Understanding the Will of God – Part 7

Ephesians, chapter number five. Ephesians, chapter number five. Everybody else gets a Sunday afternoon nap. I get a Sunday afternoon candy snack. Amen.

Scripture Reference

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Introduction

Title: “Understanding the Will of God – Part 7” preached by Dr. Terry LeQuieu.

In this message from Ephesians 5–6, Dr. Terry LeQuieu continues the series on understanding the will of God. The emphasis tonight is the divine household pattern God prescribes: how husbands, wives, children, parents, servants (employees), and masters (employers) are to live under Christ’s authority. These passages are not cultural suggestions to ignore, nor are they merely idealistic. They are revealed instructions—practical, commanding, and purposeful—showing how the revealed will of God governs our homes and workplaces. If we want God to reveal more of His will in our lives, we must faithfully follow what He has already revealed.

Outline

1. The Foundational Principle: Follow the Revealed Will
   1. Statement: God reveals a way to live; unrevealed will is not given to those who ignore revealed will.
   2. Explanation: Dr. LeQuieu emphasizes stewardship: obey what God has already commanded (Ephesians 5–6) before expecting further revelation. A mature Christian learns to steward revealed responsibilities—home, church, work—so God can entrust greater things.
2. The Way for Wives: Submission and Reverence
   1. Requirement: Wives are to submit to their own husbands as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22).
   2. Reason: The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 5:23) — a spiritual order for protection and guidance.
   3. Result: Submission promotes followship and fellowship (Ephesians 5:24). When wife and husband walk together in submission to Christ, the family is spiritually stronger.
   4. Supporting thought: Submission is not inferiority; it is a biblical order that keeps the home under God’s umbrella of protection. When a wife submits “as unto the Lord,” she is placing herself under God’s ordained structure, not blindly following a sinful leader.
3. The Handbook for Husbands: Leadership in Love
   1. Position: The husband is the spiritual leader of the home (Ephesians 5:23).
   2. Pattern: Husbands lead in the love of Christ — sacrificially and sanctifyingly (Ephesians 5:25–27).
   3. Practice: Sacrificial love — gave himself for the church; Sanctifying love — washing with the Word; Satisfying love — nourish and cherish (Ephesians 5:25–30).
   4. Application: Leadership is service: husbands are to love, sacrifice, train, and provide spiritual direction, not to domineer or neglect. Leadership carries responsibility before God.
4. The Supreme Picture: Marriage Reflects Christ and the Church
   1. Unity: A husband and wife become one flesh (Ephesians 5:31).
   2. Mystery: Marriage is a great mystery pointing to Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32).
   3. Practicality: Leaving and cleaving—growing into a God-honoring unit that reflects Christ’s care for His bride.
5. The Command for Children: Obedience and Honor
   1. Duty: Children must obey parents “in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:1).
   2. Dividend: Honor of father and mother brings the promise — well-being and longevity (Ephesians 6:2–3).
   3. Explanation: Obedience is the child’s primary responsibility and a practical school for submitting to God’s authority throughout life.
6. The Plan for Parents: Nurture, Admonition, and Balance
   1. Instruction: Fathers (parents) must not provoke children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
   2. Balance: Discipline and affection — both are necessary. Too much permissiveness produces rebellion; too much harshness produces fear and insecurity.
   3. Direction: Parents must actively “bring up” their children—modeling godly living, teaching Scripture, and practicing family devotions. “You can tell, but you cannot teach until you practice what you preach.”
7. The Solution for Servants/Employees: Heart-Service to Christ
   1. Requirement: Servants (employees) obey earthly masters with fear and sincerity as unto Christ (Ephesians 6:5–6).
   2. Readiness: Not merely eye-service or men-pleasing; genuine single-hearted service to the Lord.
   3. Reason: God sees faithful work, and He rewards it — “whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:8).
8. The Message to Masters/Employers: Forbearance and Responsibility
   1. Requirement: Masters must deal with servants without threatening, exercising patience and fairness (Ephesians 6:9).
   2. Perspective: Remember your Master in heaven; there is no respect of persons with Him. Earthly authority must reflect heavenly accountability.
   3. Leadership principle: Strong leaders lead to encourage and build; weak leaders threaten and tear down. Christian employers should be models of godly leadership.

