Not of This World – Part 5

The Palm Sunday Connection 

Review 

To complement the series title, “Not of This world,” we divided the second half of Ephesians into seven segments, titling each with a superhero or sci-fi fantasy theme: 

The first segment we introduced was titled: 

• Learning How to Sky Walk:  

The second segment we introduced was titled:  

• Avengers Assemble

The third segment we introduced was titled: 

• Close Encounters

The fourth segment we introduced was titled: 

• Honey, where’s My Super Suit?

The fifth segment we introduced was titled: 

• We Draw Our Power from The Son

Submission: The Neglected Superpower 

Ephesians 5:21-33 (ESV): 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 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 splendor, 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.  

Ephesians 6:1-9 (ESV):  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. 

Husbands, Love Your Wives 

Ephesians 6:25 (ESV): 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 

• Colossians 3:19 (ESV):19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 

Slave Masters Have a Master 

Ephesians 6:9 (ESV): 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. 

Submission Is for Everyone 

Ephesians 5:21 (ESV): 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 

• People in authority are expected to be models of submission.

Submission Is a Pathway to Promotion 

Ephesians 6:5-8 (ESV): 5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 

Philippians 2:8–9 (ESV): 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 

James 4:7 (ESV): 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 5:6–9 (ESV):  6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 

What we see is that this pattern of humble submission leads to promotion and the power to wield authority, especially the authority to resist the devil. 

In fact, what is clear to me from these passages and what we will read in Ephesians is that submission itself is spiritual warfare. 

If you’re familiar with the story of Jesus in the gospels, the onetime Jesus is recorded being visibly distressed 

• —and so distressed in fact that he’s asking his disciples to pray for him
• —imagine that, Jesus with a prayer request
• But that’s how bad it was

This is the only moment where we see something happening like this 

And what’s going on? 

• He’s wrestling with submission
• It’s a battle.
• Submission is spiritual warfare. 

This is why, immediately after the section on submission, the next section of Ephesians reads like this: 

Ephesians 6:10–20 (ESV): 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.  

Star Wars 

• Once you win the battle over your will, you can defeat the devil everywhere else.
• There’s an amazing book written by a profound Christian teacher named Watchman Nee, which is called Sit, Walk, Stand. 

Closing Out Ephesians 

Ephesians 6:21–22 (ESV): 21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.  

Ephesians 6:21–22 (ESV): 23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.