Sunday 02:02:14

We are all leaving a legacy. We will leave a legacy at work, at school, in our communities. But the biggest impact, the greatest legacy you leave will be in your own family. Paul desired two things for the Ephesians: 1. For them to grasp what Jesus is doing for them and in them, and 2. For their lives to be changed because of it. His thesis for his letters is often, here's all that Jesus has accomplished for us. He's lavished love on us, forgiven us, sacrificed himself for us, is at work within us, adopted us as sons and daughters, brought peace to us, and much more... Now live a life that reflects what he's done. Live in purity. Live a life characterized by love. Forgive each other. Sacrifice for each other. Live in unity. Understanding what Jesus has done for me transforms how I live. Live out the legacy of Christ that you received - make it your legacy. So Jesus' legacy is us. We are the fruit of his work, faithfulness, his teaching, his obedience, his death. We are recipients of his righteousness, his forgiveness, his sacrifice. Jesus calls us to live out his legacy. Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. The Greek word (hypotassos) means to put under. To submit means I put my interests after yours. It means that we show other people preference over our own desires. It is the opposite of haughty and selfish. This is what Christ did for us. He had no need for suffering, but we needed him to suffer. Jesus put our needs ahead of his own. He is our inspiration and our role model. it is done out of reverence, respect, or honor to Christ. Out of respect for Christ, I give your interests 1st place over mine. If you are truly following Jesus, you will be a servant to others - a foot washer. Show Jesus honor by putting the needs of others ahead of your own. Ask your family, "what can I do for you?" At PK, one of the speakers asked his wife and kids two questions. "What do you need from me?" and "How am I doing?" If you do it and follow through, this will change your relationships. Ephesians 5:22-23 The wife is called on specifically to submit to her husband. "As to The Lord" means out of honor to Jesus, submit to your husband. In the Bible, the man is the spiritual head of the home and the wife should acknowledge his leadership. What does submission look like? Respect your husband with your words and attitude The way you talk to him, the way you talk about him. The way you choose to either cooperate with him or work against him It is not wrestling for control It is not belittling your husband Mark 3:25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. I took this verse completely out of context - Jesus was being accused of driving out demons by power from Satan. So he pointed out how ridiculous it was. But it applies here nonetheless. A home needs a leader. In the Scriptures, that role and responsibility falls to the husband. You cannot be constantly wrestling over control. If you are constantly at war over who wins, you will leave a legacy of confusion and misdirection. You have to work together - as one - to raise children. You have to work together - as one - to manage your finances. You have to work together to build a home of love, peace, grace, warmth, refuge You have to work together to build a legacy Ephesians 5:24-33 In God's hierarchy, leaders serve. Jesus says, "The greatest among you will be your servant" (Matthew 23:11, NIV). Christ demonstrated servant leadership. Leadership is not a right to command and control as one might in a military setting. Author and pastor of Bethlehem Bible Church in Minneapolis, Minn., John Piper: "Headship is God's calling on a husband to take responsibility for Christ-like servant leadership, protection and provision in the home." "The wife gets to submit and the husband gets to die."