Playing Footsie With The Devil

Playing Footsie with the Devil

April 15, 2018 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must live a life of holiness no matter what else is around us.

Focus Passage: Ephesians 5:1-16

Supplemental Passage: What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:1-2 NASB)

Introduction: - play footsie (with someone)

1. Literally, to rub someone's foot or feet with one's own, usually in secret beneath a table as a means of flirting or indicating romantic or sexual interest. My friend's sister started playing footsie with me during dinner. I had no idea she was into me!

2. To become secretly involved with someone; to offer clandestine cooperation with someone to gain their favor. It's been revealed that the senator has been playing footsie with major corporations to bypass federal regulations and bureaucratic red tape. [https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/play+footsie+with]

I. THE WAYS OF THE WORLD – v. 3-4

a. Unholy things in the world

b. What does Paul say should be our reaction to these ways of the world?

II. A WARNING FROM GOD – v. 5-7

a. Like a tornado warning siren.

b. i. Those who continually and habitually practice a sinful lifestyle will not be a part of God’s kingdom. They will suffer His wrath.

ii. Not talking about an occasional act of sin.

iii. Talking about those whose basic life patterns are characterized by immorality, impurity, and greed.

c. The Christian life is so much more than just praying a prayer and getting your "fire insurance paid up."

i. Chances are that your fire insurance is NOT paid up if this is all you have done.

d. Titus 2:11-14 – The grace that saves us is also the grace that teaches us to deny our selfish sinful natures and live self-controlled lives.

i. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:11-14 NASB)

e. This is why Paul says in 2 Cor. 13:5 to “examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”

i. Is there evidence in your life that you belong to Christ?

ii. Are you sinning w/ less frequency?

“A Christian is not sinless, but he does sin less.” – Warren Wiersbe

iii. Are you growing more concerned about the things of God and how you can please Him with your life, how to “walk worthy of the calling you have received”?

III. THE WAY TO LIVE – v. 8-14

a. What does it mean to live as children of light?

i. Living a life characterized by goodness, righteousness, and truth – v. 9

ii. Find out what pleases the Lord – v. 10

iii. Have nothing to do with the deeds of darkness anymore – v. 11

b. Walk as wise men, for the days are evil. – v. 15-16

c. 2 Cor. 5:17 – “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Invitation: - Those who are Christians face the discipline of God.

- Those who are not Christians face the wrath of God.

but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (1 Peter 1:15-16 NASB) – What are you doing with that verse? You either apply it or ignore it!

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:14 NASB)

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 NASB) – What are you doing with that verse? You either apply it or ignore it!

knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; (Romans 6:6 NASB) – What are you doing with that verse? You either apply it or ignore it!

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. (Colossians 3:5 NASB) – What are you doing with that verse? You either apply it or ignore it!

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; (1 Timothy 4:7 NASB) – What are you doing with that verse? You either apply it or ignore it!