Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:1-7
The Church: Walking in Christ
(Ephesians 5:1-21)
Intro.
1. Walk: A course of conduct, lifestyle, pattern of living; “to be occupied with.”
2. Eph. 4:17-32: New man’s character and conduct in Christ. Now, to walk in newness of life, Rom. 6:4.
3. “Walk” used 6x’s in Ephesians, emphasizing our life in Christ:
a. Good works of God, 2:10.
b. Worthily of our calling, 4:1 (Col. 1:10-12).
c. No longer as Gentiles (convinced of the futility of living in sin), 4:17.
4. Eph. 5:1-21: Practical applications of being new people in Christ.
I. WALK IN LOVE, Eph. 5:1-2.
A. By Walking in Love We Imitate God, 5:1-2.
1. 5:1 – God’s love for us made us His children, and we are to mimic Him, 1 Jno. 4:7-11, 19-21.
2. 5:2 – As Christ loved us:
a. His love was a genuine surrendering of Himself, willingly done to accomplish our redemption, 1:7; cf. Gal. 2:20.
b. Our love must be the same as we surrender ourselves to God.
B. Such Love Pleases God and Makes Us Acceptable to Him, 5:2.
1. Like those of old (Gen. 8:21; Exo. 29:18), the offering/sacrifice of Christ fully pleased God (self-sacrifice), Isa. 53:11; 2 Cor. 5:21.
2. Our walk of love pleases God.
II. WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT, Eph. 5:3-14.
A. Children of Light Reject Self-Indulgence, 5:3-8a.
1. 5:3 – Perversion of love is condemned:
a. Fornication, all impurity, greedy selfishness 1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Ths. 4:3-6.
b. We should be so far removed from such sins as to banish any suspicion of them.
2. 5:4 – Shameful language and conduct rejected:
a. Double entendres, coarse, vulgar, etc.
b. Rather, giving of thanks (1 Ths. 5:18).
3. 5:5-7 – Reasons to abstain:
a. No inheritance, 5:5; 1 Cor. 6:9-10.
b. Wrath of God, 5:6; Rom. 1:18, 32.
c. Disobedience and darkness, 5:6, 8a.
4. 5:7-8 – Now light in the Lord (immorality and salvation opposed to each other). Therefore: Do not partake in them.
B. Children of Light Bear Fruit, 5:8b-14.
1. 5:8-10 – By this you prove what pleases God, Matt. 5:16; 7:18-21.
2. 5:11 – Reprove works of darkness, Rom.13:12-14; 1 Cor. 15:33-34; 2 Jno. 9-11.
a. Must not have fellowship with (join up in and/or endorse) unfruitful (unholy) works.
b. Reprove/expose them: By your godly life with the truth of God (5:13).
3. 5:12-13 – The shame of sin and purity of light.
a. Zion’s light shines in purity and overwhelms the darkness of sin, Isa. 60:1-3; Jno. 3:19-21.
b. Warning against apathy, Joel 1:5 (Rom. 13:11).
4. 5:14 – Call sinners to repentance, cf. Acts 26:18-20.
III. WALK AS WISE MEN, 5:15-21 (possessing spiritual insight); Jas. 3:13-18.
A. Wisdom Tells Us To:
1. 5:15 – Be careful, 1 Cor. 10:12; 1 Pet. 5:8.
2. 5:16 – Redeem our time, Jas. 4:13-14, 17.
---How we do this---
a. 5:17 – Understand God’s will, 2 Tim. 2:15.
b. 5: 18 – Be filled with the Spirit, Col. 3:16; Rom. 8:5-8:
1) 5:19 – Worship in song (Col. 3:16).
2) 5:20 – Give thanks for all things.
3. 5:21 – Be subject to each other.
a. Regulated by fear of God (Christ).
b. This is illustrated and applied in next section (Eph. 5:22-6:9).
B. Those Who Disregard God’s Will and His Salvation Live Foolishly, Eph. 5:17; cf. Psa. 14:1.
Conclusion
1. Eph. 2:10: The good works God has prepared for us include love (5:12), light (5:3-14) and wisdom (5:15-21).
2. Offer yourself to God by sacrificing for Him, by bearing the fruit of moral purity and by being careful to reverently obey His word.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: March 6, 2013