Notes of Faith September 27, 2025

Spiritual Structure: Sharing the Word

[Speak] to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:19

When the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, he was writing to people living in a pagan culture. Even things like speech needed to be refined in the light of Kingdom values. Thus Paul wrote that there should be no “obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving”

(Ephesians 5:4, NIV).

We live in a similarly crude and coarse culture—it is easy to become immune to the spiritual effects of such language and even to participate in it. Paul suggested an alternative later in the same chapter when he exhorted the Ephesians to use spiritual language: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. He was referring to the meeting of the church, of course, not that we should sing our conversations to each other. But his point was to let biblical values influence and motivate our conversations while living in a culture that does not appreciate the same.

Be aware of your conversation. Is it edifying and reflective of biblical truths and values? Make every effort to distinguish yourself from the world, even by your speech.

The church is a community of the works and words of Jesus.

Donald English

If the church does not reflect the works and words of Jesus in the community, then of what value is it? Is it not like many in the world who try to “do good” and yet are headed toward an eternal judgment? We cannot give people food, clothing, shelter, comfort and encouragement without presenting to them the love of God through the sacrifice and provision of the Lord Jesus Christ. They may not receive Jesus as their Savior, but it is our call from God to go and preach the gospel to everyone around us.

Love God! Love others!

Pastor Dale