Dec 28, 2025 "Filled, Not Controlled" (Ephesians 5:17-21)

 

Ephesians 5:17-21 New International Version

¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,

²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

 

Filled, Not Controlled

Ephesians 5:17-21

 

Many Christians will often quote this passage to warn about alcohol.  

 

Ephesians 5:18 ESV

[18] And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

 

However, Paul is talking about anything that controls you. Alcohol, money, success, or education can be all things that control your life. None of these things are bad, but if they control your life or fill your life, then it is a problem.

 

Paul contrasts being filled with wine and being filled with the Spirit. The spirit will lead you to life whereas wine will lead you to the world.

 

Many people will fill their lives with success, but that success is not long lasting and needs more success. Money is finite and can leave you easily. Education can lead to anxiety and arrogance. Addiction desires more of you and the long-term results are never beneficial. All of these things in its proper place and moderation are good but should not fill you unlike the Spirit of God.

 

When the Spirit fills you, you naturally give praise. Your life becomes a living sacrifice. Worship does not just happen at church, but will manifest at home, work and wherever you are.

 

Gratitude is also evident of the Spirit's work. Gratitude is not just a list of things that we can look to as evidence of God's blessing. Gratitude is knowing God is good and He is our creator.

 

When the Spirit fills you and your heart is full, you are not trapped by possessions, relationships, successes, or health. You can live and act in gratitude because you have God in your life.

 

God does not ask us to fix our lives, but He wants to know what fills our lives. Jesus calls us to him when we are weary and burdened. He calls us when we are broken and not perfect.

The freedom God offers after He fills us with His Spirit will satisfy and bring true freedom.

 

• Who You Say I Am
• God You're So Good
• Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

May 4, 2025 "Love Begins at Home" (Ephesians 5:20-6:4)

When we work together and live together, we can make a huge impact for God. Family is essential. 

 

Husbands and wives:  

The relationship between spouses is not about one person being better than the other. Spouses have different responsibilities and must serve each other with humility. Husbands are called to live in a life of sacrifice like Jesus lived. The church follows Jesus with love and faith. This is what wives are called to do. This is not a hierarchy but a partnership.  

Originally man and women before the fall were equal and one 

 

Genesis 2:22-24 ESV 

[22] And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. [23] Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” [24]  Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.  

 

After sin came in, the relationship became a power struggle.  

 

Genesis 3:16 ESV 

[16] To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” 

 

This desire is about control.  

 

Parents and children  

 

Children are called to obey their parents as this is the same as obeying God. 

 

Ephesians 6:1-2 ESV 

[1]  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),  

 

Parents have the obligation to raise their children in Godly love and obedience. 

 

Ephesians 6:4 ESV 

[4] Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  

 

We are to raise our children as the way God wants us to which is to show love. This love will give self-esteem when children see their worth.  

 

Our prayer should be that our home is filled with God's love where children feel secure and they are loved by their family and God. 

For some, they have been raised in homes that were full of love or families were broken. God can restore what was broken or is missing. 

• Jesus Loves the Little Children
• Jesus Loves Me This I Know (Jesus Loves Me)
• How Great Is Our God

May 12, 2024 "Father's Love" (Ephesians 6:1-3) DOEM Spring Picnic

Father's Love

Ephesians 6:1-3

 

Today is parent's day which makes it a good time to talk about parents.

 

The first commandment of ten commandments is not having a good relationship with your parent; however, it is the first commandment with a promise.  

 

Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV

[1]  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), [3] “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."

 

Our fathers are just as fragile as we are. Our parents try to make the best decisions with what they have and who they are.

Ephesians 6:1 ESV‬ 

[1]  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  

The true meaning of obeying our parents includes understanding our parents. 

 

So Will I
How Great Is Our God

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• 은구비공원
• 대전선사박물관

Nov 19, 2023 “Isn't God enough?”(Ephesians 5:18-20)

Ephesians 5:18-20 New International Version

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 

19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 

20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Every Giant Will Fall

• My Lighthouse
• Love The Lord
• How Great Is Our God

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Oct 8, 2023 "Understanding Church Community Part 2" (Ephesians 4:1-16)

 

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

How He Loves

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Oct 1, 2023 "Community" (Ephesians 4:3-16)

Ephesians tells us we need to maintain the community that the Holy Spirit has formed. We do not need to make a community for Jesus. It has already been made and our one goal for us and that is to worship Jesus. 

 

[3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call. 

Ephesians 4:3-4 ESV  

The early church struggled with whom to follow. Did they follow Peter or Paul? Paul tells us that we should just follow Jesus. We have the same problem today. There are so many Denominations, but our concern should still be a focus on Jesus. 

 

There are reasons for all the denominations and there are pros and cons for the different denominations; however, we should focus on Jesus and not the differences. 

 

[10] He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)  

Ephesians 4:10 ESV

Paul reminds us that Jesus came down and then returned to Heaven to fulfill His duties. Jesus did this so that we would build community.  

 

[11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,  

Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV 

We all have different abilities and are unique. None of us can be thrown away or ignored. None of us can also just sit back and do nothing. We are to harmoniously work together. We may argue and have different ideas than others, but a Christian community should work together through Jesus to make efforts to secure a Christian community.  

 

We cannot just be content that we are all different. We have to make efforts to improve the community. How do we do this? 

[15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 

Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV 

We do this through the foundation of love. We love through helping each other. Practically we do this by supporting all the other parts. We help each other through love.  We help each other to become better people.  

 

How to use our love is addressed this passage. Help others in the Christian community to become better. This is how we can love each other.   

I Will Run To You

Complete

With All I Am

Sep 17, 2023 “Growing Stronger 💪 in the Power of God”(Ephesians 6:10-20)

Ephesians 6:10-20 English Standard Version

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 

19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Outline

1. Know the Energy (vs. 10)

2. Know the Enemy (vs.11-12)

3. Know the Equipments (vs.13-20)

 
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Ephesians 6:10 ESV
 
Paul tells us that we are strong in the Lord. We are to become stronger, and this strength comes from God. We are not called to be strong in strength, finances, relationships, or anything else from this world. We are called to be strong in God and His might. 
 
He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.
Daniel 11:32 ESV
 
The book of Daniel tells us that those who know God will be strong. We cannot overcome temptations in our own strength. Our strength comes from the Lord. It is easy to get tired when we use our own energy. We have to use the energy from the might of God. 
 
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:11-12 ESV
 
Paul also makes it clear that we need to know who the enemy really is. An enemy you cannot see is very powerful. Our enemy will camouflage himself to look like something else and we see others as our enemies. The devil can use people, but it is spiritual powers that we must fight those spiritual powers and not the people. The real enemy is not the government or your nasty neighbors.
 
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV
 
Paul takes time to show what equipment we need to win against the enemy. Our warfare is spiritual and needs spiritual armor and weapons. 
 
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:13-17 ESV
 
Every piece of equipment is needed. You cannot ignore one piece.
 
Belt of truth
Breastplate of righteousness 
Shoes of the Gospel
Shield of faith
Helmet of salvation 
Sword of the spirit
 
Why was prayer not listed as a specific weapon. 
 
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Ephesians 6:18 ESV
 
Prayer is not an offensive weapon or a defensive weapon; however, it is a coordinating weapon. Prayer shows how and when to use weapons effectively.
 
We need to know our energy, our enemy and our equipment.

Open The Eyes Of My Heart 

Here I Am To Worship 

What A Beautiful Name