Ephesians
Preached Ephesians 5:1-21 @ Church Conference
I was asked to preach at this church conference, where the theme was ‘How to engage the world Biblically.’ In my session, I did an exposition of Ephesians 5:1-21, as a mirror for self-examination, and a lamp unto our feet. If the embedded video player does not work, click here. My sermon notes are below the video.
The present state of the Church & Christianity, and engaging the culture Biblically
As Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
However, there is a right way and wrong way to do this.
Our pastors have given me the unique and specific task of speaking on what we should not be doing, or how not to engage the world.
I will share some of my own thoughts, but more importantly, we will use God’s Word as a mirror to examine ourselves as a Lamp onto out feet.
Let me summarize what we’re not to do while engaging the world.
In short, when engaging the culture with the Gospel, we as a church (either corporately or individually) should not be heterodox as many claim… –
- Pragmatic (adapting to them, by being relatable or relevant)
- We’re not to “blend-in” with the lost world just to “fit in”
- We’re not to be unequally yoked with the world (2 Cor. 6:14)
- We’re not to engage in tricks, gimmicks, comedy or trivia 2 share the G
- We do not need to “earn the right” to share His Gospel
- We do not need to “earn their respect” before sharing the Gospel
- We do not need to “Think like the world” 2 share the Gospel
- We do not need to “earn their trust” before sharing the Gospel
- We do not need to adjust our “methods” to what the world prefers
- We do not need to build relationships or make friends first, before sharing the Gospel
- We do not need to engage in “hospitality evangelism” to share the Gospel…
James 4:4 warns, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
Church, the Triunity of the Godhead, the Gospel, and His Scriptures must be the Vanguard of our evangelism efforts. It must be Section A, Column 1 of our headlines as we Herald (or share). Otherwise, it is not Biblical evangelism.
Let us begin with Ephesians 5. In this chapter our Lord gives multiple commands of many ‘to dos’ and what not to do.
If we we’re to back up a bit, in chapter 4 Paul admonished the church with a series of injunctions (commands). From ‘walking worthy’ (v1), to ‘walking in unity” (vs.3 & 13), to ‘walking in the truth’ (vs. 15 & 21 of chapter 4).
And now for the purposes of this conference, we will continue an ‘explanation and an ‘application’ (x2) of the commands in chapter 5. Albeit we will only spend time in the first 21 verses.
- In verses 1-7 is ‘walking in Love (Biblically).’
- In verses 8-14 is ‘walking in the Light (Biblically).’
- In Verses 15-21 is ‘walking in wisdom (Biblically).’
Let us begin our exposition with vs 1-7 ‘walking in love.’
Verse 1 begins with the command to “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”
In the Greek this can be better translated as “Become therefore, or prove yourselves to be therefore.”
This command refutes the teachings of easy believism. If a man or woman have truly been born-again (regenerate), they are converted from being perverted.
A convert is more than a ‘believer,’ they are a cleaver, and an imitator of God. In other words, if we claim to be a Christian, prove it. Because we are more than ‘believers,’ we are demonstrators.
Moreover, a Christian will imitate ‘the God and Jesus of the Scriptures.’ This word “God” in verse 1 is the Greek work Theos. Which means the Godhead (or the Trinity) of the Scriptures.
A convert ‘with reverence’ will continually glorify and demonstrate an awe for the Father, as they exalt Christ, and as they walk in His Holy Spirit. Which will include the simultaneous warring against their flesh, and repenting of sin.
Next in verse 2 we’re going to see two different loves – agapē our love for each other, and agapaō God’s love for His elect.
Paul said in verse 2 ‘And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.’
Paul tells us to “walk in love.”
So many understand what love is, but the following is what love is not (now we begin with some of the nots, or what not to do).
A Biblical love is not today’s ‘sensual love’ that withholds the truth, or that accepts, tolerates, or acquiesces to sin.
