You were, You are
Book of Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction:
Introduction:
Now
Going to College
Review-
Then
a. Let no one deceive you
b. Vain Words
c. These Things—What things? Immorality, Covetous, Impure, Idolaters
Who we believe we are affects how we behave
I. Get up from the table
I. Get up from the table
I. Get up from the table
I. Get up from the table
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
(v.7) “Therefore” picks back up on the commands that Paul made from (v.6) about those that deceive with empty words who encourage believers that it is alright to engage in our pre-saved sins.
-One quote that christian often say but I hate it “God ain’t through with me yet” Folks who like to remain in their sins often point to this quote as a justification of their sins. Yall got to remember that this quote is not in the bible. That Bible is always saying press forward. Listen to
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
-You will remember that two weeks ago we surmised that “empty” words means words without any eternal value these are words that gratify the flesh but not spirits. NO edifying value at all. There will be those in the body of Christ who claim to have a relationship with Christ who will use “vain words” to get you to trample the grace of God and resort back to old lifestyle choices.
-You will remember that two week ago we surmised that “empty” words means words without any eternal value. NO edifying value at all. There will be those in the body of Christ who claim to have a relationship with Christ who will use “vain words” to get you to trample the grace of God and resort back to old lifestyle choices.
(v.7) “Therefore do not be partakers” in this particular phrase the verb “be” in an imperative verb-in the present tense. This tells us that whatever comes next is something Paul commands us to do, and he commands us to do it daily. This is not a one-time finished act but a daily occurrence. the “to be” Be involves something that you do so regularly that it is a part of your identity. We need to define “Partakers”
a. Partakers-NASB, NKJV Partners-CSB,NIV,GOOD NEWS…Join together—Partaking with one another a joint activity.
Summary—Paul says “DO NOT BE PARTAKERS”----Sometimes you got to get up from the table.
Illustration---When Family went to go see “Arthur” I was 9 years old.
-What Paul is calling for here is radical seperation. He is calling for intentional seperation. He is not calling for Monatiscism, but Daily applicational seperation. You should live your life in such a way that your unbelieving & false believing acquaints know it just somenthings that you won’t do. Not because you talk about it all the time, but how you live it.
(v.7) “Therefore do not be partakers with them”
Who are the “them” from this last phrase??
-let me offer two alternatives:
a. Unbelivers from the world
or
b. False believers in the church
-Are there some indicators from the text. The Commentaries seem to think that this text is talking about Unbelievers in the world.
Does the “with them” refer back to the “sons of disobedience of (v.6) or does it refer to the “no one” of (v.6)?
-(v.6) Paul says “let no one decieve you” this text is dependant on the previous (v.5) Notice what that says.
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.
5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;
Eph
(v.5) Paul in this text is correcting error that has spread inside the church. He tells them “You know with certainty” Clearly his audience right here is believers in the church who have come to take a lax approach to sexual immorality, greed, and idolatry essentially they have capitulated(given in to society) Paul has to be wondering who is talking to yall. Why is there confusion about this issue. Then he moves to (v.6)
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
(v.6) “Let no one deceive you” Paul is saying someone among yall is spreading some bad teaching in refutation against what we(apostle) have taught to you. In order for someone to get close enough to these believers and have a platform to teach it is most likely another false believer.
-There is another indicator found in subsequent verse after (v.7) take a look at (v.11-13)
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.
-(v.11-13)
(v.11-13) Clearly in these text Paul is talking about exposing the deeds of those who are doing things in secret. Things to disgraceful even to speak of
a. Cultural Argument---Sexual Promiscuity and greed were not things Roman Citizens hid. The had public baths where Sexual Promiscuity was rampant. Right in the middle of the day. Usually people hid in the dark when they know that there behavior is not accepted in the circles that they run in.
b. Theological Argument-This book is written not to unbelievers but to a church. When Paul talks about unbelievers from the world he has no expectation on their behavior because he knows that they are are in darkness and are behaving according to their nature. And Paul’s methods for dealing with the unbelieving world is too not expose them but offer them Christ.
(v.11-13) That warning from these verse seems to be on the basis that I am talking about Paul who know better, but are still behaving in ways contrary to the Word of God.
-The reason we expose these types of People is because the purity of the church supersedes the feelings and privacy of any professing believer in the church.
-There is a scripture in Corinthians that makes plain this principle:
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9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.
(v.9) It seems as if Paul is saying that I sent a letter previous to 1 Corinthians where I told you to “not associate with immoral people” Explain
(v.10) Paul “I did not mean with immoral people of the world” Then you couldn’t function in the world. By these statements we know the problem the Corinthian believer had begun to ascribe to a “Monastic” lifestyle. Totally seperation from the daily marketplace. Walling off their lives from pagan people. Paul says that is not what I mean when I say “not to associate with immoral people” Paul says let me make this plain:
1 corinthians 5:
11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
(v.11) “I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brothers” We need to add some meat to this text and it is astounding:
1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. 2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.
1 corinthians 5:1
(v.1-2) Paul is absolutely livid that the believers have allowed a boy to fornicate with his step mother and no one has had enough sense to rebuke him and deal with his behavior. So know when you combined these two text scriptures look what was happening:
a. The Corinthians had walled themselves off from the unbelivers of the world
b.The Corinthians had totally opened themselves up to the false believers in the church without apology.
