Walk in the Light

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)

Walk in Love

The Manner to Walk (v1-2)

The Direction (v1)

Because…;

Follow God

The Ways of the World

The Whims of the Heart

The Word of God

As Dear Children

The Dedication (v2)

In Love; As Christ; For Others; Knowing it Pleases God

The Mess to Avoid (v3-4)

The Lust of the Flesh

The Lasciviousness of the Mouth

Be Mindful of the Difference (v5-7)

Remember their Damnation

Beware of the Deception

Distance Yourself

Today we’re going to look at this next passage, and Paul - continuing the same illustration - walking - but this time, he’s going to speak on ‘Walking in Light’.

One thing that you will notice is a constant contrast being drawn by the Sprit of God throughout this passage of Scripture. I have FOUR sections, and a contrast is given in each of them.

So when we think of an contrast, especially in the context of walking, we should think of it as two paths - and we must decide which one we’re going to take. BOTH IS NOT AN OPTION! We must choose!

The first topic we’ll speak on today is Illumination

I. Illumination (v8-9)

The Contrast - Light vs. Darkness

What they Were (v8a)

Paul says something significant about them. He doesn’t say that they walked in darkness, he said ‘you were sometimes darkness’ - sometimes (def) at some time; afore; in time past

Many Christians tend to have the wrong idea about Salvation and what it does to a person in truth. It doesn’t simply make someone better, it transforms them. We have been given a NEW nature, a Sealing by the Holy Ghost.

When I was lost, I wasn’t just bad, I was rotten to the core. Prior to Christ I WAS Darkness. What I did, what my focus was, was darkness. That’s what I was - and if you’re lost today, that’s what you ARE.

You’re not a little bit bad where all you need is a hand washing, YOU NEED A BATH!

Paul says they WERE Darkness. Secondly, we see What they Are

What they Are (v8b)

BUT NOW - those great transition words - he says they are light.

Just like oil and water don’t mix

East & West never meet together

Light and darkness don’t inhabit the same place. It’s impossible for them to.

Paul asked the question in 2 Corinthians 6:14 “…what communion hath light with darkness?”

I am not darkness anymore, I am LIGHT!

Notice once again, he’s not saying here to walk IN the light, but that we ARE light.

But he then says WHY we are Light

Why the Are (v8c)

‘…in the LORD…’

We are light, because we are IN the LORD!

This is significant for a few reasons:

If we’re in the LORD, we’re plugged into the power

(Ill.) I tried to power on an old laptop this week, but I had a problem. Somewhere between the wall and the device, it wasn’t getting the juice. Without the juice, it wouldn’t run, and couldn’t be used.

You and I - unless we’re plugged into Jesus, we can’t illuminate! We have no juice and can’t be used. BUT if we are, we have all the power we need!

If we’re not in the LORD, we are not light

Which is what I spoke on a moment ago.

He says WHY we are Light. Next he says ‘What to Do’

What to Do (v8d)

So BECAUSE we are light in the LORD, we’re to walk as Children of Light.

Walk = Progression & Continuation - This should define us as Christians

(Ill.) I like to roller skate. But there’s one thing typical in a roller rink - the disco ball. In a strange way, the disco ball illustrates what the church should be. We should be a reflection of the source light of Christ - cutting through the darkness, moving in harmony to shine for Jesus. And just like if you were to turn out the source light, the disco ball does nothing!

We are to Walk as Children of Light

What it Produces (v9)

Now we see what that light looks like - the fruit of the Spirit:

In ALL Goodness

Goodness (def) virtue; doing good

This is what we do; our actions

And Righteousness

Righteousness (def) equity of character or act

This is who we are - our character

And Truth

Truth (def) that which is true; verity

This is what we proclaim - our voice

A Christian - walking in light will:

Do good, have an upright moral character and speak the truth - this is the fruit of the Spirit!

We see what it produces

He speaks of Illumination; next of Separation

II. Separation (v10-14)

The Contrast - Godliness vs. Wickedness

Separation is a topic that many detest in the church today - why? Because it hits at their pet sins or preferences.

A Proving (v10)

Proving (def) to test; approve; allow; discern

Paul says that we should be testing, discerning what is acceptable unto the LORD. Acceptable (def) fully agreeable; wellpleasing

We should be continually asking ourselves ‘Would God be pleased with this?’

Btw, this speaks directly against the Satanic-styled Scripture use of Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (Satan tried doing the same thing - misusing Scripture in Matthew 4:6 “And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” ).

You ‘prove’ something BY Judging whether it pleases the LORD or not - and we do that as to whether it lines up with the Bible or not.

A Reproving (v11-12)

The first thing that we must note here is that the first part of v11 says to have NO FELLOWSHIP - this is where we are to separate ourselves from wickedness. BUT IT GOES A STEP FURTHER!

Reprove (def) confute, admonish, convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.

Reprove (m-w def) To blame; to censure; to charge with a fault to the face;

We’re not supposed to be indifferent to the wickedness around and about us - but we’re to ACTIVELY SPEAK AGAINST IT! WE’RE TO CONVINCE OTHERS OF IT’S WICKEDNESS!

