Sermon Tone Analysis

Ephesians 5:7-21

7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were oncedarkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light

9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,righteousness and truth)

10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

13 But everything exposed by the lightbecomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,

rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,

16 making the most of every opportunity,because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.

Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.

Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,

20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

21 Submit to one anotherout of reverence for Christ.

21 Submit to one anotherout of reverence for Christ.

Introduction: Children’s Message

Paul says that we should walk in the Light.

What does that mean?

The Two ways of Life: Light and Darkness

There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways.

2The way of life is this.

First of all, thou shalt love the God that made thee; secondly, thy neighbour as thyself.

And all things whatsoever thou wouldest not have befal thyself, neither do thou unto another.

- Didache

Sometimes it is really easy to see the darkness - Shooting in Las Vegas

Often we like to justify the darkness - A little selfishness here, and a little there.

Lightfoot, J. B., & Harmer, J. R. (1891).

The Apostolic Fathers (p.

229).

London: Macmillan and Co.

The Way of Light is Characterized by…(Living out your identity)

Speaking the truth - 4:25

Not sinning when you are angry - dealing with anger so the devil does not get a foothold.

- 4:26

Good work ethic - 4:28

Using your words to build others up - 4:29

Following the Holy Spirit - 4:30

Kindness, compassion, forgiveness - 4:32

Love like Christ Loves - unconditional, sacrificial love 5:1

Thanksgiving - 5:4

The way of Darkness

Lying - 4:25

Letting anger and the devil take over - 4:27

Stealing - 4:28

Using rotten words - 4:29 - Tear others down

Grieving the Holy Spirit - 4:30

Bitterness, rage, wrath, clamoring, abusive speech - 4:31

Wickedness - 4:31

Sexual immorality, uncleanness, greed 5:3

obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joaking - 5:4

How do families fit into all of this?

God has a plan for families

Family in the Gospel Story - From - Jesus’ no marriage or giving into marriage.

Graphic - Earth - Filled with people - Image of God - God’s Design.

Graphic 2 - Earth filled with darkness - Sin enters the World

Graphic 3 - The Gospel Spreads the Light - Families are necessary, as well as single folks.

What does this mean for you and your family?

Your Family is a Light in the Darkness.

Identity - Those who believe in Christ are called “Light” - We live out of our identity.

- We became that way by being adopted through Jesus.

Basis of not living in darkness - because that is not our identity

The light exposes darkness - my sense here is by coming in contact with/ people see how we live (Not being the police of society) - Coworker who was not a believer - Alcoholic - But wanted what his neighbor family had (Baptist Family, kids were so respectful).

So Paul calls us to live wisely, so that we can fulfill this calling.

Guided - Filled by the Spirit.

Compared to drunkenness - Being under the influence.

Atheist Co-worker - I was explaining being filled by the Holy Spirit - “You mean you are possessed by a Spirit?” - Yes, not an evil spirit, or spirit’s you drink, but the Holy Spirit - Under the influence

When someone is under the influence of drugs or drunkenness - what is produced - dissipation, inhibition, people do and say things they would not normally say with their filters on.

Their true heart is often revealed.

When someone is under the influence of the Holy Spirit - Same thing, they do and say things people normally do not say, but their transformed heart is revealed - Love, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Self-Control - They sing praises to God - They are thankful about everything God brings them.

As a family is your entire family filled with the Spirit?

What would your family look like if they were drunk with Holy Spirit - You can not force it on people, but it can start with you.

- It can start right now.

Marble Illustration.

Conclusion:

Car Ride Question for discussion on the way home: What’s the biggest threat to joy and peace in our home lately?

How can we eliminate it and cultivate more of the fruit of the Spirit together?

How can we better walk in the light?

Reference the Reformed Confessions: The Reformed Confessions are statements of faith written to clarify the Gospel at times when the Church was in crisis.

Heidelberg Chatechism: Q&A 2, 5, 7-8, 53 Belgic Confession: Articles 11, 14, 15 Canons of Dort: Head I, Article 1; Head III & IV, Articles 1-4; Head V, Article 7 Belhar Confession: Articles 2-4