Living the Gospel: Dignity, Respect, and Transformation
Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the final chapter of Ephesians, reflecting on the journey we've taken since the beginning of the year. We began with a prayer, asking God to open our hearts, minds, and lives to receive His word and be shaped in His image. The central theme of our discussion was the embodiment of the gospel, living out a cruciform or cross-shaped life, and embodying the kingdom of heaven in our daily lives.
We explored how Jesus' victory over the powers and authorities of this world came through weakness and the cross, setting a model for us to follow. This model is not about taking the world by force but about embodying Jesus in our broken culture. We are called to treat others with dignity and respect, recognizing that all are created in the image of God. This mutual respect and investment in one another's growth form the bedrock of Paul's vision for the church community.
We then moved into a discussion on Paul's household code, focusing on the relationships between parents and children, and slaves and masters. Paul emphasizes mutual submission and love within the church community, regardless of social status. This vision of the church as an oasis of safety and acceptance contrasts sharply with the world's hierarchical and oppressive systems.
Paul's instructions to children to obey and honor their parents were not new, but he also addressed fathers, urging them not to stir up anger in their children but to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. This was a radical departure from the Greco-Roman household codes, which focused on how everyone in the household could serve the patriarch. Paul’s message was counter-cultural, emphasizing the dignity and respect due to all members of the household.
We also discussed the sensitive topic of slavery. While Paul did not explicitly condemn slavery, he laid down principles that would eventually lead to its abolition. He urged masters to treat their slaves with the same respect and dignity they expected, recognizing that both slave and master have the same Master in heaven. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical narrative that all people are created in the image of God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
Paul's letter to Philemon was highlighted as an example of how he addressed the issue of slavery. Paul urged Philemon to receive his runaway slave, Onesimus, not as a slave but as a dearly loved brother in Christ. This was a radical and transformative approach, challenging the deeply ingrained societal norms of the time.
We concluded with a reflection on how these teachings apply to our modern context. While we no longer live in a master-slave society, the principles of mutual respect, dignity, and love remain timeless. We are called to embody these principles in our workplaces, families, and communities, allowing the gospel to transform our lives and the world around us.
As we prepared to take communion, we were reminded of our identity in Christ. No matter our past or present struggles, we are forgiven and loved by God. This forgiveness and love are central to our identity and should shape how we live and interact with others.
### Key Takeaways
1. Embodiment of the Gospel: Living out the gospel means embodying the kingdom of heaven and a cruciform life. Jesus' victory came through weakness and the cross, setting a model for us to follow. We are called to embody Jesus in our broken culture, treating others with dignity and respect, recognizing that all are created in the image of God. [31:26]
2. Mutual Submission and Love: Paul's vision for the church is one of mutual submission and love, regardless of social status. The church should be an oasis of safety and acceptance, contrasting with the world's hierarchical and oppressive systems. This mutual respect and investment in one another's growth form the bedrock of Paul's vision for the church community. [39:22]
3. Radical Household Code: Paul's instructions to fathers to treat their children with dignity and respect were counter-cultural. Unlike the Greco-Roman household codes that focused on serving the patriarch, Paul emphasized mutual respect and the responsibility of fathers to bring up their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. [46:27]
4. Transformative Approach to Slavery: While Paul did not explicitly condemn slavery, he laid down principles that would eventually lead to its abolition. He urged masters to treat their slaves with the same respect and dignity they expected, recognizing that both slave and master have the same Master in heaven. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical narrative that all people are created in the image of God. [49:03]
5. Forgiveness and Identity in Christ: As we take communion, we are reminded of our identity in Christ. No matter our past or present struggles, we are forgiven and loved by God. This forgiveness and love are central to our identity and should shape how we live and interact with others. [01:06:26]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:45] - Opening Prayer
[31:26] - Embodiment of the Gospel
[39:22] - Mutual Submission and Love
[46:27] - Radical Household Code
[49:03] - Transformative Approach to Slavery
[01:06:26] - Forgiveness and Identity in Christ
[01:07:48] - Communion
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:1-9
2. Philemon 1:15-16
3. Matthew 5:38-42
### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul instruct children to do in Ephesians 6:1-3, and what promise is attached to this commandment?
