21. To Be (1)

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Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians

Knowing Your Privilege in Christ

 “To Be (1)”

Ephesians 5:17-20 (KJV) 

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

OUTLINE

  • To Be Understanding (v17)
  • To Be Filled with the Spirit (v18)
  • To Be Singing (v19)
  • To Be Thankful (v20)

INTRODUCTION

The Christian life that is filled with fervour, grace, and strength has a certain character that the Apostle Paul sought here for the believers to assimilate into their lives. He tells us that there are 4 aspects of the Christian’s spiritual life that fortifies and equips him for life. I have entitled it “To Be”. 

  • To Be Understanding
  • To Be Filled with the Spirit
  • To Be Singing Praise to God
  • To Be Thankful

These are all-season Christian demeanour and ways that speed him or her a long way through the trials and temptations of life.

  • To Be Understanding

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

The Christian must seek to know the will of the Lord and walk therein. It seemed a mysterious notion what the will of the Lord is! He has just spent 3 chapters of this book to help us to understanding our origin. Where we come from and where we are going. That’s crucial. He tells us that to understand the will of the Lord and to walk in it is to be wise!

And the Lord reveal His will to us through the writing of his apostle, written for all posterity in His written Word, the Bible!

The Church is a separated people (1) Chosen by the Father (Eph. 1:1-4), (2) Purchased by the Son (Eph. 1:5-9) and (3) Sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:10-14). 

The church is firstly, a privileged people separated from sin unto holiness (Eph. 1:1-4) – this is what it means to be “Chosen by the Father”. 

Secondly, the church is a purchased people in intimate fellowship with the living and true God(Eph. 1:5-9) – this is what we mean when we say “Purchased by the Son”. 

And thirdly, the church is a protected people destined for heaven(Eph. 1:10-14) – this is what we mean when we say “Sealed by the Holy Spirit”.

There is a beginning and an eternal consummation to our being. And we are in that in-between time-frame.

He tells us that because we are living in these evil days it would be unwise or foolish not to have good judgment and to exercise it when the time comes. [Lenski]

He elaborated for us that we are made spiritually alive, having been freed from the bondage of sin, though living hostile territory – Satan’s world, and can be plagued by fallen self.

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

And we are made spiritually well by the rich mercy and great love of God.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised usup together, and made ussit together in heavenly placesin Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in hiskindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it isthe gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

And we are created for good works. We have a mandate to bring the lost souls to be connected to the living and true God and to help them to be built up in the things of God so that they find true purpose and meaning for life.

All of riches and blessings of life is stored up in Jesus Christ. And this mystery of wisdom is revealed in God’s revealed Word and taught by God’s servants to His people.

Ephesians 3:8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9And to make all mensee what isthe fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly placesmight be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

He tells us that we are to live as we are called Christians by putting on the demeanour of Christ (Ephesians 4:1-6) and serve as we are endowed (Ephesians 4:7-16). This brings unity and strength and progress in the body of Christ.

1 … ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There isone body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who isabove all, and through all, and in you all. 7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforthbe no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, andcunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, evenChrist: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

And there will be seen in the life of the Christian change – He is a new man with a changed life. The old man is put off and the new man is put on!

Ephesians 5:1-41 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 

He urges the Christian to make progress in his spiritual life to be understanding the will of God and to do!

  • To Be Filled with the Spirit

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

There are those in the church in Ephesus who are intoxicated with too much drinking of wine. He urged them to be sober and stop their drunkenness!

KJV Proverbs 20:1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

The wretched victims of strong or intoxicating drink have been mocked and grievously deceived. Be not deceived is the warning! Not only does it overcome them before they are aware, but it promises pleasure which it can never give. Its raging power causes unruly behavior, degrades man below the level of beast because the government of reason is surrendered to lust, appetite or passion. 

Strong drink is deceptive in that it led us astray and wandered from the path of instruction. It is also destructive – raging means to be boisterous, turbulent, as the roaring of the sea (Jeremiah 5:22, Zechariah 9:15). Strong drink excites its victims to the worst passions – quarrels, brawls, murders (Hosea 4:11, 7:5; Galatians 5:21). It makes shipwreck of chastity, conscience, reputations, homes and friendships. It is also delusive. 

The Bible regards drunkenness as sin, “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD’S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.” (Habakkuk 2:15-16), condemns it (Isaiah 5:22-23), warns of it (Luke 21:34-36), and admonishes watchfulness against it (1 Corinthians 9:27, 10:12, Ephesians 5:18).

Scripture records tragedy due to alcohol. The earliest recorded instance of wine usage is found in the Bible Noah’s intoxication, Genesis 9:21 “And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.” It brought shame for his son Ham, the father of Canaan was condemned for seeing his father’s nakedness. Xerxes was powerful. He ruled over a great kingdom and had a beautiful wife. But his foolish action before his drinking guests resulted in the deposition of his queen and the dissolution of their marriage (Esther 1:9-22). Belshazzar, in a state of drunkenness, committed sacrilege with the sacred vessels from the Jewish temple. That very night he was killed as a fulfillment of prophecy (Daniel 5).

