Walking as Children of Light

The New International Version Chapter 5

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 sacrifice to God.

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. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 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.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

Walking as Children of Light

Ephesians 5:1-10

Main idea: This sermon encourages us to emulate Christ's love, reject immorality, and live as children of light, guided by God's Word and His divine presence.

Scripture: 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 sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

"Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for gathering us here today. We thank you for your Word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As we delve into the depths of Ephesians, we ask for your divine guidance. Open our hearts and our minds, Lord, to the truths that you would have us understand. Help us to not only hear your Word but to live it out in our daily lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

Introduction

Welcome, beloved friends, family, and seekers of the divine to our Morning Worship. To our Ministerial staff and all our leaders and support workers. We gather here today, not just as individuals, but as a collective body, united in our quest for spiritual growth and enlightenment. We stand at the threshold of an enlightening discourse, a discourse that will shed light on the path we are called to walk, the path that leads us closer to our Almighty Father.

Today, we turn our hearts and our minds to the Scripture found in Ephesians 5:1-14.

"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 sacrifice to God. 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. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 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. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."

This passage, my dear friends, is a call to action. It's a call to emulate the love of Christ, to shun immorality, and to live as children of light. It's a call to manifest the light of God, to maintain fellowship with the Lord, and to model acceptance through obedience.

And so, we embark on this enlightening discourse, secure in the knowledge that we are not alone, for God is with us, guiding us every step of the way. Let us consider these three things.

Manifesting the Light of God

In the passage from Ephesians, we are called to follow God's example and walk in the way of love. To follow God's example means to manifest His light in our lives. The light of God is not a physical light that we can see with our eyes. It is a spiritual light that shines from within us. This light is the presence of God in our lives. It is His love, His grace, His mercy, and His truth. When we manifest this light, we are showing the world that God is alive in us.

The first aspect of manifesting God's light is living in love. Love is the very essence of God. The Bible tells us that God is love. When we love others, we are showing them God's love. We are showing them that God cares for them and wants the best for them. Love is not just a feeling. It is an action. It is a choice to put others before ourselves. It is a choice to forgive when we have been wronged. It is a choice to be kind when others are unkind. Love is a powerful force that can change the world. When we live in love, we are manifesting God's light.

The second aspect of manifesting God's light is living in truth. Truth is another attribute of God. God is the source of all truth. When we live in truth, we are aligning ourselves with God. We are choosing to live according to His Word. We are choosing to reject lies and deception. Living in truth means being honest with ourselves and with others. It means admitting when we are wrong and seeking forgiveness. It means standing up for what is right, even when it is unpopular. Living in truth is not always easy, but it is always rewarding. When we live in truth, we are manifesting God's light.

The third aspect of manifesting God's light is living in righteousness. Righteousness is living according to God's standards. It is doing what is right in God's eyes. Righteousness is not about being perfect. It is about striving to do what is right and seeking God's forgiveness when we fall short. Righteousness is about living a life that is pleasing to God. It is about making choices that honor God. When we live in righteousness, we are manifesting God's light.

The fourth aspect of manifesting God's light is living in faith. Faith is trusting in God. It is believing in His promises. It is relying on His strength and His wisdom. Faith is not about having all the answers. It is about trusting God even when we don't understand. Faith is not about seeing. It is about believing. When we live in faith, we are manifesting God's light.

Maintaining Fellowship with the Lord

In the realm of maintaining fellowship with the Lord, the Apostle Paul's words in Ephesians 5:1-10 offer us a wealth of wisdom and guidance. The essence of maintaining fellowship with the Lord is not a passive act, but rather an active, ongoing relationship that requires our full commitment and conscious effort.

The first aspect to consider is the call to shun immorality. Paul's words are clear and unequivocal: "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed." This is a call to purity, a call to live a life that is free from the taint of sin and corruption. It's a call to uphold the sanctity of our bodies and our minds, to guard our hearts against the allure of worldly pleasures and desires. It's a call to live a life that is pleasing to God, a life that is in alignment with His divine will and purpose.

Yet, this call to purity is not merely about the avoidance of sin. It's also about the pursuit of righteousness. Paul continues, "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." Here, Paul is reminding us that our actions have consequences, that our choices matter. He's reminding us that the path to the kingdom of Christ and of God is not paved with immorality, impurity, or greed, but with righteousness, purity, and selflessness.

The second aspect to consider is the call to be discerning. Paul warns, "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient." This is a call to wisdom, a call to discernment. It's a call to be vigilant against the deceit and manipulation of those who would lead us astray with empty words and false promises. It's a call to stand firm in our faith, to hold fast to the truth of God's Word, and to resist the temptation to compromise our beliefs for the sake of convenience or popularity.

