Ephesians Devotionals
Bob Morris
Spirit-Filled Congregations (Ephesians 5:18-20)
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
One key to understanding this passage is knowing that verses 18-21 forms one complete sentence in the Greek. Verse 21 is a hinge verse, important in understanding verses 18-21 as well as what follows. We will look at it separately next week.
A second key to understanding this passage is that the verbs are plural. Paul is not addressing individuals in speaking of the Spirit, but to the collective community of believers.
In this one sentence there are only two commands: “[All of you together] do not get drunk on wine” and “[All of you together] be filled with the Spirit,” followed by five participles which further explain the command.
So what does a church look like that is being filled continually with the Spirit? Should we expect to see gifts of tongues and prophecy, of administration, service and encouragement? Certainly, as individuals express their unique Spirit-given gifts. But collectively, the congregation will be characterized by singing, thanksgiving and mutual submission. These are the signs of the church collectively being filled by the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at the signs one by one:
Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Have you thought of music in church as primarily a vehicle of worship? Paul seems to see it equally as a form of communication with each other and sees a range of music as valuable for mutual instruction, edification, exhortation and encouragement. These are the songs like “Clap your hands, all you people”, “Trust and Obey” or “Come, now is the time to worship”.
Singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord. Spirit-filled congregations also sing to the Lord, in “Amazing Love”, “Be Thou my Vision” and “Blessed be your name” and the like.
One of the issues facing those who are planting churches amongst Muslims is whether to include music in congregational meetings, since music is just not part of Muslim worship. It would seem that music is an important part of our life together, whether to encourage one another or to worship God. Music is a gift of God and must be an integral part of our life together, whatever our tradition before we came to Christ.Giving thanks to God the Father. Gratitude is one of the distinctives of Christians. The director of the United Mission to Nepal told of being called to speak with the King of Nepal.
“What is it,” the King asked, “that motivates wealthy, highly trained people from the West to come and live in Nepal and serve people so selflessly?”
Behind the question, of course, was suspicion. Who is paying you? What are you really here for?
The director’s response was spontaneous but profound - and one word: “Gratitude”.
Christians are profoundly thankful for what God has done for them, and it motivates us to offer the same to others, whatever the personal cost. Paul says give thanks constantly, for everything, to our Father the source of every good and perfect gift, and in the name of the Lord Jesus, who made it possible for us.
Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. This is the fourth sign of a church being filled by the Spirit; we will discuss it next week.
Father, you know our hearts. You know that all of us who are committed to following Jesus want to be thankful people. May we as your people be filled by your Spirit, to the praise of your name.
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