Paul's Epistles - Ephesians - Part 10:
Wake Up!
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org
SERMON INTRODUCTION
In Paul’s 35 years of ministry, since his
conversion in Damascus, we have recorded in the Holy Bible many of his
epistles, or letters.
Paul’s first journey took place from 33AD
(the year of his conversion), through 46AD, leaving Damascus in 38AD.
Paul’s 2nd journey began in
50AD, four years later; during this time he wrote 1st and 2nd
Thessalonians, and Galatians, with his second journey ending in 54AD.
Paul’s 3rd journey began in
55AD and lasted until 58AD where he found himself imprisoned in Judea from
58-60AD. During his 3rd journey Paul wrote 1st and 2nd
Corinthians, and Romans. We have no record of writings from Paul during his
prison time between 58-60AD in Judea.
After his release from Judea, Paul
traveled on his voyage to Rome from 60-61AD, writing Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians and Philemon, and finding himself in a Roman prison in 63AD.
Released soon after his incarceration,
Paul then writes the epistles Hebrews, 1st Timothy, Titus and his
final letter before his death 2 Timothy, which was written from a Roman prison
he was placed in during 66-68AD.
Though the bible does not tell us when or
how Paul died, it is believed by scholars that he was beheaded in 68AD in May
or June.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Ephesians 5:1-20
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved
children 2 and walk in the way of love,
just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God.
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 person 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.
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 It is shameful even to mention what the
disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the
light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a
light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
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 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns,
and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the
Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for
everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul explains how the Body of
Believer’s are to live as Spiritually Mature, and many need to WAKE UP!.
The
message of this epistle to the church is “The Church, The Body of Christ”.
I. FOLLOW
GOD’S EXAMPLE, THEREFORE, WALK IN THE WAY OF LOVE
a. God gave us His
example
i. God gave us Christ as the perfect example
ii. He also gave us the Apostles as the imperfect
examples
b. ‘Therefore”,
meaning because you are Spiritually Mature
i. Over the last couple weeks Paul has explained to us through scripture
what it means to be Spiritually Mature.
ii. Therefore is reference to the fact that,
Spiritually Mature Christians are going to be held accountable to these
instructions.
c. Walk in the way
of love
i. This is bringing I
Corinthians 13 to life as Christ and the Apostles did.
ii. Walking in Love is not a suggestion, but a command,
and expected behavior if one is truly following Christ
II. WHAT IS
THE WAY OF LOVE?
a. Among you
(followers of Christ) there must not be even a hint of;
i. Sexual Immorality
1. GRK - Pornia (where we get our word Porn from)
2. Meaning “fornication”
a. Or, illicit intercourse
b. Adultery
c. Homosexuality
d. Bestiality
e. Incest
f. Pre-marital intercourse
3. Metaphorically speaking
a. Worship of idols
ii. Any kind of impurity
1. Meaning lustful
2. Or profligate living
a. Wasteful living / waste your life
iii. Or greed
1. Greedy desire to have more
2. Covetousness (greed for what others have)
3. Greed for wealth or material gain
iv. These are improper for God’s Holy people
b. Nor should
there be;
i. Obscenity
1. Dirty talk
2. Cultural swearing (cursing)
ii. Foolish talk
1. Speaking of things you have no understanding of
iii. Coarse joking
1. Dirty talk with humor attached
2. Indecent or vulgar jokes, improper jokes
iv. Which are out of place
v. But rather, let thanksgiving come out of your mouth!
c. For this you
can be sure of
i. No
immoral, impure or greedy person—because such a person is an idolater—has
any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God
ii. Let no
one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are
disobedient.
1. If anyone says otherwise, their words are empty
2. These things bring God’s Wrath!
3. Because those
who are sexually immoral, impure, greedy, obscene, vulgar are considered
idolaters
a. And they have
NO inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and no inheritance in the kingdom of
God
i.
Kingdom of Christ is the
“Spiritual Kingdom”, the “Body of Christ” here and now on earth.
ii.
Kingdom of God is the
heavenly kingdom, the afterlife inheritance
iii. Therefore do not be partners with them.
1. Partners, meaning “partakers”
2. Meaning to participate “with”
III. WAKE UP!
a. For you were once darkness, but now you are light
in the Lord.
i. 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.
ii. Have
nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
iii. It is
shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
iv. But
everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is
illuminated becomes a light. 14 This
is why it is said:
v. “Wake
up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
b. Be very careful, then,
how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
i. Making
the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
c. Therefore do not be foolish,
but understand what the Lord’s will is.
i. Do not
get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
1. Excessive indulgence in
sensual pleasures.
2. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
ii. speaking
to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit
CONCLUSION – Sing and make music from your heart to the
Lord
…always giving thanks to God the Father for
everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If you
are Spiritually Mature, you will;
·
Walk in the way of Love
as Christ and the Apostles did
·
Abstain from sexual
immorality, impurity and greed
·
Thanksgiving will
proceed from your mouth
·
You will be careful how
you live, discovering what pleases the Lord
·
You will not become drunk, or
indulge in sensual pleasures rather be filled with the Spirit of God, making music
in your heart, and singing praise and thanks to God the Father for everything,
in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.
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