This call to discernment is not just about being wary of external influences. It's also about being mindful of our own thoughts and actions. Paul continues, "Therefore do not be partners with them." Here, Paul is urging us to examine our own hearts, to scrutinize our own actions. He's urging us to ensure that we are not partners in sin, that we are not complicit in actions that are contrary to God's will.

The third aspect to consider is the call to transformation. Paul declares, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." This is a call to transformation, a call to renewal. It's a call to shed our old selves, to cast off the shackles of our past, and to step into the light of God's love and grace. It's a call to embrace our new identity in Christ, to live as children of light.

This call to transformation is not just about personal change. It's also about communal change. Paul continues, "Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)." Here, Paul is challenging us to be agents of change in our communities, to be bearers of light in a world that is often shrouded in darkness. He's challenging us to live out our faith in tangible ways, to demonstrate the love, grace, and truth of God through our actions.

In the original Greek text, the term "children of light" is made up of two Greek terms. The phrase “children of light is used to denote offspring or descendants, implying a close, intimate relationship. It is used to denote light, symbolizing purity, truth, and goodness. This term is used in several other passages in the New Testament, including John 12:36, where Jesus urges His followers to believe in the light so that they may become children of light.

The fourth aspect to consider is the call to obedience. Paul instructs, "and find out what pleases the Lord." This is a call to obedience, a call to submission. It's a call to seek God's will in all things, to align our desires with His desires, to find joy and fulfillment in pleasing Him. It's a call to live a life of obedience, a life that is marked by a deep, abiding love for God and a sincere desire to honor Him in all that we do.

Finally, the fifth aspect to consider is the call to perseverance. Paul concludes, "Therefore do not be partners with them." This is a call to perseverance, a call to endurance. It's a call to stand firm in our faith, to hold fast to our convictions, and to persevere in the face of trials and tribulations. It's a call to remain steadfast in our commitment to God, to remain faithful in our walk with Him, even when the path is steep, and the journey is long.

Modeling Acceptance through Obedience

As we tread further into the depths of our message, we find ourselves standing at the precipice of a significant truth - Modeling Acceptance through Obedience. This, dear friends, is the crux of our spiritual journey, the cornerstone of our faith. It is in this acceptance, this obedience, that we truly begin to walk in fellowship with the Lord.

The first aspect of this truth we must understand is the intrinsic link between acceptance and obedience. Acceptance, in its purest form, is an open-hearted embrace of God's will. It is a conscious decision to yield to His divine authority, to submit to His sovereign rule. This acceptance, however, is not passive. It is active, dynamic, and transformative. It calls for obedience - a willing adherence to God's commandments, a steadfast commitment to His precepts.

Obedience, in this context, is not a burdensome obligation but a joyous opportunity. It is an opportunity to demonstrate our love for God, to express our gratitude for His grace. It is an opportunity to align our will with His, to harmonize our desires with His. It is, as the esteemed Christian writer C.S. Lewis so eloquently put it, "the key to all doors."

The second aspect of this truth we must grasp is the transformative power of obedience. When we choose to obey God, we are not merely conforming to a set of rules. We are being transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are being molded into the image of Christ, being made perfect in love. This transformation is not instantaneous. It is a process, a journey, a pilgrimage. It requires patience, perseverance, and above all, faith.

The third aspect of this truth we must embrace is the communal dimension of obedience. Obedience to God is not a solitary endeavor. It is a communal effort, a collective pursuit. It calls for unity, for solidarity, for mutual support. It calls for us to bear one another's burdens, to encourage one another, to spur one another on towards love and good deeds.

The final aspect of this truth we must internalize is the eternal significance of obedience. Our obedience to God has eternal implications. It determines our eternal destiny, our eternal reward. It is the litmus test of our faith, the proof of our love. It is the pathway to eternal life, the gateway to eternal glory.

Conclusion

As we come to the closure of this message today, we're reminded of the powerful truth that we are dearly loved children of God. We're called to walk in love, just as Christ loved us. We're called to live as children of light, embodying all goodness, righteousness, and truth. It's not always an easy path, but it's the one we're called to walk, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. God’s love for us is so vast, so deep, it’s a high calling, but it's one we can fulfill, not by our own strength, but by the grace and power of God working in and through us. Gods got a love that is so high that you can’t go over it, it’s so low, that you can’t get under it. It’s so wide that you can’t get around it. If you want to see Jesus, you got to live right. Marvel not you must be saved from all your sin. Marvel not you must be born again. He is the way the truth and the light.