Challenging Preconceptions About Ephesians 5 | 9/8/26

Ephesians Chapter 5 contains probably the most controversial passage in the whole letter — one that's been manipulated, abused, and caused real pain for many people. In this significant sermon, Pastor Mark walks through six surprises in Ephesians 5:21–33, working through what the word "submit" doesn't mean before landing on what it does mean, drawing on Greek word study, a striking 1990s Queensland court case on marital consent, and Jesus's own pattern of dignifying women — from the Samaritan woman at the well to Mary sitting at his feet to Mary Magdalene's role as "apostle to the apostles." He unpacks headship not as authority or being "the big dog," but as taking responsibility for the flourishing of others, using the image of two planks of wood leaning on one another for shelter. Whether you're married, single, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a fresh, evangelistic vision for what it means to lift one another up. flbc.org.au