Living In The Light

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

To begin with I woke up out of my sleep early this morning and the good Lord showed me this. I watched the storm in the Atlantic Ocean and the warning is that all along the eastern coast of the USA there are strong rip currents. Rip currents are very dangerous and deadly. The undertow is fierce and destructive. On the surface you can’t see nothing happening but underneath trouble and toil moil is brewing. And I know why. The answer is “When we become Sanctified we will learn to cooperate with God, we’ll improve our internal conditioning meaning the things I use to do I don’t do any more. We’ll realize that we are not perfect and that we are a work in progress. We’ll recognize that Sanctification is something that continues throughout our lives as a Christian. We have to continually grow towards the righteousness of God. And so the question that came to me can you teach them what Sanctification really is. I said like Ezekiel Lord you know. I don’t know them people . You sent me there to tell them. And you don’t know everything about the people that’s in your own home. My daughter had 4 teeth wisdom teeth pulled I nursed her at home. I went to get the soft foods she could eat . I got vanilla yogurt, I got vanilla ice cream, I got vanilla pudding and strawberry jello. But right before I got the last item I called to make sure I had it right. I said Abbie what kind of yogurt she said strawberry banana, what kind of ice cream she said strawberry swirl, I said what kind of pudding she said chocolate, I said ok what kind of jello she said the peach mango. And I realized that I had all the items but not the specific items that she really wanted. And so I don’t really know what she really wants. And when God said can I teach you what Sanctification is I said Lord you know because I may not give them what they need So Lord Jesus give me the specifics. Add Specificity to the definition of Sanctification. The Short definition is that Sanctification is a change in behavior. But the one I want you to chew on all week is that Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives. 4x. Stay with me because Ephesians 4: 29 -32 made me take a hard line look the rip currents

1. verse 29 says stop talking to people rough and reckless, corrupt communications will destroy Christian Fellowship. My grandmother use to say if you can’t say nothing good then don’t say nothing at all. Just keep your mouth close. You can’t be the one starting mess all the time. The principal came to me and said that Travis is cutting up in everybody’s class, and Mr. Allen I know you want him in your band but if Travis get in trouble with one more teacher he’s out of here. I had a real strong talk with him......

2. In verse 30 And don’t grieve the Holy Spirit. Brothers and sisters when you fail to live according to God’s will you grieve Him. God wants His people being exemplary, God wants His people to be like Daniel meaning to have an excellent spirit. and God want His people to be people that have an Extraordinary Character. Don’t make God sad.

3. In verse 31. The writer Paul says Let all bitterness “Let it go”, and wrath Let it all go because you so mad that you’re enraged to get after somebody.. I’m going to get you!!! you make me sick, and then anger, the bible says be angry but sin not..., and clamour Clamour meaning you done gone to screaming and hollering and yelling vehemently so much until everybody thinks that you have gone stone crazy, Say it ain’t so , and then evil speaking stop saying all that bad stuff that make people rail up puff up flip out flash out and fall out, the bible says “be put away from you, you got to put wrong behavior away and become Sanctified, and when the bible says “with all malice”: It means never do anything evil. malicious behavior is the worst because to have malice means I’m waiting for the perfect opportunity to get back at you. You made me mad one time but you don’t know me I’ll get you even if it takes years of studying for a weak spot.

4. Lastly in verse 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

1. I don’t want you to be nice to me!!! Listen now I want you to learn to kind to me. In fact I demand that you be kind to me. See because all that treating people dirty and rotten, If I don’t tell you stop. If I don’t teach you in the word of God to cease and desist from wicked behavior, from sinful behavior, from un Christian like behavior after while the next thing I know you’ll be treating me like a dirty dog. Being nice is surface level behavior, but as Rev Curtis Washington taught me when he preached the first sermon after I was elected Pilgrim can you be Kind” to one another and be kind to this new pastor. At first I didn’t quite realize the differentiation between being nice and being kind. There is a difference And when you see scriptures in the psalms that say Lord bless us according your lovingkindness it never says Lord according to your niceness. Yes Indeed.

