Dakota Community Church
Ephesians 61
February 16, 2014
In the Fellowship of Saints - 2
We are given six behaviours we are to discontinue - because they destroy unity.
We are given six replacement behaviours which will foster and protect unity.
Instead of lying; speak truth
Instead of outbursts of wrath; righteous anger
Instead of stealing; working and contributing
Instead of gossip and slander; encouraging, grace filled words
Instead of bitter cruelty; loving kindness
Instead of sinful indulgence; thanksgiving
Ephesians 5:3-21
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
A.) Inappropriate Conduct Among Saints
sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness (5:3)
no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking (5:4)
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness (5:11)
walk, not as unwise (5:15)
do not be foolish ((5:17)
do not get drunk, for that is debauchery (5:18)
This Week:
B.) Appropriate Conduct Among Saints
let there be thanksgiving (5:4)
Walk as children of light (5:8)
(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) (5:9)
try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord (5:10)
expose them (5:11)
carefully walk, as wise (5:15)
make the best use of the time (5:16)
understand what the will of the Lord is (5:17)
be filled with the Spirit (5:18)
address one another in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart (5:19)
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (5:20)
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (5:21)
I.) It is appropriate for Christian gatherings to involve thanksgiving, and worship
let there be thanksgiving (5:4)
address one another in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart (5:19)
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (5:20)
If we gather and our fellowship is filled with thanksgiving and worship, who will be the central figure of those gatherings?
Does that mean “Home on the Range” church? (Where seldom is heard a discouraging word)
No it means authentic relationship, mourning, repenting, laughing, rejoicing; whatever is appropriate and Holy Spirit lead.
Keep in mind that the chief end of man is to “Glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
We are Christian hedonists, pleasure seekers who have discovered that true pleasure is only found in Christ!
Turn to the Book of Colossians Chapter 3 and see how Paul addresses these same issues there:
Colossians 3:1-17
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Notice where our focus is to be.
Notice the diversity and equality of those in Christ.
Notice the role that humility plays - why is that significant?
Notice what precedes gatherings filled with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. (dwell richly)
II.) It is appropriate for Christian gatherings to be expressions of God’s will.
Walk as children of light (5:8)
(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) (5:9)
try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord (5:10)
carefully walk, as wise (5:15)
make the best use of the time (5:16)
understand what the will of the Lord is (5:17)
be filled with the Spirit (5:18)
It is important to realize that the Lord’s will is often going to differ from our wills.
There will be times when we know the Lord’s will but don’t feel like submitting to it. (C&R)
(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) (5:9)
Ever feel like you're all filled up on the fruit of light?
Ever have one of those times when you are in the mood for some bad and wrong and false?
Galatians 6:1-3
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Some days you might feel like slapping Mr. Psalms Hymns & Spiritual Songs!
Christian joy and fulfillment does not come from christian gatherings.
Leaving a christian gathering feeling unfulfilled or exhausted does not mean it is time to change churches. There are times when I feel like quitting after a meeting only to later realize that God was at work in me through that difficult scenario.
III.) It is appropriate for Christian gatherings to expose darkness.
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them (5:11)
We are not to take part in the unfruitful works of darkness, I think most of us are on board with this idea.
We are Christians, we are children of light, citizens of a holy nation, sons and daughters of the living God. - no problem, abstain from the dark things.
But expose them?
Isn’t that kind of judge-y?
If we do that aren’t we becoming moralists, legalistic or even Pharisaical?
We are not to just go quietly along the works of darkness for the sake of peace.
Both law and gospel must be preached.
We all need to recognize our own rebellious hearts and the pushback against rebuke that accompanies it.
If I am watching inappropriate entertainment (Say something loaded with “sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking”) and someone points that out to me, my first response is a cry of “Moralistic Pharisee!”
Dealing with the inappropriate humour, sexual innuendo, and course joking on game night in our College and Career meetings.
I do not want to confess or acknowledge any wrong doing. I don’t want to repent and I don’t want to be forgiven and told to sin no more.
IV.) All of these things are also “law”
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (5:21)
Instead of lying; speak truth
Instead of outbursts of wrath; righteous anger
Instead of stealing; working and contributing
Instead of gossip and slander; encouraging, grace filled words
Instead of bitter cruelty; loving kindness
Instead of sinful indulgence; thanksgiving
Where ever our hearts are hard, our consciences seared - the law is the hammer!
The gospel is good news, even more so in these instances.
Jesus died even for these sins.
PowerPoint available (Free of charge) on request dcormie@mts.net
Follow Dan on twitter: @DanCormie
