Walk in Love

Introduction

Spiritual Blessings (v1-14)

Paul’s First Prayer (v15-23)

You Were Dead, but Now Alive (2:1-10)

You were Far Off, but Now Nigh (v11-22)

What was Mystery is Now Known (3:1-13)

Paul’s Second Prayer (v3:14-21)

We began a new phase in Paul’s letter this past Sunday night.

The first three chapters dealt with ‘Who we are in Christ’

Now he’s writing on ‘How we live in Christ’

And the first thing that he addresses is for the church to Walk in Unity.

Walk in Unity

A Plea for Unity

The Shift (v1a)

The Standard (v1b)

The Spirit of Unity (v2-7)

Humility (v2a)

Love (v2b)

Effort (v3)

Understanding (v4-7)

The Oneness in Christ (v4-6)

The Inclusion by Grace (v7)

A Parenthetical Thought

Jesus the Leader and Giver (v8)

Jesus the Liberator (v9-10)

A Plan for Perfection (Completion)

Placements Established (v11)

Purposes Stated (v12)

Completeness (v12a; 14-16)

Completion (v12b)

Until the Consummation (v13)

Walk as a New Man

In Premise

Walk Differently than Others (v17-19)

Walk Distinct to your Teachings (v20)

Walk with Diligence (v21)

Walk Deliberately (v22-24)

In Practice

Speak Truthfully (v25)

Control Your Spirit (v26)

Secure your Space (v27)

Steal Not but Labour (v28)

Safeguard your Mouth (v29)

For you’re Sealed by the Spirit (v30)

Therefore Show it (v31-32)

Today, we’re going to continue on in this book on how to live the Christian life - and address this passage speaking on ‘Walk in Love’

The first thing that we see is the Manner to Walk

I. The Manner to Walk (v1-2)

We’re going to look first at the two verses at the beginning of this chapter.

The Direction (v1)

Because…

Remember the cardinal rule ‘therefore’. It’s ‘because’.

So when he’s making this statement in Ephesians 5:1 “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;” there’s a reason for it.

The reason is found throughout the first 3 chapters of the book.

Because of the Spiritual Blessings they enjoy (Eph. 1:1-14)

Because they were Dead, but now are Alive (Eph. 2:1-10)

Because they were Far Off, but now are Nigh (Eph. 2:11-22)

Because the Mystery has been made Known to them (Eph. 3:1-13)

Listen - God’s has done SO MUCH FOR US - that our RESPONSE should reflect that!

(Ill.) I loved the illustration that bro. Ted gave this morning between the dog and cat mentality, because I think it’s so fitting.

Paul has continually reminded them of this fact:

(Walk in Unity) Ephesians 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”

(Walk as a New Man) Ephesians 4:17 “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,”

We should be dogs. And I mean that in the best way possible. Consider how dogs are:

They’re Loyal

They Long for His attention & approval

They Look for His return

This should be our attitude. If it was, I believe that the LORD would not only commend us, but bless us as well! (Mat. 15:21-28)

So what does that response look like?

Follow God

We Christians have a choice as to what / who we’re going to follow. But make no mistake - we’re going to follow something. We can follow:

The Ways of the World

Consider the manner in which this world is going. It’s perverse.

It’s music

It’s literature

It’s entertainment

It’s opinions

It’s insane to consider some of the positions that have been adopted by our society as being ‘ok’. ***THERE SHOULD BE NO SUCH THING AS DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR AT A PUBLIC LIBARY***

But one thing to understand is the fickleness of society.

(Ill.) I like to point out that Hilary & Obama both were against gay marriage at one point not long ago, but of course changed their minds when it became politically expedient for them to do so.

The Ways of the World are unfaithful, changing, volatile, mercurial, erratic. You can follow them - but who knows where they will lead.

The Whims of our Hearts

You can choose to follow your heart. Not necessarily what the world wants for you, but what YOU want. Just do what you want to do. You can choose to follow that.

I will warn you: Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

You can follow your heart, but here’s the thing - the heart is much like the world. It’s fickle. It can want one thing today, and something else tomorrow.

You heart will lead you astray. But church, there’s something that won’t… you can follow the Word of God!

The Word of God

This is what Paul is imploring them to do! When Paul implores for them to be followers of God, it’s not what they feel God moving them to do, but what God’s Word is COMMANDING for them to do!

Church, the Word of God is:

Perfect, Unchanging, Holy, Righteous, Solid, Sure, Stedfast - while the World will change, your heart will change - THE WORD OF GOD NEVER CHANGES!

Malachi 3:6a “For I am the Lord, I change not;…”

Be followers of God - but then he gives them an example

As Dear Children

Not as children, but ‘dear’ children - there’s a difference. Not as disobedient brats, but dear - beloved - children. (This is the first example Paul gives in these two verses).

(Ill.) There was a time when my son would follow me around. Where daddy went, he went. I wrote in his birthday card that he was once my ‘shadow’ and ‘mini-me’. Why did he do that?

Because he trusted daddy wouldn’t lead him astray

Because he knew there was safety with daddy

Because he knew daddy loved him

Church, we must be followers of God - as DEAR CHILDREN - and submit ourselves unto Him because:

We can trust that He won’t lead us astray

We can trust that there’s safety nigh behind Him

We know that He loves us!

The World will lead us astray

Our flesh will lead us astray

BUT GOD WILL NEVER LEAD US ASTRAY! God did not make a mistake when He led the COI to the Red Sea - He led them there to destroy the army that was pursuing them!

