Ephesians 5:1-14 The Worthy Walk: Imitators of God

Review

Paul’s Purpose in 1st Three Chapters:

God’s Greatness, Power and Love: Throughout this letter Paul has pointed the thoughts of the Ephesians to the greatness, power and love of God.

Full & Correct Understanding of Salvation: All of the truth that Paul has set forth in these first three chapters was meant to give the Ephesians a correct understanding of their salvation and their standing in the church.

The first three chapters should have led us to a deeper understanding of our salvation, of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Those truths that we covered are a great comfort and encouragement and should lead us to stand in awe of God, to praise Him for Who He is and thank Him for what he has done.

Chapter 4

Because of these great truths of our salvation, Paul has called for radical changes in the life of the believer because the believer has been radically changed.

And in chapters 4-6 Paul gives explicit instruction for how believers are to live and how they are not to live. He calls believers to put off the old life and to put on the new. All of which is in the context of our relationships with others.

Paul has called for humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, love, unity and peace.

He has called us to lay aside falsehood and instead to speak truth, to be angry and yet not sin. He has called for bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and all malice to be replaced by kindness, tender-heartedness and forgiveness.

Introduction

Worthy Walk Cont’: Here in Ephesians 5:1-14 Paul will call the Ephesians to

Walk in Love (vs 1-2),

Deny the Flesh (vs. 3-6)

Expose the Darkness (vs 7-14).

Ephesians 5:1–14 NASB95

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 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. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”

Pray!

Walk in Love (vs 1-2)

Beloved Children: Imitators God

Therefore: In Chapter 4 Paul contrasted the Old Self and the New Self.

They were no longer to do the things that they had been guilty of before, but to live differently.

They were no longer to live like unbelieving Gentiles but like beloved Children.

They were no longer to live like the Old Self but to live like God.

They were to imitate God as beloved children as our text today says..

Mankind was originally created in the image of God, but that image was marred by sin when Adam ate the fruit that he had been forbidden to eat.

But having been made alive together with Christ, having been redeemed by His blood and made new creatures in Christ, the Ephesian believers were being restored to the image of God and therefore they were to imitate Him.

Just as children imitate their parents, God’s beloved Children are to imitate Him.

How is it that we are to imitate God?

Agree when something true is said, but point them back to the text and the context.

Looking back at chapter 4:

by having tender-hearts

by forgiving those who do not deserve to be forgiven.

Looking ahead in the text:

we are to love, just as God loved us.

We are to be holy by not not participating in the deeds of darkness.

We are to be lights to the World just as He has shown His Light in us.

Walk In Love

Ephesians 5:2 NASB95

and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Pauls calls us to walk in love and then gives our example for doing so: Christ.

How did Christ love us according to this text?

Sacrificially:

Jesus gave Himself up for us, not just by living a perfect life in this world, but by offering Himself as a sacrifice for our sin.

In the Old Testament times, animals were sacrificed in the place of sinners to make atonement for their sins. But the animal sacrifices had to be repeated over and over again.

Willing Sacrifice:

The animals were unwilling participants in the sacrifices, Jesus offered Himself to God in our place as the final and perfect sacrifice. He did it not because we deserved it, but He did it as an act of love.

How then are we to imitate Christ?

Sacrificially

We can not offer ourselves to God as a sacrifice so that someone else can be forgiven.

Living Sacrifice: But we are to be a living sacrifice. We are to give our lives for the sake of others in whatever way God has gifted us.

Willing Sacrifice: Jesus loved those who did not love Him and we are to do the same.

Fervent & Active Love: The worthy walk is characterized by a fervent and active love toward others whether they deserve that love or not.

Selfless Love: It is a life that is lived, not for self, but for others.

And that is an important point for us to really understand. For everything that we have read in this letter has pointed us away from self. The Plan of Redemption was conceived of by God. It was planned and executed by Him. And He did all of it because it pleased Him to do so and so that He would be Glorified.

Even in our relationship with others, Paul has made it clear that our focus is to be on others and not ourselves. Instead of stealing, believers are to work so that they can share with others. We are to speak in such a way that others will be built up and strengthened in their walk. If we are wronged by others, we are not to consider ourselves and allow bitterness, wrath and anger to cloud our thinking. Instead we are to forgive those who have sinned against us.

Here in our text we continue to see that our lives are not our own. Our focus is to be on others. We are to imitate God and love as Christ loved us. We are to love those who don’t deserve to be loved.

