Ephesians # 25 Eph 5-9 thru 5-18
We’re teaching on the Book of Ephesians. Last time we left off at (EPH 5:10), but let’s just go back to (EPH 5:8) so that we can get what Paul is talking about in context.
I. EPH 5:8-9
A. In (V 9) Paul refers to “The Fruit of the Spirit.” A better translation would be “The Fruit of Light is goodness and righteousness and truth.”
1. We’re not talking about the Fruit of the Spirit, we’re talking about the Fruit that is produced by walking in the Light.
a. The fruit of light is “Goodness and Righteousness and Truth.”
2. EPH 5:10
a. The word “Proving” in this V would probably be better translated, “Discerning.”
b. There are so many situations that we face every day and there is no way that we can have a specific direction from the Word for each situation.
i. So Paul is telling us we need to Discern, or be led by the Spirit of God so that we will know what is pleasing to the Lord. What is God’s will in that situation.
B. EPH 5:11
1. We’re not to have any part with the Unfruitful works of darkness, which is SIN.
a. The unfruitful works of darkness is in a direct conflict with the fruit of light.
b. Paul then tells us to expose the unfruitful works of darkness. The word “reprove” would be better translated “Expose.”
i. We are to expose the works of darkness. Not trying to point out someone and tell everyone that they’re in sin, but we do need to recognize sin, and call sin, sin.
ii. To ignore sin is to condone it. We need to call sin, sin, and that it’s not pleasing to God.
c. Now there are some things according to the Word of God that we should do when we see someone involved in sin.
i. According to what Jesus said in (MATT 18:15-17) 1st we should go to that person and talk to him.
ii. If that doesn’t work, then we should take 1 or 2 more with us, to try to get them straightened out.
iii. Then 3rd if that still doesn’t work, it can be taken before the whole church, but ever case needs to be weighed on it’s own merit. This is the last resort.
2. We need to walk in the Light as He is in the Light.
II. EPH 5:12
A. There is a shame attached to all sin.
1. It’s even a shame that we even have to teach on it.
a. We shouldn’t be afraid to teach on it, it’s just a shame that we have to.
b. If it’s a shame in speaking of those things, think of the shame in doing them.
B. EPH 5:13
1. Jesus said in (MATT 5:14) “Ye are the light of the world.”
a. People in sin are convicted when they are around you.
b. You’re a light exposing the darkness in their lives.
i. Light doesn’t try to expose problems.
a. Love covers a multitude of sins.
b. The light of God that is in you will reveal the sin to the person.
i. They will be convicted.
ii. Light just does it’s job and that is to shine.
2. Because of the light the darkness becomes manifest.
a. It’s not your job to change someone, the individual has to do that for himself.
i. We’re to be the light of the world, but if you get caught up into sin, just like those Christians that are mentioned in (V 12) then your light can’t shine.
ii. You can’t be a witness to the world.
b. Look at LUKE 11:33-36
i. If our light has become darkness, it’s because of sin.
ii. We need to break that bushel that is over our light and walk in the light of God’s Word.
C. EPH 5:14
1. Paul is telling the Christians to “Arise from the dead.”
a. Is Paul calling them spiritually dead?
b. No, He’s saying that Christians that are in sin look and act like someone that is spiritually dead.
2. If there was an accident and many were dead, but there was 1 that was only asleep, you would tell them “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead.”
3. This V is a quote from (ISA 60:1) which says, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” KJV
a. When we come out of that darkness, the Glory of the Lord will shine upon us.
b. (EPH 5:14) Says, “Christ shall give thee light,” or “Christ shall shine on thee.”
i. (Proverbs 4:18) Pretty well sums it up, which says, “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” KJV
ii. The New American Standard Bible is probably a little more familiar to you which says, “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” (Proverbs 4:18) NASB
III. EPH 5:15
A. Believers are to walk carefully, not as fools by getting into sin, but as wise, doping what is pleasing to the Lord.
1. A wise man is full of God’s Word and uses it.
B. EPH 5:16
1. The word “Redeeming” from the Strong’s Concordance means, “To make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good.”
a. In other words he’s saying “Use every opportunity for doing what is good and pleasing to the Lord. WHY?
b. “Because the days are evil.”
c. (HEB 12:1-2) Says, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”
i. The time that we’re living in is evil, that why we need to keep looking to Jesus.
2. EPH 5:17
a. Paul’s saying, “Don’t be senseless, foolish, or stupid, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
i. There are 2 important points that will help you understand what the will of the Lord is; # 1 The Word of God, and # 2 the leading of the HS.
b. That’s why Paul says what he does in (V 18)
C. EPH 5:18
1. When He say, “Be filled with the Spirit,” It means to be filled to the brim with the HS.
2. How do you do that?
a. Speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
b. We’ll continue in V 18 next week.
9/19/96 Thurs. WOLCC