There are positive commands (How to relate to one another)

Love one another (John 13:34 - This command occurs at least 16 times)

Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)

Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10)

Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)

Build up one another (Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Be likeminded towards one another (Romans 15:5)

Accept one another (Romans 15:7)

Admonish one another (Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16) Greet one another (Romans 16:16)

Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)

Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)

Bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2)

Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:2, 32; Colossians 3:13)

Be patient with one another (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13)

Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15, 25)

Be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32)

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19)

Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:5)

Consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3)

Look to the interests of one another (Philippians 2:4)

Bear with one another (Colossians 3:13)

Teach one another (Colossians 3:16)

Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13)

Stir up [provoke, stimulate] one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)

Show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)

Employ the gifts that God has given us for the benefit of one another (1 Peter 4:10)

Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another (1 Peter 5:5)

Pray for one another (James 5:16)

Confess your faults to one another (James 5:16)

There are negative commands (How not to treat one another)

Do not lie to one another (Colossians 3:9)

Stop passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:13)

If you keep on biting and devouring each other...you'll be destroyed by each other (Galatians 5:15)

Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (Galatians 5:26)

Do not slander one another (James 4:11)

Don't grumble against each other (James 5:9)

We do all this because we are in a real sense “members of one another” (Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:25)

Why Believers should worship corporately:

1. Reason of God for corporate worship

The reason why we need corporate worship is because God redeemed us. We need to worship our Redeemer.

It is God’s intention to gathered many worshipers throughout history. God created not only one man but many people, God also redeemed not only one man but many people. The same is true at the end of the age, there are many redeemed people who will worship God the Creator, Redeemer

Exodus 5:1 “And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.”

Exodus 7:16 “And thou shalt say unto him, The Lord God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.”

Exodus 8:1 “And the Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.”

Exodus 9:13 “And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.”

Revelation 5:9-14 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; ¹⁰And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. ¹¹And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; ¹²Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. ¹³And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. ¹⁴And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”

We do not reach the highest expression of worship when we worship individually but it is during corporate worship as a church that we reach the highest expression of worship. Why? Because every time we gather together to worship as a church, we are happy having foretaste of fulfilled or complete redemption like when we are already in heaven (completed redemption of our body and soul (Hebrews 12:18-24)

2. Request of God for corporate worship

Worshipping God is not optional, nor suggestion. More than just a simple request, God demands our worship so we must worship God

Psalm 96:9 “O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.”

Matthew 4:10 “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

As a Creator of all things, not only God demands our worship but God deserves our worship

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”.

One of the most important ways to show and express our sincere obedience to God is when we engage in corporate worship.

3. Reach of God fulfilling our Joy through corporate worship

God is making us pay attention and recognize the only One who totally and completely satisfies our souls

Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Psalm 63:3 “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.”

Psalm 73:25 “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.”

Psalm 84:2, 4 “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. ⁴Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.”

That is why God wants us to involved in corporate worship. God wants us to worship corporately because praising God is the highest peak of our delight. Corporate worship is the very important thing that gives us full satisfaction and will bring our joy to its highest level. We fully worship God and we maximize our joy in God through gathering with other people of God.

4. Revival of God to the Believers through corporate worship

The Believers were edified when they faithfully engage in corporate worship.

The Holy Spirit communicates us, convicts us, consecrates us as the Holy Spirit used the Word of God that is so beneficial for our spiritual health condition and Christian growth. We received the biblical truth in different ways but sound doctrines, edification and exhortation to surrender, and to be sanctified, and to serve are especially received through the preaching of the inspired Word of God.

I Timothy 4:13 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

II Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

If we forsake the assembling of ourselves by negligence, we miss the very place where we suppose to experience the powerful moving of the Spirit in our lives and we miss seeing the amazing presence of God.

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

I Corinthians 5:4 “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,”.

Details that are not scripturally prescribed but logically necessary for corporate worship:

1.) To meet at a certain time of day, and meet in a certain kind of building is not commanded in the Bible.

We could hold the worshippers gathering at any place or change schedule at any time, that is considered corporate worship.

