Ephesians 5:1-2 – I’ve Been Watching You, Dad

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ² Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” – Ephesians 5:1-2 (New Living Translation)

I’m just going to come out and say this: I like country music. There’s a song by Rodney Atkins called “Watching You” that I’ve loved for years, but more so since I became a father to a little boy in October of 2014. Ok, maybe he wasn’t so little since he was born weighing 10 lbs. 13 oz., but he was still my little boy.

Each verse of “Watching You” ends with a question to the artist’s son. These questions are, “Son, now where’d you learn to talk like that?” and “Son, now where’d you learn to pray like that?” And then the most powerful one comes near the end of the song when the artist sings, “With tears in my eyes, I wrapped him in a hug. Said, ‘My little bear is growing up.” And he said, “But when I’m big, I’ll still know what to do. ‘Cause I’ve been watching you, dad, ain’t that cool? I’m your buckaroo, I wanna be like you. And eat all my food, and grow as tall as you are. Then I’ll be as strong as Superman. We’ll be just alike, hey, won’t we, dad? When I can do everything you do. ‘Cause I’ve been watching you.”

When I hear this song, I think of how my son watches me, and wants to do everything I do, trying to be just like me. In fact, just the other day, he was standing behind the pulpit of our church’s outdoor sanctuary pretending to preach, like his daddy. That brought tears to my eyes, much like writing this devotion is doing right now.

The same is true for us. We are God’s children and we should strive to imitate Him, making Him our example and model. 1 Peter 1:15-16 tells us, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” This isn’t saying to think about, admire, or adore God – although those are all important. This is a call to practical action, going beyond our inner life with God.

Are you watching Jesus – through the reading and studying of Scripture – and trying to become more like Him?

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the wonderful gift that is country music, and for speaking to me through this song. I pray it spoke – and will continue to speak – to my readers as well. Thank you that we can look to you as our role model, guide, and perfect example of how we are to live our lives in love.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Ephesians 4:25-32 – How to Stop the Sun

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

“²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. ²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:25-32 (New International Version)

In light of the transformation the Apostle Paul discussed in Ephesians 4:22-24 – which I referred to as a spiritual superset here – we are to change what we think, say, and do. In today’s passage, Paul contrasts the old way of living with the new way of living by listing seventeen changes. One of these changes states, “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…” One time, when preaching on this passage, I told the following story I found online.

The story is told about a little boy who got into a fight with his older brother one morning. Somewhat outmatched, he took quite a beating. It was his pride, however, that suffered the most. The whole experience left him feeling bitter. In fact, he refused to talk to his brother all day. Bedtime came, and their mother, very much wanting to see the two make up, said to the younger, “Don’t you think you should forgive your brother before you go to sleep? Remember, the Bible says, ‘Do not let the sun go down on your anger.’” The youngster looked perplexed. He thought for a few moments and then blurted out, “But, Mommy, how can I keep the sun from going down?” The boy’s question revealed that he had no intention of getting rid of his grudge and changing.

Sadly, this is how it is for us as well. Due to change being uncomfortable, we are often unwilling to let go of our old ways and embrace the new. God is constantly reminding us of how we are to be transformed in His Word, but sometimes we are too “busy” to read and study it.

Are you too busy to spend time with God?

Prayer:

Father, help us to accept change, no matter how difficult it is. Help us also to know that no matter the reason for change – whether it is something you are orchestrating, or it is something that simply happens – help us to know that you are walking with us through the change, often carrying us through. But no matter, what, Lord, please allow the change to bring us closer to you.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Saturday – Ephesians 4:17-24 – Time to Hit the Gym

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

“¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. ²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:17-24 (New International Version)

Paul starts off by painting a terrible picture of the Gentiles, but he ends it with hope by saying, “That, however, is not the way of life you learned…” He was essentially saying that the Gentiles were terrible people, but it’s a good thing that the Ephesian believers were not because it was not the way of life that they had learned. He then goes on to remind them of what they were taught by going through what I like to refer to as a superset. In weight lifting, a superset is when you perform one exercise immediately followed by one or two more with no rest in between. This shocks the muscles, allowing for maximum blood flow, which promotes better growth. This can be seen in a spiritual sense when Paul reminds us about putting off our old selves (verse 22), having our minds renewed (verse 23), and putting on our new selves (verse 24). This whole spiritual superset shows a transformation. We once didn’t know Jesus and did things our own way, then we encountered Jesus and He began to renew our mind, and then we began living a new way.

