10. Children of love, light and wisdom

Introduction

Reader: Bob Major

Ephesians 5:8–21 (ESV)

8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Thank you Bob for reading this morning...

So we are deep into the second half of the book of Ephesians where we are seeing how we are to walk together in our new life.

Remember several weeks ago I did my walking around the room stunt but then just a couple weeks ago I did it again, but this time I had asked a few families to follow after me to show how even though we are made new individually, we are called to walk together in community. What I didn’t know, because I didn’t look behind me, was that that there were some people who I had not prepped beforehand to help who jumped up and followed along.

Which is cool because that paints an even fuller picture of how we are to walk together because it shows how sometimes we grow by intentional pre-planned events and other times it is just a matter of doing life in proximity with one another so that we influence each other to keep in step with Jesus.

We gather together to be the Church for one another, not just go to Church with one another. I need to see “Jesus in you” to help me become more like Him. And you need “Jesus in me” to help you become more like Him.

And this falls in line with a major theme of the book of Ephesians which is that we were something but then...”in Christ”... we have become something else.

We were something old, but in Christ we have become something new.

We were something dead, but in Christ we have become something alive.

We were something separate (Jews & Gentiles & the wall of hostility), but we have become something together (the body of Christ)

And in this, the second half of Paul’s letter to the Church he is laying out for us what this “New Life Together” is to look like.

Tension

And last week we began to unpack this idea, as Paul told us...

Ephesians 4:22a and 24(ESV)

22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life... 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

So that our new manner of life - or “real life”- should reflect the image of God in true righteousness and holiness. And then starting with verse 25 we could lay out something of a chart where Paul compares our Old Self with the New we have become.

Our Old Self said Lie if you can get away with it, but as New Creations we go the other way. We don’t play games with lies we dive deep into the truth, putting away all falsehood to become trusted people of integrity.

And our Old Self says you have a right to express your Anger no matter the consequences, but our New Self controls the expression of our Anger to make sure it is aimed toward injustice. Because it is right to get angry about what makes God angry, but only to fuel and fight for righteousness and reconciliation not vengeance and sin.

Our old self says Steal it if it’s easier but as New Creations we see hard work as a blessing and trust in God’s providence to supply everything we need so that we can give good gifts to others. Because the gifts you stole are not gifts at all.

Our old self used words to Tear Others Down in order to build us up, but our new self knows that God who opposes the proud and that is not a conflict you wanna be in. Instead we are called to use our words to build each other up in the Lord.

And lastly, our old self was prone to bitterness, wrath, slander and an overall attitude of harm or malice. But our new self longs to help with an attitude that is kind, tenderhearted and forgiving…because that is how God has treated us.

That is a profound transformation. A night and day difference. A dark to light contrast. It isn’t just a little tweaking to go from good to better or better to best. It is going from deader than death to the most brilliant life.

And take a moment to look again at that list on the right hand side. Do you recognize how each one of these attributes of our New Creation in Christ are attributes of God himself?

And here is why it was important for us to look back at these verses today. I had Bob start us of on verse 8, but chapter 5 starts with these words...

Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

We were made in the image of God, so we were designed to reflect his glorious character. We each corrupted that in our sin and lived a portion of our life in that “old self”, some of our stories spent more time there than others, but all of us were there at one point. But when we become “New Creations In Christ” then God works to renew the reflection of His character in our lives.

And three times in our passage today Paul says that we are to walk in a certain way…and each of these ways are direct reflections of the character of God that we are to imitate as His beloved children.

So lets stop for a moment and pray and then we will get into the rest of Ephesians chapter 5 together.

Truth

So this sections starts out with...

Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

But then it says...

2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

So the first way that we are to reflect God’s character is to...

WALK TOGETHER AS CHILDREN OF LOVE (Eph 5:1-6)

Because we are the “beloved” children of God, we should imitate His love. The Greeks had many words that today we would translate as “love” and the New Testament writers brought a particular word for love into their writing and designated it as the love that God has for us.

That word is ἀγάπη (agape) and we find a great definition of what they meant by this “love” here in verse 2. This is the love that Jesus shows to us and it is a sacrificial love where we choose to lay aside what we want for ourselves and instead concern ourselves with the needs of the other person. That is what Jesus love looks like. That is what our love should be.

The English word for love is much more complicated because people use the same word to mean all kinds of things. We “love” our wife and we “love” tacos... but we don’t mean that we feel the same way about tacos as we do our wife…at least I hope not.

The word is often used synonymous with a feeling that “fall into” or are seeking to “fall into”. It caries the idea of a force that is uncontrollable and when you feel it you just know. More than that you just can’t help but give into it because true love knows no boundaries and so no one can tell you what to love, how to “love” or who to “love”. It just happens...and to deny yourself would be wrong, you just have to indulge it in the name of “love”.

Which is true, of every form of “godless” love. Yeah, there are things that people call “love” that have nothing to do with God. When we are talking about “God’s love” then by definition, He gets to say what His love looks like. He gets to set the boundaries. And he has set those boundaries.

Ephesians 5:3-4(ESV)

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

The word “saint” means set-apart one. And so to just go along with every other idea of “love” would be “improper” and “out of place” for those who are called to display God’s character. So Paul says....

Ephesians 5:5(ESV)

5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

AN inheritance goes to the children, the heirs of the inheritance. The only ones who will inherit the Kingdom of Christ are the beloved children of God who are imitating Him and walking in His ideas of love, not the so called “love” based on how it makes you “feel” at any given moment.

Did you notice how these three prohibitions are all things that stand in direct opposition to some aspect of God’s character?

SEXUAL IMMORALITY

First of all, we find our basis for right and wrong from the character of God. And since “morality” is based on God’s character, “im-morality” is doing the opposite of what God has commanded us.

Specifically here the word is πορνεία (porneia) one Greek word translated into two English word. This refers to every form of sexual expression outside of God’s design for it.

It is where we get our word pornography, but it is not limited to that. This would include things like fornication, cohabitation, homosexuality and many other acts that people pursue, often in the name of “love” but are not acts of agape love, because they are rebellions against the God who gets to say what is and is not love.

God has called his children to a morality that is based on his right commands, so “im-morality” is the opposite of God’s standard for righteousness.

IMPURITY

Secondly, God’s character is our standard for what is pure, clean or holy so anything that lies outside of His standard of purity is “im-purity”. Particularly Paul talks about foul language, foolish talk and crude joking which are all examples of having a “dirty mouth”.

And I know that not all of you work at a Church like I do. Some of our work environments are pretty rough and out of a genuine desire to connect with people we might start picking up the language and habits of our workmates. But that is missing the whole point of being a saint, a “set-apart” one. It doesn’t mean that you can’t call a spade a spade, but it does mean that you are careful how you do it.

Ironically, Jesus once rebuked the religious leaders by saying,

Matthew 12:34 (ESV)

34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Now I don’t think we are supposed to go around calling people snakes, because Jesus is probably talking about us as much as anybody else, but I am suggesting that we consider that second half of the verse before we open our mouths.

Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. What does what you are saying or how you are saying it say about what is overflowing from your heart? Maybe next time we get that nudge to not say what we are about to say we can just count…Mathew 1234, for Matthew 12:34 to remind us that words don’t just leave our mouths and disappear. We wear them as badges of our character and as set apart ones some of our language is not fitting.

God has called his children to imitate him in purity of mind, heart and words, “im-purity” is the opposite of God’s standard for holiness.

COVETOUSNESS

Thirdly, God’s character is to be a good provider who gives “every good and perfect gift” to His children, (James 1:17). So “coveting” or being greedy in selfish desire over things we don’t have is really accusing God of not living up to his promises.

Like the original sin that captured Adam and Eve we claim that God is holding out on us. Instead of trusting in God’s goodness, perfect timing and plan to give us everything that is truly good for us...like spoiled children we demand “what we want when we want it which is always right now”. This denies God’s character of generosity and does not result in God’s standard of thankfulness.

As beloved children of God we represent Him in this world and so things like immorality, impurity and covetousness should never be named among us. Instead, we should be marked by the character of God in righteousness, holiness and thankfulness.

But the world that we live in throws around the word “love” in a way that sometimes has many Christians confused and others even convinced. “I thought you Christians were supposed to be all about love, so how can you tell me I am wrong when all I am trying to do is love someone or something!”

Just because we are using the same word, does not mean that we are talking about the same thing. Paul says...

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words,...

I cannot tell you how important this warning is for us in our day. There is nothing new under the sun, but at least in my lifetime, it has never been more important that we ask people to define the terms that they are using.

I have sat in meetings with other Pastors, whom I love in Christ, and I have had to stop them mid sentence and ask them to explain what they mean by a particular word…

“because I agreed with you when you said it... but now, to quote the great Spanish theologian Inigo Montoyo “You keep using that word, but I don’t think it means what you think it means.”

Right?! So Paul says...

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

I know that sounds like a biker gang, the sons of disobedience but this is Paul returning to the idea of inheritance. The sons of disobedience walk in their heritage of disobedience and they will receive the “inheritance” that comes with that heritage.

In contrast, we who have been adopted as children of God are to walk in our heritage of agape love and so receive the inheritance that comes with that heritage, our place in the Kingdom of God…both here and now and for all eternity.

So the second theme that Paul highlights here is that we are to...

WALK TOGETHER AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT (Ephesians 5:7-14)

7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

Here again is that contrast between what we were, and what we are now “In Christ”. We were darkness but now “in the Lord” Jesus Christ we...are...light. And we are to walk in that light.

This should be more unsettling for us than it is. That just as certain as we are now called to be light by imitating God as beloved children is the fact that at one point we “were darkness”. We were playing a part in perpetuating darkness in this world. That is why Paul is so insistent that we not partner together with the “sons of disobedience” because that is not who we are any more. That is not our family. That is not our heritage.

That word “partner” is the Greek word συμμέτοχος (symmetochos) and it means “to partner, share together or take part with”. It is the same Greek word that Paul used back in chapter 3 to describe the Mystery that Gentiles can now partake in the promise of the Jewish Messiah.

Ephesians 3:6 (ESV)

6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers (συμμέτοχος) of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

After partaking of the good news of Jesus, why would we subject ourselves again to darkness? Instead we are to...

Walk as children of light. 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), So we should Walk as children of light...10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Is this what our lives are aimed at? “trying to please the Lord”? Too often we just want to know the bare minimum of what we have to do to be good with God, but that is the wrong attitude. We should be asking, “What is the best way that I can please the Lord today, looking for what is good and right and true.”

When we do that, then we are playing our part in the mission of the Gospel. We are being that “light” that shines to show how any other way of living, other than living in a right relationship with God, is useless. Paul continues...

11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light.

It is a great time of year to use agricultural illustrations, especially in the power that light has to grow things. The days are getting longer and the gardeners in my life are beginning to put out there little seedlings in window sills, hot boxes and green houses to capture the light. Just as sunlight grows things that are beautiful, useful and fruitful the light of Jesus grows things that are good, right and true.

Darkness on the other hand is useless in either case.

Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

This verse says something similar to a prophecy from Isaiah 60:1, but as it is not word for word many theologians believe that it is an adapted version of a baptismal hymn that was sung in the early Church to symbolize how one has gone from their old, dead and dirty self to their new, clean life in Christ.

As a quick sidenote, we have had several people lately asking about baptism so if that is the next step for you come see me or one of the other Overseers because we would love to talk to you about how that could be your next step.

Walk in Love as Beloved Children of God

Walk together as Children of Light and lastly

WALK TOGETHER WISELY, CHILDREN (Eph 5:15-21)

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Some of the older Bible translations may say “Walk circumspectly” instead of carefully and I like the image that this give us. It is the idea of keeping watch from every angle and all around because you never know from what direction the draw that has captured the “sons of disobedience” will come from. This also helps when considering the influence of the company you are keeping and the context you are keeping it in. Be wise.

And then he says…

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

You know there are many places throughout the Bible where drunkeness is condemned in a long list of sins that mark those who are not imitating God as beloved children of light, love and wisdom...but it seems to me that Paul is doing something different here. We will talk more about this in our Table Talk groups, but I can’t help but wonder if Paul is contrasting these two things because those same questions that people turn to alcohol for, the Holy Spirit can answer without the bad after effect.

Because don’t people abuse alcohol and other drugs primarily to 1. overcome inhibitions in some social setting or to overcome suffering in some deeply personal one. So they get drunk in order to “let loose” when they would otherwise feel insecure about doing so or they “self-medicate” to stop feeling something that is to deeply painful.

I think, especially with the word debauchery which means wasteful and pointless living, Paul is suggesting to us that the Holy Spirit does a better job answering those two needs than any drug ever could.

In this case he is saying, stop wasting your time with the bottle and be filled with the Spirit, so that in contrast to the filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking mentioned back in verse 6, here you will be

19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

This how you find real lasting healing for your pain. This is how you find true courage to overcome your inhibitions in a purposeful way. Alcohol and other drugs will just darken your perspective, but coming together in a community aimed at imitating God as beloved children of light, love and wisdom will fulfill the deep longings of your heart, mind and soul.

Application

And so the question is, what kind of children will we be?

Will we respond in kind to the sacrificial love of God or do we prefer to define “love” ourselves according to how we feel about something or someone?

Will we respond as faithful children who trust in the faithfulness of our heavenly Father, or will we be like spoiled children who think they are entitled to “Daddy’s stuff” but want nothing to do with His character or commands.

In the end, our lives will show if we are truly heirs who have inherited a position in the Kingdom of God, or if we are illegitimate heirs who are pretending to be something that we are not.

Landing / Next Steps

Because if we are rebellious children, then we can expect that our loving Father will discipline us in order to see us grow up in the light of all that is good, right and true. It might be painful for a season, but the end result is worth it.

Because the alternative is that we are illegitimate children, and we have no claim to the Kingdom of God. If that is the case for you, then I implore you to change course. Repent of your sin and selfishness and become a child of God who imitates him in light, love and wisdom.