LESSON 6-Ephesians
Walking in Love, Light, Wisdom, and Worship
Ephesians Chapter 5:1-20
Eph 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
What are you to do when daily filled with the Spirit?
Eph.5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
Related Scripture:
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Encouraging One Another in Praise
This text instructs interaction in our praise. Paul tells the Ephesians to “(speak) to one another,” using psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Entering a gathering of believers, even with a small offering of praise, our gathering begins to be magnified as we join with others. Their voices encourage us, and we inspire them. Separation from a local gathering deprives a person of this relationship and its strength. Let us assemble often and praise much—encouraging one another in praise. This is part of the Corporate Anointing!
Note, the place of songful worship as a means to fulfilling the directive in v. 18—to be filled continually with the Spirit. Psalms are scriptural lyrics in song; hymns are humanly inspired lyrics in song; spiritual songs are impromptu rhythmic lyrics given by the Holy Spirit in one’s language or in “tongues” (see 1 Cor. 14:15).
The three forms of music Paul identifies here are:
a. Psalms: these would be from the OT psalter
1) Which has always been a rich source of inspiration for the people of faith.
2) From the first days of the church the psalms have been the songbook of those who want to express their love for God.
b. Hymns : hymns were corporate expressions of devotion and the content of faith.
1) It seems that the early church used these songs as a means of early catechism.
2) They would take Christian doctrine and truths and set them to music, thus making them easier to remember.
3) Once learned, they became mutual confessions of faith, creeds that expressed a shared faith.
4) To sing them to one another was a form of encouragement
c. Spiritual Songs: these were unpremeditated words sung “in the Spirit.”
1) They might be words that were understood, (Songs of and to the Lord)
2) or they might be expressions of praise through an unknown tongue as the Spirit gave a person utterance.
3) Typically, these were unrehearsed songs of momentary inspiration as the Holy Spirit gave direction to both melody and words.
4) In 1 Cor 14:15 Paul says that he will sing with the spirit, and also with the understanding.
There is substantial evidence that Paul’s exhortation at this point was well heeded by the church.
a. Congregations made it a regular practice to sing as he directs here.
b. While Pliny was the Roman governor of Bithynia was told in a report that the Christians would meet on the first day of the week and sing to one another the elements of their faith and their praises to their God.
c. The early church father Tertullian said that it was the regular habit of churches to have the people sing to God in the presence of the others from what he knows of the holy scriptures or from his heart.
Singing to one another about the Lord is praise.
Worship is from the heart to the Lord, sometimes sung.
Psalm 150:1-6 Praise the Lord! 1 Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! 4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Eph.5:20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5:20 Because you are identified in the Name of Jesus Christ, you can afford to always overflow in gratitude to the Father, (not for everything that happens to you but) in spite of everything that happens to you; you are not under circumstances but above circumstances because you are in Him! Mirror Translation
1 Thess. 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
JESUS/YESHUA IN Ephesians Chptrs. 1,2,3,4- 5:20
· Yeshua/Jesus is the appointed Head (Ephesians 1:20-23)
· Yeshua/Jesus builds us as One for a holy temple
(Ephesians 2:22)
· Yeshua/Jesus fills us with all the fullness of God
(Ephesians 3:19)
· Yeshua/Jesus’ likeness in His people keeps the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:2-3)
· Yeshua/Jesus gifts His body, the Church (Ephesians 4:11)
· Yeshua/Jesus as Head brings everybody, every member into service (Ephesians 4:15-16)
· Yeshua/Jesus causes the Body to grow and build up itself (Ephesians 4:16 )
· Yeshua/Jesus is learned by each member living out true holiness (Ephesians 4:21,24 )
· Yeshua/Jesus, Spirit of Christ, expects His Body to be Holy.
Spirit filled daily (Ephesians 5:18)
Notice the Word says to give thanks in everything, not for everything.
We will continue with Lesson 6 next week.
The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22
David & Mary Sue