In this chapter the apostle goes on with his exhortations to relative and domestic duties, and considers those of children and parents, and of servants and masters; and next he exhorts the saints in general to constancy and perseverance in the exercise of grace, and the performance of duty in the strength of Christ, and with the use of the armour of God described by him; entreats them to pray for him; gives the reasons of sending Tychicus, who brought them this epistle, and closes it with his apostolical salutation. He begins with the duties of children to their parents, which are submission and obedience to them, honour, fear, and reverence of them; the arguments engaging thereunto are taken from the light of nature and reason, from the command of God, and the promise annexed to it, Eph 6:1-3. Then follow the duties of fathers to their children, who are exhorted not to use them with too much rigour, and so provoke them to wrath, but to bring them up in a religious manner, that they may serve the Lord, Eph 6:4. Next he observes the duties of servants to their masters, which are subjection and obedience, which should be done with reverence of them, with simplicity of heart, as unto Christ, not with eyeservice, as menpleasers, but with the heart, and with good will, as doing the will of God, and as if it was to the Lord, and not men; to which they are encouraged by a promise of reward which is given without respect to bond or free, Eph 6:5-8. And masters, they are exhorted to do what is right and just to their servants, and not terrify them with menaces; to which they are moved by the consideration of their having a master in heaven, who is no respecter of persons, Eph 6:9. From hence the apostle passes to a general exhortation to the saints to behave with firmness and constancy of mind, though they had many enemies, and these mighty and powerful, and more than a match for them; relying on the power and strength of Christ, and making use of the whole armour of God, which he advises them to take, that they might stand and withstand in the worst of times, Eph 6:10-13, the several parts of which he enumerates, as the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, whereby the fiery darts of Satan are quenched, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit the word of God, and spiritual prayer of every sort for all saints, attended with watching and perseverance, Eph 6:14-18, which last part of the spiritual armour being mentioned, leads on the apostle to entreat the Ephesians to pray for him, that he might freely and boldly preach the Gospel; which he commends from the mysterious nature and subject of it, from his character as an ambassador for it, or for Christ, the sum and substance of it, and from his being in bonds for it; which showed how great an esteem he had of it, and how heartily concerned he was to preach it without fear, Eph 6:19,20. And then adds, that the reasons of his sending Tychicus, whom he describes by his relation to him as a brother, and his affection for him, and by his office as a minister, and his faithfulness in it, were, that they might be acquainted with his circumstances, in what state and condition he was, both with respect to things temporal and spiritual, and that their hearts might be comforted by him, Eph 6:21,22. And the epistle is concluded with the apostle's salutation; and the persons saluted are the brethren of this church, and all that love Christ Jesus sincerely; and the blessings wished for are peace, love, with faith and grace; the persons from whom they are desired are God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Eph 6:23,24.
More and more children are growing up without the stability and direction God intended for the family. Dr. Tony Evans explains the responsibility parents have to raise children with Kingdom values and how godly parenting can help reverse destructive cultural patterns.
Fathers aren’t taken too seriously in modern society. Sitcoms and the silver screen in particular often paint the family’s most prominent man as a clumsy, bumbling stooge. Fatherhood according to Scripture, however, is a high calling worthy of all diligence, seriousness, and respect.In this message, Stuart course-corrects our culture’s view of fathers and fatherhood, showing how God intends men to bless their families as catalysts of love, learning, and spiritual maturity.
Ephesians chapter six is a wonderful guide for parents, and helps us understand the direction God wants us to go in, as we raise our children. And I’m sure you’d agree, it’s not an easy task in this mixed up world we live in. But God has given us the tools we need to succeed in this high and holy calling.
What is the Grace Full Life? Simply put, Jesus came to impart the fullness and the abundance of the life of grace to every believer. We are saved by grace and we grow in grace. Grace teaches, encourages, and comforts us. The Grace Full life is the life that liberates us from the chains of a performance-based or guilt-riddled spiritual experience. Pure Grace ushers the believer into a relationship with God as it wonderfully establishes, sustains and satisfies our souls to the fullest for the duration of our journey in life with Him.
The role of the home in the Spiritual development of children.
Children are a gift from the LORD … to be loved, enjoyed, and trained for godly maturity. But how can you train up your children to love God and mature in their faith? In this practical message for parents, Pastor Jeff Schreve reveals the common parenting mistakes and the godly solutions that will offer your child the best opportunity to grow into a godly, mature believer.
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