Playing with the Devil
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 16 viewsNotes
Transcript
Ephesians 5:1-16
Ephesians 5:1-16
Message Point: We must live a life of holiness no matter what else is around us.
Focus Passage: Ephesians 5:1-16
1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
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 Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
“Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Supplemental Passage:
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Introduction: - play footsie (with someone)
To be involved with the devil means you are cooperating with him. We do this with our enjoyment and pursuit of the world and things of this world. The Bible describes satan as the prince of this world.
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
The greek word translated World is Cosmos- it means the systems of this world. The government system, financial system, social systems and entertainment systems, etc…
I. THE WAYS OF THE WORLD – v. 3-4
I. THE WAYS OF THE WORLD – v. 3-4
a. Unholy things in the world
b. What does Paul say should be our reaction to these ways of the world?
Have no fellowship with them! Take no part with them, and that means to take no part. Do not participate, do not spend money on them, if it’s questionable then take no part.
II. A WARNING FROM GOD – v. 5-7
II. A WARNING FROM GOD – v. 5-7
a. Like a tornado warning siren.
b. i. Those who continually and habitually practice a sinful lifestyle will not be a part of God’s kingdom. They will suffer His wrath.
ii. Not talking about an occasional act of sin.
iii. Talking about those whose basic life patterns are characterized by immorality, impurity, and greed.
iiv. Those that seek out and are entertained and enjoy sin. Those that refuse to allow the Word and Spirit to change their minds about sin. God is sending clear warnings. Woe unto you! For the Devil has come down among you and is full of wrath. He is set upon your destruction.
12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
c. True Saving Christianity is so much more than just praying a prayer and getting your "fire insurance paid up."
i. Chances are that your fire insurance is NOT paid up if this is all you have done and are still seeking out and pursuing the things of this world and playing around with the devil and sin!
d. Titus 2:11-14 – The grace that saves us is also the grace that teaches us to deny our selfish sinful natures and live self-controlled lives.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
e. This is why Paul says in 2 Cor. 13:5 to “examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”
i. Is there evidence in your life that you belong to Christ?
Evidence that you are set apart from the world?
Evidence that you are pursuing Godliness, Holiness, seeking to be like this Christ we profess with our mouths as Lord and Savior?
Because the EVIDENCE will show what we truly are when we look in the mirror of God’s Word!
ii. Are you sinning w/ less frequency?
“A Christian is not sinless, but he does sin less.” – Warren Wiersbe
iii. Are you growing more concerned about the things of God and how you can please Him with your life, how to “walk worthy of the calling you have received”?
III. THE WAY TO LIVE – v. 8-14
III. THE WAY TO LIVE – v. 8-14
a. What does it mean to live as children of light?
i. Living a life characterized by goodness, righteousness, and truth – v. 9
ii. Find out what pleases the Lord – v. 10
iii. Have nothing to do with the deeds of darkness anymore – v. 11
b. Walk as wise men, for the days are evil. – v. 15-16
c. 2 Cor. 5:17 – “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Invitation: - Those who are Christians face the discipline of God.
- Those who are not Christians face the wrath of God.
but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (1 Peter 1:15-16
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
What are you doing with that verse? You either apply it or ignore it!
For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:14 NASB)
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Sin has been defeated through the Blood of Jesus Christ---- Cross
Sin has been defeated through the Blood of Jesus Christ---- Cross
Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 –
What are you doing with that verse? You either apply it or ignore it!
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; (Romans 6:6 –
What are you doing with that verse? You either apply it or ignore it!
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. (Colossians 3:5
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
– What are you doing with that verse? You either apply it or ignore it!
But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; (1 Timothy 4:7 NASB) –
What are you doing with that verse? You either apply it or ignore it!
7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
COME TO THE FOOT OF THE CROSS, COME TO JESUS AND BE CLEANSED BY HIS BLOOD, TURN FROM SIN AND WORLDLINESS AND THE PURSUIT OF THE SYSTEMS OF THIS WORLD AND PURSUE JESUS CHRIST WITH ALL THAT YOU HAVE AND ALL THAT YOU ARE. DO NOT DELAY ELSE THE JUDGEMENT OF GOD WILL BE UPON YOU. WOE UNTO YOU WAYWARD CHRISTIAN FOR THE DEVIL HAS COME DOWN AMONG YOU. DO NOT ENTERTAIN HIM, DO NOT PLAY AROUND WITH HIM. DO NOT PURSUE HIM AND HIS KINGDOM (WORLDLY THINGS)