Togetherness
Spirit-filled believers should treat fellow Christians with respect and submission, maintaining harmony in their relationships and resisting the devil through their relationship with God.
Theodore Epp emphasizes the importance of togetherness among believers, highlighting that no one can live a spiritually isolated life as we are all members of Christ's Body. He explains that Spirit-filled believers should treat each other with love and respect, submitting to one another in reverence to God. Epp encourages believers to seek harmony through mutual submission, which allows the Holy Spirit to foster strong relationships and prevents the Devil from causing discord. He reminds us that God's grace empowers us to resist temptations that disrupt unity, urging us to maintain our relationship with Christ as the foundation for all our interactions.
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Ephesians 5:25-33
No believer lives a spiritually isolated life. Together, we are members of Christ's Body (Eph. 5:30) and have responsibilities to each other. Ephesians 4:25 says, "We are members one of another." Therefore, Spirit-filled believers treat fellow Christians as they would treat themselves. We are not to be domineering, but recognizing that Christ is the Lord of all, we are to have a submissive spirit.
As we mutually desire to do the will of God, the Holy Spirit will give us a harmonious relationship with each other. We are to submit ourselves to others "in the fear of God," which is a reverential fear lest we displease or dishonor God. Because of all that Christ has done for us, our desire should be to please Him in everything we do. As we submit ourselves to Him and to others, the Devil is given no opportunity in our lives. Ephesians 4:27 tells believers, "Neither give place to the devil."
God gives the grace that is needed to resist the temptation to disrupt the harmony of believers: "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:6,7). When we maintain this kind of relationship with Christ, through the Holy Spirit, we have the proper basis for the various relationships in life, some of which are mentioned in Ephesians 5.
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular" (1 Cor. 12:2 7).
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Togetherness in the Body of Christ
- The Characteristics of Spirit-Filled Believers
- The Role of the Holy Spirit in Harmonious Relationships
- Gives us a harmonious relationship with each other
- Helps us submit ourselves to others in the fear of God
Key Quotes
“We are not to be domineering, but recognizing that Christ is the Lord of all, we are to have a submissive spirit.” — Theodore Epp
“Neither give place to the devil.” — Theodore Epp
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- We should strive to treat fellow Christians with respect and submission, just as we would treat ourselves.
- By submitting ourselves to God and others, we can maintain harmony in our relationships and resist the devil.
- The Holy Spirit gives us the power to live in harmony with others and to resist the devil's temptations.