ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Youth Group

*CHURCH UPDATES:

Story: watching from home online when we cannot be in-person

The new front door to the church is ONLINE!!!

Let’s get CONNECTED on Realm (how we communicate church wide and how groups within our church can communicate.

Realm SERVING

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 ESV

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

INTRODUCTION:

Review: Walking in unity, Walking in Maturity through diversity, Walking as a new person, Walking in Love

Story on "light”:

WHY?… In this second half of Ephesians Paul is telling them how to WALK, which is to say how to live as Christians…

TODAY: Walking as Children of Light

Cf. Walking as a new person: The sins of darkness this week look at sins that hinder relationship

LET’S PRAY FOR...

Walking as Children of Light:

Do not live in darkness (vv. 3-7)

Story of darkness: Luke shooting poop and Kayla dropping things in the toilet

immorality, greed, and filthy language (vv. 3-4)

Ex: “sex sells”

immorality/impurity - any kind of sexual activity outside of a commited marriage (first word in classical literature means prostitution or homosexuality)

Ephesians: 11 Studies for Individuals or Groups Study 9: Walking in the Light (Ephesians 5:3–20)

Casual sex is a parody of the real thing—like drinking from a muddy stream instead of fresh, clear water, or like listening to a symphony from a damaged audio file when a world-class orchestra is playing in the theater around the corner.

covetousness/greed - no concern for others and not an action of love

filthy language - joking that goes too far ( like anger, humor is to be controlled)

replace darkness with thanksgiving (v. 4)

Don’t be deceived, God’s judgment will come for the sons of disobedience (vv 5-6)

There is still hope

There is still time to repent

v. 7 There is a choice for believers to partake with darkness or in the light

Live as people of the light (vv. 8-14)

Allow the Spirit to produce His fruit inside of you: goodness (generosity), righteousness (declared and becoming), and truth (cf. vv. 3-4, 9)

Use discernment (v. 10) - approve what is excellent (Phil. 1:9-10)

Expose evil to the light (vv. 11-13)

This is not done in pride

This is done by exposing the evil to the light

John 1:4 ESV

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

EXPOSE THEM TO JESUS’ LIFE, DEATH, RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION!

God’s light will bring life (v. 14)

Story on being exposed to light:

Conclusion & Reflection:

Awake!

Arise!

Shine!

Isaiah 60:1 ESV

1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

Reflect:

Ephesians: 11 Studies for Individuals or Groups (Study 9: Walking in the Light (Ephesians 5:3–20))

What are some works of darkness we encounter on a regular basis?

How can we expose those works of darkness to the light, or truth (vv. 12–14)?