Living in the Light

Introduction:

Real people, in a real place, in a real time.

Ephesus was a multi-cultural place— filled with an obsession with magic, sexual expressions of relationships and even their worship practices.

Paul is calling and teaching the Ephesians (and all of us too!) to live differently. Strange people in a strange place at a strange time. The transformed life will look differently, especially in the community of believers. He has laid out a wonderful four chapters of the letter explaining the great transformation we have experienced when we believe and follow Jesus.

He’s saying— you are in Christ— and you are in Ephesus. Live differently, because you are different. You’re not like everyone else! Not like a dead fish floating down the cultural river of relativism.

Last week Jim did a great job to challenge us to take the time to ask God some very personal questions about how we are living— am I grieving the Holy Spirit? Do I really live in the transformation of Jesus? Is God able to smile on my life and actions?

I sense that might have been difficult for many of you. You’ve still got a separated view of this— what happens here in the church — each week— it’s one thing— but when you return to your home, school, workplace, whatever— you actually don’t look much different from everyone else...

We are living in a time and a place, a context, where our world is increasingly fragmented, discouraged, and broken— without hope.

Think with me about the themes of Love, Light, Wisdom— as we continue here in chapter 5, these are all the things we will walk in that we will seek to live in— and that’s how people will know about Jesus.

We will find that this is somewhat of a process— it’s that sanctification process— God working in us to grow, and change— with us responding with trust and faith.

“We do not want, as the newspapers say, a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world.”

― G.K. Chesterton

An illustration that keeps coming back to me on this:

A little seed— like this walnut, becomes a massive tree! It’s takes time, effort, sunlight, fresh clean water, nutrients from the surrounding ground, seasons changing, all that for about 100 years and we will have a majestic tree! Think about Walnut Creek Mennonite Church— Gerber Valley schoolhouse in 1859, right down the street here— families of Amish and Mennonite faith decided to gather for a Sunday School. To teach their children the ways of a transformed life. That’s when the seed of Walnut Creek Mennonite was planted. Like this— 160 years later— here we are. Through several changes, reiterations, revitalization, buildings, generations of families serving, growing, giving, changing— moving the world rather than being moved by the world.

That’s what I want for you in your life— that’s what I want for our church— stability, strength, a lasting power in the world. We are all along a pathway— different starting points— but the same goal. The Glory of God through our lives on earth. Everyday, in everyway.

God Ordained purpose, Christ-centered plans, and Spirit-led practices.

That’s what our logo reflects— that tree planted by the stream— bearing fruit and flourishing for God’s glory.

Paul begins here in chapter 5 with a striking and powerful encouragement:

Ephesians 5:1 NIV

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

Ephesians 5:2 NIV

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

I. Imitate Christ's Love (v. 1-2)

A. Imitate God

Mimic God. Be perfect as God is perfect. Just as a child watches, learns and grows up to mimic it’s parent, we can follow God’s example and follow Him. This follows well the mandate in verse 32:

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Children often copy their parents. As we get older, we might even begin to see our parents coming out— Paul Overstreet wrote a great catchy song: The chorus goes like this:

Yeah, I'm seein' my father in me

I guess that's how it's meant to be

And I find I'm more and more like him each day

I notice I walk the way he walks

I notice I talk the way he talks

I'm startin' to see my father in me

Now watch what Paul is outlining here— There are certain “family characteristics” that will show up in us when we are children of God, children of the light.

Ephesians 5:2 NIV

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

B. Walk in love

If there was one over arching characteristic that identifies a follower of God— it’s love.

1. Christ’s love is a sacrificial love.

John 15:13 NIV

13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Jesus, in his death on the cross, offered up his life to God the Father as a most acceptable ransom for our lives. It was not just sufficient— like just good enough, it was a “fragrant” and pleasing offering.

Some folks get this twisted up—like how can I worship a God who would require such a gruesome sacrifice— and somehow He finds PLEASURE in that?

Follow me here: It certainly wasn’t the blood and the beatings, and the agony that pleased God the Father that day— Some can’t understand that the battered Jesus we see on the cross, that’s the reflection of our sin upon Him. He who knew no sin, became SIN. It was bad— yes, really bad. Like turn your face away bad. Horrible. That’s how ugly and terrible my sin is. That’s how terrible your sin is. But Jesus LOVED. He took on that pain in an act of undeniable, inconceivable LOVE— and that LOVE (behind the broken body and spilled blood) is what pleases the Father...

In a little while we will partake in communion… That’s the reason we do this regularly— to remember the sacrifice.

So Paul wants us to understand that Love— and then we WALK in that very love in the world.

If you’re struggling with this— I get that. Here’s something to consider:

We shall not long have love to man if we do not first and chiefly cultivate love to God.

A Good Start, Page 314

Charles Spurgeon

If you don’t already, I want you to start to practice loving God. We need to cultivate and support the process of growing our tree— How can I love God? Talk to Him, Walk with Him, ask Him for things, sing songs to Him— Just take a deep breath, let the silt of your life settle, and start by saying thank-you.

