice, either from you or your master.

This declares that the slave is equal to his/her master.

2222Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. reverence for the Lord. 2323Whatever you do, work at it Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, men, 2424since you know that you will receive an since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Christ you are serving. 2525Anyone who does wrong will Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. 11Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heavenheaven. . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Obviously, Paul is calling masters to a higher Obviously, Paul is calling masters to a higher standard than the standard than the culture at large. culture at large.““fair” contains the idea of equality. (radical teaching)fair” contains the idea of equality. (radical teaching)““Treat your slaves as well as Jesus treats you.” This Treat your slaves as well as Jesus treats you.” This models models Christ to them. Christ to them.

Treat everyone as well as Jesus treats you!Treat everyone as well as Jesus treats you!

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. 1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. ~~~~~~~~~~Why did Paul not say “set your slaves free”?

We are supposed to be fundamentally different:Our motivation; 3:1 Our worldview; 3:2 Our identity; 3:3 Our purpose; 3:4 Our conduct; 3:5-7 Our relationships; 3:8-10 Our sociology; 3:11 Our character; 3:12 Our unity; 3:14-15 Our anxiety level; 3:15 Our conversation: 3:16 Our tune; 3:16 Our families; 3:18-21 Our work relationships; 3:18-4:1

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Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

~ Romans 12:1-2

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