Series: Accounting [#16]
SHED SOME LIGHT ON YOUR ACCOUNT
Ephesians 5:8-14
Introduction:
We have been in our series in Ephesians for 16 weeks today. This series has been focused on the fact that we are spiritually rich through Jesus Christ. Today is a day focused on the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many years, I preach a specific sermon designed for Easter; but the Lord has led me to continue in our Ephesians series. The great part about this is, it is still about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Through Jesus paying the price of sin for the world, you can be saved. Salvation is not possible without the resurrection of Jesus. This morning, we are going to look at the effect that the Light of the World, (Jesus Christ) should have in the Christian’s life.
Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
The Light…
1. Changes your character.
Your character is who you are when no one is looking. The fact we were once in darkness should not be a surprise. We have already seen in Ephesians 2 who you are without Jesus.
Ephesians 2:1-2 (NIV)
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which You used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient”.
People apart from Christ are not only in darkness, they are darkness. “You were once darkness.” What does it mean? People in darkness are all alone. They do not know God at all. Their character is dark and evil. The unbeliever is blind to the truth and blind to God’s plan and purpose for their lives.
The believer is now “light in the Lord”; and so we are able to walk as children of light. Paul argues that light, not darkness is the true nature of the believer. The true nature of the unbeliever is darkness. The true nature of the believer is “light in the Lord”. Jesus did not come simply to show us the light; but makes us light. He changes our nature from darkness to light. We are light in Christ.
Ephesians 5:9 (NIV)
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
The Light…
2. Changes your conduct.
The light changes our character and our conduct. The light bears all good things- The fruit of the Spirit. The believer should glow in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. This is the fruit of Christian character. The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians is the character of Christ. By our character and conduct we bring light into this world. We are God’s lights and we present Jesus to a dark world.
Goodness is love in action. Righteousness is to be right and do right. Truth is the absence of all that is false. Truth is the absence of deception. Truth is reliable and trustworthy. The old life was marked by lies, hypocrisy and deception. Truth is the fruit that gives evidence of the life of God in the heart of the believer. All Christians are called and expected to produce fruit. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world”.
Ephesians 5:10-13 (NIV)
10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible- and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
The Light…
3. Changes your choices.
The Christian in the light, tries to find out what is acceptable to the Lord. “Finding out” implies the idea of proving or testing. The child of God wants to know what our Heavenly Father thinks and wants. When we seek to find God’s will and know God’s will we provide evidence that we are in the light, our hearts have changed. Our choices change. We make new choices. God honoring choices. We want to know which path to take and which path to avoid. Don’t participate in the works of darkness. We cannot be involved in evil. We must not compromise God’s standards. One of the properties of light is exposure. Darkness hides in the presence of light. The best way to combat sin is expose it. Turn on the light of truth.
Conclusion:
Our text this morning ends with a challenge.
Ephesians 5:14 (NIV)
14This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Paul issues an invitation to those who have been walking in their sleep, to wake up. It is also an invitation for those who are asleep in darkness to wake up and come to the light. Jesus is the Light of the World and He calls you to live in the light and be the light.