1 Cor. 13:6 says love, “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;”
This “love” is the Greek word agapē, which is a brotherly love, affection, regard for, benevolence, to be charitable, or a love feast. This agapē love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
In vs 2b Paul said “Christ also hath loved us…”
We must understand the last word ‘us’ here. The “us” is the blood-bought repented church.
When the Scriptures speak of God’s amazing love, He is referring to His chosen people, and in the N.T. His church (His elect). His wondrous love is not for lost worldlings.
This “hath loved” here in verse 2b is the Greek word agapaō, which means ‘to love in a social or moral sense, ‘to be loved by God, to welcome, to be fond of, to love dearly, and to be well pleased…’
God is not “well pleased” with the world. The Bible says He hates those that practice sin (Psalm 5:5-6), and that He’s angry with the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11).
There’s the manmade cliché often used by carnal men, that “God loves the sinner, but hates the sin.” This cliché is blaspheme. God is not in-love with those practicing iniquity.
In vs 2c it says that Christ “hath given Himself for us.”
Christ gave Himself for who? Again, the “us” is His church!
Paul said in Gal 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Here comes some more nots.
Verse 3 says, ‘But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;’
This word ‘fornication’ (porneia) is a general term for any and all forms of sexual immorality.’ Or any type of sex before or outside marriage. And they will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9).
This word ‘uncleanliness’ can mean any and all sin. But more specifically, as the “Radical Puritan” Paul Bayne said, “For uncleanliness. It may signify all sin, but here it is to be taken to note all inferior filthiness of the same kind of fornication. Observe that Christians must keep themselves not only from more gross swervings, but from the least filthiness of flesh and spirit.”
This fornication and uncleanness are the devil’s excrement, and are in total contrast to the “sweet-smelling savour” in verse 2.
Verse 3b says “Let it not be once named among you.”
This word “named” means that not only is it sin to commit these sins, but its sin to approve of them (more on that later).
But today’s ‘carnal Christians’ (if there was such a thing) will say “We’re all sinners,” as they sinfully continue in their sins, or ‘wink and nod’ at others sins. A Christian will hate their sins.
But Paul ends this verse reminding us though Christians may be saved sinners, we’re now “saints.”
When a sinner becomes born-again (regenerate) they are translated from being ‘hagos (an awful thing)’ to ‘hagios.’
This saved saint (hagios) in the Greek means to be a most holy thing, a saint.’ To be sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious & consecrated):
And all of the above can only be attributed to the imputed attributes of the Godhead. So then, we ought to act more like ‘hagios,’ and less like ‘hagos.’
This is aka the Latin phrase Simul Iustus et Peccator. Which means Christians are “Simultaneously just and sinner,” or both ‘sinner and saint.’
Verse 4 warns that ‘Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.’
This “filthiness” (aischrotēs) in the Greek is “behavior that flouts social and moral standards, shamefulness, or obscenity.”
This “foolish” talk (mōrologia) in the Greek is “foolish/silly talk.”
This “jesting” (eutrapelia) is “mostly in a good sense: ‘wittiness’, ‘facetiousness’ or buffoonery.”
This is not saying Christians cannot have a sense of humor, joke, or laugh.
Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
But Christians are forbidden to engage in foolish conversations, dirty jokes, off color jokes, sexual innuendos, Etc. Not even to laugh at such nonsense.
This is my personal conviction, but be careful with “Satirical ministries” that profit off making jokes about doctrine and Christian issues. Much of it is this “jesting,” and some even blasphemy. But their defenders will justify it, calling it just being “facetious,” or “parody,” “sarcasm,” or “tongue in cheek.” Provocation for profit is filthy lucre.
As we engage this lost world, proclaiming the solution to their problem – the Gospel. We must not be partakers with sinful people, and their sinful deeds, more about that in verses 7&11.
Verse 5 says ‘For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.’
This “whoremonger” can be translated to fornication, or any sexual activity outside marriage.
This “unclean,” person it is translated ‘foul’ or ‘wicked’ in thoughts or word. Or to be of a moral impurity, or to have the ‘impurities of fornication.’
