Studies In Ephesians: Awake And Be Imitators Of God Series

Note: This is a study through the book of Ephesians as done in 1995. One of the main sources I used at the time was Beacon Bible Commentary vol. 9.

Title: Awake and be imitators of God

Theme: To show the importance of being imitators of God

Text: Eph 5:1-14

Eph 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. {he: or, it}

In this world there are two kinds of people. There are those who are awake and those who are asleep. Those who are awake are Christians and those who are asleep are the sinners. They are asleep and oblivious to the things of God. They truly do not understand what is going on. They are alienated as we saw in chapter. Let us look at some of their characteristics.

Now there are some Christians who seem to be asleep. But I believe this is different. They seem to be oblivious to the rest of the world.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

fornication-sexual immorality one of the major sins of the New Testament. Sex actually corntrols people. It for many are their deciding factor.

all uncleaness-all forms of immorality

covetousness-grasping desire, it could be any thing from money, material wealth, positions at work, power, rulership.

filthiness-utmost depravity

foolish talking-gloat brag about exploits

jesting-to make light of

The plight of them shown.

5 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.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. {disobedience: or, unbelief}

It may hold for a time but God's wrath will show.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Not only are we to know they are wrong but we are not to be partakers

But things changed and now some have woken up and become children of the light.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

It is shown by:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {honest: or, venerable} (Philippians 4:8 AV)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. cf. Rom 12:2

It proves what is of God and what is not of God. It proves if a person is of the darkness or of the light

"Light admitted into the understanding contributes to win the affections, and, the affections won, open wide the doors for the admission of more light."

This causes a separation from the darkness.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

These may claim to be Christian but bear no fruit. We are to reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. {reproved: or, discovered}

All in all every thing will be shown.

Sums it up with this.

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

God is forgiving- As we saw earlier in 4:31

God is love-

God is just-as we see from his wrath

Why? because we are his children.

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.

Our example is Christ.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. {he: or, it}

I. Who is he speaking to?

Speaking to those that are sleeping

Throughout scripture sinners are described as being dead or asleep.

II. What is the call?

a. Awake

b. Be alive

Revelation 3:1

III. Why Awake?

So that Christ can shine upon thee.

Ro 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Ro 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.