Revelation – Light.
Ephesians 5:1-20TPT
The apostle Paul writes this letter from a prison cell. Paul understands that over the long haul
there has to be a continual relationship between you and Father. There is too much evil, too much trouble, too much heartache, too much temptation not to trust Father.
The practical side of these 20 verses, is they take the believer into a deeper walk with Jesus, but also Paul is getting believers ready to go deeper into their marriages, and other relational affairs.
In other words, if we don’t get Ephesians 5.1-20 right, we won’t get other relationships right.
We will study these scriptures verse by verse.
Ephesians 5:1 “Be imitators of God in everything you do, for then you will represent your Father as his beloved sons and daughters.
Refuse to compartmentalize your day, your life. Be who God created you to be 24-7.
Don’t be a yes man, be God’s man or woman.
Another powerful word from Paul. Galatians 1.10TPT I am obviously not trying to flatter you or water down my message to be popular with men, but my supreme passion is to please God. For if all I attempt to do is please people, I would fail to be a true servant of Christ.
Ephesians 5.2 And continue to walk surrendered to the extravagant love of Christ, for he surrendered his life as a sacrifice for us. His great love for us was pleasing to God, like an aroma of adoration—a sweet healing fragrance.
Surrendered to God’s love, for He surrendered His life for us. His great love was pleasing, like an aroma of adoration.
—a sweet healing fragrance.
Let Jesus heal you; He can make you whole.
Ephesians 5.3 And have nothing to do with sexual immorality, lust, or greed—for you are his holy ones and let no one be able to accuse you of them in any form.
Holy ones refuse to practice sexual immorality, Lust and greed. -Refuse to touch them. P.H
1 Corinthians 6:17-20 but the one who joins himself to the Lord is mingled into one spirit with him.18 this is why you must keep running away from sexual immorality. For every other sin a person converts is external to the body, but in morality involves sinning against your own body. 19 and have you forgotten that your body is now the sacred temple of the spirit of holiness, who lives in you? You don't belong to yourself any longer, for the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, lives inside your sanctuary. 20 You were Gods expensive purchase, paid for with tears of blood, so by all means, then, use your body to bring glory to God!
You have to refuse lust. Refuse sinning against your own body!
Ephesians 5.4 Guard your speech. Forsake obscenities and worthless insults; these are nonsensical words that bring disgrace and are unnecessary. Instead, let worship fill your heart and spill out in your words.
Everything you do in life you choose. When you guard your words you choose life. Instead of using worthless speech, choose worship.
I like verse 4b. ...let worship fill your heart and spill out in your words.
Romans 12.2 stop imitating the ideas and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God's will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.
Ephesians 5.5 For it has been made clear to you already that the kingdom of God cannot be accessed by anyone who is guilty of sexual sin, or who is impure or greedy—for greed is the essence of idolatry. How could they expect to have an inheritance in Christ’s kingdom while doing those things?
Full access to the Kingdom in exchange for living a pure life, your faith pleasing the Father! P.H
Ephesians 5.6-7 Don’t be fooled by those who speak their empty words and deceptive teachings telling you otherwise. This is what brings God’s anger upon the rebellious! 7 Don’t listen to them or live like them at all.
Here’s truth, You would be better off keeping quiet, while staying away from that kind of conversation.
Proverbs 18.21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love the talk will reap the consequences.
If you love to hear yourself talk, (talk too much) you might be in trouble.
I read this excerpt from Karen Carpenter's life. Remember, she was a popular singer from the 70s who died in 1983 of heart failure. Most people know that her heart attack was caused by anorexia, basically she starved herself to death. But what started it all?
According to a 1988 CBS television movie, the Karen Carpenter story, her fatal obsession with weight begin when a reviewer called her Richard’s chubby sister.
That small phrase started her on the downward spiral with underlined psychological problems.
The apostle Paul recalls who they once were. