Ephesians # 24 Eph 5-6 thru 5-11

We’re on the book of EPHESIANS we’ve covered more than 2/3 of the book so let’s pick up where we left off last time.

   I. EPH 5:1-6 (V 6) is where we left off last time)

       A. And in (V 6) he’s saying, Don’t let any man deceive you with there vain and empty words, by enticing you to enter into their sin.

          1. Those that are practicing sin will face God’s wrath.

       B. EPH 5:7

          1. Paul is telling us that we are not to be partakers with those that are into sin.

              a. You need to break away from your worldly friends.

          2. EPH 5:8

              a. COL 1:13

                 i. We have been translated from the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of his dear Son.

                 ii. Back in (EPH 5:8) Paul says that there was a time that you were in darkness, but now you are the light of the Lord.

                 iii. Christians should not be a child of the light and walk in darkness.

              b. 1JOHN 1:6-7

                 i. If we walk in darkness (in sin) we are out of fellowship with God.

                 ii. But if we walk in the light we do have true fellowship with the Father.

              c. Walking in the light refers to an OPEN RECEPTIVENESS to the will of God. Obeying the Word of God and what He puts in your heart.

                 i. But this obedience is not to say that we are perfect.

                 ii. The last part of (V 7) refers to that very thing. “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

                 iii. This V is in the present tense, meaning that the Blood of Jesus cleanse us from sin right now as we walk in the light.

          3. Turn with me to ROM 13:11-12

              a. Notice the term “Awake out of sleep.”

                 i. We’re going to find that same term in (EPH 5)

                 ii. Paul goes on in (ROM 13:12) to talk about the “Armour of Light.”

                 iii. Well, were going to get into our “Armour” in (EPH 6)

              b. But what I wanted you to see here in (ROM 13) is that Paul says to the Christians in (ROM 13:11) “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep.” That’s talking about CARNALITY.

                 i. We need to get out of the Carnal way of doing things and begin to walk in the light. WHY?

                 ii. (V 11b) “For now is our salvation (the rapture) nearer than when we believed.”

              c. Let’s continue reading here in ROM 13:13-14

                 i. If you are out of fellowship with God, you’re in the flesh, but if you’re in fellowship with God you are walking in the Spirit.

                 ii. Now when I say out of fellowship with God, I mean truly out of fellowship with God, not just feeling that you’re out of fellowship.

                 iii. We don’t walk by feelings, if you’re walking in the light, you are in fellowship with God.

                 iv. But if you are out of fellowship with God, (1 John 1:9) says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” KJV

   II. EPH 5:8

       A. Again Paul is telling us that there was a time that we were in darkness, but now you are LIGHT in the Lord.

          1. The last ½ of that V says, since we are children of the light, we should walk accordingly.

                 2. EPH 5:9

                        a. In this V Paul refers to “The Fruit of the Spirit.” A better translation would be “The Fruit of Light is goodness and righteousness and truth.”

                               i. We’re not talking about the Fruit of the Spirit, we’re talking about the Fruit that is produced by walking in the Light.

                               ii. The fruit of light is “Goodness and Righteousness and Truth.”

                        b. EPH 5:10

                               i. The word “Proving” in this V would probably be better translated, “Discerning.”

                               ii. There are so many situations that we face every day and there is no way that we can have a specific direction from the Word for each situation.

                               iii. So Paul is telling us we need to Discern, or be led by the Spirit of God so that we will know what is pleasing to the Lord. What is God’s will in that situation.

          B. EPH 5:11

                 1. We’re not to have any part with the Unfruitful works of darkness, which is SIN.

                        a. The unfruitful works of darkness is in a direct conflict with the fruit of light.

                        b. Paul then tells us to expose the unfruitful works of darkness. The word “reprove” would be better translated “Expose.”

                               i. We are to expose the works of darkness. Not trying to point out someone and tell everyone that they’re in sin, but we do need to recognize sin, and call sin, sin.

                               ii. To ignore sin is to condone it. We need to call sin, sin, and that it’s not pleasing to God.

                 2. We need to walk in the Light as He is in the Light.

9/12/96 Thurs. WOLCC