We’re to Follow God as Dear Children

The Dedication (v2)

Verse 1 tells us WHERE to walk, v2 Tells us HOW.

In Love

Love (def) passionate benevolence

Do you know one thing that lacks from many followers of Christ? Passion.

We have such passion over many things:

Music

Sports

Children’s activities

Half the Country chants: ‘Build that Wall’, the other ‘My body, my choice’.

The Bible says this:

Psalm 19:7–11 “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.”

This is the effect of the Word of God - Yet, when most Christians hear the preaching of the Word of God, the response is but a yawn.

To ‘Walk in Love’ is to have a passionate response to do GOOD! Then we see the next comparison.

As Christ

We call that passover day some 2,000 years ago ‘Christ’s Passion’ - and rightfully so. It was Passion that took Him from the Garden, to the High Priest’s house, to Pilate and ultimately to the Cross of Calvary - AND KEPT HIM THERE! His life was not taken, He LAID IT DOWN! MEANING, HE COULD HAVE REFUSED AT ANY TIME! HE HAD THAT POWER!

The Passion of Christ GAVE of Himself! We’re called to give of ourselves in like manner! To who? For others!

For Others

We see a word repeated here:

Christ loved US

Gave Himself for US

So when we look at ‘what it means to walk in love’ it’s:

A Constant, Passionate effort to do GOOD unto others.

Lastly, we see that this pleases God

Knowing it Pleases God

Paul is hearkening back to the days of the Tabernacle, where they would burn incense upon the golden altar that would fill the room with a wonderful aroma - a sweet smell that pleased God.

(Ill.) You ever smell something and it just makes you happy? Maybe a meal, or old familiar smell? I smelled something this past week, and it reminded me of home.

When we follow God, walk in love - in a constant, passionate effort to do good unto others, it pleases our God! And just like a dog, we should desire to please our Master!

The Manner of our Walk

We see the Manner of our Walk. Secondly, the Mess to Avoid

II. The Mess to Avoid (v3-4)

It’s no accident that Paul speaks to this. He goes from Following God and ’Walking in Love’, then he pivots and begins speaking about what’s contrary.

The Lust of the Flesh (v3)

So Paul goes from speaking about following God, walking in Love to fornication, uncleanness & covetousness. At first glance, they seem to not go together. Almost like 2 different topics.

But they are completely related - because they are antithetical - opposites one from the other.

Fornication (def) harlotry (includ. adultery and incest) - sexual sins

Uncleanness (def) impurity (the quality)

Covetousness (def) avarice; inordinate desire; greediness of gain

What do all these have in common? They are all self-gratifying.

AND THAT’S THE THING! To follow God and walk in Love is the opposite of self-gratification, it’s God-glorification!

Church, we not only need to avoid the lust of fleshly fornication and such, but Spiritual fornication as well! The COI were guilty of this, as well many Christians. God said: Jeremiah 2:20 “For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.”

We should avoid the Lust of the Flesh, both in the flesh, and in the Spirit.

The Lasciviousness of the Mouth (v4)

Lasciviousness (def) looseness; lewd; lustful

Otherwise, wicked speech.

He not only speaks of filthiness, but foolishness.

(Ill.) I have a tendency to cut up & make jokes and such. I was convicted of that when I had one of those brought back up to me as if I were serious.

There’s nothing wrong with joking around, but we should be careful with that for a few reasons:

First, we might be taken inadvertently serious.

Secondly, if we’re constantly joking, it’s hard for others to take us serious. And the business upon which we’re called to do is serious business!

We’re warned of the Lasciviousness of the Mouth

The Manner to Walk, the Mess to Avoid, lastly, Be Mindful of the Difference

III. Be Mindful of the Difference (v5-7)

Once again, Paul reminds us of who we are - and more importantly, who we are NOT.

Remember their Damnation (v5)

He lists these things - that in which he was just regarding - and says “These people are not going to Heaven”.

Now it’s important to understand that Paul is not saying that their works are keeping them from Heaven, but that their works are evidence that they are not of Christ!

James 2:17–18 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

But we shouldn’t just use these people as motivation to live right BECAUSE WE’RE NOT LIKE THEM - but use it as motivation TO REACH THEM!

He calls on them to Remember their Damnation

Beware of Deception (v6)

In other words - Don’t be deceived - sin brings Judgment! God hates sin!

Many Christians today have been deceived into believing a lie in thinking that sin is just not that important to God - as if God doesn’t take sin seriously.

So many Christians commit acts of sin, and somehow think that God is ok with that - GOD’S ISN’T OK WITH SIN! SIN BROUGH THE WORST KIND OF JUDGMENT UPON HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON! GOD HATES SIN! DON’T BE DECEIVED INTO THINKING THAT GOD IS OK WITH YOUR PET SIN!

Hey, and while we’re at it, remember: James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

If you know that it’s good to tell others about Jesus and you don’t, then it IS sin - and God is not ‘ok’ with that - regardless of what your ‘comfort zone’ is!

Beware of Deception

Distance Yourself (v7)

He let’s it be known - once again - ‘you’re different - don’t be like them. Don’t do the same things that they do. God’s going to bring Judgment down upon them - don’t act like that. It’s not cute, it’s not funny - it’s ungodly!

Distance yourself

Conclusion

We must be mindful of the difference between the Christian and the Heathen. If there’s no difference on the outside, there’s no difference on the inside.

We must ‘Walk in Love’ - A Constant, Passionate Effort to do Good unto Others - not as the World