Scripture Verse: Psalm 32:8
Message: Ephesians 6:1-2
The instruction for children that Paul gives here is two-fold. Children, first, are to obey their parents. It does not matter whether they agree with them, understand their rules, or see their individual flaws. Children are to obey their parents promptly, cheerfully, and completely — as long as they are not being asked to disobey God’s clear commands (“obey…in the Lord”).
In addition, however, every child is to honor his or her father and mother. It is not enough, then, to simply take out the trash, make the bed, or clean the room — if all the while the child is grumbling to himself, or complaining about her parents to her friends. Honoring one’s parents means respecting the position of authority that they have over you, as their child, and showing that respect in your actions and words.
Parents, you have an obligation to teach this part of the Bible to your children, as much as any other portion of Scripture. Your children should know that God requires obedience and honor from them, toward you, for his glory. Being just your child’s “friend”, rather than their parent, is not an option God gives us.
Of course, if children are to obey their earth-bound parents, and honor them with their actions and words, how much more should every child of God honor and obey our Father in heaven? Do we submit to him promptly, cheerfully, and completely? Do we revere him in all we do and say? It is right, it is appropriate, that we honor and obey our heavenly Father, in public and in private.
Message: Matthew 25:40
There are many of Jesus’ instructions that we show by our actions we have not fully comprehended or considered — or even believed.
He exhorts us “take no thought for tomorrow” and yet we worry ourselves to death. He promises “my yoke is easy” and yet we prefer to labor under our own. He says, “If you love me, keep my commandments” and yet we ever strive to separate the two. He warns “you cannot serve God and money” and yet we always try to join the two.
But perhaps the revelation which is most widely ignored is this: if you do anything for the least of Jesus’ brethren, it is as if you have done it to Jesus. Do you live like that is true?
Have you visited dingy, smelly nursing homes; given to foreign evangelism; reached out to broken addicts; taught your children the Bible — all as if you were doing it to Jesus? So often we hurry by the hurting faces of Jesus’ brothers and sisters because we consider them beneath us. And yet King Jesus says, “you have done it to me.”
Did you wake up this morning with the realization that today you could do something to minister directly to Jesus? Let that revelation sink in. Live like you take Jesus’ statement seriously. Help the hurting, dust the furniture, teach the Bible, give to the needy, encourage the downcast just the way you would if Jesus was the One you were encountering today. Because he is.
Message: Ephesians 5:24
Although doubtless the instruction that immediately captures our attention (and gets all the press) is the command for wives to be subject to their husbands, this is not actually the main thrust of Paul’s message here. Reiterating his primary focus, in verse 32, Paul says, “I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
The primary point that Paul would have us take to heart — which will, it is true, have inevitable implications for marital relations — is that marriage is a picture of Christ’s communion with his church. The husband’s selfless, sacrificial love for his wife is only a shadow of Christ’s love for his church. No husband will ever love, or sanctify, or edify his wife as perfectly as Christ loves and sanctifies and edifies his church. What a beautiful reminder!
And, yet, that is not the only implication that flows out of Paul’s instruction. What is to be our attitude toward our beloved Savior? Not just reciprocal love, not only warm appreciation — but also submission. As members in the body of Christ, we are to recognize that Christ is our head, that he has authority over us.
This means that whatever he requires of us, whatever he speaks to us from his Word, we must be willing to do. Loving one another (John 13:35), forgiving and forbearing one another (Ephesians 4:32), visiting and caring for one another (James 1:27) — these must flow, ultimately, out of our joyful submission to our perfect head Jesus Christ. Is there someone you have refused to forgive? Are there needy in your church that have not been cared for? Are there some personalities in your congregation that rub you the wrong way?
Paul’s simple reply is “the church is subject to Christ.” That is all we need know. For Christ’s sake — in submission to Christ’s authority — we must forgive, and love, and minister to our brothers and sisters in the church.
Message from Hebrews 12:1-2
Where do we find the strength for this grueling, often disheartening, many-obstacled race that is the Christian life? It is only found in fixing our gaze upon the God-man. Only as we look to Jesus do we find the persevering grace to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint.
Duty, without the beatific sight of Christ firmly focused before our eyes, will be nothing more than drudgery. On the other hand, to truly see Christ is to be transformed by the sight. There is no such thing as looking at Jesus and not being changed.
Do you struggle with personal purity? Look to Jesus, and be reminded of the superior pleasure of your perfect Savior. Are you wrestling with grief? Look to Jesus, and be comforted by the sovereign goodness of your God. Have you given into temptation? Look to Jesus, and see the forgiveness that pours from those cross wounds.
Only an unclouded, Bible-grounded view of Jesus can inspire us to faith, and give us the strength that we will need for faithful living. Fear of hell, fondness for family, love of fellowship, or hope of heaven — none of these are strong enough to build a joyful, persevering, self-sacrificing, Christ-exalting life upon.
Conversely, if we see our determination lagging or our strength diminishing, this is a certain indicator that our gaze has dropped, that our eyes are not fixed upon Jesus as they ought to be. As hymnwriter Helen Lemmel exhorts:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
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The Tony Evans Bible Commentary
Tony Evans is one of the most influential church leaders of our time and has been studying and preaching the Gospel for over 50 years. He is senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, TX and founder of The Urban Alternative, a ministry which promotes a kingdom agenda philosophy designed to enable people to live all of life underneath the comprehensive rule of God. The insights in this commentary will help explain God’s Word in a fresh way. Applying these truths will empower readers to have transformed lives that then transfer the values of the kingdom of God to others.
The Tony Evans Bible Commentary includes
An introduction to each Bible book followed by passage-by-passage exposition of the entire Bible by Dr. Tony Evans
A special front matter section with introductory resources
Special back matter / key definitions
Theological and doctrinal charts
Concordance
Two Bible reading plans
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Food for the Soul 