Ephesians Chapter 5
We have a holiday this month of November where we celebrate Thanksgiving. Paul taught the church that we are to be a people who are always thankful. As a believer we are thankful for what Christ has done for us by both by verbal expression and secondly by the way we live. We will want to strive to live pleasing to God to show our gratitude for all He has done for us.
This goes directly in the face of the world and its philosophy that teaches we should live for ourselves. This is the lie that leads people farther and farther into darkness and into a hopeless existence. For the believer there is great hope and great light, and for that we have so much to be thankful for.
Let's Reflect
1. How does Paul define the sacrificial death of Jesus in verse 2?
2. Verse 3 names sins that mark the life of the person who is living for self. As a believer, Paul remarks, that these sins should not be present in our walk with Christ. What should be present?
3. All of those sins are sins that mark the life of the unbeliever so a believer should not partake in those types of activities. We know that the end result of the unbeliever is what? See verses 5 and 6.
4. Paul teaches us that the believer should not partner with the unbeliever. The more time we spend time with the unbeliever the greater the chance that we will be tempted to fall into sin. The believer is different. According to verse 8 and 9 what is different about them?
5. We are not to take part in the unfruitful works of darkness but instead when we live our life seeking to please the Lord, we will naturally ______________ the works of darkness.
6. Friends, we have only a very short time on the earth. We need to use our time wisely, making the best use of our time. As believers who are striving to use our time on earth wisely, we will be praising God singing and making melody in our hearts and giving ____________ always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7. Paul reiterates the importance of unity in the body of Christ by talking about submission to one another. According to verse 22-23 what is the correct order of submission?
8. We remember how Paul taught us that the great mystery of the Bible was that God revealed His love and the gospel to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. This great love that God has for us is to be exemplified in the marriage relationship. God wants husbands to love their wives as much as they would love their own flesh. The husband should hold fast to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. This united relationship is a beautiful picture of Christ and who? See verse 32.