2.) There is no exact music for corporate worship that is commanded in the Bible.

Of course, we have clear instructions or directive to sing.

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

Besides we have the Psalms the inspired Jewish hymnal. There is no exact inspired musical notation that God leave us, therefore the Bible does not tells us how the melodies of the songs should sound exactly. But, of course we need to avoid some contemporary musical arrangement or songs that sounds like the world that can arouse the flesh but does not communicate with a right spirit. There is no gospel rock. There are also some Christian called music that are drum-centered not God-centered.

3.) There are helpful practices but are not essential for Biblical corporate worship.

Sometimes we use the songs written that every people have copy or songs written in the PowerPoint. Sometimes we expanded the statement for the Pastor or adding details about the song or the musicians. It helps but are not essential.

4.) There is no Bible command in the New Testament to use instruments for corporate worship.

Biblical evidence supports instruments as helpful but not essential in new covenant corporate worship. Singing is essential. However, the purpose of instruments in Old Testament corporate worship was to serve the sung praise of God.

The purpose of instruments to serve the sung praise of God, even outside the temple and tabernacle (Exodus 15:20), which the Lord Jesus have been fulfilled and we no longer need. There is a connection in the Old Testament between singing and instruments. We are commanded in the New Testament to sing Psalms, and some of the Psalms themselves invite instrumental accompaniment (Psalm 4, Psalm 6, Psalm 54, Psalm 55, Psalm 61, Psalm 67, Psalm 76.

Therefore, instrument can help us obey the New Testament order to sing God's praise, and we believe that the main purpose for instruments in corporate worship is to serve the congregational singing.

Note: We do not judge and criticize the special numbers or vocal testimonies of some musicians, but we prefer to use more than one hour singing together as we worship together as contrary to listening to a performer sing to us. Another important thing is the type of song we selected to be sung generally by a congregation on corporate worship.

The second mark of a Spirit-filled church worship is:

II – BIBLICAL WORSHIP SERVICE OF A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

Four results of being filled with the Spirit

1. Addressing with one another

2. Singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord

3. Giving thanks to God always for all things

4. Submitting to one another

We previously said that Paul gave the first result of being filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:19, that is speaking to yourselves or addressing with one another.

But notice the words “Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”, it talks about biblical worship service.

Every time we read the text that speaks of Christians speaking or addressing to one another, there would be manifestation of the fulness of the Spirit in Christian gathering having fellowship with one another and God gives them an expression of Joy in singing and praising together.

According to the testimonies of Pliny and Tertullian, the song or the congregational singing always had a great place in the early life and worship of the early church during the second century.

Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”;

I Corinthians 14:26 “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.”

James 5:13 “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.”.

The singing of early century church displays every outburst of the Spirit powerful movement in the midst of corporate worship.

Notice the word “psalms” in Greek ψαλμοῖς (psalmos). The Greek translation of this term, psalmos, is the basis for the collective title Psalmoi found in most manuscripts, from which the English name Psalms is derived. It is from the Greek word psalmos means “song”. It is a religious or sacred song or hymn and meant to be recited and orally interpreted by a court minstrel or a scop with a harp accompaniment. A psalm is a song or poem used in worship. The word psalm comes from the Greek word psallein, which means “to pluck.” That word gave rise to psalmos, which means “a song sung to harp music.” (The strings on a harp are plucked, at least some of the time.) Perhaps included here mentioned in Ephesians 5:19 not only the psalms of the Old Testament but also those like Luke 1:46-55, 68-79 and Luke 2:29-32, these were songs of the new but in the spirit and manner of the old psalms.

Notice the word “hymns” comes from the Greek word “hymnos” which means a song of praise. Originally these would have been written a festive lyric to praise and honor the gods or hero. We have already seen in this letter possible evidence of early Christian hymns.

Ephesians 4:4–6 “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; ⁵One Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Ephesians 5:14 “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”, and we may have other such fragments in. . .

1 Timothy 1:17 “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

I Timothy 2:5–6 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; ⁶Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

I Timothy 6:15–16 “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; ¹⁶Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”

2 Timothy 2:11–13 “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: ¹²If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: ¹³If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”;

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Revelation 5:13 “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”

Revelation 7:12 “Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”.