Then 2. verse 32 says be tenderhearted and forgive one another because having that stony heart will make you hard. And when we become hard we forget that God looked past our faults, God had compassion for us even in the midst of our mess.

3. Jesus said if you can’t forgive your brothers and sisters then your heavenly Father will not forgive you. Furthermore, Jesus said in Matthew 7 If you want to judge all hard just remember that If you judge hard cored then I’ll judge you hard cored. And I don’t know

about you but I can’t have God judging me harshly because “THE POT CAN’T CALL THE KETTLE BLACK” God is going to find something on me that doesn’t line up. If you live in a glass house don’t throw no stones. 3x.

Introduction to Ch.5

In today’s society Living in the Light is more difficult than it use to be. Back in the day we did not have advanced technology as we have now, nor did we medically advancement, nor did we have media eccentrically advanced outlets and viens In 10 seconds the whole world knows what happened, and we didn’t nearly know or have the scientific advancement that we now have nor did we have (A I) Artificial Intelligence operating extensively in our lives. And A I will continue to be ever present in our lives in one way or another. The bible says that Paul states in Ephesians 5:1-4 Let’s read it together “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Let’s do the exposition of the text In verse

1. Be followers of Christ as dear children. The essence here is that we MIMIC Christ. Or that we become Christ like. Or that we operate in the Image of Christ. Or the cliche’ WWJD statement. Or the Jesus movement. Everything in the MSC the Modern Society of Christians ought to point towards a Christ like behavior. People can talk a good game but the following Jesus part becomes difficult. Do you’ll remember in the book of Mark when the rich young ruler came running to Jesus saying what must I do to be saved and Jesus said...... He said I did that Jesus. Then Jesus said go sell all that you have and give it to the poor and the rich young ruler walked away from Jesus because he was sad at that saying because he had great revenue. And he couldn’t part with his money because his money was his god!. And we have to be careful that some particular thing doesn’t affect us in a negative way that causes us not to follow Jesus, Not to mimic Jesus, and for us not to exhibit Christ like behavior.

2. In verse 2. The text critically demands us to walk in Christian love. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

The first thing the text ask us is to have is agape meaning we have to have love Yes In deed we have to have Love to walk in this kind of behavior. It is impossible to walk in love and be at war with multiple factions of society. You can’t walk in love and be mad with you neighbor every time you see them. At some point you got to let that go. You can’t walk in love if you see the color of my skin more than you see the contents of my character. You can’t walk in love if you fuss and fight with your brothers and sisters, or your church members or you community leaders and constitutes. You can’t walk in love and be at war at the same time. They are polar opposites.

#3. We are still in verse 2. but here’s an illustration in 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. This text will preach all by it self all day long. Let me read it again.

And then 4. how about the phrase as Christ hath also loved us.? in Ephesians 5:2 in the b clause That’s so loaded until it would take the rest of this teaching session to try to define “as Christ hath loved us”.

Look at Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

The theme text says in Ephesians 5:2 “As Christ hath also love us and gave Himself for us an offering of a sweet smelling savor to God”. “What a tremendous sacrifice, because John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believe in him should have eternal life everlasting life”. What a sacrifice to have to do for mankind. According to I John 4:10 Jesus became our propitiation. Scripture says that Jesus is the key to mankind’s salvation. All through out the bible there are examples of this In Genesis He’s the Seed of the Woman, In Exodus He’s the Passover Lamb, In Leviticus He’s the High priest, In Deuteronomy He’s the True Prophet, In Number’s He’s the Shekinah Glory, In Joshua He’s the Captain of our Salvation, In Judges He’s the Delivering Judge, In Ruth He’s our Kinsman Redeemer. In Samuel, Chronicles, and Kings He’s the Promised King. In Psalms He’s the book of songs, In Proverbs He’s our wisdom, In Ecclesiastes He’s the Lover of our souls, In Isaiah He’s the Suffering Servant, Jeremiah He’s Fire shut up in the Prophet’s bones, In Ezekiel He’s the wheel in the middle of the wheel. In Daniel He’s the fourth man in the furnace with shadarach, mechach, and abendigo. In Hoshea He’s the True Husbandman. In Joel He’s pouring out His Spirit on all flesh. In Amos H’e the Plumb line to measure every heart, In Obadiah He’s the

