THIS FRUSTRATES GOD EPHESIANS 5:6, 6:1-4

Teaching summary

In this passionate and revealing teaching, Pastor Leonard Rola revisits Ephesians 5:6 to emphasize that God is not frustrated by sinners, but by the deception of empty words that lead His children away from their identity in Christ. He explains that God's wrath reflects passionate love rather than vengeance, aimed at rescuing His children from error. The sermon continues into Ephesians 6:1-4, highlighting the divine call for parents to raise children in love and truth—not legalism—so they may prosper. Pastor Leonard encourages us to begin affirming God's love and righteousness in our children from a young age, declaring it is never too late to start.

Bible verses referenced

Ephesians 5:6- "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."
Ephesians 6:1- "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right."
Ephesians 6:2- "Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)"
Ephesians 6:3- "That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."
Ephesians 6:4- "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
John 3:16- "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:17- "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
Romans 5:5- "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Romans 5:8- "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Ephesians 2:1- "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins."
Ephesians 2:4-6- "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
Ephesians 4:24- "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
John 1:12-13- "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God."
Romans 8:29-30- "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
Ephesians 1:4- "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"
1 Corinthians 15:56- "The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law."

Teaching notes

Revisiting Ephesians 5:6: Empty Words That Frustrate God
Understanding Translations: Why Some Words Are Added or Crossed Out
God's Wrath Is Not Vengeance—It’s Passionate Love
Sons of Disobedience: What It Really Means
God's Divine Will for His Children
Application of Ephesians 6:1-4: Raising Children in Grace
Final Exhortation: It’s Never Too Late to Love and Teach Truth

Revisiting Ephesians 5:6: Empty Words That Frustrate God

Pastor Leonard opens the sermon by revisiting Ephesians 5:6:
"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."
He explains that God's wrath is not random anger but a deep frustration toward those who use "empty words" to deceive His children. These empty philosophies and teachings distort the truth of who we are in Christ.

Understanding Translations: Why Some Words Are Added or Crossed Out

Addressing a listener's question, Pastor Leonard discusses why certain words in his sermon notes were crossed out. He explains that italicized words in the King James Version were not in the original manuscripts but added by translators to clarify meaning. However, these additions can be subjective, influenced by translators' theological backgrounds.

He urges listeners to recognize that the Word of God is inspired, but translations vary. We must study diligently using Greek and Hebrew tools, historical context, and spiritual discernment to discern God's intended message.

God's Wrath Is Not Vengeance—It’s Passionate Love

Pastor Leonard continues by contrasting wrath with love, citing John 3:16-17:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…"
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
He explains that God's wrath (Greek: “orge”) signifies passionate displeasure—not punishment—but a loving frustration when His children are deceived.

He also refers to Romans 5:5, 8:
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
The Holy Spirit reveals God's love, which is far greater than any wrath.

Sons of Disobedience: What It Really Means

Returning to Ephesians 5:6, Pastor Leonard dives into the phrase “sons of disobedience,” explaining the Greek term apitheia means “disbelief” or “opposition to divine will.”
Those who speak or believe in ways contrary to God’s will are aligned with disobedience, not because they are evil, but because they reject truth.
“Let no man deceive you with vain words…” becomes a strong caution against false doctrine that diminishes our identity in Christ.

God's Divine Will for His Children

Referencing Ephesians 4:24:
"And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
And John 1:12-13:
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God…"
Pastor Leonard outlines God's divine will: that we be recreated in righteousness and holiness, resembling Christ.

Romans 8:29-30 reinforces this:
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…"

God sees us in Christ as righteous, holy, and blameless, even as declared in Ephesians 1:4:
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…"

Application of Ephesians 6:1–4: Raising Children in Grace

Moving into Ephesians 6:1–4, Pastor Leonard reads:
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right."
"Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)"
"That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

He explains that this passage is not about legalistic discipline but grace-filled nurturing. Parents should not exasperate their children with burdensome expectations or rules.

Referencing 1 Corinthians 15:56:
"The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law."
He warns that legalism empowers sin. Instead, parents are called to raise children in the truth of who they are in Christ.

He encourages affirming children from a young age: “You are loved. You are righteous. You are holy.” This truth, when instilled early, becomes their foundation for life.

Final Exhortation: It’s Never Too Late to Love and Teach Truth

Pastor Leonard closes with a message of hope: "It’s never too late."
No matter how old your children are, you can still fill them with love, truth, and grace. Teach them they are holy, righteous, and deeply loved by God.

He passionately reminds parents that affirming a child’s identity in Christ will yield lifelong blessings, fulfilling the promise in Ephesians 6:3:
"That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

We hope this article blessed you. Share this teaching with others who need to be reminded of God's love, truth, and grace—especially in parenting and spiritual identity. Together, let us raise a generation rooted in righteousness, not rules.