Walking as Children of Light: Part 2

Ephesians 5:14-20

Main idea: This sermon encourages awakening from spiritual slumber, confronting evil with Christ's light, and cultivating a Spirit-filled life in challenging times.

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and open minds. As we turn to Your Word, we ask for Your wisdom and guidance. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to You. May Your Word enlighten our paths and guide our steps. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. It is indeed a joy to gather once more in this sacred space, a place where we come together as a family, bonded by our shared faith and the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. To our Ministerial staff, our officers, support team and all assembled. Certainly, to our visitors who may be here and our online community. We thank God for you and for your support of our church ministry. Today, we turn our hearts and minds to a passage from Ephesians, a letter penned by the Apostle Paul, filled with wisdom and guidance for us, even in the 21st Century.

Ephesians 5:14-20

"Therefore, it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."

In this passage, Paul calls us to awaken from our spiritual slumber and let the light of Christ illuminate our lives. He urges us to confront the evil around us with the radiant light of Christ, and to cultivate a Spirit-filled life, even in dark times. As we interact with this passage today, may we be reminded of the power of Christ's light in our lives and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

So, are we ready to let the light of Christ shine on us? Are we ready to confront evil with His light? Are we ready to cultivate a Spirit-filled life in these dark times? Let's find out together!

This text reveals three things to help us walk as children of light.

Christ's Illumination in Our Lives

The light of Christ is a powerful force. It's like a beacon in the darkness, guiding us, leading us, showing us the way. When we allow this light to shine in our lives, it changes everything. It illuminates our path, it brightens our days, it brings clarity to our confusion.

This light is not just a physical light, but a spiritual one. It's the light of truth, the light of love, the light of grace. It's the light that comes from knowing Christ, from having a personal relationship with Him. It's the light that comes from reading His Word, from praying to Him, from worshipping Him.

But how do we let this light shine in our lives? How do we allow it to illuminate our path? It starts with a decision. A decision to follow Christ, to accept Him as our Lord and Savior. It's a decision to turn away from the darkness of sin and turn towards the light of Christ.

Once we make this decision, the light of Christ begins to shine in our lives. It shines in our thoughts, in our words, in our actions. It shines in our relationships, in our work, in our play. It shines in every aspect of our lives.

But letting the light of Christ shine in our lives is not a passive process. It requires effort, it requires discipline, it requires commitment. It requires us to spend time in His Word, to pray to Him, to worship Him. It requires us to live out our faith, to show the love of Christ to others, to serve others in His name.

This is not always easy. There are times when we may feel like we are walking in darkness, times when we may feel lost, times when we may feel overwhelmed. But even in these times, the light of Christ is there, guiding us, leading us, showing us the way.

The light of Christ is also a transformative light. It changes us, it shapes us, it molds us into the people God wants us to be. It helps us to grow in our faith, to deepen our relationship with Christ, to become more like Him.

This transformation is not a one-time event, but a lifelong process. It's a process of growing, of changing, of maturing. It's a process of becoming more and more like Christ, of letting His light shine more and more in our lives.

The light of Christ is also a light that we are called to share with others. We are called to be the light of the world, to let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.

Sharing the light of Christ with others is not just about telling them about Christ but about showing them Christ. It's about showing them His love, His grace, His mercy. It's about showing them what it means to live a life that is illuminated by the light of Christ.

So let us strive to let the light of Christ shine in our lives. Let us strive to allow it to illuminate our path, to brighten our days, to bring clarity to our confusion. Let us strive to let it transform us, to shape us, to mold us into the people God wants us to be. And let us strive to share this light with others, to be the light of the world, to let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.

Confronting Evil with the Light of Christ

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the wisdom of Ephesians, we find ourselves standing at the precipice of a call to action. Paul, in his letter, doesn't merely ask us to bask in the light of Christ, but to actively use this light as a beacon to confront the evil that pervades our world.

The first aspect we should consider is the nature of the evil that Paul refers to. In the original Greek, the word used for evil is used to signifies not just the absence of good, but a malignant force that actively seeks to cause harm and destruction. This is the evil that we are called to confront, an evil that is active and pervasive, an evil that seeks to spread darkness and despair.