Rather than expecting others to sacrifice for us, we are to sacrifice for others and bring glory to God!

Deny the Flesh (vs. 3-6)

Ephesians 5:3 NASB95

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;

Self Denial: And if we are going to live lives of self sacrifice, that means that we will need to live lives of self denial. We must deny the flesh.

Reaction: In chapter 4 Paul seemed to focus on how we are to react to others, specifically those who are difficult. We are to forgive them.

Proactive Godly Love: And moving into chapter 5, Paul makes it clear that we are to be like God and love others. However, the kind of love that is being called for is not the same as what often passes for love in the world. The unbelieving world, rather than loving sacrificially, instead loves with an eye to being loved. The love of the world is really just a love of self and a seeking to indulge the flesh.

Perverted Love

Therefore, Paul makes it clear to the Ephesians that Immorality, impurity and greed are unacceptable in the Body of Christ. What Paul is speaking of in these terms is the perversion of love.

The Ephesians lived among the pagan Gentiles, many of them had once been pagan Gentiles themselves. In Ephesians 4:17, Paul had called them to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding...”

What we have here in our text is an example of how the Gentile were living, and example of their darkened understanding.

Gentile Culture of the Day:

Immorality: Outward Physical Acts. For the culture in which they lived promoted prostitution, adultery and many other forms of sexual immorality. Paul makes it clear that not only was sexual immorality unacceptable but so was impurity of all kinds and greed.

Impurity: Impure words from thoughts and desires.

Greed: wanting more at the expense of others. Unsatisfiable desire. In this context, it seems that Paul is speaking of greed as it relates to these ungodly sexual desires.

Put off Perverted Love:

Immorality, impurity and greed, Paul says are “not even to be named among you, as is proper among saints.” Because they have been set apart and been made Holy to God, there was to be no hint of this type of perverted love, whether it was in desire (greed), in thought (impurity) or in action (immorality).

It was not to be a characteristic of anyone in the Church.

Perverted Speech

Ephesians 5:4 NASB95

and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Silly talk: The kind of speech that would be expected of a fool.

Coarse Jesting: The type of humor that is disgraceful. It is a witty humor that can quickly turn what is said or done into an obscene joke.

Giving Thanks: Paul says that these as well are not fitting for the believer, instead there is to be the “giving of thanks.”

Thankfulness for the salvation of God in Christ Jesus takes our focus off of ourselves and puts it in the right place.

Thankfulness for Christ’s great sacrifice of love for us because of our sin is a sure way to stop us from continuing in sin.

Application

This type of sin has no place in the lives of believers.

What are ways that we can be guilty of these things?

Not in our committing the sins ourselves or in our laughing at the course jesting.

We should not expose ourselves to this type of sin whether it be in music, in movies, on television, on the internet or in books or magazines. The next time you are watching the latest latest sitcom on television, think about the sinfulness of immorality and impurity, silly talk and course jesting and give thanks to God for your sins that have been forgiven and then ask yourself if that sitcom causes you to Glorify God.

And before you make all your excuses in your own mind, consider what Paul says as he continues. He reminds the Ephesians of a truth that they already know. A truth that each one of us should know.

Ephesians 5:5–6 NASB95

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. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Deeds of the Flesh = Unbelief

The Ephesians apparently had been taught and clearly understood that no one who was immoral, impure or covetous was actually part of the Kingdom of Christ and God. Those who were guilty of such sin would actually suffer the wrath of God. Here is yet another reason for putting off such sins.

Do Not be Deceived

But Paul makes this statement not only as a reason not to sin in this way, but also because he did not want them to be deceived. There were some who were offering empty words in regard to these sins. The warning seems be two fold here.

Idolator: First, Paul reminds them that those who’s lives are characterized by these sins are not really followers of Christ. They were actually guilty of idolatry, for they loved themselves and not God and they put the fulfillment of their own evil desires ahead of all else.

Empty Words: Anyone who claimed to be a follower of Christ and yet lived in such an immoral way was a liar and the truth was not in them. Their profession of faith was simply empty words. And their empty words certainly included the lie that God allowed for such behavior. There is no doubt that they not only committed such sin but wanted others to join with them. The Ephesians were not to be deceived by such lies. They were to be discerning and see these people for what they really were, unbelievers heading toward the wrath of God.

Application:

How appropriate this teaching is for us today.

Today’s Culture: We too live in a culture that exalts sexual perversion of every sort. And just as the Ephesians needed warned not to be deceived, so we too must be warned not to be deceived by the empty words of those who try to convince us that God allows for such behavior.

