Walk In Love

Scripture:

Ephesians 5:1–21 NLT

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Living in the Light

5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper,     rise up from the dead,     and Christ will give you light.”

Living by the Spirit’s Power

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

References:

Ephesians 5:1-21Holman Christian Standard Bible

5 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. 2 And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of[a] among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. 5 For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God.

Light versus Darkness

6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things.[b] 7 Therefore, do not become their partners. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light[c] results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13 Everything exposed by the light is made clear, 14 for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said:

Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.[d]

Consistency in the Christian Life

15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— 16 making the most of the time,[e] because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:

19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

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Footnotes

Ephesians 5:3 Or be named

Ephesians 5:6 Lit sons of disobedience

Ephesians 5:9 Other mss read fruit of the Spirit

Ephesians 5:14 This poem may have been an early Christian hymn based on several passages in Isaiah; Is 9:2; 26:19; 40:1; 51:17; 52:1; 60:1.

Ephesians 5:16 Lit buying back the time

Background Study:

Psalm 68 CSB

For the choir director. A psalm of David. A song. God arises. His enemies scatter, and those who hate him flee from his presence. As smoke is blown away, so you blow them away. As wax melts before the fire, so the wicked are destroyed before God. But the righteous are glad; they rejoice before God and celebrate with joy. Sing to God! Sing praises to his name. Exalt him who rides on the clouds— his name is the Lord—and celebrate before him. God in his holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless and a champion of widows. God provides homes for those who are deserted. He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a scorched land. God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the desert, Selah the earth trembled and the skies poured rain before God, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. You, God, showered abundant rain; you revived your inheritance when it languished. Your people settled in it; God, you provided for the poor by your goodness. The Lord gave the command; a great company of women brought the good news: “The kings of the armies flee—they flee!” She who stays at home divides the spoil. While you lie among the sheep pens, the wings of a dove are covered with silver, and its feathers with glistening gold. When the Almighty scattered kings in the land, it snowed on Zalmon. Mount Bashan is God’s towering mountain; Mount Bashan is a mountain of many peaks. Why gaze with envy, you mountain peaks, at the mountain God desired for his abode? The Lord will dwell there forever! God’s chariots are tens of thousands, thousands and thousands; the Lord is among them in the sanctuary as he was at Sinai. You ascended to the heights, taking away captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious, so that the Lord God might dwell there. Blessed be the Lord! Day after day he bears our burdens; God is our salvation. Selah Our God is a God of salvation, and escape from death belongs to the Lord my Lord. Surely God crushes the heads of his enemies, the hairy brow of one who goes on in his guilty acts. The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan; I will bring them back from the depths of the sea so that your foot may wade in blood and your dogs’ tongues may have their share from the enemies.” People have seen your procession, God, the procession of my God, my King, in the sanctuary. Singers lead the way, with musicians following; among them are young women playing tambourines. Bless God in the assemblies; bless the Lord from the fountain of Israel. There is Benjamin, the youngest, leading them, the rulers of Judah in their assembly, the rulers of Zebulun, the rulers of Naphtali. Your God has decreed your strength. Show your strength, God, you who have acted on our behalf. Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring tribute to you. Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those with bars of silver. Scatter the peoples who take pleasure in war. Ambassadors will come from Egypt; Cush will stretch out its hands to God. Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; sing praise to the Lord, Selah to him who rides in the ancient, highest heavens. Look, he thunders with his powerful voice! Ascribe power to God. His majesty is over Israel; his power is among the clouds. God, you are awe-inspiring in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!

verses 14-15

Instead, what we need is the truth, provided we speak it in love (15). For it is in love that the church grows and builds itself up (16). What Paul calls for is a balanced combination of the two. ‘Speaking the truth in love’ is not the best rendering of his expression, for the Greek verb makes no reference to our speech. Literally, it means, ‘truthing [alētheuontes] in love’, and includes the notions of ‘maintaining’, ‘living’ and ‘doing’ the truth. Thank God there are those in the contemporary church who are determined at all costs to defend and uphold God’s revealed truth.

Truth becomes hard if it is not softened by love; love becomes soft if it is not strengthened by truth. The apostle calls us to hold the two together, which should not be difficult for Spirit-filled believers, since the Holy Spirit is himself ‘the Spirit of truth’, and the first of his fruits is ‘love’.

