Josh Strelecki, Pastor-Teacher, reflects on Ephesians Chapter 5, emphasizing the theme of submission within God's institutions, such as marriage and family, which reflect the greater heavenly authority structure of Christ's kingdom. He asserts that submission, as an expression of love, is vital to the relationships ordained by God. Expounding upon the teachings from Ephesians and Philippians, he highlights how Christ's humility and willingness to submit, even unto death, serve as the ultimate example for believers. By drawing upon the Spirit's guidance and Christ's example, believers can navigate their vocations and callings, not as obligations forced upon them but as voluntary acts of love that reflect God's eternal purpose.

Strelecki underscores the significance of understanding and living out this submission, not only within earthly relationships but in anticipation of the life to come. He contrasts the flaws and tensions in worldly authorities with the harmonious, cooperative order within Christ's kingdom, achievable only through the Spirit's influence and the transformative power of God's Word. By embracing this mindset and resisting the self-centered tendencies of the flesh, believers align their lives with divine purposes, turning ordinary exchanges into meaningful reflections of Christ's love. Throughout, Strelecki encourages a faith-driven walk that fosters unity and strength, grounded in the love and example of Jesus Christ.

In his sermon, Pastor Josh Strelecki delves into Ephesians 5:20, emphasizing the profound significance of giving thanks as a hallmark of a believer filled with the Spirit. He elaborates on how thanksgiving is not merely a superficial act, but a deep-rooted response that flows from a heart enlightened and transformed by the Spirit's teachings. Drawing from various passages, Pastor Strelecki illustrates how the act of giving thanks magnifies God by acknowledging His sufficiency and our deficiencies. He underscores the idea that gratitude should be ever-present on the lips of believers as it reflects the richness of spiritual blessings we possess in Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Pastor Strelecki highlights that true thanksgiving requires a shift from self-sufficiency to acknowledging our continuous need for God's provision, emphasizing that it should be an ongoing expression of our faith.

Pastor Strelecki also broadens the context by reviewing the grandeur of God's eternal purpose in Jesus Christ as revealed in Ephesians. He encourages congregants to meditate on the ultimate purpose of their identity in Christ, which transcends worldly pursuits and focuses on what God has purposed before creation. The sermon underscores that the Spirit-filled life involves regular thanksgiving for both the natural and spiritual blessings believers receive. By filling themselves with the Spirit and renewing their minds, believers can maintain a sense of gratitude that aligns with God's grand plan, ultimately directing their hearts towards eternal and spiritual realities that supersede temporary worldly concerns.

In this sermon, Pastor Josh Strelecki expounds on a section of the Book of Ephesians, emphasizing the call for Christians to walk in a manner worthy of their identity in Christ. He discusses the concept of being filled with the Spirit and contrasts this with the prevailing experiences or ideas in Christianity about what this means. Instead of an emotional or mystical experience, being filled with the Spirit involves understanding the will of the Lord, resulting in three key outflows: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; giving thanks to God; and submitting to one another. Pastor Josh highlights the significance of singing within the local church as an act of mutual edification and worship, encouraging believers to see singing as a powerful expression of the Spirit's work rather than just a routine aspect of worship services.

Furthermore, Pastor Strelecki draws connections between scriptural examples and the spiritual songs he mentions, noting the deep heritage of singing in biblical history—from creation to significant biblical events and beyond. He urges believers to assess their approach to music and singing, stressing the importance of singing from the heart with an understanding of God's truths. Pastor Josh explains how singing together corporately not only honors God but also unifies the congregation, reflecting a shared belief and doctrine. He closes with a call to embrace singing as a profound response to the victory Christians have in Jesus Christ, regardless of life's challenges, encouraging the congregation to continue this tradition as a vital aspect of their spiritual lives.

In this sermon, I focuses on Ephesians 5:17-21, emphasizing the importance of being filled with the Spirit and understanding one's identity in Christ. He explores foundational topics related to the Holy Spirit, discussing the moment of belief when individuals are regenerated, quickened, and complete in Christ. However, he clarifies that while believers are complete in their identity, this does not automatically equate to maturity. Maturation involves understanding and living out this identity through the wisdom and knowledge provided by Christ, facilitated by the Holy Spirit. Strelecki also contrasts the influence of worldly wisdom with the complete wisdom found in Christ, urging believers to seek the latter for spiritual growth and development.

Pastor Strelecki further explains that being filled with the Spirit involves consciously engaging with the Word of God, yielding to it, and allowing the Spirit’s influence to manifest in one’s actions and thoughts. He draws a parallel between the effects of excess wine leading to drunkenness and the effects of the Spirit—when fully embraced—leading to spiritual fullness displayed in sober understanding. Strelecki highlights Paul's prayers for believers, emphasizing the need to grow in the knowledge of God and to let Christ dwell richly in their hearts by faith. The aim is for believers to mature spiritually, reflecting the fullness of God in their lives, which is part of God’s grand objective for them.

In this sermon, Pastor Josh Strelecki emphasizes the significance of a Christian's walk, anchored in the belief in Jesus Christ as the sole and all-sufficient Savior. He underscores the transformative journey that begins with accepting Christ's sacrifice and receiving righteousness, which allows believers to walk in faith. Pastor Strelecki details how the Holy Spirit, dwelling within believers, empowers them to pursue a life marked by love, holiness, and light, aligning their actions with God's will. He cautions against worldly behaviors such as drunkenness, drawing a contrast with the Spirit-filled life that encourages discernment, wisdom, and understanding. The sermon explores the profound implications of being part of God's divine family, urging believers to redeem their time wisely and walk circumspectly by adhering to the principles of grace.

Furthermore, Pastor Strelecki outlines the practical outcomes of a Spirit-filled life, such as singing, giving thanks, and mutual submission among fellow believers. He highlights the importance of understanding and living in accordance with God's will, rooted in Scripture, to shine as lights in a world filled with darkness. By embracing the wisdom imparted through the Holy Spirit, believers are called to exhibit a life reflective of Christ, evidenced by gratitude, unity, and service.

In this sermon, Pastor Josh Strelecki discusses the concept of "redeeming the time," a biblical idea emphasizing the wise and purposeful use of time in alignment with God's wisdom. He outlines three key areas: the motivation for redeeming time, the mechanics or the 'how' of doing so, and dealing with the grief of wasted time. Strelecki references several scriptures, particularly from Ephesians, to highlight the need to walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, to utilize the knowledge of God in practical ways. He emphasizes that redeeming the time is vital because we live in evil days and because our time on earth is short. By applying God's wisdom and investing in spiritual and eternal pursuits rather than ephemeral worldly gains, believers can add eternal value to their temporal lives.

Strelecki also addresses the common struggle with regretting wasted time and offers encouragement for dealing with these feelings. He suggests that godly sorrow should lead to repentance and transformation rather than dwelling on past failures. Emphasizing grace, he encourages believers to lean on God's abundant mercy to overcome past mistakes and press forward in pursuit of a meaningful, God-glorifying life. Strelecki asserts that the grace of God enables believers to move beyond their failures and engage actively in redeeming their opportunities for spiritual growth and service, thus laying hold of eternal life here and now. Ultimately, he calls the congregation to embrace their freedom in Christ, to detach from worldly vanities, and to commit to a life characterized by giving, ministering, and sacrificial love that reflects the Savior.