Ephesians 5 -"LIGHT IN THE LORD"
“LIGHT IN THE LORD”
Ephesians 5:8
Preached by: Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Eph. 5:8b: “Now you are light in the Lord: walk as children of light.”
Eph. 5: 1-2: Be followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.”
Being filled with the Spirit and being a light in the Lord in this chapter, as in Acts, is connected with joy, courage, spirituality and character. The fullness of the Spirit will cause our light to shine for all to see. Miraculous gifts, though to be desired, do not necessarily prove that those who possess them are living in the light of the Kingdom of Christ and of God. (Vs. 5) There is a spiritual journey for those who are baptized in the Holy Spirit to become an Overcomer who is walking as light in the Lord in the Fullness of the Spirit.
In this chapter the Apostle addresses the family, husband, wife, and the children in the family unit. The Lord made the family before he made the church. As children copy their parents, we are to imitate our God of love. We are to be like Jesus and love one another to the point of sacrifice. Selfishness is the cause of many broken homes and neglected children.
The psychology of the 21st century said, “If it feels good, do it”. “Take care of yourself.” If we love someone, we will sacrifice our desires for theirs. A greater love is to sacrifice for the unloved and unlovely.
Eph. 5: 3-5 (paraphrased): “Inasmuch as you are God’s own, it is unthinkable that sexy gossip, acts of indecency or even notions of greed would be discussed among you. Neither is it right for you to use filthy words, tell obscene stories or direct unclean remarks toward anyone. Your lips were designed to praise God. You might as well know right now that anyone who is immoral, indecent or even covetous (which amounts to idol-worshipping), cannot expect to share in the “Kingdom of Christ and of God.”
Kingdom of God!!! This is a parallel of the conditions for entering into New Jerusalem in Rev. 21: 7-8 and Rev. 21:27:
Rev. 21: 7-8: “He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death.”
Rev. 21:27: “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
This is strong teaching!!! It is written!!!!
Do Christians ever do things like this? Yes, there are many sitting in pews who do not have the victory in some of these areas. Does that mean that when you die, you will not go to heaven? I don’t think so. It is also written that “whosoever believes in the Lord Jesus Christ shall not perish but have everlasting life”. The thief on the Cross had not been delivered from all these sins, yet we know he is in Heaven.
It is my belief due to a vision the Lord gave me many years ago when He showed me that I was standing at the Golden Altar, but one sin would keep me out of His Glory that The Overcomer enters into the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven. Any one of these sins will rob us of living, moving and having our being in His Glory on earth as it is in Heaven.
C. S. Lovett writes that the old nature does not inherit a place in heaven. It drops off at physical death.
Only the Holy Spirit controlled nature enters the Kingdom of God, i.e. New Jerusalem. Romans 8:2: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subjected to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”
Those Christians, who have not overcome these sins, will be reviewed at the Judgment Seat of Christ and render an account of the stewardship of this life.
1 Cor. 4:5 “Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God.”
Eph. 5: 6: “Let no man deceive you with trick words which suggest that some sin is to be expected in every life. For because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”
Each generation has to face down all of these temptations and come forth as overcomers. You heard me say how grieved I was after reading David Wilkerson’s book, The Vision, in 1976. I knew the onslaught of demonic attacks as described by him would be upon the generation of my children who were young at the time. I also knew I could not protect them from it, but could only pray they would be strong enough Christians to overcome the attacks on their generation.
The evil attacks become worse with each generation. Many Christians have become desensitized to sin and no longer live separated, clean and Holy lives. I have felt for many years that Abaddon with his hoards of scorpions have been released upon the earth.
Eph. 5:7-8: “Do not be partakers with them. For you were sometimes darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light:
When Scripture says, “God is Light” it is featuring His absolute holiness (1 John 1:4-5 “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” At salvation we receive the holy, righteous nature of Jesus Who is the Light of the World. Possessing this new nature, the same moral perfection of God Himself, we thus become “light in the Lord.” This light manifests in the realm of the Spirit. Those of you who have become Children of Light have a glow of the Glory of God about you and through you. Those who see in the Spirit, see the Light.
Eph. 5: 9-10: “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth ;) Proving what is acceptable to the Lord.”
There is the fruit of this light. It is the “inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.” (Vs. 5: b) The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit. (duh)!!!! This is the Holy Spirit led life of those who have laid aside the desires of the carnal nature and follow wholly after the Lord. (The Overcomer)
5: 11-13: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light; for whatsoever does make manifest is light.”
