The Power of Authority
Ephesians 6:1-12
Paul is setting forth the order of Christian living in an ordered structure that will provide both strength and the blessings of God.
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Children ought to be taught to honor and obey their parents for their own well-being. When children do not know how to respect their parents who brought them into the world and provide for them, then they will not know how or even care to obey the various authorities of life.
Ephesians 6:2 Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
Honor of father and mother is the first commandment of promise.
The Ten Commandments given in Exodus, provides this commandment and it comes with the promise of long life.
Exodus 20:12 Honour your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God give you.
Ephesians 6:3 That it may be well with thee, and you may live long on the earth.
The promise is the longevity of life. Hereby we come to understand that there is no set time for our physical death. We can extend life by living in the wisdom of God and by asking God for life.
2 Kings 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus said the Lord, Set your house in order; for you shall die, and not live. 2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, 3 I beseech you, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus said the Lord, the God of David your father, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears: behold, I will heal you: on the third day you shall go up unto the house of the Lord. 6 And I will add unto your days fifteen years; and I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
Ephesians 6:4 And, you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
With respect comes respect. Parents should provoke their children, but rather encourage their children to do that which is good and right. The only way to teach right and wrong is to nurture them in the Word.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
This is only the first step. Respect for respect works all the way up the levels of authority in life.
Ephesians 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Commands of a servant:
- Be faithful in your work
- Serve Well
- Do the job, and not just make it look like you are doing the job
- Do your job as you are doing it for God.
(This is vital because as Christians, we are the living examples of what Christ would do. Do we want Christ to think less of you as compared to others.)
Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;
Christians are demonstrating to the world how everything ought to be done in keeping with the will of God. Even, when we are not recognized or properly rewarded by men/women.
Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teaches in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reaps life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
The important thing about doing right is that God knows.
Ephesians 6:6 Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Paul is not speaking of “servants” in terms of American chattel slavery. He is speaking of those who have been hired to do a job or provide a service.
Thus, he admonishes us to do the work that we have been hired to do and provide the service promised.
Ephesians 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Our focus should be that God is watching. How well do I represent God?
Ephesians 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
God is the ultimate reward of all work.
Jesus demonstrates that all work is honorable.
John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
Once we come to realize the power that God has placed in us, then we can understand that there isn’t anything or work that can belittle us.
John 13:4 He rose from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
He puts on the garments of a slave.
John 13:5 After that he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then came he to Simon Peter: and Peter said unto him, Lord, do you wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do you know not now; but you shall know hereafter.
Jesus is saying to Peter, you too will be a servant of God and with the power of God to become a fisher of souls.
The word Disciple means to serve: one disciplined or taught in a manner or profession of service.
Ephesians 6:9 And, you masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Now, again, the order of respect for respect. As your servant serves with respect, have respect for the servant.
Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Do not threaten your servants, because you have a Master in heaven that has more power than you have.
Romans 2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whosoever you are that judges: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you that judges does the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And think you this, O man, that judges them which do such things, and does the same, that you shall escape the judgment of God?
Paul assures us that God is mindful of how we treat and judge one another. Actions are indicative of what is in the heart. Those who judge are really judging themselves. The evil they pretend to see in others is really the evil they know of themselves.
Paul continues speaking of the judgment of God.
Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that works for good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Now that he has laid for the doctrine of respect for authority and the peace to be found in respect, He turns the importance of having the power provided by God to those who do respect one another.
The strength acquired from being in the will of God provides:
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Paul is speaking of Abraham
Romans 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Paul makes reference to sports and gladiators in his epistles because these were the known events from which to make reference.
Jesus makes it clear as to the power and armament of God that is provided
Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry you in the city of Jerusalem, until you be endued with power from on high.
Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keeps his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he takes from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divides his spoils.
Therefore, we must be armed with the power of God that comes from obedience and respect for one another.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
- Principalities are the chief rulers of the highest ranks in Satan’s kingdom
- World rulers under the dominion of Satan.
Daniel 10:12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I am come for your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
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