Paul’s advice for us today – be imitators of God, walk in love, be faithful in life and love your family.
Ephesians 5: Walk in Love
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not become partners with them;
8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),
10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
30 because we are members of his body.
31 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Things to think about…
1. Love is funny thing isn’t it, Eph 5:1,2. Christ was showing His love for us on the cross, but there is no way that it felt good for him at the time, even though it was ‘all good’. How do you maintain Paul’s challenge to sacrificially love others when the feelings are waning or even non-existent? Paul says it must be done in the context of “a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” Eph 5:2.
2. Some of the Facebook posts I read by Christians clearly violate Eph 5:4 in my opinion. Then again it comes down to your interpretation of filthiness, foolish talk and crude joking. But I think in most cases there is a fairly discernible line. All communication whether face to face or online should honour Christ.
3. Are there any married women who struggle with Eph 5:22-24. Yet there it is. It’s easy to make excuses for not honouring your husband. The Lord does not ask that you wait for your husband to be perfect before you honour the Lord with what He says.
4. Likewise, which of you married men struggle with Eph 5:25-28… and yet there it is, …as above, stop making excuses, honour your Lord and go to it. It is dishonouring to God when He has sacrificed Himself for you. You are called to love and cherish your wife in a the same sacrificial way. Husbands are to be the leaders in displaying Christ centred sacrifice in their homes.
5. The ‘mystery’ that Paul spoke about earlier referring to Christ now being revealed has a profound significance in a marriage. If every marriage in the church simply carried out Eph 5:33, we would have 0% divorce among Christian couples.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for pledges for finances for the youth and young adults pastor role. $49, 640 has come in so far. Let’s keep praying for final collection numbers.
2. Christmas Day Service 25th – service will start at 9:00am.
3. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023 and the finances to support them.
4. More young families and youth into the church.
5. Ministry leaders within the church.
6. Our One for Israel ministry.
7. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Wonderful afternoon and evening of Carols. Thankyou to all those who made the day possible. Many new people came and heard the gospel.
2. Thankyou to those who have supported the church and youth and young adults role - $49. 640 raised thus far.
3. Work being done in the house and café. Thankyou especially to Fred Mienie, Rob Brand and James Smith.
4. New folk becoming members of CBC
5. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Christmas Day service – 9am Dec 25th.
2. Remember to check your duty rosters.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for December...
Q. 3. Why did God make you and all things? A. For his own glory.
