Darkness and Light - Peregian

Well, today we’re moving deeper into the nitty gritty of Christian discipleship in this passage, as Paul urges, even insists (as he says in v.17) that we must watch our living. Now over this last week there has been global reaction to the Olympics Opening Ceremony. I’m sure you all know what I’m talking about. The fact that today we are focussing on 'behaviours' and what it means to live the Christian life, has not escaped my sensibilities and the fact that this passage was vividly illustrated for us in Paris. Who we are, impacts what we think, it impacts how we think, and it impacts how we do what we do. We need to know who we are in Christ, so that we know who we are and who we need to be, in the world. Because the contrast is stark. Now what I mean by that, is that we need to understand the theology, which is who we are ‘in Christ’ - before we can work out our practice - who we are in the world. The rst half of this little letter gives us the theology, and now we’re into the second half which gives us practical application for what it means in everyday living, in our practice and behaviour. This letter is addressed to the rst century church; but, wow, it has so much to say to the twenty rst century church, doesn’t it? Which is us!! Our topic today is Darkness and Light. Two things of stark contrast. Darkness and light are in opposition to each other, aren’t they? They are opposites. And Paul here talks about these opposites as one we have to consciously put off, and one we are to consciously put on. As I said it’s very practical, and very challenging. So let’s strap in for the ride. I want to look at it in terms of our mind, our speech, our behaviours and all through that, our motives or reasons for change. So rstly, our mind. As Christians we must think differently to non-Christians; we need to think differently to how we would think if we weren’t a Christian. fi fi Page 1 of 6 fi fi August 4, 2024 EPHESIANS - The Gospel of Grace Light and Darkness - Ephesians 4:17-5:20 Rev’d Lynda Johnson If you nd that you don’t consciously think things through ‘christianly’, then I encourage you to spend time working out what being a Christian means for you. If we confess ourselves as being followers of Jesus we need to be constantly, constantly renewing our mind. These verses give us the -ve picture and the +ve picture. In ch 4 vv. 17-19 we get the negative picture…. 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. A very negative picture. It’s a picture of darkness. and in vv. 20-24 we get the positive picture….. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. The positive picture is a picture of light. This is typical of Paul - look at these other passages where he uses a similar pattern Romans 8:5-7 Those who live according to the esh have their minds set on what the esh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the esh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the esh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. You see, what we do with our mind, how we think things through, is really, really important. It shows whether we’re in the darkness or in the light. And Paul doesn’t just deal with the mind in one paragraph and then go on to other things. It is pretty clear that dealing with the problem of the mind, the problem of how we think, is a basic thing to grasp here, because without that, we won’t understand the instructions that he gives later. We need to hear the teaching of Jesus which is where it all stems from. fl fl fl fl fi Page 2 of 6 Paul says in vv. 20-21 after he’s gone through the list of the negatives - ‘that however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.’ So what are the characteristics of the mind? ‘Futile’ - their minds do not do what they are supposed to. Futile means useless. A bit like a wheel that doesn’t turn. It’s useless. Minds are supposed to learn and understand the truth, but the darkened mind, our minds before we knew Christ, are futile. They don’t do what they’re supposed to do. The old minds are also in the ‘dark’, without even realising that this is the case. In a dark room, the light from a candle seems bright. But when the sunlight streams in, the candlelight disappears completely. This is what it’s like when we compare the truth in Christ, with other kinds of knowledge. Christ’s truth surpasses all. The darkened minds are also separated from God, and ignorant, insensitive, impure and greedy. But Paul is saying this is not what you learned from Christ. You might say that a leopard can never change his spots, but this isn’t true for Christians. Paul is saying that they have learned what they need to know, they have learned that they need to change and they’ve learned how they can change. The whole next paragraph focusses on speech, in different ways. And I’ve done up this table (basically cause it helped me, so I’m hoping it might help you too). v.25 talks about lying vv.26-27 talk about anger v.28 talks about stealing [which does actually relate to speech] v. 29 talks about unwholesome talk And Paul handles each of these 4 things with … a negative [don’t] followed by a positive [do!]