Whether it is the argument that “we love each other” so God will accept us, or that “God made me this way, so He will not punish me for it”, whatever the excuse or clever argument, the fact is that those who’s lives are characterized by such self-centered idolatry will not be saved. They will suffer the wrath of God for their sin.

Expose the Darkness (vs 7-14).

Ephesians 5:7–8 NASB95

Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light

Do not Partake with them:

Paul makes it clear that since God will pour out His wrath for such sin, the Ephesians were not to be partakers with those who lived in such a way. And in verse 8,

Old Self / New Self:

Paul explains why they should not. He says, “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light”

The Ephesians were not what they used to be.

They were darkness but now they were light in the Lord.

They were unbelievers but now they are followers of Christ.

Those who are still in their sin are called darkness. They can not see what their lives are really like. That is why they think that God will accept them.

Children of Light: But the Ephesians knew better, they had been made light in the Lord. They now saw evil for what it was and therefore they were to live differently. They were to walk as Children of Light.

Ephesians 5:9 NASB95

(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

And those who are truly of the light will produce the fruit of the light which as Paul points out is goodness, righteousness and truth. Goodness, righteousness and truth are the evidences of true faith whereas a life characterized by sin is evidence that a person’s profession of faith is empty.

Goodness is the general attitude of the believer toward others. It is the opposite of malice. Righteousness is faithfulness to God and His Covenant. The life of the believer is characterized by truth, not falsehood.

Ephesians 5:10–11 NASB95

trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

Learn what its Right

And so, Paul calls them to walk as children of light, “trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” (verse 10)

True believers will put aside evil and instead desire to live everyday for the glory of God.

Rather than seeking to fulfill their own fleshly desires, they will attempt to determine what pleases God and live that way.

Expose Evil

Walking as children of light also means that the believer does not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even exposes them. (verse 11).

Children of light produce fruit, that which is good and nourishing.

Sin however produces nothing that is good. That is why Paul says that the deeds of darkness are “fruitless” (unfruitful deeds…).

Now, Paul says that the believer is not to participate, but rather expose the fruitless deeds of darkness.

The deeds of darkness are hidden from view, they are done in the dark.

Hidden from them: And there is also the sense in which those who commit such deeds are unaware that their lives are evil.

As Paul said earlier, they are darkened in their understanding.

The believer’s life will be like a bright light shining in the darkness.

Because they refuse to participate in such evil but instead love others sacrificially, their lives will expose evil for what it is.

Many times the very life of the believer, without even a word will be enough to show the evil for what it is.

Ephesians 5:12 NASB95

for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

And remember, Paul has warned the Ephesians not to believe the empty words of those who live sinful lives and here he says their lives are to be exposed, or rebuked. And he continues in verse 12 and says, “for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.”

The deeds of darkness, the sins of immorality and impurity are so bad that it is not even proper to speak of them openly.

It is disgraceful.

Their sin is to be exposed for what it is, a great evil against God, but it is not to be spoken of in detail.

Ephesians 5:13–14 NASB95

But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”

Rather it is to be shown for what it really is as it is contrasted with the deeds of the believer.

When the light shines in the darkness, that which was once hidden in darkness is exposed and seen.

It is now in the light and can be seen for what it really is.

And so, when the believer’s life shines brightly in contrast to the life of the unbeliever, the unbeliever’s sinful deeds are exposed for what they really are.

And because of that they are to be admonished to forsake their ways and turn to Christ.

That is the point that Paul seems to be making in verse 14.

Ephesians 5:14 NASB95

For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”

Gospel Call

When their sins are exposed and the truth is made clear to them, it is as if God is calling them from the dead so that Christ will shine on them.

And whether your profession of faith has been exposed as empty words or you have for a time been deceived by the lies of the immoral, and participated in their evil deeds, there is great hope.

Though God will pour out His wrath on those who lives are characterized by such sins, there is forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

There is opportunity for the unbeliever to be made alive together with Christ even now.

And there is still the opportunity for the believer to wake from their sleep and put off the sins of their old life and instead walk in love as children of light.

Wherever you find yourself tonight, no matter where you are at in your walk with Christ, our text is a great reminder that we are to love just as we have been loved by Jesus Christ.

And so, may our lives be characterized by self-sacrifice.

May we stand firm in the truth that we know and not be deceived.

May we truly imitate God and bring glory to Him as our light shines in a dark world.

Let’s Pray.