This “covetous” is one who desires to have more than is due, a greedy person. Or a desire to have something that belongs to someone else.
And a covetous man is an idolatrous man which we’re all guilty of (1 Cor 10:13 & Jm 2:10).
Idolatry isn’t just religious statues and golden calves. Perhaps the golden calf of the 21st century is our own imaginations, or the false deity of ‘me, myself and I.’ Or our ‘iPads, iPods, and iPhones.’ Or sports idolatry.
When engaging the culture we must use God’s Law to warn them. To tell them the bad news, so they’ve understood their need for the Good News.
Paul warns us many times throughout the Scriptures to not be deceived.
And now verse 6 says, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”
As we continue our explanation and application of what “not” to be, we must warn the world they are “children of disobedience” and will be “under the wrath of God” (as I once was).
It says in Rom 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,”
And God’s wrath increases. Romans 2:5 warns, ‘But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;’
Now is where it starts getting more serious. Remember the context of vs 1-7 are ‘walking in love.’ In verse 7 Paul said “Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”
This ‘partakers’ in the Greek means we’re not to ‘partner’ with them, nor ‘share in the possession of something,’ nor have a ‘relationship’ with the world.’
We’re not to participate or associate ourselves with them (the world), or the lawlessness they stand for. Because a loving walk is a holy walk. In other words, to walk with them is ungodly and unloving (Psalm 1).
We’re to flee from their presence. As John Trapp said, “Lest by infection of their sin ye come under infliction of their punishment. We are accountable as well for sins of communion as of commission.”
John Gill said, “Be not ye therefore partakers with them. In their sins, and acts of disobedience; by keeping needless company with them; by abetting and encouraging sinful practices; by conniving at them, and not reproving for them; or by committing the same things.”
This is not saying that we should not go where they are. But part of the theme of this conference is “engaging the culture Biblically.”
We’re to be in this world, but not of the world. But we’re not to extend unequally yoked friendships, or common courtesies to them.
Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Back to this word “partakers” in vs 7. The ancient practice of ‘casting lots’ also comes from this word ‘partakers.’
We’re not to seek advice from the world in ‘a way of making important decisions.’ Or to determine God’s will. We should not partake (participate) in that way either.
If we want to know God’s will, we go to the Scriptures, and/or seek counsel from those who point us to the Scriptures.
The doctrine of the sufficiency of Scriptures is important. The Scriptures are complete, the Canon is closed. There are no new revelations to glean from others. God is sovereign over all.
As we continue our explanation and application.
Next is verses 8-14, walking in light.
In verses 8-10 Paul said, ‘For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.”
Notice the past-tense word ‘were’ in verse 8. A Christian is a person that used to practice these sins. They were once known for walking in sin (darkness), but now are known for walking in the light of the Lord.
Verse 9 says believers will demonstrate ‘(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)’
The Greek matters in this verse.
This ‘goodness’ is our horizontal kindness, or benevolence towards others.
This ‘righteousness’ is the evidence of our vertical righteousness in Christ, that Christ has declared the sinner (now a saint) righteous before the Father; therefore we ought to act more like a saint, than a sinner.
This ‘truth’ is an ‘objective’ truth that must be told and believed under any and all circumstances.
In the next verse is another admonishment, as what we’re to do with this knowledge. And that is to apply it, and demonstrate it (aka orthopraxy).
Verse 11 commands us, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
To “have no fellowship” with them, literally means to ‘stop fellowship’ with them. We need to break-up with the world.
Matthew Poole said, “Have no fellowship with, not only do not practice them yourselves, but do not join with others in them, by consent, advice, assistance, or any other way whereby ye may be defiled by them.”
Just as Noah gathered God’s elect and His chosen creation onto that Arc, while fleeing from partaking with the world, we too ought to do the same. But preach (or share) His glorious Gospel while we still can.
