Although Ephesians was originally written centuries ago, it is so relevant as though it were penned in today’s world as it addresses many issues the church still faces today.

Last week we looked at what it means to be “in Christ” and how our behavior ought to reflect that. This week, Paul still addresses behavior, but it is more of a warning to us.

The three sections for today’s message are

-1) Specifics of what those in Christ are to avoid (v. 3-4)

-2) Why we are to avoid these (v. 5-7)

-3) Benefits and Responsibility as a Follower of Jesus (v. 8-14)

 

-1) Specifics of what those in Christ are to avoid–

1.1) Paul opens this section up by talking about sexual immorality. Why is this so dangerous?

→ Because it is where pride, power, and pleasure come together and destroy something that was mean to be a beautiful gift from God between a husband and a wife.

Our culture today has stripped sex of its holiness and beauty and reduced it down to physical action based only on consent. As disciples of Jesus in the church, our responsibility is to show the world that this wonderful act is a gift given by God to be used according to His standards because it binds two people together and together they reflect God’s image.

1.2) Greed-the desire to have more at any cost. More accurately, it is when desire takes God’s place and defines our life.

→ Sin-seeking to get more out of life that God put into it.

Although we commonly associate greed with money, it can be the overwhelming desire to have anything at any cost. Again, today’s culture does not really help in this regard because it encourages “champagne wishes and caviar dreams”

Yet, greed is so dangerous because it is an addiction, and like an addiction, with it we are never satisfied, but always left wanting more to fill that void.

The reason greed does not fit in with the lifestyle of the Christian is because it displays a lack of trust in God. He has promised us that He would take care of us so we need not destroy ourselves with the constant pursuit of what will never satisfy.

1.3) Obscene talk and coarse joking-Now Paul is not saying we aren’t allowed to have a sense of humor! It is not the laughter or the talking itself that is bad. It is how we use it.

Do we build others up or tear them down? Do we encourage or discourage? If we praise God yet tear down others who are made in His image, how can we say we love God? For that is the equivalent of flattering the Artist yet being scornful to the art!

So what is the solution to all three of these? Paul lays it out with one word: THANKSGIVING.

When we acknowledge God, then give thanks for His love and grace and how He has show this in Jesus Christ in our everyday lives, our hearts will be stirred and compelled to say “yes”, responsibility will be built, and life is ordered away from sin and to God and others.

Sin comes from ingratitude and thanksgiving is the antidote.

-2) Why we are to avoid these? (v. 5-7)-Paul gets straight to the point. God is a judge who executes justice.

If the idea of God’s judgment leaves a bad taste in your mouth, let me present this: If there was no judgment, God wouldn’t be worthy of worship because it would mean He doesn’t care about us or what we do. If He doesn’t care, then what we do doesn’t matter and we have no salvation or hope.

Without judgment, no mercy is needed. Yet none of us want a world with no justice. We want justice, but God has to do it by His standard, and by His standard we are all guilty. YET on the cross, justice and love met. On the cross, God took His own judgment & gave us love and mercy.

So who gets judged? Those who look at the work of Jesus on the cross and reject it.

What do we do? Live your life is such a way that makes you “in the world” but not “of the world”. Be wise, and seek to influence others instead of them influencing you.

-3) Benefits and Responsibility as a Follower of Jesus (v. 8-14)-The reason Paul writes this is because it doesn’t line up with our new identity in Christ.

Remember, Paul splits the world into 2 kingdoms: Light and Darkness. However, these two kingdoms are not equal in power because King Jesus is strongest of all.

The point Paul is making is that if you live in darkness and sin, you take on its lifestyle, but if you live in light, in Jesus Christ, then you take on his lifestyle.

This is why Christ came. He became what we are so that we could become what He is. If we live in His light of truth, goodness, and holiness, then we will be transformed into what He is. We will begin to take on His nature.

If we say we are saved and joined to Christ, we cannot share in the old, dark ways of sin and greed. That would be like saying “I love my spouse” while thinking I can freely violate the marriage covenant, for the two ideas are mutually contradictory.

Well, what is the bottom line? Do we separate from everyone who isn’t Christian? No. So do we live as if our lives do not matter? No.

What do we do? Think about light. Light shines in darkness and transforms darkness. We must live in the world but not of the world. Live in society, but don’t sacrifice your soul for what society worships.

We need an example, and so our Father in heaven has given us one: Jesus. He walked the balance perfectly between being in the world but not of it.

He did not go hide in a bunker, but instead went out to a broken and hurting world. He never acted like the sinners, but He did eat with them. Jesus the Source of truth never compromised on truth and often He did confront sin, but He always loved sinners with such a level of compassion that they realized the truth was for their good. We are children of light, so reflect God’s light in darkness for that light you shine will then transform that darkness.