Wednesday morning, Pastor Tony Clark walked us through Ephesians 5:15-33. Here’s what I jotted down during his message.
Ephesians 5:15 – Walk circumspectly.
How is your walk with the Lord?
As pastors, we are “sermonators”. But God is concerned about our walk with Him.
v16 – “…redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Are we living God’s will?
It is always too soon to quit.
However many souls you have in your church are the souls for which you will give account.
There is truth in most every criticism.
Eph 5:18 – Do not be drunk with wine but be filled with the Spirit.
Don’t drink.
Are we becoming like Christ, or are we becoming professional ministers?
v18″be filled”
constantly be permeated and filled by the Spirit.
Are you thankful for where you are in the ministry, or are you looking for more?
Don’t look at those who aren’t there, feed those who are.
Don’t despise the days of small things.
A lack of gratitude is offensive to the Lord.
v21 – “Submitting to one another in the fear of God.”
Because of sin, ladies, your desire is to pounce on your husband (Genesis 3). Being filled with the Spirit, turns the clock back and changes this.
Show me a woman who doesn’t submit to her husband, I’ll show you a woman you doesn’t submit to God.
v25 – “Love your wives”
We are willing to lay down our lives for her unconditionally and sacrificially. This is how Christ loved the church.
God has not called us to love the church and to feed our wives; He has called us to feed the church and live our wives.
v25 – “cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.”
Do you have a prophetic word (rhema) for your wife?
v32 – Christ and the church
God has chosen marriage as an example of His love for the church
v33
A mans greatest need is to be respected, a woman’s greatest need is to be loved.
We need to be filled with the Spirit