8 Walk In Light
Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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· 10 viewsBig Idea: The Light of Christ in you exposes others who are in darkness to Him. Continue to walk in light.
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Introduction
Introduction
Tess Read
Chapters 1-3 focus on blessings of being in Christ. The Good News
Chapters 4-6 focus on living with Christ in us. The New Walk or New Life
Earlier in chapter 4 living in unity with the Spirit, and the body of Christ, maturity.
Walk in Unity is our relationship to each other in the body.
4:17-5:14 new life in Christ in the context of the world. Maturity, love, light.
4:17 Paul appealing to the authority of Jesus. Showing this is not just his word but Christ’s.
Points
Points
Renewed
Renewed
4:17-24
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
Ephesians 4:17-
Do not be like the Gentiles you were:
What the Gentiles were like – as a reminder of where they came from.
Do not be like the Gentiles you were:
What the Gentiles were like – as a reminder of where they came from.
Here’s what they are like –
Here’s what they are like –
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
Futile/useless thinking or mindset
Futile/useless thinking or mindset
Darkened in understanding = just don’t get it.
Separate from or missing out on true life
Ignorant/unknowing
Hardened hearts = rejecting God.
Callous/desensitized
Surrendered to lust
Greedy, especially for impurity/lewd behavior
What you are to be like:
What you are to be like:
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Read Ephesians 4:20-24
Read Ephesians 4:20-24
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned
( add [in Christ])
You were taught a different way of life – you were taught the truth in Christ.
You were taught a different way of life – you were taught the truth in Christ.
v.22 You were taught to take off your old self, be renewed, put on the new self.
Process of being rescued, redeemed, transformed.
This is a baptism rite similar to what we do. Some actually changed clothes to symbolize this.
Self = attitude, life, behavior
v.23 renewed, made new. Transformed in heart attitudes and mindset. (thought life)
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Become like God in holiness and righteousness – true righteousness
Become like God in holiness and righteousness – true righteousness
Created after the likeness of God
No longer Gentiles, don’t live like one. Remove that way of life, be renewed and walk in your new life
.
Examples of how to walk the new walk.
Walk This Way
Walk This Way
(not this, instead this)
4:25-32 how we relate to each other in the body.
contrasting old walk behaviors with new walk behaviors.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
v.25 Since this is true…
v.25 Therefore = Since this is true…
Put off or turn from falsehood, truth-tell – similar to previous both lifestyle and words. v.15 honest life
We are members together
v.26 Not acting out on anger or giving enemy gain, cool down before evening = instead of anger, peace.
v.27 letting anger produce ill behavior or take root gives the enemy place he doesn’t deserve (already defeated)
v.28 Steal no longer, instead work hard and give generously
v.29 No unwholesome talk = foul language, instead encourage and bless
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
v.30 No grief to Holy Spirit = walking back into darkness when you already have Light.
No grief to Holy Spirit = walking back into darkness when you already have Light.
Sealed for day of redemption
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
v.31-32 Remove bitterness anger retaliation, arguing, cutting down, evil intent, instead grace, love, mercy.
Remove bitterness anger retaliation, arguing, cutting down, evil intent, instead grace, love, mercy.
Exchanging all other negative and unholy attitudes toward others with the fruit of the Spirit.
Forgive others
God forgave you in Christ = Lord’s prayer our example and standard
All of these put off and put on, exchanging the darkness of Gentile life to the Light of Spirit life is not about behavior itself, but the behaviors driven by the heart attitude.
Transformed heart results in transformed behavior, especially in how we treat each other.
Walk In Light
Walk In Light
5:1-14 Chapter 5 shows us how to walk out our new life while still in the world.
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, 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 light becomes 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.”
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
v.1 Therefore = because you are renewed and transformed in heart and behavior
Therefore = because you are renewed and transformed in heart and behavior
Therefore = because you are renewed and transformed in heart and behavior
v.2 Follow God’s example = Imitate God, walk in love.
2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
v.2 Follow God’s example = Imitate God, walk in love.
Like father, like son. Children often want to be like their fathers. Especially when they have a loving father.
Imitate God as children imitate their father = Walk in love.
Example of Jesus imitating Father giving Himself up for us as an obedience and offering to God.
vv.3-7 the 3 vile behaviors of darkness from 4:19 continues to explain
no hint, or (named) talk of these happening
immorality, lewd behavior, greed = behaviors
v.4 foul language, foolish talk, dirty jokes = communication
Both actions based on heart condition. not consistent with following God, out of place.
Rather – thanksgiving, worship, behaviors and expressions consistent with God’s Spirit.
v.5 again listing these 3 as disqualifiers for inheritance in the Kingdom – rule of Christ and eventual rule of God.
Why – not consistent with following God but with rejecting Him. Not in Christ and Christ not in you.
Idolatry – putting anything else above God in importance as seen by behavior.
v.6 don’t let others convince you that behavior is ok.
God’s wrath = God’s anger toward sin itself
comes upon disobedient or the sons of disobedience = v.2:2 those who follow the enemy.
>God’s judgment on the enemy falls on the offspring of the enemy.
7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
v.7 so don’t participate.
so don’t participate.
Ephesians 5:7-8
so don’t participate.
v.8 key verse for this message and for the series.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
key verse for this message and for the series.
Don’t participate in deeds of darkness because you are no longer darkness. You are light.
Don’t participate in deeds of darkness because you are no longer darkness. You are light.
Walk as children (offspring) of Light. Appropriate heart and behavior. in V.9
v.9 results = fruit of Spirit. Goodness, righteousness, truth.
v.10 discover what pleases God – sacrifice, love, compattion v.1
v.11 not only don’t participate in darkness (from v.7) but expose it
v.12 don’t mention these deeds, v.13 just expose them to the light to transform.
v.14 baptism rite = rise from dead, Christ shines on you. Call to transformation.
Turn deeds of darkness to light.
v.8 Walk in Light. Having been transferred out of darkness.
Fruit of light = good, right/just, true.
Effect of light = expose darkness and transform what’s exposed to light.
Conclusion
Conclusion
You have been transformed by learning the truth and following Jesus. He lives in you by his Spirit. Your heart and mind have been renewed and your behavior transformed consistent with the Spirit.
Continue to walk in light.
That light will expose the deeds of darkness in others to transform them as well.
This passage is saying the opposite of separation from the world, but is not saying to be like the world.
We can’t remove ourselves from the world. We shouldn’t either. But we don’t participate in the things that are inconsistent with following Jesus.
In the world on mission, really. Exposing the darkness to light As we follow Him, walking in the light, others are drawn to Him out of darkness and into light.
Big Idea: The Light of Christ in you exposes others who are in darkness to Him. Continue to walk in light.
Big Idea: The Light of Christ in you exposes others who are in darkness to Him. Continue to walk in light.
Walk in Light is to remain in the light of Christ, imitating God in loving others, keeping ourselves from the behaviors of darkness as we used to do when we were like the lost Gentiles, we treat each other with love and respect, and exposing those who are still in darkness to the light so they too may be transformed.
This passage is saying the opposite of separation from the world, but is not saying to be like the world.
We can’t remove ourselves from the world. We shouldn’t either. But we don’t participate in the things that are inconsistent with following Jesus.
In the world on mission, really. Exposing the darkness to light As we follow Him, walking in the light, others are drawn to Him out of darkness and into light.
What About You?
What About You?
Are you walking in the light?
Do you struggle with breaking free of the darkness? Jesus has already won that battle and leading us to walk in the light.