Stott, John. The Message of Ephesians (The Bible Speaks Today Series) (p. 170). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

Stott, John. The Message of Ephesians (The Bible Speaks Today Series) (p. 170). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

The first concerns the solemn certainty of judgment (5–7); the second, what he calls ‘the fruit of the light’ (8–14), that is, the implications of being people who belong to the light; the third, the nature of wisdom (15–17); and the fourth, the fullness of the Holy Spirit (18–21).

Stott, John. The Message of Ephesians (The Bible Speaks Today Series) (p. 176). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

Here’s the clean, ministry‑ready chart you asked for, Lynn — a structured breakdown of Paul’s dualism in Ephesians, showing how Paul uses contrasting pairs to teach identity, transformation, and spiritual reality. This is formatted as a chart-style table, ready for you to drop into Canva, ProPresenter, or a Grace Kids workbook.

Paul’s Dualism in the Book of Ephesians

A contrast chart of Paul’s major “before/after,” “old/new,” and “earthly/heavenly” themes

Dualism Chart

Dualism PairDescriptionKey PassagesDead vs. AliveHumanity is spiritually dead in sin but made alive with Christ through grace.Eph 2:1–5Old Self vs. New SelfThe old way of living (sin, corruption) is replaced by a new identity shaped by Christ.Eph 4:22–24Darkness vs. LightBelievers once lived in darkness but now walk as children of light.Eph 5:8–14Far vs. NearGentiles were once far from God but are brought near through Christ’s blood.Eph 2:12–13Strangers vs. CitizensOutsiders become members of God’s household and kingdom.Eph 2:19Dividing Wall vs. PeaceHostility between Jew and Gentile is replaced by unity and peace in Christ.Eph 2:14–16Flesh vs. SpiritEarthly desires contrast with life empowered by the Holy Spirit.Eph 2:3; 3:16Earthly Realm vs. Heavenly RealmBelievers live physically on earth but are spiritually seated with Christ in the heavenly places.Eph 1:3; 2:6Ignorance vs. WisdomThe darkened mind is replaced by spiritual wisdom and revelation.Eph 1:17–18; 4:18Futility vs. PurposeLife without Christ is futile; life in Christ is purposeful and fruitful.Eph 4:17–24Lies vs. TruthThe old life is marked by deceit; the new life speaks truth in love.Eph 4:25Bitterness vs. ForgivenessRelational brokenness is replaced by Christlike forgiveness.Eph 4:31–32Foolishness vs. WisdomBelievers are called to walk wisely, not foolishly.Eph 5:15–17Drunkenness vs. Spirit-FilledBeing controlled by substances contrasts with being filled by the Spirit.Eph 5:18

Paul’s instruction to give thanks always operates on multiple levels. He frames this as God’s will—not merely a suggestion but a divine expectation for believers in Christ (1 Thess 5:18). The command extends across all circumstances, not just favorable ones. Paul emphasizes that believers should express gratitude “always for all things,” referring to all of life’s circumstances[1], which makes thanksgiving a comprehensive spiritual posture rather than a selective emotional response.

What makes this command distinctive is its connection to spiritual transformation. Thanksgiving functions as a result of being filled by the Spirit[1]—it flows from an internal spiritual condition rather than external conditions. When believers are filled by the Spirit, thanksgiving becomes their response in place of dissatisfaction and complaints; in difficult circumstances, this attitude becomes achievable through the knowledge that God remains in control[1].

Paul also anchors thanksgiving in Christ’s authority. Believers should give thanks “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” with Christ’s name serving as the authority by which believers approach the Father through prayer[1]. Importantly, Paul intends thanksgiving not as mere words or perfunctory expression, but as something visible in daily living—the primary motivation behind service and right action[2]. Expressing thanks to God occurs through presenting one’s life to Him in obedience, which should reflect gratitude rather than earn salvation[2].

The remaining biblical passages reinforce this theme across Paul’s letters: In Philippians, he connects thanksgiving with prayer and petition as an antidote to anxiety (Phil 4:6), while in 1 Timothy, he notes that everything God created becomes acceptable when received with thanksgiving (1 Tim 4:4–5).

[1] Benjamin I. Simpson, Ephesians: An Exegetical Guide for Preaching and Teaching, ed. Herbert W. Bateman IV, Big Greek Idea Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2020), 307. [2] Robert B. Callahan Sr., Walking Wisely: An Expository Commentary Based upon Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (5:1–33), Walking with Jesus (Eugene, OR: Resource Publications, 2013), 100–101.

