Turning on the Light
Ephesians 4:17-19 -- The Light Switch Moment
INTRODUCTION
"Well, what do you think?" his dad asked. Brian Lohse knew exactly what his father was getting at.
His father had never pressed him about marriage before. But the question had its intended effect: a light switch flipped on.
"I'd never really thought about it. But that was the point right there when I said to myself: 'Oh my gosh, you know what, this is the girl I'm going to marry,' " Brian said. "I can't picture myself spending the rest of my life with any other person than Alana."
Brian, 34, had indeed made the psychological leap. It was time to get this party started. Six months later, he proposed. They married in June.
A light-switch moment
T.S. The Apostle Paul describes a light switch moment. A moment when a decision is made that changes everything forever. Turn with me to
Eph 4:17-19
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
LIVING IN THE LIGHT BEGINS WITH A LIGHT SWITCH MOMENT
1-- Describing the Light Switch Moment
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do
A light switch moment, a moment when a decision is made that changes everything forever. Paul is challenging the Ephesians to a light switch moment that will forever distinguish how they live from the rest of the world.
We are patterned, planned and programmed by the world around us to accept certain behaviors, adopt certain attitudes, to become clone like additions to the world around us.
The phrase "live as the Gentiles do" means to tread around, follow along like a devotee a votary. Like a person bound by rules to imitate.
Comic-Con happens in San Diego every year. It is a comics and popular arts convention with special guests, themes and anniversaries, and programming. While there many take opportunity to walk around, dressed up and mimicking their favorite sci-fi and fantasy characters.
This is exactly what Paul is getting at. If we truly understand who we are in Christ, it's time to spot acting like those who don't.
T.S. Paul helps us describes the light switch moment as a three part decision.
A -- Rejection of the inutility of the other choices
in the futility of their thinking.
When I hear the word futile I often think of something being hopeless.
Sort of like this picture of a cat trying to drink from a glass.
But the Greek word actually is closer to inutility--the quality of having no practical use.
I can understand the cat wanting a drink form the glass. I may even pity it because it can't get to it. But once I know who I am in Christ to live short of that is an inutility--make no sense, has no practical benefit to my life.
It is more like this picture of a DVD rewinder???
Buying a DVD Rewinder for $16.49 Because it is on sale from the retail price of $21.99.
B -- Acceptance of God-lightened understanding.
18 They are darkened in their understanding
Obscured in their understanding.
It not that the people outside of Christ are totally wrong in everything they. But Paul indicates that they live with obscured understanding.
Sort of like this picture. Can you travel down this road without knowing the what the next exit is, Yes but your understanding is obscured.
C -- Synchronization not syncopation of your life with God.
separated from the life of God
In step as opposed to divergent rhythm to our life.
Think of a Dog -- for a minute. Let me make it more specific think of a collie. Picture it in your mind. Got your picture
How many of you thought of this picture of dogs dressed up like a "Happy Meal"
Or did you think of a simple picture of a collie.
Paul is saying that there is a life style that when other people think about it identifies us with God. Live that way.
II -- Dissuading the light switch moment
To be deterred, distracted by persuasion from a course of action
If the Holy Spirit wants to lead us deeper into our life with God, everything about the world wants to dissuade us form it.
Paul indicates that there are a few basic tripping points that dissuade us form the Light Switch Moment.
A -- Blame it on Ignorance
because of the ignorance that is in them
The word "ignorant" is an adjective describing a person in the state of being unaware and is often used as an insult.
Unlike stupidity which means a slowness or numbness of mind.
Some people will miss their light switch moment because their ignorant of realities.
Not knowing the speed limit is not an excuse for going 46 in a 35. Anyone whose ever been pulled over knows that truth. We're responsible to read the signs that declare the true speed limit.
Arguing that others were also speeding, maybe even going faster than you is no excuse.
The legal principle that ignorantia juris non excusat, literally "ignorance of the law is no excuse", stands for the proposition that the law applies also to those who are unaware of it.
B -- Blame it on Hardness of Heart
due to the hardening of their hearts.
Hardening of the heart -- Charels Finney Described it this way. When individuals resist the truth--when they resist its authority when it is presented to them--when they then some apology for their conduct.
C -- Blame it on their distractions
19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
The root word for sensuality simple means related to our senses. Here the sensuality that God has wired us for has gone unrestrained and become fueled by the darker side of sensuality.
Indulgence
Impurity
Lust for more
CONCLUSION
Is it time for change?:
If living in the light begins with a light switch moment, is it time for my light switch moment?
