Points to Ponder:

• Do you agree with the notion that believing in Jesus simply means going to heaven after death? Do you experience God’s power in your current life?

• What is the relationship between Christ and the Church? What should the Church do to maintain this relationship with Christ?

• To build a holy and unified Church, what issues must believers address in their lives?

In Ephesians Chapter 5, it may seem to be discussing individual behaviour, or even the relationship between husband and wife, but these are not Paul's main points. Paul's main point is to build a holy and glorious Church.

In fact, building a glorious Church is closely related to these key elements. For the moment, we will not discuss how to build a glorious Church as mentioned in Chapter 5. What is the purpose of building a glorious Church? Paul does not mention this in Chapter 5. Why? Because when Paul wrote the letter to Ephesus, he knew it was unnecessary to say. Because it has been made very clear in other epistles. Today, I want to connect this with our lives.

Faith is Closely Related to Life

Today, when you enter a glorious Church, something will happen to your life, that is, you receive grace without doing anything. The testimonies shared by our brothers and sisters earlier are things that happen naturally in a glorious Church. If this glorious Church has nothing to do with you and me, then the glorious Church Paul speaks of is something in the heavens, detached from reality.

But Paul’s theological concept is actually very grounded. He says to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth, and the Kingdom of God will descend among us. In other words, the Christian faith is not about going to heaven after we die. This is not the foundation of the Christian faith. The foundation of the Christian faith is that I build a glorious Church on earth, and then the Kingdom of God will descend from heaven to this place, and this place will become the Kingdom of God, where all good things will happen.

All good things happen in the Kingdom of God not because of anything else, but because the glory of God is here. In fact, the glory of God that Paul writes about is closely related to our lives. Don't think that you can live well without God or the glory of God, then you are probably a rebellious child, and the one who torments you is none other than God himself. God shows his wrath to these foolish people. Don't blame me, I am saying what is in the Bible. The Bible says so, so we say: God's wrath will come upon the sons of disobedience.

If you examine it carefully, you will find that when a person rebels to a certain extent, they know clearly in their hearts that there is a God in this world, and they know clearly that this world is God's creation, but they do not glorify Him or give glory to Him. Instead, they act according to their own desires, doing whatever they want, and the result is corruption. They see no glory, no dignity, no abundance, only bad luck. If you like to live a life of bad luck, I don't really care. One more is not too many, and one less is not too few. Don't think that what I am saying is so harsh. Who am I speaking to?

I am speaking to those who build churches, but the churches they build are not glorious. Why are they not glorious? Because when they build churches, they desperately pull people in, as if the more people the better, and then the church loses the basic elements of a glorious Church as described in Ephesians.

We know that when people enter a glorious Church, they will experience some of God's miraculous works. Not because of what you did, but simply because you are in this Church, becoming a part of this Church, you will easily experience miraculous works. Like the brothers who recently came, and the brother who gave a testimony, and the sister who just joined us last week.

I am also very surprised, how so fast. This morning, when she was praying with us remotely, she received a call asking her to come for an interview. This sister is in China, and finding a job in China is ten times more difficult than finding a job in Singapore. But in my faith, even if it is ten times or a hundred times more difficult, it will not be difficult for a Church filled with God's glory.

In a glorious Church, these problems are not problems. The future will prove what I am saying. Are you willing to take on such a mission, to work with God to build a glorious Church, and this good news of the Kingdom of Heaven will come upon you. You think God owns the universe, He is an abundant God, how could He not be able to handle clothing, food, shelter, and transportation? He definitely can. If you have such faith, I believe this matter will definitely be accomplished.

This is one of the functions of a glorious Church. Why does this generation need a glorious Church? Because only a glorious Church can solve all the problems in a person's life. Ephesians Chapter 4 talks about perfecting a person’s life. Don’t think that doing this work can perfect your own life. It can’t. But if you build a glorious Church, your life will be perfected. This is the promise of the Bible. Why? Because this is in God's will.

The Relationship Between Christ and the Church

We are saying that Paul is making a metaphor. What is he comparing? Comparing the relationship between the Church and God. So in the last verse he writes, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. Do you see that? Is he referring to a normal marital relationship? No. But he also mentions the normal marital relationship. But he is not referring to that alone. He is referring to Christ and the Church.

The relationship between Jesus Christ and the Church is that of husband and wife. The most ideal relationship is that the two become one. That is, God and we have become one. That is, you and God can no longer be separated. I am a part of God’s body, God lives in me, and I live in God. Think about what power and glory this is! The Lord who created the universe, I am one with Him. Can you imagine what great grace this is?

Submission

If I am one with God, then I have received His power. Mine is His, and His is mine. If His is yours and yours is His, will you live in poverty? You will never live in poverty. If our relationship with God is a unified relationship, then such a Church is a glorious Church. If the Church and Jesus Christ have a unified relationship, then the Church will submit to Jesus Christ.