Then, you will begin to see the world the way God sees the world. You will become more like Jesus, loving what Jesus loves, and repelling against things that Jesus hates.

II. Uprooting the growth of Darkness (v. 3-7)

Ephesians 5:3 NIV

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

A. Avoid immorality, impurity and greed (v.3)

Not even a hint of these things among you. In the same way we are trying to grow this majestic and strong tree— the enemy is planting distractions and evil practices among you also. Much like we must weed our gardens— getting these little plants that are NOT the real deal uprooted takes time and effort.

He’s speaking here of sexual conduct that is unlawful, a desire for things that would harm you— or coveting something more than God himself.

We had this vine that grew up near our porch at our home in Canton— for the first few years, i thought it might be a grape vine, so I would let it go— it turned out not to be a grapevine— so I cut it down, and then every year after that— I would have to cut it down again and again, until I finally got frustrated and had to tear the root system out—

and if I didn’t get it all— guess what would pop back up and grow right back up the porch the next year? That weed again!

Uproot the bad plants and those things that are taking up root in your life— they are taking energy, resources and “light” from your life--

Ephesians 5:4 NIV

4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

There are plenty of times, maybe you’ve had this experience also, when you’re hanging out somewhere outside of church or Sunday School or whatever, and someone says something that is either off-color, or derogatory or demeaning to someone else. It kind of shocks you— even if that person isn’t a follower of Christ, it’s unkind, and insulting— maybe even racist or offensive to women or children.

Paul is saying — this is completely worthless. Why even waste your time and focus on something crass or mean? This comes with a consequence:

Ephesians 5:5 NIV

5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

These people— when they do these things regularly, are being idolatrous. That means putting something ELSE in the place of God. Something other than Him in the place of our worship. In some senses, think about this now, those acts of impurity are actually the worship people are performing to those false gods. Alot of this for our culture comes down to three idols: Sexual freedom (or sexual desire), Money (greed for more), and Power— the authority or judgment over someone else.

Immorality in our sexual activities— and even our thoughts

Greedy thoughts and covetousness— desiring things that don’t matter

Crude joking, foolish racism or dismissal of someone else’s value— you’re making something invaluable to God (someone’s person) light or irreverent.

All these are forms of worshiping the wrong God— idolatry. And we may not even know it. Here’s your wake up call— rip those roots out today, quit growing junk in your life.

Worshiping the true God— who is Love— is to perform acts of Love for Him and for others around us.

Paul is moving us to an understanding of how the outward sin in our lives grows from a place in our hearts — if it’s not tended regularly, it’s going to grow the wrong life. And we will reap the fruit of those bad plants— it’s what came naturally.

Godly roots produce Godly fruits.

Worldly roots produce worldly fruits.

Ephesians 5:6 NIV

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

Ephesians 5:7 NIV

7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

You might be the only one in your workplace that doesn’t joke about that particular issue— you might be the only one on your team in your sport that doesn’t cuss and swear.

You might be the only one in your community that doesn’t ____________ you fill in the blank—

You are not a dead fish floating down the river just like everyone else. You are a part of the faithful church that is moving the world, not being moved by the world.

B. Guard against deception.(v.6)

There are so many in the world today who have become very skilled at rationalizing, or justifying bad roots growing in their lives.

Maybe you and I have even done this.

“If it feels good to me, it must be right”

“I deserve this”

“I have a right”

“I’m ok, you’re ok”

The common concept here is “you”— remember back in chapter 2

Ephesians 2:1–2 NIV

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

There is a classic story written by John Bunyan— It’s called Pilgrim’s Progress.

In the story— a huge allegory of the salvation and process we go through in following Jesus— charts the travels of a young man named Christian— along his journey to the Celestial City (heaven!)

He meets many characters— which have wonderful theological meanings— one such person is Mr. Worldly Wisman:

Here’s is an exerpt from their interaction:

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: Sir, how came you in this condition?

Christian: I was burdened with the guilt of my sins, and I was seeking relief.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: But who directed you on this path?

Christian: A man named Evangelist.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: I see. Well, I must tell you that you are on a very dangerous path. There are many pitfalls and dangers along the way, and you are likely to lose your life.

Christian: I know that the journey is dangerous, but I am determined to reach my Lord in the Celestial City.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: Very well, but I urge you to reconsider. There is a much easier way to get rid of your burden. You can go to the town of Morality, where there is a man named Legality who can help you.

Christian: But I have been told that Legality cannot remove my burden at all.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: That is not true. Legality is a very wise and learned man, and he has helped many people get rid of their burdens.

Christian: I am not sure what to do.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: I will tell you what to do. Come with me to the town of Morality, and I will introduce you to Legality. He will be able to help you with his knowledge.

Christian: I will think about it.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: Very well. But don't take too long to make up your mind. The journey to the Celestial City is a long and difficult one, and you don't want to lose any more time.

