Children of Light

Ephesians 5:6–16 ESV

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. 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.

A Child of the Light Exterminates Deception (v. 6-7)

Ephesians 5:6–7 ESV

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them;

The traffic light deception. Green means go. Yellow yield, red stop, flashing green (about to turn red). While red the yellow lights up and then green (reminds me of a race).

We no longer are sons of disobedience. / Therefore we don’t live like sons of disobedience.

The way we live does not identify our salvation.

That is because being saved is only possible by repenting and trusting Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.

Therefore because of our salvation in Christ, we no longer identify as sons of disobedience.

Sons of disobedience endure God’s wrath.

Deceptions happens in a variety of ways.

Deception by Empty Words

What are we being decieved of? What are you being decieved of?

Is it sexual immorality, impurity, or coveteousness.

Deception results in disobedience.

We are given a challenge to not partake in them

We partake by listening and agreeing with their logic.

We participate in their lifestyle

We face God’s wrath with them.

Church, we cannot serve two masters. Myself included.

Matthew 6:24 ESV

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Most of us try...

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 ESV

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 John 3:6 ESV

No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

There is a difference between falling into sin and diliberately keep on sinning.

Sometimes we need other men or women in our life to help us conquer sin we are struggling with. Not seeking help is a quick way to become a slave or a son or daughter of disobedience.

We cannot play games with sin or take it lightly.

It is a serious matter to exterminate in our life.

Romans 1:18–19 ESV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

A Child of the Light Exits Dimness (v. 8-10)

We once were once sons of disobedience.

Paul reminds us of our past situation.

We are a new creation

We are children of the light. We have a new identity.

if we are the light, we live and function as the light (phone illustration). This is more than a flashlight.

We are children who bear light

What is good.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Micah 6:8 ESV

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Righteousness is

Doing what is right in the eyes of God.

we are declared right

We are made right

We live right

By striving to live righteous lives, we discern and live for what is good and pleasing to the Lord.

right and true

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

A Child of the Light Exposes Darkness (v. 11-14)

Awake, Be alert, Awake (sleep/dead)

We must wake up from spiritual death to new life as a child of the light.

We must wake up from the sin in our life that is seeking to devour us.

A Child of the Light Evaluates Days

Give no opportunity for the Devil ()

Walk in the glorious light

Put to death the old self

Evaluate your life daily