Summary

God’s revealed will in Ephesians 5–6 presents a divine pattern for relationships. It begins with submission to God’s revealed order and moves into how that order functions in the family and workplace. Wives submit as unto the Lord; husbands lead sacrificially and sanctifyingly as Christ did the church; children obey and honor; parents raise with nurture and admonition; employees work as unto Christ; employers lead with fairness remembering their heavenly Master. These are not optional cultural add-ons but the revealed will of God that provides protection, unity, and spiritual fruit. The practical thrust of Dr. LeQuieu’s sermon is clear: steward faithfully what God has revealed first—household duties, church life, and workplace conduct—so God can trust you with more of His will.

You are not going to have God reveal any new will to you in your life or give you a new plan for your life if you are not following what he has already revealed to you, alright?

Application for the Week

Practical, measurable steps you can take this week to apply Ephesians 5–6 under the teaching of Dr. Terry LeQuieu:

1. Wives — Practice Biblical Submission as Worship
   1. Action: Choose one significant decision this week (home routine, budget, children’s schedule) and affirm support for your husband’s leadership by asking, “How can I support you in this?”
   2. Reflection: Journal how submitting “as unto the Lord” changes your attitude and note any spiritual peace or unity it brings.
2. Husbands — Lead in Love and Word
   1. Action: Schedule a focused devotional time with your wife (15–20 minutes this week) to pray together and read a short passage from Scripture (start with Ephesians 5:25–27).
   2. Action: Do one sacrificial act this week (unplug, help with chores, plan a spiritual date night) that shows nourishing, cherishing love.
3. Children and Teens — Obey Quickly
   1. Action: When your parents give a reasonable request this week, obey promptly without arguing. Make it a goal: obey the first time asked for 7 consecutive days.
   2. Reflection: Note how swift obedience changes the atmosphere at home and what opportunities it opens for trust and responsibility.
4. Parents — Balance Nurture and Admonition
   1. Action: Implement one intentional “bring up” practice this week: family devotion night, 10 minutes of Scripture reading and prayer each evening, or a short family worship time before meals.
   2. Action: If correction is needed, practice measured discipline—explain the reason from Scripture, administer the consequence, and follow with affirmation of love.
5. Employees/Servants — Serve as unto Christ
   1. Action: Identify one work task you can do this week with extra excellence (even if no one is watching). Let it be an offering to the Lord.
   2. Reflection: Keep a short notes list of how serving faithfully affected your attitude, relationships with coworkers, and witness.
6. Employers/Masters — Lead with Forbearance
   1. Action: This week, give genuine constructive feedback to one employee in a spirit of encouragement rather than condemnation.
   2. Reflection: Pray for your employees and commit one concrete improvement (schedule check-ins, fair expectations, clear communication).
7. All Believers — Steward Revealed Will
   1. Action: Choose one area of revealed obedience (church attendance, family worship, workplace witness) and be consistent for 30 days. Track progress and ask God for sensitivity to further direction as faithfulness is proven.
   2. Prayer: Daily, ask God to give wisdom to live Ephesians 5–6 in your relationships and to reveal more of His will as you are faithful to what He has already shown you.

Make these concrete commitments with accountability. Share one goal with a Christian friend or your spouse and ask them to check with you next week. Spiritual growth is both personal and communal—God often uses the body of Christ to keep us faithful.

For further study: re-read Ephesians chapters 5–6 slowly this week. Keep a notebook: mark commands, reasons, promises, and one practical application for each relationship God outlines. Let God’s pattern govern your home and work so that greater revelation and responsibility may follow.