In Jonah He’s the Forgiving God to a wicked people. In Micah He’s the Prophecy of Bethlehem fulfilled, In Nahum He’s the Symbol of Majesty, In Habakkuk He’s the vision written down for us to read and follow and execute. Zephaniah He’s the Real God with Real Power and He’s not playing with no you. In Haggai He’s the In Zachariah He’s the king riding on a donkey through the streets of Jerusalem, In Malachi He’s the Lod that will open the window of heaven and pour you a blessing that you don’t have room enough to receive it. In Matthew Jesus is the King in Mark He’s the Servant in Luke He’s the son of Man but in John He’s the Son of God. In Acts he’s the Risen savior, In Romans He’s our Justifier, in Corinthians He’s our Sacrifice, In the other Epistles Jesus is on the Right Hand of The Father Making Intercession for you and I. Then Lastly in revelation He’s on His way back for a church without a spot or a wrinkle He’s coming back for the Bride of Christ The Church.

And In our theme text in Ephesians Jesus is the formula for the formation of a formal invitation to the salvation of mankind.

Living in the Light.

And then in verse 3.how to stay away from unholy living.3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

1. Stop running around with different women that ain’t your wife. Stop running around with a man that ain’t your husband. Sexual sins in the church are the worst. That kind of stuff will break a church a part. Listen to me nobody can tell you how to feel about somebody but the word of God tells us how to act and react. I don’t care how pretty and fine she is . I love my wife and don’t want to mess up my happy home and and and I’m not going to violate my anointing with God. Because when you engage in that behavior it weakens your witness.

2. Any kind of uncleaness. Meaning any kind of evil doing. Nobody wants to admit to evil doing. And most carnal minded folk will do evil things hoping never to get caught. And what’s bad about it is, that it doesn’t bother them while they are doing evil, it only bothers them when they get caught.

3. In verse 3. it says all covetousness. I looked up the word covet. and I found out that covetousness is to desire what belongs to another person.. To be covetous means to be marked!!! by an inordinate desire for wealth or possessions. It means to be greedy and avaricious without restraint or discrimination. Meaning I want what I want and I don’t care who it is that’s got it I want it. The bible says in Genesis 4 that there were two brothers Cain and Able. Cain got so jealous of how God accepted Able’s sacrifice until Cain commited the first murder in the bible. Cain killed Able because of Covetousness. Cain wanted what Able had. Able had a right relationship with God.AND AND AND some people are covetous over the relationship you may have with the Lord,but WHY, Because you have a personal relationship with God. It’s not something that you can buy. It’s a free will theodicy meaning it’s your own mindset towards God. And if there is an application of covetousness toward a relationship with God there also an application of a relationship in relations to mankind. And here’s what that means some people want what you have. Covetous. I’ve learned a valuable lesson about being jealous and covetous. It nearly cost me my life. And Now LISTEN TO ME REAL GOOD. I don’t want what you’ve got. Because there a danger in wanting what somebody else have. You want to keep up with the Joneses. But the Joneses are going through hell and high water to have what they have and and and you may not be able to handle the stress that the joneses handle. That kind of stress might just give you a heart attack or a stroke.

