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