2. How does Paul’s instruction to fathers in Ephesians 6:4 differ from the Greco-Roman household codes? [46:27]
3. What principles does Paul lay down for masters and slaves in Ephesians 6:5-9, and how do these principles reflect mutual respect? [49:03]
4. In the letter to Philemon, how does Paul suggest Onesimus should be received by Philemon upon his return? [55:03]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of embodying a cruciform life challenge the way we typically view power and victory in our culture? [32:19]
2. What does mutual submission and love within the church community look like in practical terms, according to Paul’s vision? [39:22]
3. How does Paul’s radical approach to household relationships in Ephesians 6:1-9 reflect the broader biblical narrative of dignity and respect for all people? [46:27]
4. How might Paul’s instructions to masters and slaves in Ephesians 6:5-9 be applied to modern workplace relationships? [01:00:04]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to embody the gospel in a challenging situation. How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently to better reflect a cruciform life? [32:19]
2. In what ways can you practice mutual submission and love within your family or church community this week? [39:22]
3. How can you, as a parent or mentor, ensure that you are bringing up children in the training and instruction of the Lord without provoking them to anger? [46:27]
4. Think about your workplace. How can you treat your colleagues or employees with the same respect and dignity that Paul urged masters to show their slaves? [01:00:04]
5. How does the principle of forgiveness and identity in Christ shape your interactions with others, especially those who have wronged you? [01:06:26]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to treat others with dignity and respect. What steps can you take this week to improve in this area? [01:01:43]
7. How can you create an “oasis of safety and acceptance” in your community, as Paul envisioned for the church? What practical actions can you take to make this vision a reality? [40:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Embodying the Kingdom of Heaven
Living out the gospel means embodying the kingdom of heaven and a cruciform life. Jesus' victory came through weakness and the cross, setting a model for us to follow. We are called to embody Jesus in our broken culture, treating others with dignity and respect, recognizing that all are created in the image of God. This means that our actions, words, and attitudes should reflect the love and humility of Christ. By doing so, we become living testimonies of the gospel, showing the world a different way of living that is rooted in love, sacrifice, and grace. [31:26]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you can show Christ-like humility and love today. How can you embody the kingdom of heaven in this specific context?
Day 2: Mutual Submission and Love
Paul's vision for the church is one of mutual submission and love, regardless of social status. The church should be an oasis of safety and acceptance, contrasting with the world's hierarchical and oppressive systems. This mutual respect and investment in one another's growth form the bedrock of Paul's vision for the church community. In a world that often values power and status, the church is called to be different, to be a place where everyone is valued and loved equally. This means actively seeking to uplift and support one another, recognizing that we are all part of the body of Christ. [39:22]
Ephesians 5:21 (ESV): "Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Reflection: Identify someone in your church community who may feel overlooked or undervalued. How can you show them love and support this week?
Day 3: Radical Household Code
Paul's instructions to fathers to treat their children with dignity and respect were counter-cultural. Unlike the Greco-Roman household codes that focused on serving the patriarch, Paul emphasized mutual respect and the responsibility of fathers to bring up their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. This radical approach challenges us to rethink our relationships within the family, ensuring that they are rooted in love, respect, and mutual growth. It calls for a nurturing environment where each member is valued and encouraged to grow in their faith. [46:27]
Ephesians 6:4 (ESV): "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on your family relationships. How can you foster an environment of mutual respect and spiritual growth within your household?
Day 4: Transformative Approach to Slavery
While Paul did not explicitly condemn slavery, he laid down principles that would eventually lead to its abolition. He urged masters to treat their slaves with the same respect and dignity they expected, recognizing that both slave and master have the same Master in heaven. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical narrative that all people are created in the image of God. By promoting these principles, Paul planted the seeds for a transformative approach to societal norms, encouraging a shift towards equality and justice. [49:03]
Philemon 1:16 (ESV): "No longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord."
Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you see inequality or injustice. How can you apply the principles of respect and dignity to bring about positive change?