Now a days I only want what God gave me. And I’m too scared to want what somebody else got because it hard enough trying to keep up with the Allens. Leave them Joneses alone! Because The Ephesian writer Paul says that this stuff shouldn’t even be announced or rehearsed or spoken of or said out loud concerning the saints of God.Let’s read verse 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

We’ve got some cleaning up to do. Then Look at verse 4 Let’s read it “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

1. Filthiness oh Jesus what in the world is Paul talking to the church at Ephesus about when he says Filthiness. It also means that there must be no evil talking. The church can’t thrive with all that evil talking. If what you’re saying isn’t something that you can say to the whole congregation and whatever that statement is, if it doesn’t bring harmony and that statement brings division then that’s evil talking and you shouldn’t be saying that. Filthiness. I beg your pardon if I’ve had evil talking among you. Because evil talking divides God’s church.

2. verse 4. states very vividly in the b clause “Nor foolish talking” Wait Paul is saying the problem is not just evil talking but foolish talking is just as bad. Talking foolish with the congregation lowers the integrity of the church’s status. if your Pastor talks foolish all through out the congregation and community then the church is considered a foolish church. Because you’re no better than your leader. your Pastor can’t tell evil jokes and call that doctrine. and call that sacred solid sound doctrine. Thhe stuff I hear some preacher say on TV and get away with. I get upset because I want to be on TV too. But I don’t want to be known as a foolish talking preacher.

Then in Ephesians 5:4 the c clause : nor jesting. A jest is a wisecrack what???? Look it up Meaning that it’s something said with the soul purpose of making a joke and making people laugh. And the jester in turn becomes a laughstock. And can not be taken seriously in any manner whether witty or sarcastic or ironic or merely playful jesters of non sense. I have a formal request Please don’t call me a jester. Because according if so I’d be considered as a babbling baffom. Then the word goes on and says theses things are not convenient for you In other words these things are not right for you. And stop doing them. 3x Instead of that you should be giving thanks to God. We should be thanking God who has brought us from a mighty mighty long ways....

Don’t take my word for it, Look at verse 5.For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

1.In verse 5 the bible says no whoremonger will get an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God so the question is what is a whoremonger? Whoremonger in the Greek is the pornos and it means a male who sells his body like a prostitute.

2.In verse 5 nor unclean person this is a demonically foul and impure person. Meaning that that unclean person has problems upon problems especially when the text says that they are demonically foul and impure. I had to look it up because this unclean person in verse 5 is different from all uncleanness in verse 3. And fornication in verse 3 is different from whoremonger in verse 5.

3. Covetous person.. a defrauder deceitfully greedy and avarice. It’s close to the definition in verse 3 with covetousness but the difference is this person is a defrauder and that means I’m seeking to cheat you out of your stuff because I’m so greedy for possessions.

4. verse 5 says who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. This list happens to give a deeper meaning to me after having discovered that I’ve perhaps passed over the golden nuggets that the text is offering. Because Paul is wrapping up the sentence with the word Idolater. All this simply means is that everything the word of God said before about the unrighteous man/woman is that they are an idolater. Idolatry is the worship of other gods, and not the True and Living God.

So that means that negative associations to words can cause me to be left out of the inheritance of the Kingdom of Christ and of God. Words like Fornication,All Un-cleaness ,Covetousness,Filthiness, Foolish Talking,Jesting, Whoremonger, Unclean Person, and Covetous man are all idolaters, Yes indeed and furthermore, none of them can have any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

Then Paul say in verse 6. and don’t you let some loosy, goosy, limp, lackadaisical lump and bump on the log tell you or sell you a 3 dollar bill.

Look at verse 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. In other words you can listen to that foolishness if you want to but Paul says it will cause the Wrath of God to come upon you because of your willful disobedience. The bible says he who does wrong but doesn’t really know that he is doing wrong will be beaten with few stripes. but he who knows better will be beaten with many stripes because he willfully disobeyed God.

For the record I would like an easy peasie subject please. But I’ve been in the kitchen before so I can take the heat. Because if you can’t take the heat in the kitchen get out of the kitchen.

The word of God says don’t get too comfortable in your sainthood because it wasn’t that that long ago that you were tore up from the floor up like all the wrong doing people in the text. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.