The explicit call to be imitators of God in 5:1 may be unique. But throughout Scripture, God’s gracious activity provides the model for the appropriate response of his people (see Exod 13:21-22; Lev 19:2; Num 14:24; Deut 1:30-33; Isa 40:3-5; Matt 5:48; see Lincoln 1990, 310-11; Best 1998, 466-67). We bear the identity of God’s dearly loved children (Eph 5:1; → 1:5; 2:4; 3:17-19; 5:25) only as we share a family likeness to our heavenly Father (Matt 5:9, 43-48; Luke 6:35-36; John 8:31-47; Rom 4:16, 17; 8:15; Gal 4:5-6; 1 Cor 4:16; Phil 2:15; 1 John 4:7-21). And yet, “the thought of the imitation of the invisible God is paradoxical.” Recall that the desire to be like God was the original sin (Gen 3:5). The emphasis here is not on humans acquiring an exalted status, but on “action comparable to God’s action in forgiving and loving” (Best 1998, 466, 467). The path of discipleship modeled by Jesus passes by way of the cross. Christ loved us and gave himself for us (Eph 5:2). The wonder of the Father’s gift of the Son (John 3:16; Rom 5:6-8; 8:32; 2 Cor 9:15) was surpassed only by that of the Son’s unreserved gift of himself for sinners (Gal

c. Live Spirit-Filled Lives (5:3-21) Paul’s ethic was Trinitarian centuries before the church invented the term. In Eph 4:17—5:2, he insisted that his Gentile audience had to abandon their old identity as pagans in order to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. He urged them to “walk in the way of love . . . as Christ” did, to “follow God’s example” (4:32—5:2). In 5:3-21, he urged them to be filled with the Holy Spirit (v 18) and leave behind their old lives of “darkness” (v 8; see vv 3-14) and folly (vv 15-21). (1) Walk in the Light (5:3-14) Paul continued the appeal he began in 4:1, which urged his audience “to live a life worthy of [their] calling.” In 4:17, he ordered them to “no longer live as the Gentiles do.” They were “to make a clear, decisive, and comprehensive break with their pagan past” (Fowl 2012, 165). Only by

In vv 8-14, he characterized their pagan past as “darkness” (vv 8, 11; → 4:18) in stark contrast to their Christian existence as “light” (5:8, 9, 13). They were to take care how the world outside the church perceived them as well as how they behaved (Fowl 2012, 163). Paul anticipated the concern for Gentile Christians maintaining stellar reputations in the eyes of non-Christian Jews and unbelieving Gentiles in v 3. The imagery shifts in vv 15-21 to contrast their “unwise” (v 15) past and the “wise” ways of doing “the Lord’s will” (v 19). In chiastic fashion, Paul concluded where he began (→ 4:25, 29), focusing on the kind of “speaking” (5:19) appropriate to Spirit-filled believers.

(a) Called to Sexual Purity (5:3-7) ■ 3 But (→ 3:20; 6:21) connects this unit with 4:17—5:2, marking the shift from a description of Christlike, “self-sacrificial love” to an appeal to refrain from “self-indulgent sensuality” (Lincoln 1990, 321). The first Greek word, porneia, could refer narrowly to prostitution (Gen 38:24; 1 Cor 6:13-18; Rev 17:1-2; 19:2), since pornē designated female prostitutes; pornos, male prostitutes. But in the LXX, it translates the Hebrew zānâh, referring to unchastity, sexual promiscuity, prostitution, and fornication (Gen 34:31; 38:15; Lev 19:29; Deut 22:21; Sir 23:22-23; 26:9; T. Reu. 1:6; 3:3; 4:6-7; 5:5; 6:14; T. Sim. 5:3; T. Jud. 18:2; O’Brien 1999, 359 n. 2). In the NT it characterizes all extramarital sexual intercourse as morally reprehensible (→ Eph 5:31, citing Gen 2:24; BDAG, 854; see John 8:41; 1 Cor 5:9-11; 6:9, 18; 7:1-9; Col 3:5). Paul followed this with prohibitions of any kind of [→ Eph 4:19; BDAG, 784] uncleanness [“moral corruption,” BDAG, 34; see Rom 1:24; 2 Cor 12:21; Gal 5:19; 1 Thess 2:3; 4:3-8], or of greed. He may have intended to prohibit both sexual immorality and covetousness (so M. Barth 1974, 503, 561; Best 1998, 476; Arnold 2010, 320-21; Thielman 2010, 328). Certainly, the NT takes a dim view of accumulating wealth, insatiably