. And then each one is followed by a reason, which is part of the motivation. So lying - v. 25 - put off falsehood [-ve] and speak truthfully [+ve]. For we are all members of one body [reason]. If we belong to the one body of Christ, there must be truth between us. Anger - vv. 26-27 - in your anger do not sin [-ve]. but deal with it quickly [that’s a +ve effect by not letting it go overnight]. And the reason is not to give the devil a foothold. Anger may be right, but even when it is right, it is dangerous, because it might lead to disunity. Sort it out quickly, or otherwise the devil has won. Stealing - v.28 Don’t steal [-ve]. Do good work with your hands [+ve]. and the reason is so that you will have something to give away, so that you can be generous. Stealing is related to speech because it relies on an absence of speech; it is secretive, it conceals the truth and goes behind someone’s back. And here’s the remarkable thing!! - in the body of Christ the whole point of working and earning is NOT for yourself. Page 3 of 6 We work and earn so that we can be generous, so that we can have something to give away. It’s quite revolutionary. And then v. 29 - unwholesome talk — There is to be no horrible talk [-ve]. Only what is helpful for others [+ve], and the reason is that it may bring grace to those who hear. This is just as remarkable as the previous verse. Because we need to understand what is the whole point of speaking? It’s not for ourselves, it’s not about self-expression, but it’s about giving ‘grace’ to others, building them up according to their need, saying something that’s going to bene t the other person. And vv. 30-32 round it all off by bringing our relationship with God into view. Yes, each instruction has a reason, or a motive, but now he gives the ultimate reason for getting out of darkness and being in the light; and that is because of God - the whole nature of God Father, Son and Spirit. v. 30 - Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God ….. and the end of v. 32 - for in Christ, God forgave you. The whole Godhead is involved in who we are as Christ’s body. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So if belonging to one body, if not letting the devil get a foothold, if being generous, if bringing grace to others ….. are not reason enough, then we need to fully understand that it is through Christ that we are being prepared for redemption; and HE is hurt by rotten speech between us!! And he goes on to tell us more about that hurt. What kind of speech, what kind of behaviour hurts God? vv.31 Bitterness - complaining and moaning Rage - sudden loss of temper Anger - ongoing loss of temper which becomes an attitude Brawling - open hostility and shouting Slander - character assassination Malice - spitefulness and ill will So how do we put those things off, and put new things on? Well - it’s kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Because that is what we learnt in Christ. Those things match the blessing that God has given us, in Christ. Kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Do you see how there’s no break between ch 4 & 5? Many scholars think that Ephesians 5:1-2 belongs in the previous section. It’s a beautiful description of the love of Christ - which we should copy. 5:1&2 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacri ce to God. There it is right there - Paul takes us to the cross. He tells us to walk in the way of love, just as Jesus did. It’s as stark as darkness and light. fi fi Page 4 of 6 Paul insists on it - don’t live in futility. Live like Christ. Put off the old: put on the new - use our minds - think before we speak; think before we act. What is it that Jesus teaches us. The love in which we must walk is the love of Christ. When Jesus showed his love for us by dying on the cross, he was showing us the love of God himself. And that is the love we must imitate in our relationships with one another. It is a self-sacri cing love. A SELF-SACRIFICING LOVE. And that is exactly why he goes on to speak about sexual immorality, impurity, obscenity and greed. Because those things are as far from self-sacri cial love as you can get. Let’s look at another table to help us grasp what Paul is saying here. The behaviours that exemplify the exact opposite of following God’s example in Christ are sexual immorality impurity and greed Why? Because these things are improper for God’s holy people. And what else? Obscenity Foolish talk coarse joking Why? Because these things are totally out of place. And what should we put in their place? PAUL MAKES IT CLEAR Replace all these things with THANKSGIVING. But he goes on to make it even more grave By saying that immoral, impure or greedy people are idolators, which is the greatest commandment - I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods but me. Idolatry is what God hates the most. Anything that is put above God in your life is idolatry. These things are DARKNESS. Don’t be deceived Paul says that you once were darkness. but now you are LIGHT. Live as children of LIGHT. fi fi Page 5 of 6 And what are the things that please the Lord - the things that people who are LIGHT and live in the light do? Goodness, righteousness, truth. Friends we live in a world where darkness is abundant. God says have nothing to do with it. As people who are declared to be LIGHT, it is our role to shine that light in the darkness. Not in judgement, but as a gift. As we’ve witnessed what happened at the Opening Ceremony, it would be very easy to become judgemental and condemnatory. But that is not the way of Christ for us. Instead we pray: Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. The apostle John says: In him was life, and that life was the LIGHT of all people. the LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul says, For it is God who said, 'Let LIGHT shine out of darkness', who has shone in our hearts to give the LIGHT of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. And we are to be so aligned with Jesus, that the words of both John and Matthew are seen to be true In the Gospel of John Jesus said "I am the LIGHT of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. And in Matthew’s Gospel Jesus says - "YOU are the LIGHT of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your LIGHT shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light and nd out what pleases the Lord. Amen. fi Page 6 of 6