As you look back over the last year or so of your faith journey, do you see a process of change for the better in your thoughts, attitudes, and actions? Although change and transformation may be slow, they come as you trust God to work in your life.

Allow God to transform you. I promise you that it will be one of the best decisions you will ever make.

Prayer:

God, when it comes to physical exercise, we sometimes don’t want to do it. The same is true for this spiritual superset as well. If we’re being honest, we sometimes don’t like change, and this superset is a very big change. So please help us to remember that you are in control and that you know what’s best for us. Help us to remember that you take us through changes because you are shaping, molding, and forming us into the image of your son. You are making us into a masterpiece. Thank you for that.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Friday – Ephesians 4:14-16 – You Can’t Build It Alone

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

“¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” – Ephesians 4:14-16 (New International Version)

Here, the Apostle Paul continues his thoughts on maturing in our faith by saying that when we have reached maturity, we will no longer be infants (i.e., spiritually immature) who are pushed around by the waves and the winds of ungodly teaching and people. When we have reached this level of spiritual maturity, Paul says we will speak the truth in love. Speaking the truth in love sounds simple, but many find it very hard to do. Some are fairly good at it but forget to be loving. Some are good at being loving but have difficulty being honest with others when the truth is painful. To build up the church, we need to both speak the truth, but do it in a loving manner.

Jesus’ grand design for the church is that we help each other grow and mature in our faith. When we join with Jesus, He forms us into a group united in purpose and in love for one another and for God. If one stumbles, the rest of the group picks that person up and helps him or her get back on their path with God again. Don’t try to live the Christian life alone. As part of the Body of Christ – the Church – you can reflect His character and carry out your special role in the work He has called the church to do.

Are you maturing spiritually? Do you speak the truth in love? Are you helping others to become more spiritually mature? If the answer is no, then what are you waiting for? Get plugged in to the church and find fulfillment in sharing God’s love with others. If the answer is yes, then keep up the good work – always growing, always loving, and always becoming more like Jesus.

Prayer:

Father, we ask that you would give us the desire and the passion to grow in our faith and to become more spiritually mature. Let us no longer be babies, but let us be the ones to whom others look for wisdom, advice, and spiritual guidance. Continue to fill us with your wisdom. Continue to use us to build your church and further your kingdom. Thank you for making us a vital part of your heavenly team.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Thursday – Ephesians 4:11-13 – Gifted to Love God and Love People

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

“¹¹ Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. ¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. ¹³ This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:11-13 (New Living Translation)

God has given His church an enormous responsibility – to make disciples of every nation (Matthew 28:18-20). To do this, He knew His children would need gifts and abilities in order to fulfill this calling. These are known as spiritual gifts and there are many of them. The list found here in verse eleven is not exhaustive, but these five were crucial to the establishment of the first generation of the church. Other spiritual gifts can be found in Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 7, 12, and 13; 1 Peter 4, 9, and 10; and Ephesians 3. God, through the Holy Spirit, has given each Christian a special gift – or multiple gifts – that should be used for building up the church.

Each of us have different gifts. You are able to do things well that I cannot. I am able to do things well that you cannot. But when we bring our giftedness together as the people of God, we are able to accomplish together what God has called us to do. Each of our gifts are important.