Submitting to Jesus Christ is not a chaotic submission. Everyone must know what submission is. Submission is doing what Jesus says. That is called submission. Hearing what Jesus says and not doing it is not called submission. Jesus Christ said very clearly, for example, Jesus said that those who believe in me will have signs accompanying them, which is to cast out demons in my name, speak in new tongues, take up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them. Lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mark 16:17-18) Many people say that this sentence is outdated. Can this be called submission to Jesus Christ? No! Without submission, there is no unity. Without unity, there is no glory. Without glory, you cannot see God's presence!

So although it is labelled as a church, it does not have the substance of a church. The church must submit, submit to the words of Jesus Christ. This sentence is not what I said. Jesus once said that a man had two sons, and the man told his two sons to do this thing. One son said, okay, I'll go, but he didn't do it. The other son said, I won't do it, but he went. Which one is called submission? The one who said he wouldn't do it, but ended up doing it, is called submission. The one who said he would do it, but ended up not doing it, is not called submission.

So we are very clear about one thing, that is, whether you are willing or not, if you do according to the word of God, then the Church is a glorious Church. What Jesus does is what the Church does, and what the Church does is what Jesus does. What the Church teaches is what Jesus teaches, and what Jesus teaches, the Church also teaches. This is called becoming one.

Unity

But I have investigated that many churches today do not do what Jesus does, but they do what Jesus does not do, which is very dangerous. When a Church submits to Jesus Christ, it must submit to the words of Jesus Christ, those words spoken in the four Gospels are very important. Then the Church and Jesus Christ are one, just like husband and wife. That is, the relationship between Jesus Christ and us is like husband and wife. This is very wonderful. When God created, God and the wife were originally one.

I want to digress a little bit, talking about the relationship between husband and wife. Among us, some have already entered into a marital relationship, some are preparing to enter into marriage, and some are dating. Everyone must understand that the two become one. Today, many people do not understand how to date, and they do not understand how to enter into marriage. They think that they got a marriage certificate and entered into marriage, but the two have different dreams in the same bed, which is very painful.

This is because once you violate the principles created by God, then it is troublesome, it is called a rebellious child, and then it will be called a place to show God's wrath. Showing God's wrath, evil spirits work greatly there, people will be corrupted, and people will live very painfully.

So what is the real dating and entering into marriage? That is to talk about spiritual unity. Spiritual unity is not a physical unity. Physical unity without spiritual unity is useless. Once you enter into spiritual unity, you truly have the foundation of marriage. Without spiritual unity, if you enter into marriage, I guarantee you a painful marriage. Because man is a spiritual being, if there is no spiritual unity, how can you live this life, I don’t know how to live it. Until today, my wife and I are still learning the lesson of unity.

How to Build a Holy and United Church

Now that we have clarified the topic, the relationship between the church and Christ is like that of a husband and wife. The church should submit to Jesus Christ, and wives should submit to their husbands; Jesus Christ loves the church, and husbands should love their wives – that is the relationship. Let's examine the various aspects Paul mentioned regarding building a glorious church, which ultimately must be realized in each of us. I want to share a concept with you: if there is one impure person in the church, can you say that the church is holy? No! It's like a pot of porridge – even one rat dropping is enough to make you not want to eat it.

Speech

Therefore, the unity of our church must be realized in each individual. According to Paul, the most critical aspects for each person are those that bear the responsibility for the church's holiness and unity; then it will be easy. Paul clearly explains this matter. The first thing is the words spoken. The words you speak are very powerful. Don't think that moving your upper and lower lips to say something is the end of it. You may forget what you said, but the spiritual world does not. If you often speak negative things, negative things will surely come upon you. Conversely, if you often speak words of gratitude, good things will often come upon you.

What is the church doing? Teaching people to speak, teaching people to often say words of gratitude. Some people see that their husbands are not so good, or their wives are not so good, but if you constantly speak words of gratitude, saying, Lord, you have given me the best wife, God will fulfill it. Amen! If you see flaws in your husband, often say, Lord, thank you. It may be a little difficult to give thanks for flaws, but what is impossible for man is possible for God. So, we must often speak words of gratitude.

Speaking is a great skill, a spiritual matter. If you constantly complain, you surely have a demon on you, and you will inevitably be corrupted by it. The life you live today has a one-to-one relationship with what you have said in the past. I encourage you to gradually understand this.

Conduct

The second thing is sexual immorality. Physical immorality attracts demons! After attracting demons, the body is corrupted; not only the body but also the life is corrupted. Therefore, you must guard against it. If you don't clearly understand how much corruption immorality can bring, I have recommended a sermon on our website titled The Spirit of Immorality Brings Death. Please listen to that sermon.

A greedy person is like an idolater. If a person is greedy, their problem is very serious. Why are birds caught by bird catchers? Because they are greedy for food. If you are greedy for food, you will surely be caught by demons, just like being caught by demons through idolatry. There is no difference between idolatry and greed. Therefore, we must constantly examine ourselves for any greed within us.

