Spirit-filled Relationships

by | Aug 20, 2023 | Mt Pleasant Sermons

Bible Study

Don’t just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Eph 5:15-21, Phil 2:3-4, Matt 20:25-28.

Sermon Notes

  • Christians who are filled with the Spirit overflow
  • In Ephesians 5:17, Paul commands that Christians “Be Filled with the Holy Spirit.” He goes on to describe three results (“overflows”) of that filling – worship, thanksgiving, and practicing submission in relationships
  • Definition – “Submission is a voluntary act of coming under another person in order to lift them up in love”
  • Paul’s description from Phil 2 – “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3–4 ESV)
  • Jesus is the supreme example of practicing submission – on the Cross he voluntarily made himself less and came under unworthy sinners in order to lift us up into God’s love and salvation
  • Jesus remains king even though he practices submission. If we are in positions of authority, we can still practice submission without compromising our position (as a boss, parent, etc.)
  • If we lack authority in a relationship and are expected to submit (to a boss, parent, etc.), we can still choose to do so out of reverence for Christ (5:21) which is a much stronger motivation
  • Practicing submission requires wisdom and godly discernment. It does not mean submitting to harmful behavior from another person
  • Practicing submission cannot happen in our own strength – it is the result of first being filled by the Holy Spirit!

Sermon Application

  1. What is the command in Ephesians 5:17-21? What are the results?
  2. Can you think of a person who treats you with submission and service?
  3. Why must we be filled with the Holy Spirit before trying to practice submission in our relationships?
  4. Can you think of some examples where submission is not an appropriate way to treat another person?
  5. Describe how a person in a position of authority can still demonstrate submission toward someone below them?
  6. For the Christian, why is the motivation of serving Christ greater than the motivation of pleasing the boss or bettering one’s reputation?

Questions?

Do you have a question about today’s sermon? Email Randy Forrester (RForrester@StAndrews.Church).

Audio & Video

You can listen to the sermon by using the player below or via the St Andrew’s Sermon Podcast on iTunes and Spotify.