Drunkenness, according to Scripture, is a sin. The spirit and intent of Scripture emphasize the evil consequences of alcohol. The Christian is urged to be filled with the Spirit. Let the Spirit of God take charge. He is to be dependent on the Holy Spirit through prayer and the Word.

To be filled in the Spirit enables the believer to walk surely and steadily, controlled by the Spirit, endued with the Spirits power to live holily, righteously in the blessed will of God. Indeed, the believer is exhorted to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.

Steve Cole said well, 

“TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT IS TO LIVE WITH EVERY CONSCIOUS AREA OF YOUR LIFE YIELDED TO THE SPIRIT’S CONTROL.”

“TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT IS TO LIVE WITH THE WORD OF GOD PERMEATING EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE.”

“TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT INVOLVES AN EVER-DEEPENING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THROUGH THE SPIRIT.”

“TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT INCLUDES SPECIAL TIMES OF GOD GRANTING EXTRAORDINARY POWER FOR SERVICE.”

  • To Be Singing (v19)

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

The way of uplifting the heart and strengthening the inner man is to meditate upon Scriptures and godly thoughts that exalts the name of God and Christ in music.

John Stott said well, “The speaking is the singing and it the singing that makes the sound. The qualifier is that these sounds come from a Spirit-filled heart. The present tense indicates it is a Spirit filled believer’s lifestyle. The sounds that please the Lord are the sounds that come from a Spirit-filled heart. Have you ever experienced the joy of singing with a group all of whom were genuinely Spirit filled? You cannot come much nearer to heaven’s door!”

Psalms from the root word “to sing” refers to a set piece of music, sacred ode (accompanied with voice, harp or other instrument; a “psalm”). The wordoriginally meant a touching, and then a touching of the harp or other stringed instruments with the finger or with the plectrum. Later it referred to the instrument itself, and finally it became known as the song sung with musical accompaniment.

On psalmody or the singing of psalms, William J Reynolds observed, “Through the psalms of David and other writers the children of Israel found expression for religious experiences. Psalm singing was a vital part of the of the services of the Temple and the synagogue, and this practice was continued in the early Christian church. The psalms were sung in prose form, and the recitation melodies were known as psalm tones, one for each church mode.”

He further observed, “In the sixteenth century, the practice of singing metrical forms of the psalms assumed an important role in the form of worship developed by John Calvin in Geneva. Calvin recognized early the value of Christian song to nourish church piety and worship. His services were dignified yet simple and consisted of praying, preaching and singing …The writing and publishing of metrical psalms in Geneva culminated in the Genevan Psalter, 1562. This monumental publication was made up of previously published psalters.”

The English Psalter was introduced in 1550, the Anglo-Genevan Psalter in 1558 and the Scottish Psalter in 1564.

William J Reynolds wrote, “It can be observed on the basis of internal evidence, some of the psalms seem to indicate that they were used for public worship, some for private devotion, and some for the celebration of specific events. The Hebrew Psalter and the manner in which it was used provided the musical heritage of the early Christians. The text reflects the basic concepts of God and His moral nature. They gave evidence of the personal element of religion of individual communion with God.”

Hymns refers to a song of praise, a song in honour of God. Whereas a psalm is the story of man’s deliverance or a commemoration of mercies received, a hymn is a magnificat, a declaration of how great someone or something is (Luke 1:46-55, 67-79; Acts 4:24; 16:25). It is a direct address of praise and glory to God.

Luke 1:46-55 (KJV) 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy ishis name. 50 And his mercy ison them that fear him from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from theirseats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of hismercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever … Luke 1:67-69 (KJV) 67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed bethe Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.

Acts 4:24 (KJV)24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou artGod, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

Acts 16:25 (KJV)25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Spiritual song from the English word “ode” more often refers to song of joy or praise. In Revelation, it refers to a song of rejoicing and praise for the Lamb of God’s victory over evil. Hence, it is fitting that Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 include songs of rejoicing and praise to God. The Apostle Paul wanted to ensure that believers sang spiritual songs, songs which issued from hearts filled by the Holy Spirit rather than produced by wine. [Hoehner, 709]

John Stott said well, “This illustrates what the Spirit-filled life should look like. This verse applies not so much to congregational singing, as to “melody in your heart.” Such a life will be fruitful (Ephesians 5:9), active (Ephesians 5:16), understanding (Ephesians 5:17), joyful (Ephesians 5:19), thankful (Ephesians 5:20), and submissive (Ephesians 5:21).”

To be continued…