We who are Christians are the beloved children of God. Do you know what it means to be beloved? If your father is very rich, and you are beloved in his eyes, do you think you will lack anything? We have Almighty God, and we are His beloved children, not abandoned ones. We are beloved. When we return to our Father's presence, we can say, Father, I need this, and He will give it to us.

When we read the Book of 2 Samuel, David took another man's wife and killed her husband. What did God say? If you wanted her, you should have asked me. I would have given her to you long ago. Why resort to these dishonest means? Brothers and sisters, our God is a God who loves us very much. If you are a child loved by God, you will certainly not lack. You don't need to be greedy or commit sexual immorality.

Fruitless Deeds of Darkness

Next is that many people in this world like to do dark deeds and can't stand others talking about them. Among us, you must be able to withstand criticism. To be able to withstand criticism is to be in the light; to not be able to withstand criticism is to not be in the light. It's simple: if something is too shameful to talk about, then don't do it. If you do it, let people talk about it. After they talk about it, remember it and don't do it again. These are fruitless deeds of darkness, and there are many more examples.

Wasting time is also one. Do you know how people waste time? I find that Christians don't waste much time because they don't have much time to waste. Like my son, he doesn't have much time to waste. He spends so many hours a week in Bible study, meetings, and prayer, and he has to finish his schoolwork with the remaining time. If you subtract eighteen hours a week, he must complete his homework in the remaining time, and he will definitely be more efficient than others.

If someone else saves these eighteen hours and moves their bedding to school, living and eating there, living a life that is neither human nor ghost, their efficiency will definitely be low. Will a person with high efficiency or low efficiency be successful? A person with high efficiency. And those with low efficiency are often in chaos.

Do Not Follow Your Inner Desires

Therefore, brothers and sisters, do not think that believing in the Lord is a disadvantage. After believing in the Lord, you set aside time, forcing yourself to become an efficient person. Then God blesses your time, and you will surely become an efficient person. He blesses your interpersonal relationships, and you will become someone your boss likes. This is very wondrous because we are children beloved by God.

As a result, these people are still confused and often make wrong decisions. We can summarize this with a sentence from Chapter 2: following the desires of your heart. Some people are like this, doing whatever they like, resulting in a corrupt life. The result of their lives is following whatever their hearts desire. Do Christians follow whatever their hearts desire?

Christians must not follow whatever their hearts desire, but rather crucify their sinful passions and desires and follow God's will, understanding God's will. Verse 10: Find out what pleases the Lord. As Christians, we must examine whether what we do pleases God. If it pleases Him, we will do it. Then, verse 17: Understand what the Lord’s will is. Remember these two things. Christians must not follow whatever they desire.

You must have heard many non-believers say, I like to follow myself. I want to live however I want because I feel like I am a free person. If you follow God's will, the devil cannot fix you. If you follow your own desires, the devil will surely fix you. Is it better to have the devil fix you or to have God protect you? It is certainly better to have God protect you.

Once we understand this, we should not follow whatever our hearts desire. But what if we feel uncomfortable in our hearts? Some people go to bars or nightclubs, getting drunk, trying to grasp that brief sensation. But Christians are not like that. Christians say, I want that wonderful feeling, and then be filled with the Holy Spirit. When we are often filled with the Holy Spirit, we often have that wonderful feeling inside. That feeling is not the feeling of being drunk, nor the illusion after taking drugs; it is a feeling of peace, joy, and being grounded.

Then your goals will be very clear, and you will understand what you should and should not do. Think about which will live a better life. The thoughts God has for us are good thoughts, to give us life and hope, to make our lives abundant. God does not want you to be a slave or a puppet; God wants your life to be abundant.

Among us, the children beloved by God are all the same. They have seen God's works and can all prove this point. So, be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit. This is more wonderful and beautiful than the feeling brought by drunkenness. Do not get drunk. When you get drunk, you pursue that moment of debauchery. It is fortunate it is only alcohol. If it were drugs, you would not know where to go.

We must be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it is difficult to understand. Those who do not believe do not understand why my wife and I kneel here in tongues on Wednesdays and Fridays. What are we doing? They do not understand. Because after we pray, our strength is strengthened, our joy is increased, and our minds become clear, like children beloved by God. Be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit—this is the gospel Paul preached, and being filled with the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role.

Today, God has done many wonderful works among us, and this is the key: be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit. Newcomers among us are not used to it at first, but they quickly get used to it. After they get used to it, they feel it is good. To a certain extent, they feel it is strange to not have such prayer filled with the Holy Spirit. So, you will find that Paul's gospel is such a gospel.

Speaking of this, let’s make a small summary: verses 25 to 27, Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. This is Paul's ultimate point. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we must hold fast to one thing: no matter what, cooperate with each other and build a holy and united small group in the small group, and establish a holy and united church in the church. I guarantee that you will live a life of abundance and will surely be children beloved by God! Amen!