Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

Monkey see monkey do

Simon says

shadow game

copy cat

imitation = sincere flattery

What is the difference between counterfeit and imitation?

God’s Commands Are Not To Be Undermined

Walk in Love!

If you love me you will keep my commandments…

Test everything by the Word of God.

Message

A Permanent Division

Walk as children of light!

Where Light Resides Eph 5.8-10 “8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”

It brings a change of character - 8

It brings change of conduct - 9

It brings change of criteria - 10

Light Will Reveal Eph 5.11-12 “11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.”

If we are in the light we can not compromise - 11

If we are in the light we can not converse - 12

Light Will Restore Eph 5.13-14 “13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light.

Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.””

By the power of the Spirit - 13

Through the work of the Son - 14

Dietrich Bonhoeffer — 'Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes.'

Recognize and pursue the flesh / spirit division.

A Personal Determination

Walk in Wisdom!

Concerning Our Time Eph 5.15-16 “15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

Wisdom in the practice of our ways - 15

Wisdom in the spending of our days - 16

Concerning The Truth Eph 5.17 “17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

life is short

the days are evil

God has given us a mind

God has a plan for your life

Jonathan Edwards - “Resolved, never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.”

Resolved, Never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

Conduct a spiritual inventory regularly.

A Pleasant Directive

Walk by the Spirit!

How to be Filled with the Spirit

Fellowship

Worship

Gratitude

Submission

How to be Thrilled by the Spirit - v20

Are you reading the same letter as I am???

John Chrysostom - “The cross destroyed the enmity of God toward man, brought about the reconciliation, made the earth heaven, associated men with angels, pulled down the citadel of death, unstrung the force of the devil, extinguished the power of sin, delivered the world from error, brought back the truth, expelled the demons, destroyed temples, overturned altars, suppressed the sacrificial offering, implanted virtue, founded the churches.”

Richard Hooker - Concerning the blessings of God, whether they tend unto this life or the life to come, there is great cause why we should delight more in giving thanks than in making requests for them; ... those who pray do but yet sow, those who give thanks declare they have reaped.

Seek out ways to be Spirit filled.

Close

Walk in Love

Walk in Light

Walk in Wisdom

Walk in Spirit

Group Questions

Who in your life has been someone you desire to model your life after?

Tell us about this person and the influence they have had on you.

Do you know of any aspects of their life you do not wish to imitate?

What are they and why?

What are some messages that this world is sending that seem to deceive people?

What is it about these messages that are attractive?

What deceptive messages have you fallen victim to in the past?

How did these affect you?

How would you seek to protect someone else from them today?

V7 says “do not become partners with them” what do you think "partnership” means?

What do you think about the idea of a spiritual inventory?

Have you heard of something like this before?

Have you ever done one?

If so what did it reveal?

Let’s be honest with each other, where are we most tempted to “fall asleep” in our christian walk?

How can we help keep each other “awake”?

Have you ever had a “Spirit filling” experience?

Share this with the group.

How did this change you?

How would your life have to change to fulfill V19-21?