Alive and Shining
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
As we continue to study the book of Ephesians we come to one of the most challenging passages in Scriptures: "Therefore be imitators of God" See Ephesians 4:32
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Knight in the shining armour story
How do we imitate God?
How do we imitate God?
A. Living as Children of God. Ephesians 5:1-7 - With all your heart
Imitate God
Ephesians 5:1-2
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Can we really imitate someone we don't know?
Proper behaviour
Ephesians 5:3-4
3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
The motivation for our behaviour comes from our desire to imitate God
Don't be deceived
Ephesians 5:5-7
5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
B. Living as Children of Light. Ephesians 5:8-14 - With all your conscience
Children of Light - verses 8–10
Ephesians 5:8-10
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Seeking to do what is good and right
Point to him who is light
Expose the Darkness
Ephesians 5:11-14
11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”
To expose means to rebuke, or reproved. See 1 Timothy 5:20
C. Living Wisely. Ephesians 5:15-21 - With all your understanding
Look for opportunities - verses 15, 16
Ephesians 5:15-16
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10
5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:5, 6
And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. Luke 8:14
Understand the Will of God - verse 17
Ephesians 5:17
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
1 Timothy 2:4 - It is His desire that all people be saved
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Be Filled with the Spirit - verse 18
Ephesians 5:18
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
What are you drunk with? Busyness, activities, meetings, goals, deadlines, phone calls, emails, facebook...
1 Corinthians 6:10 – Drunks will not inherit the kingdom of God
10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:17
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
The greatest act of love is to bring someone to Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:31
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
How do you know that you are filled with the Spirit? You proclaim the Word of God, Jesus, boldly.
Singing Praise
Is the natural result of living and shining for Jesus
Colossians 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Ephesians 5 gives us a powerful image of what it means to be a Christian.
Because of Christ we are alive with abundant life, we also need to be shining like he did when he was on this earth.
Romans 13:12
12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Brainstorming
Brainstorming
Quality of time instead of quantity of time 5:16
Henri Nouwen once said that when we are fully attentive to the present moment, participants in the now, we are able to attend to the great beam of timber in our own eye, before attending to the splinter in our neighbour's eye.
v4 rather giving of thanks—a happy play on sounds in Greek, "eucharistia" contrasted with "eutrapelia"; refined "jesting" and subtle humor sometimes offend the tender feelings of grace; "giving of thanks" gives that real cheerfulness of spirit to believers which the worldly try to get from "jesting" (Eph 5:19, 20; Jas 5:13).
v8 light—not merely "enlightened"; but light enlightening others (Eph 5:13).in—in union with the Lord, who is THE LIGHT.