Twentieth Sunday after Trinity (2023)
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Ephesians 5:15-21
Ephesians 5:15-21
In our Epistle Lesson today St. Paul encourages the church in Ephesus to continue walking in the way of the Lord, and to abide by the Word and not give into the desires of the flesh, and give into foolishness, but rather to seek to understand what the will of the Lord is, but rather to avoid the works of darkness and walk in the light for that is to what Christ has called you.
The Days are Evil
To this we say amen! What does it mean?
We can look at the world and see the turmoil and the chaos. We are able to witness the brutality of conflict without ever leaving our living and can almost see it happen if not the moment, within the same hour that it takes place around the world. So long as someone has a camera. If this were not enough, we also witness the moral decay of our country as it is given over to those who have no respect for how God created us, children are given over to pride and rebellion and treat their parents shamefully, people are lovers of money, abusive, glorifying gossip, are more interested in their own feelings than the truth, and even those who claim to be part of the church mock the very Word that God spoke through His apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit. What does this mean?
Jesus tells us these are signs of the end.
Jesus told his disciples about this before his Ascension and warned them that all these things must take place for their herald his coming. They shouldn’t be surprised at the troubles or the fiery trials that afflict them for this world must come to an end, in order that Christ might make something new, that is free from sin.
We ought not despair.
For these signs fulfill what the Scriptures have told us, and they remind us that Jesus will return, He will come back in power and glory and might to judge the earth. To take those who belong with him to His Kingdom which shall have no end. So we as see the day drawing near, we should instead be ready.
Walking in Love
We are to walk in love as Jesus loved us.
The only reason we are able to love our neighbor in truth, is because the Love of God has been poured into our hearts first. For while we were yet haters of God, opposed to him, in thought, word, and deed. God, Father, Son, adn Holy Spirit loved us that is why the Jesus walked this earth and came to be amongst lowly sinners. He loved us not for His own benefit or sake, but for ours. For we were in desperate need.
This is the opposite of world.
The world does not encourage love like this. It calls you a fool, or a moron. It rather encourages you to learn to love yourself, to focus on your desires, and what your passions are, but love isnt’ meant to be pointed inwards, it is meant to be pointed towards our God, and our neighbor. In that we find our true meaning and purpose. But this does not come natural, for until Jesus dwells in our hearts, we are under the power of sin. Thanks be to God that Christ has come to you.
You are children of light.
Children born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor human decision, but you were born of God, born from above through the water and the Holy Spirit in Baptism. You are God’s child, and have been separated from this world of sin. Do not allow them to guide you, for their end is eternal death, and God has made you a member of His family. Rather walk in the light.
What are we to avoid?
He says to not get drunk, for it is what?
He calls it debauchery! Well what is this? Some might say wasn’t Jesus’ first miracle changing water into wine? Didn’t he institute the Lord’s Supper with wine? Didn’t Isaiah speak of that holy mountain where they will eat food of rich marrow and well aged wine, well refined. Indeed, the Scriptures are not against alcohol, but drunkeness. Debauchery is wastefulness. Think about the effect that it has not only on the body, but on the mind, on your wallet, on your good name, and we find that it also costs you eternal life.
All things that pertain to darkness.
Each of us has something of the world, and sin in particular that pulls on us, and it is something that we look to for fleeting comfort. It could be anger, it could be lies, it could pleasures of the flesh, we justified using them because they made us feel good or at least numbed us to the sadness, discomfort of pain, and they eventually became familiar. What do the Scriptures say about these things?
For this is why the wrath of God comes.
God is Good, and so He must punish sin, as He showed us at the Cross that Jesus bore the wrath of God the Father for our sake, and all who are in his shadow of the Cross will be kept safe on that day of Judgment, but those who are in the darkness will come under God’s wrath.
If you ignore this, you are unwise.
Rather remain in the light and set aside the works of darkness that were only bringing eternal suffering for the sake of fleeting pleasures.
Consider What Jesus Has Done
Jesus came to set you free.
That you might not need these things that once ensnared you as the world has them. That is often how we get pulled in, and we think that we need these sins to stay alive, in part its because we don’t know much else outside of that. But that is what Satan wants his subjects to believe, that he might drag them down to hell.
Jesus brought to us life and light.
He doesn’t want you to endure eternal suffering, He doesn’t want you to be trapped in that prison, but the light of HIs life has shone upon you that you might be with Him in Paradise. What proof do we have of that?
Jesus paid for your release.
He paid not with Gold or silver, but with His own pain and suffering with His own precious blood that you may be his own and live with him in his kingdom for all eternity. This is how much Jesus desires that you be with him for all eternity.
That’s why we sing and give thanks.
It’s why the Scriptures say make a joyful noise unto the Lord, because not everyon sings pretty. Do so with gladness and joy for the day of your redemption draws near. The day that we are freed not just from all the pains and problems of this world, but especially the temptations that keep calling us back into the darkness that our bodies and souls will be free of this poison that is sin.
Do you want that all to go to waste?
No, we don’t want to indulge in debauchery which throws everything that Christ has done away rather we wish to remain with God to the end.
Returning Thanks to God
Addressing one another in songs.
We are glad, it sounds a bit like a musical, and you might be wondering really. Certainly look throughout the Scriptures and you will find that it is full of songs.
God fashioned us towards music.
It’s not just us, its the angels, and the saints in heaven as well who sing praises to God above. So we ought to warm up our voices while we are yet here on earth. You’ll notice our hymns aren’t just from one group of people, but they span centuries and the globe as Christians.
Giving thanks for everything to God.
For when we look at what He has done for us, how can we not be grateful? For not only did Jesus descend to rescue us, He paid for sins and has established a place for us to go that will not be plagued by the troubles of this World.
Finally submitting to one another.
This is Love, we learn that the greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves, and that means, and that means looking to help our neighbors, which includes family, friends, and even those who hate us. For Jesus humbled himself for our sake, so how can we not do it for others.
So my Brothers and sisters in Christ, this short passage is good and worthy of reading and knowing well. For the days are evil, adn the world appears to always be on the brink of the end of all things, to which we say Amen, Come Lord Jesus, for we know on that Day that He will take all of those who believe and are baptized to be with Him in paradise, as this world is brought to its end and all things are made new. Until that day, Let us walk in the Light of Christ, and share that light with others who are trapped in the darkness as we once were, that they might receive the same, hope, forgiveness, and salvation that we have been given through Jesus Christ our Lord, In his name. Amen.