Exploring Ephesians #12 - Walk in Love

Text: Ephesians 5:1-7

Thesis: To stress that a Christian’s life is to be characterized more and more by love as

he/she becomes more and more like his/her Father.

Introduction:

(1) A Christian is to be known by his/her love (cf. John 13:33-34).

(2) However, ‘love’ is a term that is too often thrown around too loosely.

(3) From the context, let us note what love is and what love isn’t.

Discussion:

I. First, what love is (vv. 1-2):

A. John MacArthur well said: “Biblical love is not a pleasant emotion or good feeling about someone, but the giving of oneself for his welfare” (197).

B. Jesus exemplified Biblical love.

1. He gave His life for us ‘while we were yet sinners’ (cf. Rom. 5:8).

2. His sacrifice was/is a “sweet-smelling aroma” to God.

a. Cf. Lev. 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5, 16

b. In other words, it was “an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” (Phil. 4:18).

C. In His love, we see that:

1. Love is about caring for someone regardless to whether he/she has done anything to merit that love.

2. Love is about sacrificing all that one has for the betterment of the one that he/she loves.

II. Second, what love isn’t (vv. 3-7):

A. Paul will now switch gears from self-sacrificial love to discussing a self-indulgent sensuality (i.e., love verses lust).

B. In verse 3, Paul will point out some perversions of love.

1. ‘Fornication’ (Gr. porneia)

2. ‘Impurity’ (Gr. akatharsia)

3. ‘Greed’ (Gr. pleonexia)

C. In verse 4, Paul will turn his attention from one’s acts/thoughts to one’s speech.

1. ‘Obscenity’ (Gr. aischrotes)

2. ‘Foolish talk’ (Gr. morologia)

3. ‘Course joking’ (Gr. eutrapelia)

D. Why is such wrong?

1. It is idolatry.

2. It will keep one out of God’s kingdom.

3. It will invoke God’s wrath upon a person.

Conclusion:

(1) To walk in love, one must become more like God the Father.

(2) Is God your Father?