WALK NOT WITH THE WORLD

COUNTERCULTURE #3

Ephesians 5:3-6

WALK NOT WITH THE WORLD

INTRODUCTION- When we first made a commitment to God, we can all probably remember the initial passion we had.

1. I am not saying that passion disappears, but if not taken care of, it could wane.

2. Unfortunately, life tends to show us that if our focus is not solely on God it will eventually veer from God.

3. It is easy to adopt the attitude of Ambrose of Milan when he said, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

4. Many Christians do just that as we adopt:

a. The ways of the world.

b. Their fashions.

c. Their speech.

d. Their standards.

5. Let us learn from this text to “Walk not with the world.”

I. THERE ARE ACTIONS WE MUST AVOID (Ephesians 5:3-4)

A. There is nothing new to avoid.

1.Solomon once wrote that there was nothing new (Eccl. 1:9).

2.The sins listed in these two verses are still problems today.

3.We are called to be different (2 Cor. 6:17).

B. The world doesn’t want anything new.

1.Christ is not in them, so all they know is corrupt.

2.Scripture tells us that there is no light for those (2 Cor. 6:14).

3.Before Christ, regardless of how we feel, we were just like them (Ephesians 2:1-3).

4.We learned in previous lessons:

a) That we are to “Walk like our Father.”

b) That we are to “Walk in Love.”

5.The world’s walk is selfish and not selfless.

II. THERE IS AN ATTITUDE WE MUST ADOPT (Ephesians 5:4b)

A. Instead of being crude like the world, be thankful in God.

1.Everything we say and do eludes to who we belong to:

a) If we are the world’s, it will show.

b) If we are God’s, it will show.

2.For we were once lost, now we have been changed (2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Peter 1:23).

B. For this change we should be thankful.

1.No matter how far we might have been, we could not escape God’s love (Psalm 139:7-12).

2.We have the capacity to live as Christ.

3.Instead of engaging in sins that:

a) Demean others.

b) Destroy ourselves.

c) Dishonor God.

4.We should possess a heart that overflow with praise for the Lord (Heb. 13:15; Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:18).

III. THERE ARE ARGUMENTS WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE (Ephesians 5:3-7)

A. These sins are unbecoming of the saints (Ephesians 5:3).

1.The word “becometh” means “to be suitable to, or proper.”

2.In other words, these sins should not be found among believers because that type of lifestyle is not suited to, nor proper for the people of God.

B. These sins are not convenient (Ephesians 5:4).

1.The word “convenient” literally means “not equal to our standing.”

2.When we practice these, or other, sins, we are living below our high calling in Christ.

3.We have no business engaging in any activity that throws doubt on our faith, or that reflects negatively on Christ (Phil. 1:27).

C. These sins reveal a wicked heart (Ephesians 5:5).

1.This verse makes it clear that anyone who practices a lifestyle characterized by these sins does not have a heart for God, no matter what they may say.

2.No one can love Jesus and continue to live a life of unrepentant sin.

3.When we do so, we prove that we have never truly committed to Christ (1 John 3:6-8).

D. These sins bring the wrath of God (Ephesians 5:6-7).

1.Some may use “vain words” and tell you that it is OK for believer to do these things.

2.It is these very sins that call for the wrath of God to be poured out on the lost.

3.When we allow ourselves to be deceived by sin, we incur this wrath as well.

4.While today can still be called today, God gives us grace to repent (Rev. 3:19).

CONCLUSION- The whole point here is that God expects His people to live a certain way.

1. He has reasons for what He demands, and there are consequences for those who disobey.

2. If we want the blessings of God to be on our lives, then we must live holy, clean lives to His glory.

3. We tend to look at ourselves in the best possible light. We always give ourselves the benefit of the doubt.

4. We know exactly where we stand when we place our lives alongside the Bible.

If the Word of God has revealed your obstacle of sin in your life today, don’t shrug it off and go on your way. Come to God and do what He is calling you to do.