Think of the construction of a building that requires an architect, a project manager, a project coordinator, construction workers who specialize in different areas of construction – and I’m sure many other jobs that I am missing. What would the building look like if only the architect were involved? It would stay on paper, or as a three dimensional model on the computer. What would the building look like if only the plumbers were involved? It would only be a bunch of pipes sticking out of the ground. The point is that no one would be able to build an entire building on their own as effectively as if an entire team of people with different areas of expertise were building the building. The same is true of the church. What would the church look like if it only consisted of a receptionist, or an organist, or a drummer, or a preacher? If there were only one person with one job, you wouldn’t have a church. Just as a construction team needs others to get the project done, so do we need one another to build up the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Are you exercising the gifts God gave you to this end? If you know what your gifts are, look for opportunities to serve. If you don’t know what they are, ask God to show you, perhaps with the help of a church leader or Christian friends. Then, as you begin to recognize your special areas of service, use your gifts to strengthen and encourage the church. Use them to love God and love people.

Below are two spiritual gifts inventories you can take to begin the process of finding out how God has gifted you.

https://spiritualgiftstest.com/ – This one is really good. It shows research behind the test, as well as provides a section with an introduction to the various spiritual gifts.

http://buildingchurch.net/g2s.htm – This is probably the most thorough spiritual gifts inventory I found.

Prayer:

Lord, we thank you that you have graciously given us our spiritual gifts, whether we know what they are yet or not. If we fall into the latter category, we ask that you would reveal to us in which ways you have gifted us. As we use these gifts to further your kingdom, please allow us to grow closer and closer to you so that we can become more and more like you.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Wednesday – Ephesians 4:7-10 – Always Already There

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

“⁷ But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” ⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)” – Ephesians 4:7-10 (New International Version)

In yesterday’s devotion on Ephesians 4:3-6, we discussed the unity of the Body of Christ. In today’s passage, Paul switches his focus to the grace and gifts that Jesus has given to us. While this grace and these gifts are needed for many things, I believe Paul could be continuing his thought by saying that we will need God’s grace in order to live in unity with one another. 

We see that these gifts are given not according to our worth, our need, or anything we have done, but according to what Jesus saw fit to give us. This means that we will all have different gifts, or different combinations of gifts but that Jesus knew what each of us would need to live out the calling that He has for our lives.

We also see in this passage that Jesus left heaven to descend to earth – to live among us, and to sacrifice Himself for us – and that he then left the earth to ascend higher than all the heavens so that He could fill the whole universe (verses 9-10). This tells us that we will never be in a place that Jesus has not filled with His presence.

So, as you go throughout life and face situations in which you feel that God is not there, rest assured knowing that He absolutely is there, and He always has been.

Prayer:

Father, we thank you for the grace you so freely give us and for the gifts that you bestow upon us to help us to love and serve others. Thank you that you are always already present in our lives. 

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Tuesday – Ephesians 4:3-6 – Life Together

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

“³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:3-6 (New International Version)

A theme that the Apostle Paul touches on in many of the books of the Bible he penned is unity. Unity was central to Paul’s vision for the church. When looking at the world around us – and sometimes even the church – it is hard for us to grasp true unity. The “one body” that Paul mentions here is the church – us – and we are unified through Jesus, with the Holy Spirit being the glue which holds us all together. Paul writes that our commonality is that we have one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father – that’s what unifies us. Jesus must always be at the center of all we do.

I think another thing that Paul is saying here is that we are not called to be alone on our faith journeys. God didn’t create us to be loners, He created us for relationship. We are to enjoy fellowship with one another, supporting each other in the good times as well as in the bad, and striving towards the future – together.

So, no matter what you are going through right now, or no matter where your faith journey currently has you, please know that you don’t have to do it alone and that you are not alone.

Prayer:

Lord, we live in a crazy world – a world that throws a lot of difficult things our way. Thank you that we don’t have to face the craziness alone. Thank you that you are with us, and thank you that we have each other. Help us to keep our focus on you.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Monday – Ephesians 4:1-2 – What If We Choose To Love?

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

From chapter four onward, Paul will describe the specific lifestyle changes God wants His followers to make by taking his readers back to the fundamental instructions on living the Christian life. He reminds them how they began and what it was all about.

