Church on Focus

Introduction

Ephesians 4:1–6 AV 1873

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

We have this cute little puppy. He drools on everything. He loves to play. Ashley usually takes him on walks and things like that, but his true self says, rest until play time. He loves to wrestle, fetch and play tug of war. If I come in and want to lay down on the couch, if find a slobbery drooled upon toy laying on my face. It does not matter what I do, when it is time for him to play, he will only focus on play time

Focused on Love

Love others

Ephesians 5:1–2 AV 1873

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

When I come home, I have three small humans running at the car, or at me when I walk in the door. It never occurs to them, not for one second that I am not as happy to see them, as they are to see me.

Hate evil

Ephesians 5:3–6 AV 1873

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named amongst you, as becometh saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Ephesians 5:3–4 AV 1873

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named amongst you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Responsibility: Abstain from evil

“not once named:” Fornication, uncleanness or covetousness (idolatry).

“Not once named”

“Jesting” Coarse jokes—not convenient.

Reason: Evildoers have no inheritance in eternity

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 5:5–6

Christians should not be deceived into thinking that this warning is merely empty words (kenois, trans. “empty” means void of content), for the disobedient, that is, the unregenerate (cf. Eph. 2:2) are the objects of God’s wrath (cf. Col. 3:6). God’s view of sin should be taken seriously. Believers should be imitators of God, not evildoers.

Focused Walk

Avoid involvement with evildoers

Command: Do not get involved

Ephesians 5:7 AV 1873

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Ephesians 5:7–8 AV 1873

Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Eph. 5:

Reason: Christians are changed persons

Ephesians 5:8 AV 1873

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Eph. 5:8

Command: Walk as children of light

Ephesians 5:8–10 AV 1873

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Reason:

Avoid doing evildoer works

Command: Do not get involved but rather expose

Ephesians 5:11 AV 1873

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Reason: Their work is shameful

Ephesians 5:12 AV 1873

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Explanation: Light shows the true character of works. Christ is the light.

Ephesians 5:13–14 AV 1873

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Ephesians 5:13 AV 1873

But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Ephesians 5:14 AV 1873

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Focused Time & Energy

Ephesians 5:15–17 AV 1873

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Eph. 5:

Conclusion