Lessons for Life: Ephesians
The Secret to Freedom at Home and Work
January 28, 2024 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 6:1–9
Do freely more than is asked because you do it for Jesus. Serve the ones who demand, assign and expect. Do the work with joy knowing that only Jesus is the boss of you. He asks that you serve as a gift to him. With a good will and a great joy, do whatever you are asked and more. It all counts. It’s all for him. That’s the secret. Serving Jesus makes you free in every situation.
Wives and Husbands
January 21, 2024 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 5:21–33
Our call is to mutual submission, to yielding the privilege of self-determination to the other. This will make for maximum joy in a marriage. But it’s not just about us. Not even mainly about us. It’s so that we who are blessed to have a mate can show the world what sacrificial, redeeming love truly looks like. Our marriages were meant more for holiness than happiness. They are meant for witness than secret satisfaction. Spouses are a splendid gift from God. But the work we put into our marriages is our gift to Christ Jesus, the true bridegroom of every man and woman.
Wake Up, O Sleeper!
January 14, 2024 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 5:8–21
You were made for so much more than this darkness in which you languish. Come on, get up. Let’s get out of here. I defeated the death that killed me. I also defeated the death that defeats you, deflates you and destroys you. All the deadly habits that entomb you. All the deathly patterns that sabotage your relationships. All the guilt that enchains you. All the hell into which someone put you. All the heavy gloom that descends on you every morning and makes even daylight like twilight. Look, I did not create you for death. I did not go to a God-forsaken death in order to leave you as a prisoner in hell. Are you ready to go now?
Walking in Love
January 7, 2024 • Gerrit Dawson • Ephesians 5:1–10
A thousand times a day we see images offering themselves for our eyes to consume. Look at me, want me. Dozens of times a day, we are invited to partake of denigrating others. Paul gives such an ennobling, empowering word to the Ephesians. You are beloved children. Christ gave himself up for you. You are now light in the Lord. You are a son, a daughter of the king. You don’t need to consume others. You are a giver. Thanksgiving and faith and trust is the joy of your life. That’s what I would expect of you. That’s who you are. So walk in love! #walkinlove #expected #beloved #firstpresbyterianbr #sermon