desiring more, and self-indulgently denying the needs of others (Luke 12:13-21; Acts 20:33-35; see Foulkes 1989, 147). But the early church fathers (Origen and Jerome) and most interpreters since have read all three terms as references to deviant sex (e.g., Lincoln 1990, 320-22; Winger 2015, 552). If so, by greed Paul referred to cravings for or preoccupation with sensual pleasures (→ Eph 4:19; see Exod 20:17; Deut 5:21; T. Levi 14:5-6; T. Jud. 18:2; Mark 7:22; Rom 1:29; Col 3:5; 2 Pet 2:14). He cautioned his formerly pagan audience against all forms of sexual immorality (Schnackenburg 1991, 204; Best 1998, 443, 476; Thielman 2010, 327-28). The negated third-person present passive imperative verb onomazesthō (→ Eph 1:21; 3:15) is difficult to translate into English, because no exact equivalent exists. The ambiguous NIV paraphrase might be better stated: No one should be able to point out immoral behavior in the church. Paul’s point was not that Christians should avoid mention of sexual sins (→ 5:12; Fowl 2012, 165; vs. Barth 1974, 561; Lincoln 1990, 322; Best 1998, 477; Hoehner 2002, 653). Paul mentioned them here (and in 1 Cor 5—6). And in the interests of preserving the moral integrity of the community, the Ephesians were to speak out against them as well (→ Eph 5:11). By insisting that there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality among God’s holy people (→ 1:4; 2:19-22), Paul meant that his readers

were to conduct themselves so above reproach that no one could ever accuse them of dissolute behavior. It was only fitting that there should be no sexual misconduct in a holy community (see 1 Thess 4:3-7). ■ 4 Paul insisted that obscenity, the foolish talk of drunks, and coarse joking were out of place or inappropriate in Christian conversation. The terms for these vices appear only here in the Greek Bible. “Salacious” (NJB), “vulgar” (NRSV), or sexually “suggestive” (NABRE) speech (Gnilka 1971, 247; Lincoln 1990, 322-23; Best 1998, 477; Thielman 2010, 330-31) was out. The Ephesians should avoid any talk that failed to build up or benefit their hearers (→ 4:29). Paul did not mean that believers were to be somber, with no room for fun. But cleverly disguised double entendre, intended to amuse the dirty-minded, was neither witty nor funny. It was disgraceful, rude, foolish, and malicious. Only depraved minds found degrading talk of behavior God condemns entertaining (see Rom 1:28-32; see Quintilian, Inst. 1.2.8; Plutarch, Garr. 504b). The vices Paul listed in Eph 5:3-4 describe “destructive patterns of behavior and speech,” reflecting a serious “disorder in one’s desires and loves” (Fowl 2012, 166). The one positive virtue Paul urged in strong contrast (but rather) to these was thanksgiving (eucharistia). Twelve of the fifteen NT references to thanksgiving are in Paul’s letters (e.g., 1 Cor

14:16; Eph 1:16; Phil 4:6; Col 4:2; 1 Thess 3:9; 1 Tim 2:1). Here, he probably referred to gratitude “directed to the Lord” (Fowl 2012, 166). But eucharistia is from the same Greek root as grace (→ Eph 4:29; see Col 4:6), so he might have intended gracious speech directed toward others. As the attitude of gratitude focuses believers’ attention on God, he enables them to love their neighbors in godlike ways. Words of gratitude (Best 1998, 479-80; Hoehner 2002, 658) and grace are preferable to speech that perverts and degrades God’s good gift of sexuality. To treat God’s creation as if it were a god is idolatry (Eph 5:5). Sexual immorality and greed (v 3) are merely different expressions of self-centered acquisitiveness (Houlden 1970, 324). By treating vulgarity and thanksgiving as opposites, Paul reflected “the difference between pagan and Christian attitudes to sex. All God’s gifts, including sex, are subjects for gratitude, rather than jokes” (Graham 2008, 422). ■ 5 To describe one motivation for holy living, Paul employed two distinct Greek verbs for “know”: This you know [iste] knowing [ginōskontes] . . . He assumed his audience was surely aware that evildoers were subject to divine judgment: Every immoral, or unclean, or greedy person . . . does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. These substantive adjectives here precisely match the three abstract nouns describing the sexual vices to be avoided in 5:3 (→).

