Ephesians 6:1-9 – How to Honour Your Parents
How has Ephesians been shaping you?
Example 2 – Walking carefully within your family
Eph 6:1, “Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right”.
…a commonly held world view.
… directly linked to the commands God gave his people
Two radical things
Firstly, this command is addressed to the children.
Secondly …these people are seen as equal
A few questions
… for how long?
… what does it mean to honour them?
…what if they tell you to do something that is ungodly?
A word to the parents
Verse 4, Fathers do not provoke your children to anger… do not exasperate them. Instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Who owns your children?
… training and instruction of the Lord.
Impossible application
Firstly, It does not mean we can sub contract out our responsibility to the church.
…Ephesians 4:11-12
Secondly, it does not mean that parents can tell their kids to do what they are not prepared to do as well.
Example 3 – Walking carefully in your work place
Ephesians 6:5, Slaves obey your masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ”.
Ephesians 6:9, “treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know the he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven and there is no favouritism with him”
Qu: Why doesn’t God’s word simply call on followers of Jesus to release their slaves to freedom?
For us today
Firstly, slavery is not an option for us today in our culture
Second, … the worker / employer relationship.