3/19/23 Sermon "Walk As Children of Light" 14 Minutes

Ephesians 5:8-14

This morning I'll be reading Ephesians chapter 5 verses 8 through 14. And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Ephesians 5:8-14 The main subject of Ephesians is what Paul calls “the mystery.” By that he does not mean something that cannot be explained,,, but instead he means a wonderful truth never revealed before,,, but now,,, made known. This amazing truth,,, which forms the theme of the book,,, is the announcement that believing Jews and believing Gentiles are now one in Christ Jesus. The verses we will look at this morning are written for the church. Ephesians 5:8–14 (HCSB) 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light — 9 for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth — 10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13 Everything exposed by the light is made clear, 14 for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you. The word of God for the people of God,,, thanks be to God! God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. ___________________________________ Last Sunday we looked at Exodus 17:1-7,,, and we seen that “God Still Provides” for the Israelites,,, in spite of their complaining and disbelief!

I mentioned the song “Honey In the Rock” because it fit with these verses,,, it’s a song filled with so much meaning,,, (I added it to the Facebook page as well),,, and,,, we seen that the Israelites have left Egypt heading to the promised land,,, towards the land filled with milk and honey,,, but along the way,,, amidst their grumbling and complaining,,, we see,,, that God still provides!

In spite of their grumblings,,, and faults,,, God takes care of them!

“He”,,, is faithful,,, even while they are failing Him!

We need to remember these verses when we begin to beat ourselves up when we fall short,,, or when things just seem to be going against us!

We need to remember that God “is” still with us,,, even when we can’t see or understand that!

And,,, we need to remember,,, that “God still provides”,,, even when we think that He has abandoned us!

We must remember the words from Joshua 1:9 “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

God,,, is with us,,, wherever we go,,, and remember as well,,, that,,, “God Still Provides”,,, even when,,, we fail Him,,, or,,, we feel abandoned!

This morning we will look at these verses in Ephesians and see how they help us in our walk with God this week.

___________________________________ Verses 8-10 said: 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light — 9 for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth — 10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.

Once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior,,, there should be a change.

We should not walk in darkness any longer.

Instead,,, it says,,, we should,,, Walk as children of light

And by walking that way,,, it results,,, in all goodness, righteousness, and truth — 10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.

The fruit of the light,,, shows up in our goodness,,, our righteousness,,, and,,, our truth,,, ,,, they reflect God’s character in our life,,, things that help us to see what is pleasing to the Lord!

And living a life that is pleasing to God,,, is a key ingredient to our happiness and satisfaction here today,,, because we have that peace and contentment when we are obeying God the way that we should!

___________________________________ Verses 11-12 said: 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret.

We should not have anything to do with those that choose to live a life in sin,,, and by that I mean that we don’t allow that type of behavior to take over the church.

We can invite them to church,,, they must hear the word of God after all,,, but,,, they can’t be allowed to change us,,, we must be able to resist that,,, so we are told,,, Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.

It is a hard thing to do sometimes,,, because we must tell someone that they are living a life that will send them to hell,,, but,,, it is still a loving thing to do,,, especially if we do it without allowing hate to creep into our words,,, and hopefully,,, when this is done correctly,,, they will change their ways.

We are told in Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he won’t listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. If he pays no attention to them, tell the church. But if he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like an unbeliever and a tax collector to you.”

So we can see that there is a correct way of doing this,,, and we need to remember this going forward.

Many times the church hurts more than it helps during these types of problems.

But,,, it must be done,,, for our good,,, and,,, for theirs as well!

___________________________________ Verses 13-14 said: 13 Everything exposed by the light is made clear, 14 for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.

When light exposes evil deeds,,, they become visible,,, we can see what they truly are when they are contrasted by the light of Christ,,, the light that shines out from each and every Christian.

And at times,,, those that are living in darkness,,, after they see that they “are” living incorrectly,,, it can help them to see that they need to change their way of life,,, and live a life pleasing to God,,, a way of life that God desires for every human being on earth to live!

___________________________________ So we can see that these verses deal with church discipline.

Believers are to walk in the light,,, and by doing so,,, we expose other believers of any works that are unfruitful,,, so that they too,,, may walk in the light and please God through their obedience.

___________________________________ But what about those that are not believers?

They must be confronted as well.

Again,,, it is very important to do so in a loving Christ-like manner.

First,,, we must recognize that they are where we were before we realized that we needed Jesus Christ,,, sinners that God loved enough to die for!

Every lost person deserves to know they are lost and how they can receive the mercy of God.

Peter and Paul both told us that God desires that no one should perish but that all would come to the knowledge of the truth (see 2 Peter 3:9; and 1 Timothy 2:4).

Second, we should look for every opportunity to tell our own reason why we have hope in Christ (see 1 Peter 3:15)

Third, we must show the Gospel for what it is.

The good news of Jesus saves us from eternal torment.

It makes us new people in Christ.

It produces love,,, joy,,, and peace,,, within us.

Every person apart from Christ needs to understand what it is that Jesus gives us right now.

___________________________________ We do what we can to turn their life around,,, but we have also been warned to do it without jeopardizing our own life.

Paul wants us to tell others about Jesus,,, without sacrificing ourselves along the way.

We must be the light of Christ,,, and let His light draw them in!

To do that,,, we “Walk As Children of Light” so that everyone walking in darkness,,, can see the true way to go!

That’s our job as the church of Jesus Christ,,, living a life each and every day,,, that makes those around us to want what we experience,,, want what we have,,, so that all can enjoy the life of abundance that Jesus promised in John 10:10 that said,,, “A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.”

God wants that for all.

We need to remember to show them,,, that’s our job as “followers of Jesus,,, to show them the benefits and blessings we’ve received,,, and that they are available to them.

So many times we aren’t the loving people that God intends for us to be,,, and that needs to change!

But we still remember these verses,,, we remember to “Walk As Children of Light”,,, while being sure that we stay on the pathway that Jesus intends for us to go,,, loving all,,, as we continue,,, being the church,,, that God calls us,,, to be!

___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Hymn: 337 - Oakdale Hymn: 337 - Seminary Benediction -----------------------------------------------------------