-Satan is something else: He will have you thinking you all spiritual and holy for not hanging out with unbelievers in the world, while at the same time allowing/condoning sin among professing believers.
-Church do you see that right there. Satan does not change his game. We sit on our high and holy hills turning a blind eye to the sins of our members, while if some young girls walks into the church and her pants are a little to tight we have a heart attack. Now in the sight of God who is more responsible “The deacon that is sleeping with drummer’s mother, or the girl who has never been to church and comes in with inappropriate clothing on!!!!
Back in Ephesians
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
Ephesians 5:
(v.7) Based on this verse and the verse in Corinthians Paul says these types of false believers who go around encouraging and condoning sinful lifestyle needs to be called out now let me pull out a word from the Seven Day adventist and the JW---Disfellowshipped.
We will go deeper next week
Not only are we to Get up from the table we also need to “Leave”
II. And Leave
II. And Leave
II. And Leave
II. And Leave
eph 5:8
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
(v.8) “For you were formerly darkness” Now this text is grammatically challenging. Normally the text will say “formerly you where in darkness” I went to check this with a greek interlinear just to make sure the grammar is correct.
8 Once you lived in the dark, but now the Lord has filled you with light. Live as children who have light.
(v.8) This is why I don’t like paraphrases. The Greek does not say you were in darkness it says you were “darkness” you see in this text Paul not talking about your behavior is talking about your identity.
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
(v.8) “for you were formerly darkness” Not only were we in darkness, we were individual sources of darkness. Darkness is just the absences of light. We are devoid of any light. We didn’t have spark, flicker or glimmer of light. Like our Father the Devil we weren’t able to do anything pleasing to God of any spiritual value. Listen to Peter talk about this:
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9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
-This talks about your location change:
a. Called out of darkness into His marvelous light
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
-This talks about your identity change
a. You were darkness, But now you are light.
-Paul seems to
(v.8) “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord” Notice the “but” conjunction. For your memory let me give you a easy way to look at the “and” and “but” conjunction. And is a same direction conjunction. But is an opposite direction conjunction. Example:
4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
(v.4) “and is used at the beginning of the verse and in the middle.” we us “and” to pile on things that are all going in the same direction.
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
Eph 5:
(v.8) “8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord;” Once again but kind of conjunction did he use. Opposite direction. He says “but now” Paul is letting us now that he is about to change direction with this text. He does tells us you in the light, you know the light, you are experiencing the light. He tells us “you are Light” Let me teach by analogy:
Let’s define Identity:
a. Identity:the fact of being who or what a person or thing is.
`1. Gender, Race, Family, Political Affiliation, Career, and Religious Affiliation. I am a Man. I am an African American Man, I am a Johnson, I am Moderate, I am a Pastor, I am a Christian. All of these make up my identity. In the Natural all of these matter, and I am not minimizing them at all, but in the Spiritual world only one Matters. “Are you dark or are you Light” and I not talking about skin complexion. You see ultimately our Identity should come from our Relationship to Christ. “Who I am is tied to Who I know!!!”
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3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
(v.3) Look at this text.....My Identity is hidden with inside of God!!! I don’t even know how to exegete this passage. All I know is that it is glorious....The Companion passage to this is
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28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 “I and the Father are one.”
(v.29) Jesus says I give them Eternal Life and put them in my hands. Then he says in (v.29) My Father who is greater than has put them in his hands as well. Then watch this in the HS is called the Seal. You are in the hands of the Son, with the Fathers Hands around the Son, and the HS seals the deal.
Analogy: Catching Lighting bugs in your hands
-Then he ends by telling us that Me and the Father will never be in an argument and just drop you or leave you. Jesus says “I and my Father One” Meaning that Your eternal security, your new identity, your name residence is secured by the Godhead!! Father, Son, and HS!!! Back into Ephesians
Ephesians 5:8
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
Why does Paul use this comparison/Contrast so extensively?
let me take you on a scriptural journey on who you were:
17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,
21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.
Romans 6:
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.
1 Corinthians 12:
8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.
12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Eph 2:
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
eph 5:
21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
1 Peter
10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
-In these texts Paul tells us what “We were” and if that were it where would we be!!! But he also tells us in the NT what “We are”
-we are his child
-We are no longer slaves
-We are his friend
-We are his countrymen
-We are his body
-We are his ambassador’s
-We are his creation
-We are his workmanship
-We are his Royal Priesthood
-We are seated in heavenly places
-We are his Temple
-We are his Bride!!!
-In tells us “We are his light!!!!!
Conclusion
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
(v.8) “8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light”
(v.8) Paul says based on who “you are” walk(live, journey, behave) as children of light!!! You see Paul’s teaching principle. Paul does not start with behavior he starts with Identity!!!!
Paul tells us that if he can get you to see “who you are in Christ, and what power you have running through your spirit, and that when you sin the HS goes with you!!!” Your behavior will change.
Playing College Football and adjusting to the speed, size and work ethic.
-Either I was going to grow up, or I was going to remain mentally in High School. Before any of my behavior could change I had to recognize I had a new identity. I was no longer in high school, I was in college. When I came to that realization but behavior naturally followed.
The Greatest Identity theft is when Satan have Saints thinking they are sinners and Sinners thinking they are saints....Satan