Here’s a love verse for us. Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
As we engage the culture, we must not become Romans 1:32 Acquiescers. Rom 1:32 says,
“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
We mustn’t tolerate, accept, normalize, acquiesce to, and/or celebrate sin and lawlessness.
And not only are we not to have fellowship with the lost world, were to rebuke or expose them. We’re not to have ‘fellowship with sin,’ we’re not to be an ‘agent of sin,’ nor be an ‘accessory to sin.’
And the commands of this Text, keeps getting more serious.
Verse 11b says “but rather reprove them.”
This word ‘reprove’ is the Greek word elegchō (el-ENK-ho), it is a verb which means to scrutinize or examine carefully, to bring to light, expose, or tell a fault. To express strong disapproval of someone’s action. To penalize, punish, and/or discipline.’
It is the Christians duty to ‘oppose and expose’ darkness (sin). That is part of being the Biblical “light” that’s associated with Christianity.
Verse 12 says ‘For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.’
Not only is it sinful to practice the aforementioned sins, it can also be sin to speak of them with idle chatter, with no response to those sins. Because silence can be consent.
The next two verses better explain how this process of ‘exposing’ works.
In verses 13-14 Paul said, ‘But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.’
When Christians expose sin (or evil) coupled with the remedy (the Gospel), God decrees some to repent and be saved, but not others. Those the Lord saves, will be translated from darkness into the kingdom of light.
So far we’ve covered an explanation & application of ‘walking in Love’ and ‘walking in the Light,’
Next in verses 15-21 is ‘Walking in Wisdom’
Verses 15-16 says ‘See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’
Verse 15 speaks of our ‘way of life,’ or our ‘life-style,’ that we’re to walk circumspectly.
This circumspectly is the Greek word akribōs [ak-ree-boce’], it is an adverb which means to walk diligently, exactly, or perfectly. It’s a strict conformity to a standard or norm, with focus on careful attention.
Another scholar described ‘walking circumspectly’ as a wartime soldier walking through a minefield. We should be spiritual tacticians. Situational awareness matters in the physical and spiritual realms.
Verse 16 warns us of ‘Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’
It’s good to enjoy our hobbies or recreations. But we must discipline ourselves when engaging in things that have no eternal significance.
Why? Because the days are evil, and that’s what the theme of this conference is – ‘The present state of the Church & Christianity, and engaging the culture Biblically.’
Verse 17 says ‘Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.’
This is another command; to not waste our time, to stop walking unwisely, to stop being foolish. By God’s grace, let us repent more and repeat less.
Verse 18 says ‘And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;’
This verse compares a man who is ‘drunk with wine’ to a man ‘filled with the Holy Spirit.
This “drunk” is methuskō. It is an inceptive verb, which means to intoxicate, to make drunk, to get drunk, or to become intoxicated.
Drunkenness is sin, and it is contrary to a born-again (Spirit filled) person.
Regarding being “filled with the Lord’s Spirit.”
In a salvific sense every believer is baptized or ‘indwelt’ with the Spirit, and that is permanent. But, believers are commanded to “be filled with the Spirit.” Hence there is individual responsibility.
I cannot have more of the Holy Spirit than another Christian sitting next to me. But we can be more disciplined, and more submitted to the Lord than others. Hence, more empowered, and more gifted by Him.
Salvation is monergistic, but Holy Spirit willing, by God’s grace we can walk circumspectly.
The next three verses are an evidence of the “Spirit filled Christian.”
Verses 19-21, ‘Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’
It is great to be in this church that speaks and sings among ourselves in Psalms (thru our Psalter), in Hymns (thru our Hymnal), and even more organically (or based), through directly singing the Scriptures.
And a Biblical attitude is of gratitude.
A “Spirit filled” Christian can be thankful for ‘all things,’ not just good things, but we can be thankful for the good, the bad, and the difficulties in our lives.
A ‘Spirit filled’ Christian will be empowered by the Holy Spirit, to rejoice in all things, thru thick or thin.
As a benediction I’ll close with the following verse.
1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”