Paul's choice of the word is significant. It is the same word used in the Lord's Prayer when we ask to be delivered from evil. It is also used in the parable of the Sower, where the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in the heart. This consistent use of the Greek term underscores the active, destructive nature of the evil we are called to confront.

The second aspect we should consider is how we are called to confront this evil. Paul urges us to confront evil not with our own strength or wisdom, but with the light of Christ. This light is not a passive glow, but an active force that dispels darkness and reveals the truth.

The light of Christ is not just a metaphor for goodness or righteousness. It is the very presence of Christ Himself, shining through us, illuminating the darkness, and revealing the truth. This is the light that we are called to shine on the world, a light that confronts evil, dispels darkness, and brings hope and healing.

The third aspect we should consider is the effect of this confrontation. When we confront evil with the light of Christ, we are not merely dispelling darkness but actively transforming our world. The light of Christ doesn't just reveal the truth, it changes the reality. It brings hope where there is despair, love where there is hatred, and healing where there is hurt.

The word used for 'shine' is used which means to appear, become visible or to be revealed. It is the same word used in Luke 2:9, when the glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds, and in Acts 27:20, when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days. This consistent use of the Greek term underscores the transformative power of the light of Christ.

As we continue to reflect on Paul's call to confront evil with the light of Christ, we should also consider the role of the Holy Spirit in this confrontation. The Holy Spirit is not just a passive observer, but an active participant in our confrontation with evil. The Spirit empowers us, guides us, and sustains us as we shine the light of Christ on the world.

Finally, we should consider the role of the community in this confrontation. We are not called to confront evil alone, but as a community of believers, united by our shared faith and love for Christ. Together, we can shine the light of Christ on the world, confront evil, and bring hope and healing to our world.

Cultivating a Spirit-filled Life in Dark Times

As we walk in these evil times, the Apostle Paul's words ring true: "Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is." We are called to cultivate a Spirit-filled life, a life that is not merely about surviving, but thriving in presence of darkness.

The first step in cultivating a Spirit-filled life is understanding the will of the Lord. This understanding is not merely intellectual, but experiential. It involves immersing ourselves in the scriptures, praying fervently, and seeking God's guidance in every aspect of our lives. The will of God is not a mystery to be solved, but a path to be walked. It is a path that leads to peace, joy, and fulfillment, even in the midst of trials and tribulations.

The words of the respected Christian writer, C.S. Lewis, echo this sentiment: "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." Our understanding of God's will illuminates our path, enabling us to navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and discernment.

The second step in cultivating a Spirit-filled life is being filled with the Spirit. This is not a passive process, but an active pursuit. It involves surrendering our will to God's will, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, words, and actions. Being filled with the Spirit is not a one and done event, but a daily, even moment-by-moment, surrender to God.

The third step in cultivating a Spirit-filled life is addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. This is not merely about singing songs in church, but about encouraging, edifying, and exhorting one another with the truth of God's Word. It is about using our words to build up, not tear down; to heal, not hurt; to bless, not curse.

The fourth and final step in cultivating a Spirit-filled life is giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is not about denying the reality of our circumstances, but about choosing to focus on God's goodness, grace, and mercy. It is about cultivating an attitude of gratitude, even in the midst of trials and tribulations.

So, how do we apply these steps in our lives? How do we cultivate a Spirit-filled life in these dark times? It starts with a decision, a decision to seek God's will, to be filled with the Spirit, to use our words to build up, and to give thanks in all circumstances. It involves daily, even moment-by-moment, surrender to God. It requires intentionality, perseverance, and faith. But the reward is worth it: a life filled with peace, joy, and fulfillment, even in the midst of darkness.

Conclusion

As we end this informative session, let's remember that we are called to be bearers of Christ's light in a world that is often shrouded in darkness. We're not just called to wake up and see the light, but to be the light, to reflect the love, grace, and mercy of Christ in our daily lives.

We're called to be wise, to make the most of our time, and to understand the will of the Lord. This doesn't mean we'll always get it right or that we won't face challenges, but it does mean that we have a guide, a beacon of light, in the form of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For Christ is the light of the world. Jesus should be the light that shines in our everyday life. For, if we walk like God’s wants us to walk, He’ll show up in us. If we do like God wants us to do, He’ll show up is us. Show up! Show up!