This goes along with what we spoke about a moment ago.

Too many heathens (and some Christians) hide their sin behind Mat. 7:1 as a way to justify their actions and shut Christians up - but brother, don’t be fooled by that! We’re supposed to Reprove the works of darkness!

Secondly we see in v12 that sin is shameful! It’s not something that any of us should glory in - but speak against.

A Reproving

The Illuminant (v13)

Just as light exposes darkness, when light is shed upon sin, the light rebukes it.

(Ill.) I’m going to speak on a Biblical issue that is also a political issue for a moment. (Btw, ALL political issues are Biblical issues.) The only topic that the national Democratic leadership seems to have a clear stance on is on the issue of abortion. And the Republican national leadership feels it’s a losing topic for them, so they are trying to steer clear of it. Because of that, more and more people are coming to the conclusion that abortion is ok. What needs to happen is for everyone to shine the light on the wickedness and the horrors of abortion. Describe the ‘doctor’ going in with a vacuum and sucking out the baby piece by piece. Or partial birth abortion, where they induce labor, pull the baby out, save for the head, then pierce it, suck his brains out, collapsing the head then delivering the ‘aborted’ baby.

Wickedness is ONLY EXPOSED when the light shines down upon it - AND WE ARE THE LIGHT CHURCH!

We see the Illuminant

The Alarm (v14)

Here we see the Alarm - the voice of God crying out - WAKE UP! Rise up!

Church, we are SALT and we are LIGHT

But as Jesus said: Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

We are light - and if we shine not, wickedness will prevail!

We see the Alarm

He speaks of Illumination; of Separation, next of Discrimination

III. Discrimination (v15-17)

The Contrast - Wisdom vs. Foolishness

Discriminate (def) To distinguish; to observe the difference between;

He bookends these three verses speaking about wisdom, foolishness and being unwise.

Be Wise in our Walk (v15)

Circumspectly (def) exactly; diligently; perfectly; cautiously with watchfulness

As we walk, we must do so carefully.

(Ill.) I’ve walked across various bridges before. (Rode my bike across the bridge connecting Nitro & St. Albans). I’d feel comfortable walking across St. Mary’s bridge. However, if you take that bridge away and give me 2x4’s to walk across the Ohio with, I’d be a lot more careful - because the danger is much more real!

We Christians must walk carefully - we never know when we’re going to take a misstep that ends in tragedy.

(Ill.) There was this vlogger lady in Russia walking along videoing herself and friend, not paying attention to where she was going - when suddenly she fell into a stairwell to the subway, broke her neck and died.

Our missteps could end in tragedy for ourselves or others.

Be Wise in our Walk

Be Wise with our Time (v16)

This being the theme this year, I don’t feel I need spend much time on this.

We must realize the value of time - as little by little it continually slips into eternity.

We must redeem it - make use of it - while we can.

Jesus said: John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

Be Wise with our Time

Be Wise in God’s Will (v17)

We should be seeking the Will of God. How do we do that?

Know the Mind of God

Seek the Face of God

Trust the Direction of God

Forsake the Will of Self

Know the Will of God

Be Wise in God’s Will

He speaks of Illumination; of Separation, of Discrimination; lastly an Inundation

IV. Inundation (v18-20)

The Contrast - Fleshly vs. Spiritual Filling

Inundate (def) To fill with an overflowing abundance or superfluity; to overflow

With a Godly Filling (v18-19)

To walk in the light, to walk in wisdom is to seek to fill yourself with the things of God, not to the pleasing of the flesh.

I’m going to speak on an unpopular topic - that of music. As this verse and it’s companion verse (Col. 3:16) are used to justify worldly Christian music, I think it’s important to address.

First thing: It’s interesting that Paul is contrasting the power of music against drunkeness in the flesh. I think it speaks to the power and influence of music in general which is WHY this topic is so important. (And I think it’s ironic that the same people who think music is no big deal are the same people that get mad at me whenever I bring it up).

Secondly - ‘Spiritual’ songs by definition are ‘non-carnal’. In other words, if the elements that make it up are carnal / worldly, then they are not Spiritual. And the majority of stuff that populates the KLOVE airwaves are Christian lyrics set to Worldly music - and Paul said it right in Galatians 5:9 “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”

The bottom line is, we cannot be Spirit Filled if we pollute ourselves with carnal things! You have a limited capacity (hence the filling) - and the more carnality you place in there, the less Spirit there will be there.

We’re to be inundated - Filled with a Godly filling, but also by a Giving of Thanks

By Giving of Thanks (v20)

Two key words here - ALWAYS, for ALL things.

When we go through trials, we thank God. Why? 1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

We all go through struggles - but we should be constantly thanking God! As for us Christians, we don’t go through them alone!

Conclusion

Are you walking in the light?

Remember, we’re constantly between two paths: What we see in the Text today are:

Light and Darkness

Godliness & Wickedness

Wisdom & Foolishness

The Flesh or the Spirit

What will you choose today?