Wake and Walk in Love!

Psalm 97 / Ephesians 5:1-14

Immorality and Greed

v1-3, 5-6

All Immorality, not ONE

The tendency of our society, and often of church folk, is to focus on one type to the exclusion of others. The Bible texts know no such delineation. It matters not if you leave the righteous path on one side or the other, both are stepping out of the will, blessing, provision, and protection of our God.

We need to focus more on doing what is good, godly, and blessed than we focus on which wrong way we dislike the most.

Covetousness / Greed / Idolatry

Question 42: Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?

Answer: Every sin deserves God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come, yet some sins in themselves and by reason of several aggravations are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

We live in a time and society that feeds off greed and covetousness. It is an easy trap to start believing that greed and covetousness harms no one, but even a cursory look at our current state of affairs in this nation, much less in churches, proves otherwise. We need to learn the lesson that Paul learned; the secret of being content in any circumstance with what God has given us. Compared to the most of the world, not to mention history, we all live rich lives. Greed and covetousness rob us of joy in God’s many provisions, and hinder heart-felt thanksgiving and worship as well as the opportunity to minster to others.

Holy Separation

v4 - talk

Luke 6:45 “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

All of us should regularly check our speech, including texts, instant messages, and social media posts.

v7 - participation / relationships

1 Corinthians 5:9-10 “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.”

Even Jesus associated with open sinners, but He never participated or enabled their sin, rather sought to meet them where they were and love them and call them to repentance.

We cannot engage in relationships or activities that endorse sin, but should seek opportunity to enter into relationships that might allow us to speak life and love into peoples’ lives

v11 - exposing sin

Herein we must seek wisdom and guidance.

Remember our own past and state

Is this sin due to weakness or rebellion?

What is my relationship to those involved?

What is the example of Christ?

Hypocritical legalists? You are like white-washed tombs (Matthew 23)

Broken sinners: Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more. (John 8)

Remember that we are to tell the truth, but with respect and in love!

Wake and Walk

v14 - Awake

If you are wondering who this message is for, it is for you. It is for me. It is for us all.

We all need to be roused sometimes in various ways. We cannot ever allow ourselves to remain out of gear; we need to be on mission; heads on swivel; marching forward in step with God and our brothers and sisters; navigating this life together.

v1 - Walk in Love

Mark 12:30-31 “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.””

John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

In all things; positive choices, necessary separations, and in exposing sin, we must choose, and ask God’s help and enabling to do so, to walk in love; Love for God. Love for neighbor. People matter. Relationships matter. Loving motivation matters.

Church Family, let us seek God’s help to move forward awake and aware, but also let love be our guiding star. Mt Juliet Church - Loving Him; Loving Them to the praise of His Glory!