Sermon Tone Analysis

*Cosmic Christianity:  From Darkness to Light*

Ephesians 5:1-21; FBC, March 11, 2007

 

How do we make an ongoing statement to the World and to the heavenly host that Jesus Christ makes a difference in the lives of individuals?

Given the fact that Ephesians 5:15,16 say that the properly functioning Body of Christ is “truthing in love”, we can rightfully ask, what is a Godly perspective on relationships?

SPEECH~/EMOTIONS (4:23-5:2)

 

SEXUAL (5-3-5:14)

 

 

Putting on, putting off:

| *Put Off:* | * * | *Put On:* |

*            /The renewed mind takes God’s perspective on…/*

| v25 Falsehood |   | Truth |

 

| v26 Uncontrolled anger |   | Controlled anger, control over the devil |

 

| v28 Stealing |   | Work, so that you can help those in need |

 

| v29 Unwholesome speech |   | What is helpful for building others up |

 

| v30 Grieving HS through bitterness, rage, anger, brawling |   | Kindness, compassion, forgiveness |

 

| 5:1 Unloving activity |   | Imitate God, live a life of love |

 

 

We live in a sex crazed society.

Marketing, humor, entertainment, clothing, leisure have all found sex to be their number one theme.

* *

*Not even a hint . .

.*

/3 //But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

/

Lit., /“let it not be named among you”/.

What is God’s view of sex?

 

/12 //“Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial.

“Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

13 “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both.

The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.

15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?

Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute?

Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body?

For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”////a////

17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

/

/18 //Flee from sexual immorality.

All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?

You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price.

Therefore honor God with your body.

/

 

God’s intent:  physical oneness that mirrors the oneness of heart and character He desires to have with us.

1.

Sexual activity (Actions)

·        Immoral behavior of any kind

·        Filthy or dirty

·        Greed, of a sexual nature (Ten commandments:  coveting your neighbors wife)

 

2.

Sexual speech (Revelations of heart level problem)

·        Shameful speech

·        Stupid speech

·        Vulgar, indecent speech

 

            *DANGER OF PORNOGRAPHY*:  Rawalt

 

Link back to Eph 4:18

 

Instead, we are called to offer thanksgiving

 

Penalty?

No inheritance in the Kingdom of God.

In fact, those listed in the text are branded idolaters.

Warning!

Do not be deceived!

Do not partner with these people!

Frank Tillapaugh:  Speaking at PND Pastors and Wives conference; had brought girl friend with him.

*Danger of dissatisfaction, “entitlement” a form of that*

 

/8 //For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light  9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)  10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,  14 for it is light that makes everything visible.

This is why it is said: /

/“Wake up, O sleeper, /

/rise from the dead, /

/and Christ will shine on you.”

/

 

Variation on “Put off, Put on”.

Now the image is one of light exposing the deeds of darkness.

Darkness is not “bad” light; it is LACK of LIGHT!

The final quote is most likely from a baptismal liturgy for the early church.

As the candidate was committed to the waters of baptism, he was reminded that it is in the newness of life, figured with co-resurrection with Christ from the dead that we experience the illumination of God’s presence.

*Full of God*

If you puncture a radiator, engine coolant will normally come out.

If you put a hole in a can of Pepsi, usually Pepsi will come out.

If you were cut, what would come out?

 

/15 //Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.

Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ./

1.

LOOK!

2.

BE CONCERNED with the details!

Linear or circular – each perspective carries its own concerns about what is truly important.

The issue here is one of attention, and a commitment to act rather than taking a /laissez faire/ approach.

Three contrasts:  building on put off, put on; darkness, light

 

1.

With wisdom, not as someone who is unwise

                        Prov.

1-9; Lk 2:40; Rom 11:33

            Making the most of every opportunity

 

2.

Understanding what the Lord Wants

            Don’t be ignorant

            Understand what the Lord’s will is

                        I Thess.

4:3; 5:18

 

3.

Being filled with God

            Don’t get drunk on wine (which is senseless)

            Be filled with the Spirit

 

*/The filling of the Spirit is not isolated from the issues of character listed; it is the evidence that God is permeating the entire body of the redeemed person, the who is truly experiencing “truthing in love.”/*