Week 6
February 4, 2023

Ephesians 6
Ephesians 6:1-4
Children, obey (Not Submission) your parents in the Lord (Will of God), for this is right. “Honor (hold in respect, esteem) your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Fathers Do Not
“to anger alongside, i.e. enrage” (Strong’s Concordance)
“do not exasperate your children” (New International Version)
“never drive your children to resentment” (The Jerusalem Bible)
“do not provoke your children to anger” (Revised Standard Version)
“don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children” (The Living Bible)
“don’t over-correct your children or make it difficult for them to obey the commandment” (Phillips New Testament Bible)

The Balance
A Parent Is Responsible To Point Out Mistakes Children Make, But if Not Balanced with Love and Positive Statements A Child Will Be Provoked To Wrath and Discouragement

Remember The Enemy Is Against Them Too

Ephesians 6:5
Bondservants (Slaves or Employees), be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;

Paul’s Mentality Was
You Change the Culture By Changing the Hearts
Paul Always Dealt with Matters of the Heart to Believers
The Silence of Slavery Was Not His Promotion of Slavery

Ephesians 6:6-8
not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Our Work May Not Be Recognized By Men But Will Always Be Recognized By God

Ephesians 6:9
And you, masters (Employers), do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Employees Are Supposed To Act Like They Are Serving Christ
Employers Are Supposed To Act As If Christ Is Their Employee

Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God (His Armor – Isaiah 59:16-17), that you may be able to stand against the wiles (Methods and Strategies) of the devil.

A Belt of Truth
A Breastplate of Righteousness
The Shoes of The Gospel of Peace
The Shield of Faith
The Helmet of Salvation
The Sword Which is The Word

If You Dress Like God
And Walk Like God
And Talk Like God
And Fight Like God,
You Will Look Like God To The Devil

Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:13-16
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Using It). Stand therefore (USE IT!!!!), having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all (Overall and In Front of), taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

2 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (Rhema) of God;

The Word of God Works and Is Effective
Why?
It’s God’s Word!
God’s Word supersedes all authority of the church, of reason, of intellect, and even of Satan himself.

Ephesians 6:18
praying always with all prayer (Intercession, Thanksgiving, Agreement, Dedication, Binding and Loosing, Faith) and supplication (Needing God) in the Spirit (Tongues – 1 Corinthians 14:2,15), being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Ephesians 6:19-24
and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.