EPH 5:1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.
How hard is it to be an imitator of God? Yet, that is exactly what we are instructed to do! Our text tells us some of the things that we need to rid our lives of...vs3-4. And it also tells us that if you don’t eliminate these things, you have no inheritance in the Kingdom. Then it warns about being decieved by empty words...what are "empty words?" Turn to JER 29:8 Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them," declares the LORD.
You see, God knew that some Christians would be decieved...and so did Jesus! MAT 24:4Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Even Paul warns the early Christians....COL 2:8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. We have to have the truth and live the truth...there is no other way for man to be saved. 2 THESS 2:10.......... They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. It is imperative that we know the truth..and live it!
A lot of Christians today only want to hear what they like....you know, the stuff that they can feel good about. Churches everywhere are holding back on the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! 2 TIM 4:3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. Some churches even allow sin to creep in to the sanctuary...and into their leaders lives. Ignoring the truth of God’s Word by refusing to preach it is dangerous!
See, some will even quit going to a church where the Pastor makes them feel "uncomfortable"...but is it the Pastor or God’s Word that makes them feel that way? Some will even go from church to church to find one that THEY are in agreement with...instead of realizing that THEY need to be in agreement with God’s Word.
Even our praise and worship focus has been shifted from singing praises to God to "make me feel good" at that moment. We sing a song "The Heart of Worship" that reminds us that it is not about us, but all about You, Jesus! We are to offer our praises unto God, not to make our flesh "feel" better. ISA 29:13 The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Lord, help us all for losing our focus of the Cross!
And what does God call people like this? Vs 6 of our original text...He says they are dis-obedient. Dis-obedience leads to death..and also God’s wrath! So we are told NOT to be partners with them....if you go to a church where the whole truth is not preached, you are being dis-obedient to God! Those are His words, not mine! I want to read on...EPH 5:8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord.
You are now "in the light"....ignorance of the law is no excuse....and you see what the fruit of the light is. Paul says you are in the light..so live like it! Goodness, righteousness, and...what? TRUTH! Don’t close your eyes to the truth. Don’t think that you can do whatever your flesh wants and you will still be OK with God. You are only decieving yourself if you think that and the truth is not in you. Vs 10 says find out what pleases the Lord. So I thought I’d do a study to see just what does please the Lord. First, we see a list of things that DOESN’T please the Lord...VS 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Here are some things that please God:
OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS. Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
PRAYER. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. Proverbs 15:8
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
INTEGRITY. 1 Chronicles 29:17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
DOING GOOD AND SHARING WITH OTHERS. Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
BEING SPIRIT-CONTROLLED. Romans 8:8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (NKJV) So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him. (AMP) Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. (NIV)
BEARING FRUIT, ETC. Colossians 1:9-12 9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
FEARING HIM. Psalm 147:11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy and loving-kindness. (AMP) The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. (KJV)
FAITH. Hebrews 11:5-6 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Here’s the bottom line...
OBEDIENCE TO GOD AND HIS WORD 1 John 3:22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. You say "it’s too hard to please God"...well, if we want an example of someone who truly pleased the Father…. John 8:29 Jesus said: The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."
On two separate occasions, God the Father spoke audibly from heaven, saying of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in Him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5)