Day 5: Forgiveness and Identity in Christ
As we take communion, we are reminded of our identity in Christ. No matter our past or present struggles, we are forgiven and loved by God. This forgiveness and love are central to our identity and should shape how we live and interact with others. Understanding our identity in Christ empowers us to extend the same grace and love to those around us, fostering a community of forgiveness and acceptance. It is a call to live out our faith in tangible ways, reflecting the transformative power of the gospel in our daily lives. [01:06:26]
Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Think of someone you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Our charge, our mission, our invitation as a community of Jesus followers is to work together to figure out what it looks like to live out the gospel, live out the kingdom of heaven in our own broken culture. Our culture is broken and the Roman culture was broken, but we're broken in different ways. There's probably some ways in which we're broken in the same ways, but we're also broken in very different ways." [37:39]
2. "We are embodying a cruciform or cross-shaped life where we look, we renew our perception, we renew our perspective and our vision and kind of the way we see the world and we look at everything through that lens of Jesus, the cross, and his kingdom. The first couple of chapters of Ephesians, Paul lays out that Jesus was victorious over the powers and authorities of this world, but his victory didn't come according to the ways or the tactics of the world. His victory came through weakness. His victory came through the cross." [31:26]
3. "It's like Paul's saying, this is, or Jesus is saying, like, this is what it looks like. It's like, to operate as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven, and Paul's saying, yeah, it sounds a lot like what the slaves are already doing, so masters, you start doing it now for your slaves. I think that's interesting. So there's a lot more in here, right, we're barely scratching the surface, and because we can look at this and be like, okay, well, we don't operate in this master-slave environment anymore, so, okay, whatever, we don't need to talk about it. There is still plenty of application here, right?" [59:33]
4. "As far as the east is from the west, that's how far the Lord has removed our transgression from us. This morning, as we take communion, I just want you to think for a moment of, your identity, what adjectives you might use to describe yourself, or what adjectives other people might use to describe you. I just want you to settle on, or to fixate on one. That adjective is forgiven. You are forgiven. No matter who you've been, what you've said, where you've gone, what you've done, what you continue to do, what you continue to think, what you continue to treat other people, you can come to this table, you can come before Jesus, and know that you are forgiven." [01:06:26]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Here's the overarching theme, and that is that we submit to one another in the fear of Christ. In verse 21, it gets so easily overshadowed and overlooked, and we jump straight into verse 22, which is like wives submit to your husbands, and it's like that's all we can talk about, focus on, and think about, and argue about. But we forget, that what Paul says right before that, is everyone is submitting to one another. The church is to be a community of mutual submission and love for everyone, regardless of social status or place on the pyramid or hierarchy of the world or culture or society." [39:22]
2. "Paul is being radically counter-cultural here in each of these instances with wives, and here now with children, by turning the tables and saying, yeah, man, patriarch, you have some expectations too. And so what are the expectations here? Fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Fathers, you have a responsibility here to treat your children with dignity and respect." [46:27]
3. "Paul tears down this system of hierarchy, right? It's not, hey, treat them so they always know that you're the boss, so they always know that they need to please you. It's treat them in the same way, right, in the same way that they're treating you. And you know what's interesting? I thought about that this week, is it's like what Paul then is doing, I think he's kind of connecting this in a way to the Sermon on the Mount, right, because what is Jesus, what is, how does Jesus, how does Jesus tell all of us to operate? I mean, kind of as slaves, right?" [58:09]
4. "Paul's saying this man, who from birth has been, you know, a third class human, right, who has always been taken for granted, overlooked, mistreated, oppressed, right, who even you yourself, Onesimus, have mistreated and oppressed to the point where he ran away from you. I want to send it back to you, but you need to understand, I'm not sending him back to you as a slave, but as a brother, just as he's a brother to me." [56:02]
5. "A kingdom perspective that says we are to treat others with dignity and respect, loving all, because all are created in the image of God, right? Learning how to ourselves bear the image of God, right? Learning how ourselves to walk that cross-shaped life as part of a community where we believe that we are safe and supported, where we won't be taken advantage of, and we're not out to take advantage of others, because we are mutually invested in one another's growth." [01:01:43]
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