The modifying phrase, who is an idolater, is a nonrestrictive relative pronoun clause. Paul may have meant that “the person who practices unrestrained sexual greed is an idolater” (O’Brien 1999, 362; see Arnold 2010, 324; Winger 2015, 555-56; see Col 3:5). But he probably referred collectively to all three vices (as in Wis 14:12; T. Jud. 19:1; 23:1; T. Reu. 4:6; Philo, Spec. Laws 1.23, 25; see Lincoln 1990, 316-17). Paul’s point was not that judgment awaited only especially immoral idol worshippers. Nor was it that such sins were unforgiveable. It was that the sexually immoral are guilty of idolatry. Their preoccupation with sex had replaced God in their lives. Unless they repented, their penalty would be exclusion from the realm ruled by Christ and God, both now and in the future. Elsewhere (Rom 14:17; 1 Cor 4:20; 6:9-10; 15:50; Gal 5:19-20; Col 4:11; 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Thess 1:5) Paul stressed only the future rule of God. Christ’s kingdom is mentioned only infrequently by early Christians (Luke 22:30; 1 Cor 15:24; Col 1:13; 2 Tim 4:1, 18; 2 Pet 1:11; Rev 11:15; 12:10; 1 Clem. 50.3; Mart. Pol. 22.1-3). Unlike 1 Cor 15:24-28, Paul here said nothing of a succession of kingdoms—Christ’s, then the Father’s. His concern was not a co-regency of Father and Son, but the single eternal realm and reign ruled by the triune God. His point was not to assert the full deity of Christ, although he apparently assumed that (→ Eph 5:20;

of five imperatives, with the first and last supplemented by imperatival adverbial participles. The first command prepares for the next two pairs of opposites, contrasting wise vs. foolish ways of life (see Prov 10:1, 14; 14:1, 3; 15:20; 21:20; 29:9). “Watch carefully how you walk—    not as unwise    but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity . . . Therefore do not be foolish  but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, . . .  but be filled with the Spirit,    speaking . . .    singing and singing praises . . .  giving thanks . . .  submitting . . .” (Eph 5:15-21) The Greek construction of 5:21 continues Paul’s advice, while simultaneously introducing a new issue—Christian family relationships in 5:21—6:9. It serves a hinge-like, transitional function (see Witherington 2007, 316; Patzia 2011, 264; Fowl 2012, 186; Winger 2015, 592, 598).

Lyons, George; Smith, Robert; Lyons-Pardue, Kara. NBBC, Ephesians/Colossians/Philemon: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition (p. 298). The Foundry Publishing. Kindle Edition.

Introduction:

Outline:

Ephesians 5:1–21 NLT

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Live as Imitators of God

Ephesians 5:1–21 NLT

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

How do you imitate God/

Leviticus 11:44–45 NLT

For I am the Lord your God. You must consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. So do not defile yourselves with any of these small animals that scurry along the ground. For I, the Lord, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy.

John 14:9 NLT

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?

Consecrate Yourselves

Be holy

Stay clean

Be holy Because i am Holy !

Follow the example of Christ

Live a life of Love

Ephesians 5:2–7 NLT

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do.

Live a Life of Love - his reflects the commandments Jesus said were the most important. “Love the Lord your God with all her heart … and you name as yourself.

Love as Christ Loved

He gave himself

He became a fragrant 0ffer an sacrifice to God

Love should not be desecrated

Have no hint of:

Immorality

Impurity

Greed

Idolatry

Love inherits the kingdom

Live as people of the Light

Ephesians 5:8–14 NLT

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Trade darkness for light

Live as People of light

Determine what pleases the Lord

Light makes Everything visible

Live as Spirit Filled Live

Ephesians 5:15–21 NLT

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Be Careful How you live

Don’t live like fools

Don’t act thoughtlessly

Make the most of every opportunity

Don’t be drunk, ut be filled

Give Thanks for everything

Submit to one another

Conclusion:

Notes: