Real Life. Real Faith.

Let’s be honest. It’s easy to treat faith like an accessory to life...like something you put on for Sunday, take off on Monday, and maybe wear again next weekend. But Paul has a different vision. Faith isn’t a part of your life. It is your life.

In this message from Ephesians 6:1–9, we saw that thriving together starts at home and continues into our everyday lives. Faith isn’t something we keep in a church building. It follows us into our families, our parenting, our classrooms, and our jobs. So the real question is, are you living your faith where it matters most?

Let’s look at what real faith in real life actually looks like.

Honor Starts at Home

Paul begins this section by speaking directly to children: Honor your father and mother. He roots this in the Ten Commandments not in cultural expectations. It’s about having a heart posture of respect that trains you to honor God with more than your obedience. The way we treat our parents reflects how we treat God.

This kind of honor is countercultural. We live in a world where rebellion is normal and parental authority is undermined. But God’s design is different. When children learn to show respect, gratitude, and love toward their parents, it builds a foundation for a faith that can withstand the brokenness of the world.

And listen...honoring doesn’t mean agreeing. It doesn’t mean ignoring pain or pretending things are perfect. But even in complex relationships, God can use honor to bring healing and restoration. And for those without strong parental figures, you can start by learning to trust and honor your heavenly Father. Let Him reshape your view of what love and leadership are meant to look like. And through that, maybe you can begin the process of healing broken relationships with your parents.

Lead with Love

Now Paul turns to parents, specifically fathers, but the truth applies to all of us who raise and influence the next generation.

Don’t stir up anger. Raise them up in the Lord.

This was a radical instruction in Paul’s day. Fathers had near-total authority, and harshness was normal. But Paul challenges them to lead differently. He tells them to lead with gentleness, intentionality, and spiritual maturity.

Faith at home isn’t about control. It’s not about forcing behavior or demanding obedience. It’s about cultivating an environment where grace and truth go hand in hand. It’s about being the same person at home as you are at church. Because your kids don’t just need a parent, they need a Christlike example.

Godly parents are called by God to raise future Godly adults. So reframe your parenting in terms of ministry. Because your children learn their first lessons about God from the way you parent them.

And practically speaking? That means:

• Don’t discipline in anger.

• Discipline the heart, not the behavior.

• You're training future adults. So train them to love God.

  
  

Your home is your first mission field. Lead with love and let Jesus shape how you raise the next generation.

Work Like It’s Worship

Finally, Paul addresses slaves and masters. But in the context of our culture, we interpret this as our work. Whether you’re a student, employee, boss, or volunteer, your work matters to God. So work as if you’re working for Christ not just for a paycheck.

In the ancient world, Paul was speaking to both bondservants and masters. And he gave the same command to both: Work and lead like Jesus. Serve each other with humility. Treat each other as equals in Christ. Because the truth is, God is the master of both and doesn't really recognize earthly concepts of master/servant.

This applies today more than ever. Most of us spend more hours at work than anywhere else. And when we treat our work like worship, it transforms the way we show up at home. It softens our attitude, changes our tone, and brings the presence of Jesus into places and to the people that desperately need it.

Because the truth is, what you bring home from work affects your family. If you’re working for man, you bring home stress and exhaustion. But if you work as if for God, you’ll come home with peace and purpose. How would your homelife change if you came home after spending an entire day working for Jesus?

Your Invitation: Live It Where It Counts

Ask yourself:

• Am I showing my faith at home?

• Am I honoring my parents or raising my children with God in mind?

• Am I working like I’m serving Jesus?

  
  

Faith isn’t part-time. It’s who you are. So let’s stop separating church life from real life. Let’s stop pretending we need different personalities for different places. Let’s be people of faith everywhere we go.

Watch the full sermon here.

This week, whether you're parenting, working, studying, or navigating hard relationships, live like Jesus is right there with you. Because He is.

Real life doesn’t start after church. Real life is your faith. Let’s live it together.