Today’s sermon title is ”Honor Rooted in Reverence.” Pastor Pete wants us to focus on verse21, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” This verse concludes a long teaching passage. It starts with chapter 4:1,  “to live a life worthy of the calling.”  The first three chapters of Ephesians present the Gospel, God’s saving work in Christ and the believers new identity. From chapter 4 and continuing to our passage today, the Apostle Paul urges the believers to be careful in how they live, that their life reflects their identity as Christ’s followers marked with humility, love, unity and moral integrity. He continued by stressing what it means to follow Christ, living a life that does not only mean talking about their faith but living the faith. 

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16) 

Paul admonishes the believers on the importance of walking or living in the light of Christ. This way of living demonstrates the transformation power of the Gospel that builds up the church, “Christ’s new society.”

In verse 17, Paul urges the believers not to be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is. His message to them:  They not only seek God’s will but they need to live it.

In verse 18, Paul is warning them, “Do not get drunk in wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Paul is direct in his language and offers a wise answer to people struggling with evil in their lives.

Being filled with the Spirit means being empowered by God’s presence, leading to a transformed life characterized by joy, gratitude and submission.

There are three words, in verse 21, that Pastor Pete wants us to look into.

1. Submit. This word comes from two  Greek words, (hypo) meaning under and (tasso), meaning to arrange, to yield or to order. This word can stir up many emotions, painful memories, past relationships or loss of dignity. Christ has exemplified submission that is rooted in the servanthood of Jesus- his self sacrifice.
2. “One another” comes from the Greek word (allellon). In these words  we see the importance of Christ’s believers living together in unity of the Spirit, willingness to serve others around you, reflecting the humility and love exemplified by Christ, from self centeredness to self sacrifice.
3. Reverence. As Christ’s followers we are called to go beyond ourselves as our way of showing our reverence to Christ.

This passage concludes with a call for the believers to submit to one another in reverence for Christ. This is not a hierarchical submission, but a mutual honoring of one another in the body of Christ respecting each others’ role. We live in a world where the priority is self promotion and dominance. In the Church community mutual submission fosters unity and peace, reflecting the love of Christ.

Pastor Pete raised the question for Villagers: What if Jesus were standing in the middle of our conversation and interactions, will his presence compel us to honor and serve one another? Different scenarios were presented. What will be our response? The challenge to us is that “this is not a call to try harder but to abide in Christ and allow the Spirit to form Christ likeness in us.”

1. What are the themes that you see in this text? Which one speaks to you the most?
2. The Apostle Paul is very direct in his teachings to the believers in Ephesus. Do you find these relevant to us today? Why or why not?
3. Paul’s admonition to the church in verse 15 is “to be careful in how you walk” and in some translation “how you live.” What do you think is Paul saying to the believers? How does the believer’s “ walking” reflect their response to God’s calling?
4. Pastor Pete raised a question in different contexts. “What if Jesus was standing in the middle of this conversation?” In our relationships- whether in marriage, family, workplace or church- how would our interactions change, if we recognize his presence?
5. Pray for one another that we may walk not as unwise but as wise.