Eventually, Christian decides to continue on the narrow path to the Celestial City. In spite of the danger realizes that Legality and worldly wisdom cannot remove his burden of sin, that they would possibly make it worse. He is determined to reach the Celestial City on God's terms.

The world produces worldly wisdom— that deceives us into thinking that we are ok— and God has so much more for you if you will stand up for what you know is right in God’s plans and in His will.

Bad roots need to be pulled up— and bad branches need to be pruned off our lives—

But sometimes plants suffer from another form of pain— blight.

Who knows what “blight” is? There are some farmer and gardners in the house today!

Blight is a general term used for any number of factors like

fungus, bacteria, viruses that can cause problems for plants.

These things can really get out of control, unless a few good practices are implemented. One of the most powerful and effective treatments for blight — is to dry up and lighten up the environment. More light!

III. Treating the Disease of Darkness (v.8-14)

Ephesians 5:8 NIV

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

A. We were once in darkness.

Darkness isolates a person. Darkness is simply the absence of light. Darkness can promote the growth of all kinds of ugliness. Mold, fungus, bacteria, etc.

B. Now we are light. (v.8)

Notice that it states that we “were” in darkness— but now we ARE light.

Just like Jesus reminded us in his Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 5:14 NIV

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

You can’t go along with the crowd anymore. You can’t be in the darkness— you are the Light of the World!

Ephesians 5:9 NIV

9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

Our presence in a situation should change the atmosphere— it will change the light/darkness balance. Much like that old Star Wars movie series, “The force is strong with this one!”— The presence of light changes the environment. We move the world!

Ephesians 5:11 NIV

11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

We have the ability— through our faithful life, to expose the world to the life giving light of Jesus. I want you to stand up for justice and mercy— walk humbly, but powerfully.

Sometimes I’ve been in situations where something bad was happening— someone was being slandered, or someone was being belittled— made fun of perhaps— or worse yet someone was being taken lied to or cheated— And I simply spoke up and said “this isn’t right”. It’s not the right thing to do—and the group stopped. The bad act of evil just needed to be exposed. And when fungus or bacteria gets a good shot of intense light— it dies.

1. In Jesus name— we stand and proclaim light to dark places.(v.11)

Where might you be more aware each day of the power of Jesus’ light inside you— and the effect that will have on the environment everywhere you go?

Ephesians 5:15–16 NIV

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

So review:

We are to imitate Christ’s love

We are to live as the Light of the world

We are also to :

IV. Grow in Wisdom, not Foolishness (v.17)

Ephesians 5:17 NIV

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

I love this! Be aware of how we are living? Back to Jim’s question. Do I realize that by imitating Christ, walking in Love, BEING the light in a situation— I need to consider these things. Paying attention to the right things can be a whole new change:

-A great example of this was born in me when we were dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many of us probably developed a more disciplined practice of washing our hands. I know I did. It was just a good thing to do, right? But I don’t know about you— but I dont’ think I actually got sick for a couple years there! (I know there are other factors) But paying attention to washing my hands more frequently— maintained my health in a different way! I was able to eliminate more germs and viruses— thus not catching the usual colds or flu that we sometimes get.

Ephesians 5:18 NIV

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

A. Wisdom leads us to be filled with the Spirit, rather than anything else. (v.18)

What are you taking into your body— your mind, your heart? This is another version of the same illustration— what fuels you? We used to speak in training for athletes: “Garbage in, Garbage out.”

Ephesians 5:19 NIV

19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,

This is how we communicate with wisdom! This is why we are committed to the historical representation of our faith through songs like the hymns. There is a trajectory of faith that we soak in— bath in. It’s the wisdom of those who have come before us in the process. Passing along their experience and expression of a walk with God.

Ephesians 5:20 NIV

20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

The great Walnut tree — every great tree actually that we can see today— started as a little seed. It’s an amazing process. Wherever you are in God’s process for your life— commit to the process and cultivate Love, Light, and Wisdom.

We are blessed today to have these scriptures to guide and direct, to motivate and inspire us to

Imitate Jesus— living in His great Love.

Walk in Light- This becomes who we are.

Growing in Wisdom— through time, diligence, patience— the seasons of our lives pass and we grow by focusing on Christ.

Transition:

Communion is this wonderful opportunity to remember and revisit the sacrifice Jesus made. It is a sacrament of the church reserved for those who are believers in Jesus— if you are a follower of Jesus, no matter if you are a member or regular here— you are welcome to partake with us.

Let us listen carefully to the songs— contemplate our lives, and strengthen our resolve to live a life worthy of the calling and salvation we’ve received.

Song- (Pass out the element of bread)

In John 6:35

John 6:35 NIV

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Pray- Thank-you for dying sacrificially for me.

“Lets partake the bread together”

Song- (Pass out the element of juice)

In Luke 22:20

Luke 22:20 NIV

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Pray- Thank-you for the blood you shed for our sin.

“Lets partake the juice together”