Austin Chinese Church

Last week, Pastor Art led us through the foundation for doing battle in the spiritual realm. This week, we will study Ephesians 6:14–20. In this passage, Paul uses the image of the armor of Roman soldiers, which would be familiar to his audience, to illustrate how to prepare ourselves for spiritual warfare. We do this by being steadfast in faith, putting on the armor of God, and conducting spiritual battle on our knees.

After calling believers throughout Ephesians to “walk worthy” of the gospel, Paul ends the letter by revealing why that walk is so difficult. Behind every temptation and discouragement is a deeper spiritual battle. The Christian life is not only a walk; it is also a war. Ephesians 6:10–13 explores how believers can faithfully walk worthy because Christ has equipped them to stand firm in the fight behind the fight.

As we continue our our series through Ephesians learning what it means to Walk Worthy, we see in this morning's text that we are also called to live out the gospel in our homes and also at the workplace. Paul addresses issues such as how we as Christians are to relate to our parents, and how we as Christians are to raise our own children. Paul also addresses how Christians are to think about work, reframing as sacred that which we often think of as secular. And at the end of the day, what we learn is that following Jesus means to walk worthy of Him in all aspects of our lives, because all of life is all for Jesus.

What happens when Christ is truly over every part of our lives, including our closest relationships? In Ephesians 5:21, Paul begins not with roles, but with a posture: “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Before he ever speaks to husbands and wives, he calls the church to a shared humility, a life shaped by surrender to Jesus as Lord.

Life is not standing still; you are walking somewhere. The question is: are you walking wisely or wasting the path God has given you? In Ephesians 5:15–21, there is a call to move from drifting to intentional living, trading foolishness for wisdom and distraction for devotion.

What does a life that reflects Christ look like? Paul calls believers to walk in love, turn from darkness, and live as children of light. A walk-worthy life doesn’t stay hidden: it shines, revealing what is good and pointing others to Christ. In a dark world, God’s people are called to glow with a distinct, compelling light that awakens others and reflects His beauty.

When we accept Christ into our hearts, we are not just called to balance our lives between the things of the world and the things of God. We are called to a radical transformation from the inside out that stems from an entirely new nature.

When life feels heavy and God seems distant, Isaiah 40:27–31 calls us to remember who He is and to wait on Him for renewed strength. On this Easter Sunday, we are reminded that our hope is not in changing circumstances, but in the risen Christ, who has conquered death and secured our ultimate renewal.

Christ does not desire His church to be immature. He has given gifts, leaders, and truth so that His people might grow. Believers are called to grow up into Christ—rooted in truth, shaped by love, and strengthened together as one body. As each member does their part, the church matures, reflects Christ more clearly, and builds itself up in love.

After finishing the first half of his letter of theology to the Ephesians, Paul starts the second half with application. Because of everything that we have learned up to this point, now we are called to action. We are called to walk worthy. It’s one thing to talk to talk, but as believers, we are called to walk it as well. In our passage this morning, we will see that the first order of business is unity and oneness.