Time past, hymns had been adapted to different musical styles and cultural traditions and even today many music composers continue to write songs.

Hymns are also used in other religious traditions, such as Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism, where they serve similar purposes of expressing devotion and praise.

The hymnody, the singing or composition of hymns has changed over the centuries and affected by new thinking and various religious beliefs throughout the history of the church.

In the early of 14^th century, originally meaning a religious song of praise or devotion.

In Middle Ages the “hymnos” was developed in the form of Gregorian song and was sung in Latin and mostly by monastic choirs.

In the 16^th century, the printing press was invented that church goers gives much greater access to hymns. By this time German theologian, Martin Luther, began encouraging people to sing together in congregation as corporate worship

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) a minister in England, transformed the congregational singing. Isaac Watts believed that hymns should express the religious feelings of the people and became a song writer, composing hundreds of new hymns. Isaac Watts hymns moved people away from simply singing Old Testament psalms, inspiring people to sing from the heart, with great faith and understanding God and His Word. On that same period of year, the Methodist movement led by John Wesley with his brother Charles Wesley affected the hymns of the church as they used simple rhythms and sing-able melodies to help congregational singing in corporate worship. John and Charles Wesley wrote most well-known hymns that are very popular in today’s churches.

In the late 19^th century, a new style of hymnody emerged and known as gospel hymns. The type of these gospel hymns songs usually was performed by a lead vocal and described with exciting harmonies that greatly influence later contemporary worship around the world.

In the 20^th century and 21^st century, we see a big explosion of new hymn writers and styles of music. Old lyrics of old hymns have been refreshed by new tunes with different musical arrangements that is why more contemporary hymns have sprung up in many churches. We see much different of today’s modern, non-traditional church movement that has been move away from the old ways congregational style of singing to worship led by one singer or a worship band. Instrumentation has now become more popular and the musician have now much freer with their styles nearer to the taste of worldly type of music. Our congregational corporate worship way of singing of today most contemporary churches is not the biblical traditional way of corporate worship.

Notice the word “spiritual” Greek word “pneumatikas”, adjective, derived from “pneuma”; non-carnal, supernatural, regenerate, religious. The Greek word “pneumatikas” refers to one who has received the Spirit of God that is living in accordance with this relationship. Christian joy should come from the heart not because of emotional and laughing trip, jumping, crying or rolling on the floor or running roaming around inside the church. Sometimes, the melody of the songs may be in the heart but not expressed truly and not addressed to the Lord. This is not spiritual songs opposite to the spiritual songs mentioned in our text.

Notice the word “songs” the Greek word “odais” means a particular melodic pattern with verbal content. The phrases “spiritual songs” here refer to a testimony of a change faithful heart. Most of the non-traditional contemporary churches of today focus their time singing from category of song with the lyrics or words that is not found in the Bible or contrary to the principles of the Bible or in reverse they have the words that is talking about God but the music or rhythm is the same style with the worldly, fleshly, devilish type of sounds.

What kind of song we must sing:

1. The song must be excellent

The song that we are going to sing mut have poetically and musically artistic beauty. We do not show God’s worthiness when we praise God by not giving our best. When we sing we do not want to get carried away by songs that are so artistic and intricate style that made the songs impossible to sing. We do not worship excellence; we worship God excellently.

2. The song must be doctrinally sound

We want to preach and hear the whole counsel of God without heretical message, the same is true we want to sing the whole counsel of God with biblical truth. We want both the congregational singing and special numbers during corporate worship aim to reinforce the Biblical truth that the pastor or any speaker is preaching that worship service.

3. The song must be encouragement for appropriate emotion.

We want to experience the feelings in the Psalms ranging from sorrow to fear. We do not want to have uncooked or underdone emotion; we want to feel deeply and appropriately the weight of that truth.

The “spiritual songs” can be the same with the “new song” that is found in the Scripture.

From Psalms to Revelation, we are encouraged by God’s Word to sing a new song to the Lord.

