Rob's Expository Sermon Preparation | Ephesians 5:1–16

Introduction:

· Lessons from Walking

THERE ARE THREE WAYS OF WALKING HERE – WE’RE GOING TO FOCUS ON TWO OF THEM: WALKING IN LOVE, AND WALKING IN THE LIHGT

I) Walk as Beloved Children (vv. 1-6)

A. The Idolatry of Sexual Immorality & Greed

i. “One of these things is not like the other…?” (vv. 3, 5, 4)

1. Sexual sin: Lust; adultery; affairs; homosexual behavior, “bawdy talk”

2. We condemn those sins… while being dissatisfied with what we wear… drive, live in, earn, etc. (vs. 3b, 5b)

ii. Greed and Sexual Immorality prevent us from Loving Others (c.f. vs. 2)

1. These fail to love because they reduce a person to what they can do for me

2. Greed doesn’t just “want” it wants because they have

iii. Greed and Sexual Immorality are forms of idolatry (vs. 5c)

1. At the root, both ways of seeking from an idol what only God can give

2. EXAMPLES: If I covet the car you drive… or spend hours in front of my computer…

iv. Therefore: Kill Sin! (vv. 3b, 5c)

1. Don’t manage sin, or allow leeway…but remove even a hint!

2. APPLICATION: Internet blocking; repenting of greed; joking w. friends?

B. The Perfect Love of God our Father

i. Our Lives Must Reflect Our identity: “Beloved children”! (vs. 1)

1. Notice that Paul begins by reminding us of out status as God’s beloved

2. EXAMPLE: Many things can motivate us – but love is the greatest:

3. EXAMPLE: When tempted remember God’s gracious love…

ii. Our Lives must reflect the fragrance of Christ (vs.2)

1. Smell can be powerful: Gym socks? A rosebush?

2. The most powerful fragrance is that of sacrificial love

3. APPLICATION: Do people detect Christ in your life before they see you?

iii. Our Lives Must overflow with Gratitude (vs. 4b)

1. Gratitude focuses us on acknowledging all that we already have in Christ

2. APPLICATION: Try being grateful, for a week…life-changing!

THAT’S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO WALK IN LOVE; NOW, IN VV. 7-8 PAUL TRANSITIONS INTO WALKING IN THE LIGHT

II) Walk as Children of the Light (vv. 7-14)

A. Walking in the Light Means producing the Fruit of Light

i. Darkness and Light are moral categories that reflect character

1. Light and darkness reflect what is good, right and true (vs. 9)

ii. We have been brought out of that darkness, into light (vs. 8b-9)

1. We ARE light: To be brought into the light means we reflect His light

2. APPLICATION: At work/home/school; in relationships; LIGHT!

B. Walking in the Light means exposing Darkness (vv. 11-14)

i. Living in light means shining light into darkness

1. LIVING as a community that reflects light, in a dark world… AND:

2. SPEAKING as a prophetic voice in the world today

ii. But ultimately, shining light means pointing people to THE light!

1. BUT: some go about this like shining a birght light on someone in a totally dark room: You use the light to humiliate, condemn,

2. We are called to bring people to “the light of Christ” for the purpose of repentance! (vs. 14)

Conclusion

Communion