People who are in darkness will not stay around the light very long. Everything becomes visible when exposed to light. It makes visible the true nature of their shameful ways and brings conviction. Don’t let yourself become involved with people who obviously enjoy the sinful works of darkness. Instead, let your Godly conduct expose their evil and be a rebuke to them.
The Lord is not into popularity. We are not a reproof if we try to be a man-pleaser in order to win converts. This is a mistake the church made in the 20th Century. This does not mean that we scold them. Our lives and conduct are to be such that evil men behold the contrast. That does not mean they will like you. However, they will respect you. When trouble comes, you will be the one they call on. They may not always say so, but when their evil has been exposed by your righteous response, it will either bring them to repentance or they will not want to be around you.
Eph. 5:14: Paul then refers to Isa. 60: 1: “Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give you light.”
60:1 “Arise, shine, for your light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you. And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”
Oh this my friends is the Glory of the Lord for the Overcomer!!! There is no sin worth missing this “light in the Lord.” It is joy unspeakable and full of Glory, and the half has never yet been told.
Praise God for the boldness and courage of those Christians whose lives, actions, and speech pierce the darkness about them to bring this life-giving light of the Lord!
Eph. 5:15-16: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
The evil of our day opposes the Christian witness. This evil world is our competitor and not about to present us with automatic ways to exalt Christ. We are to redeem the time. Luke 16:8 “And the lord commended the unjust steward. Because he had done wisely; for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.”
Eph. 5: 17: “Be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
“Bond slave” was Paul’s proudest title! Obeying the Commission his business! We are blood-bought with 24-hours a day to live for self---or Jesus. Those of us who are in full time Christian ministry do not have another life. I do not desire any life except to spend myself for the Lord and His Kingdom. I spend quality time with family, friends, and the community. However, there is no separation of who I am regardless of where I am and who I am with.
Eph. 5: 18-19: (paraphrased): “Don’t look to wine for your stimulation. That leads only in the direction of ruin. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Let Him exhilarate your soul and even the excess will be turned to joy in the Lord! Then, as you speak to one another, the ecstasy will rise still higher. Your tongues will be loosed in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, rather than carousing. From the melody in your hearts, glad music will echo in the assembly.”
I am in love with the Lord, the ministry He graced me with, and the people who are in my life. Nothing can equal the joy of serving the Lord and fulfilling your purpose and destiny in Him. The world has nothing to compare to it. The most awesome thrill you will ever experience in life is being used by the Lord. “Be filled with the Holy Spirit”. Selfish carnality take your leave. We have found the pearl of Great Price.
Eph. 5:20:
Giving thanks always for all things to
God and the father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ:”
To pray in His Name means coming to the Father…”In Christ”. And let your tremendous awe of Christ, your reverential fear of displeasing Him in any way motivate you to the point of respecting and being submissive to each other.
The filling of the Spirit is not limited to power, praise and joyous thanks. It is further seen in our behavior toward each other. We are to “esteem others better than ourselves”. Our voices should never be raised in bluster or self-vaunting. I say to this church, I respect all of you and hope that I show that respect to you in affirming every one.
Paul now address the marriage, family and children.
5: 22-29: Wives submit yourself unto your own husbands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word. That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church.”
The treatment of husband to wife and wife to husband is independent in each case. The submission of the wife is to be matched by the Christ like love and consideration of the husband, and similarly in the other groups. Failure on the part of one does not justify it on the part of the other. The Church is the Bride of Christ. A man’s headship makes his wife to be his body. The church is Christ’s body. Physical union makes man and wife one flesh. Christ and His Church are one. The relationship springs from the love and sacrifice of Christ. The washing with water is figurative like the wedding of Rev. 19: 7-8. The laver, like other equipment in the tabernacle was typical, and spoke of that renewal brought about by regeneration (Tit. 3:5). This is the sanctification which is the result of the cleansing.
The head of the body is its preserver, ruling and protecting it. So is Christ the Savior of His body.
5:30-33: For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
Eve was one with Adam both in her origin and in her union. In this way the creation of man carried a secret mystery, a hint of the purpose of God which no one would have guessed (3:9).
The final words of the chapter echo Esther 1:20, a book not otherwise quoted in the N.T. “”And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire. (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.”
Preached by: Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Scripture from K.J.V., quotes from F.F. Bruce Bible Commentary by: George E. Harpur and C. S. Lovett’s Lights on Ephesians.
All comments, conclusions and visions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those from whom I have gleaned.
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