Psalm 96:1 “O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.”; Psalm 144:9 “I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.”

Isaiah 42:10 “Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.”

Revelation 5:9 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”

Revelation 14:3 “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.”

It is God who put a new song in our mouth.

Psalm 40:3 “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.”

A new song is a song comes from a person whose heart overflows with love and devotion for God.

Deuteronomy 31:19 “Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.”

Psalm 33:2 “Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.”

Psalm 149:3 “Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.”.

Notice when Paul instructed the Ephesians regarding music by telling them in Ephesians 5:18 “be filled with the Spirit”.

Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs are the natural expression of the heart of the believer who is filled with the Spirit. Although a person has no musical ability but it is a natural desire for a Spirit filled person to sing and praise God. God created us and redeemed us to find a way to express our spirit through music.

Psalm 135:3 “Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.”

Judges 5:3 “Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.”.

The Word of Scriptures is filled with music, and God is pleased when we use what God created to worship Him.

TO BE CONTINUED

The third mark of a Spirit-filled church worship is:

III – INSPIRATIONAL WORSHIP SERVICE OF A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH – v.19c

Ephesians 5:19c "singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"

Four results of being filled with the Spirit

1. Addressing with one another

2. Singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord

3. Giving thanks to God always for all things

4. Submitting to one another

Paul gave the second result of being filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:19c, that is Singing and making melody.

Notice the phrase “singing and making melody” How? “in you heart” means with all your heart. To whom? “to the Lord.”

The word “singing” in Greek “adontes” is a verb, Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural. From “aeido” which means “to sing”. The word “singing” means to utter words in praise that is in a melodic patter (Revelation 14:3 “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.”

The words “making melody” in Greek “psallontes” is a verb, Present Participle Active – Nominative Masculine Plural. From “psao” means to play on a stringed instrument. The phrase “making melody” (psallontes) means to sing songs of praise, with the possible implication of instrumental accompaniment. In the New Testament making melody has a connected to the singing of Old Testament psalms.

Romans 15:9 “And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.”

The words “in your heart” that means with all your heart, is the Greek “kardia” a noun, Dative Feminine Singular – prolonged from a primary “kar”, the heart. The “Kardia” source that causes the different aspects of psychological life of a person, with emphasis on the thoughts or feelings, inner self, mind. In other word “Kardia” often described as the mind, the intention, the purpose or the desire of a person.

The words “to the Lord” is the Greek “Kyrio”, a noun – Dative Masculine Singular. From “kuros” that is Lord, master means supreme in authority, controller by implication means Master. So when we do the singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord, means to the One who exercises supernatural authority over mankind, to the One who commands us.

Therefore, when we read and understand Ephesians 5:19, it is correct to render it “Addressing to the Lord by singing and making melody with accompaniment of a string instrument with all our heart.”

The Second result of being filled with the Spirit is communication with the Lord by singing and making melody (psallontes, singing with a stringed instrument) in the heart.

We therefore conclude that music in the church, should be a means that all brethren in Christ were ministering to each other, and their singing with all their heart should be a way of worshipping the Lord.

The fourth mark of a Spirit-filled church worship is:

IV – DOXOLOGICAL WORSHIP SERVICE OF A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH – v.20

Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

Four results of being filled with the Spirit

1. Addressing with one another

2. Singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord

3. Giving thanks to God always for all things

4. Submitting to one another

Paul gave the third result of being filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:20, that is giving thanks. Thanking God, the Father

Paul gives us the importance of thanking God the Father continually, constantly and consistently for all things.

Ephesians 1:2-3, 17 “Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: ¹⁷That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:”

Ephesians 3:14 “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

I Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

The words “giving thanks” in Greek “eucharistountes” is a verb, present, participle, active, Nominative masculine Plural. From “eucharistos” means to be grateful, to express gratitude, specially to say grace at a meal, feel obligated to thank, to render or return thanks, to express gratitude for benefits or blessings.

The words “unto God” in Greek “theo” and “the Father” in Greek “patri”. Specifically refers to God the Father.