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. ² Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” – Ephesians 4:1-2 (New Living Translation)

At the time of my writing this (May 6^th), I have just finished writing my sermon for this upcoming Sunday (May 10^th). By the time you read this (beginning on May 11^th) – assuming you tuned in to our Sunday morning worship service – you will have heard me preach about the story of The Prodigal Son from Luke 15. The way God orchestrates and times things is incredible to me. In the story of The Prodigal Son, we have the character of the older brother who is full of resentment and bitterness in regard to the poor decisions and subsequent return of his younger brother and how his father welcomed him back with open arms and no questions asked.

The older brother in this story was not doing what the Apostle Paul urged here in Ephesians 4. He was not being humble and gentle. He was not being patient with his brother, or his father. And he certainly was not making allowance for his brother’s faults. Actually, he was showing no love – only bitterness and hatred.

The truth is that no one is ever going to be perfect here on earth, so we must accept and love others, despite their faults. When we see faults in people, we should be patient and gentle. Is there someone who really knows how to press your buttons, annoying you to no end? Rather than dwelling on that person’s weaknesses or looking for faults, pray for him or her. Then do even more by actually spending time together with the goal of trying to understand them and learn from them.

Imagine if the older brother in the story of The Prodigal Son had allowed love to win over resentment and hatred? Imagine what it would be like if we did the same. What would happen if – no matter how annoyed or frustrated we are with someone – we chose to follow the greatest commandments of loving God and loving people (Mark 12:30-31)?

Prayer:

God, we know that you are love and that it is only because you loved us first that we are able to love. Help us when our sinful human tendencies try to take control and allow us to instead choose to love. In doing so, we are becoming more like your Son. And that’s what we want, Lord…to be more like Jesus.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Week Three, Saturday

Ephesians 3:14-21

 Filled to Overflowing

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

“¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:14-21 (New International Version)

It seems as if Paul is concluding his latter here, but there are still three chapters to go in his letter to the Ephesians. He actually was wrapping things up, but only the first three chapters – chapters that were focused on God’s love and plan for the world. From chapter 4 onward, Paul will describe the specific lifestyle changes God wants His followers to make.

In these verses, Paul prays that the Ephesian believers – and we – would be filled to the point of overflowing with the fullness of God (verse 19). This doesn’t mean that we will be able to fully comprehend God. That would actually be impossible. What it does mean, however, is that God has all of us. And if God has all of us, His Spirit permeates our minds, hearts, and souls like water flooding in and covering everything – nothing remains untouched by His love.

When we get a taste of Christ’s genuine love for us, we will want it to fill every nook and cranny of our lives. This is a daily process of surrendering to Him and opening new doors so that His love can become the dominant influence in everything we think, say, and do.

Paul ends this chapter with – in my opinion – one of the most powerful benedictions in all of Scripture. This benediction will be our prayer for today.

Prayer:

“²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Week Three, Friday

 Ephesians 3:12-13

 Ready to Scoop Us Up

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

“¹² Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. ¹³ So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.” – Ephesians 3:12-13 (New Living Translation)

Because of Jesus, we have open access to God the Father. But note the role of faith, of placing our hope and trust in Jesus as our Lord. It is because of our faith in Jesus – and the fact that we have been made into new creations in Him – that we can come before God at any time. And God Himself awaits us with arms wide open to welcome us into His presence.

When Paul uses the words “boldly and confidently,” he is doing so to encourage us to come to God, even when we are a bit afraid or shy or feel too ashamed. We should come before God in prayer with the abandon of children. Don’t be afraid of God. Talk to Him about everything. He wants to hear from you.

In verse thirteen, Paul tell us that his suffering, trials, and imprisonment should make us feel honored. What a strange thing to say, right? What he means by this is that if he would have not preached the message of the gospel, he would not be in jail – but then the Ephesians would not have heard the Good News and come to faith in Jesus either. Paul had to suffer so that the gospel could be spread and people would come to faith in Jesus, but He knew that God was with him every step of the way.

Just like Paul, God is with us every step of the way – helping us, guiding us, comforting us, sustaining us, and sometimes carrying us.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for providing a way for us to come boldly and confidently into your presence. Allow us to not be afraid, but to come to you as a young child running to their daddy. Thank you that you are there with open arms, ready to scoop us up and hold us close. We love you, Lord.

In Jesus name we pray, amen!