Make Music – wk1

‘Make music from your heart to the Lord’

Scripture Reading:

Ephesians 5: 18-20

Eph 5:18  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, Eph 5:19  addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, Eph 5:20  giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Exegesis:

*EXEGESIS:

Eph. 5:18 Wine was the staple drink of the ancient Mediterranean world.

be filled with the Spirit. Paul expresses a negative exhortation (what the saints are to stop doing) along with a positive command (what the saints are to start doing). Whereas wine can control the mind and ruin one’s judgment and sense of propriety, leading to debauchery (the unrestrained and habitual indulgence of lust and sensuality), in contrast with this, being “filled with the Spirit” leads to self-control along with the other fruits of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [and] gentleness” (Gal. 5:22–23). The command in Greek (plērousthe) is a present imperative and does not describe a onetime “filling” but a regular pattern of life.

*Exegesis: Interpretation of the text

Eph. 5:19 Being filled with the Spirit results in joyful praise through singing and making melody. This may refer to different kinds of psalms and hymns and spiritual songs found in the OT Psalter. It seems more likely, however, that Paul is referring both to the canonical psalms and to contemporary compositions of praise (see also Col. 3:16). “Spiritual” communicates the influence of the Holy Spirit’s filling (Eph. 5:18) in the believer’s acts of praise.

Application:

*HERMENEUTICS:

To become more ‘Christ like, the application of Scripture is very important: James 1:22  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.

Paul in his letter to theh Ephesians, is addressing a number of shortfalls within the new church plant in Epehsus. One of these is the consumption of alcohol. Although wine was a staple drink, it had become an obstacle to righteous living.

This in turn was a hinderance to the work of the Holy Spirt, within the believers life, stifling spiritual fruits, hence, the life source of the church.

*Hermeneutics: is the applying of scripture into our lives read more here.

We also must pay close attention to both our attitude towards alcohol, but more so to the working of the Holy Spirit. Note was Jesus says:

John 14:26  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

and again…

John 15:5  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

You see…

, John 6:63  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. the flesh is of no avail’

Jesus makes the connection between our reading of His written word, and the continuous working of the Holy Spirit, producing understanding of what we read, and in turn, producing ‘fruit’ (righteousness – Holy living) that results in a heart that is continuously aware of the grace the Father has given to each of us. And, likewise, the inability of our human nature (the flesh) being incapable of producing lasting holiness.

Close:

Summary:

Therefore, for us to be fruitful, in worship to the Lord, every moment of every day in all that we do, wether at work or at play requires a heart that is sober minded, and receptive to the workings of the glorious Holy Spirit,

Close:

May the Lord of glory, continue to increase lasting spiritual fruits within all of our hearts, hourly, daily, now, and forever more.

Amen