The phrase “in the name of our Lord” refers to Master and the name “Jesus” refers to the Savior and the name “Christ” refers to the Messiah. Giving thanks always to the finished redemptive work of the Savior Jesus Christ on our behalf.

Out of 10 lepers that Christ healed, only one leper come back to give thanks to the Lord. The same is true to every believer, Jesus was pierced and wounded for our transgressions, the chastening for our well being fell upon Jesus and by His wounds or stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

It talks about the forgiveness of God through the blood of Christ who paid all our sins and now we are freed from the sentence of eternal separation from God. We are spiritually healed. Amen! Give thanks to our Savior Jesus Christ and to the God the Father who send His Son to be our substitute in our place. Thank God

The fifth mark of a Spirit-filled church worship is:

V – RELATIONAL WORSHIP SERVICE OF A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH – v.21

Ephesians 5:21 “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

Four results of being filled with the Spirit

1. Addressing with one another

2. Singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord

3. Giving thanks to God always for all things

4. Submitting to one another

Paul gave the fourth result of being filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:21, that is submitting to one another.

This means they are willing and whole heartedly serving one another and they do not allow themselves to dominate others and exalt themselves but rather they want to be under of others. It is actually their reverence to Jesus Christ the reason of their good attitudes toward fellow believers. Talking about submission, Paul elaborates more about this in Ephesians 5:22-Ephesians 6:9. The congregation in spite that is multi-ethnic (Ephesians 2-3), that is multi-generational (Ephesians 6:1-4), that is multi-vocational (Ephesians 6:5-9) remain relationally submissive to one another.

In worship service of the church, we must see the evidence of relational submission of wives to their own husbands, relational submission by obedience of children to their parents and relational submission by obedience of servants to their own masters in the flesh.

Ephesians 5:22-33 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. ²³For 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. ²⁴Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. ²⁵Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ²⁶That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷That 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. ²⁸So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. ²⁹For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: ³⁰For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. ³¹For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. ³²This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ³³Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

Ephesians 6:1-9 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. ²Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; ³That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. ⁴And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. ⁵Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; ⁶Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; ⁷With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: ⁸Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. ⁹And, 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.”

The word “submitting” in Greek “hypotassomenoi” is a verb, present, passive, Masculine plural, participle. The Greek word "hypotassomenoi" From “hupo” and “tasso” means to subordinate, reflexively, to obey. The word “hypotassomenoi” means to be subject, to bring oneself under the control of another.

I Corinthians 15:27 “For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.”

Ephesians 1:22 "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,"

Philippians 3:21 “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

Hebrews 2:5, 8 “For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. ⁸Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.”

The word “in the fear” KJV, NASB or “out of reverence” ESV (Greek “phobo”) a noun, dative masculine singular. From “phebomai” means alarm or fright or to be put to flight. The word “in the fear” (“phobo”) means awe, reverence, respect, the object or cause of fear. Reverence to or reverence for whom? The verse says “of God” or “for Christ:” (NASB, ESV).

Hebrews 12:28-29 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: ²⁹For our God is a consuming fire.”

The congregation in spite that is multi-ethnic (Ephesians 2-3), that is multi-generational (Ephesians 6:1-4), that is multi-vocational (Ephesians 6:5-9) remain relationally submissive to one another.

The congregation relationally submissive to one another because of their reverence for Christ:

1. Reverence for what Christ has done for the Church

a. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the Church – Ephesians 1:7

Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

b. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church – Ephesians 1:22

Ephesian 1:22 “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,”

c. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Church – Ephesians 2:20

Ephesians 2:20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”

d. Jesus Christ is the Equipper of the Church – Ephesians 4:11-12

Ephesians 4:11-12 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹²For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

2. Fear for what Christ will do if we did not get saved and not become follower of Christ

When we do not get saved and believe not Christ as our Savior, God condemn us to Hell and allow the righteous wrath of God to be poured out on us. Think of eternal destiny with the unending torment of God’s wrath for those who do not response to the gospel and do not follow the Lord’s will. – Ephesians 5:5-6 “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”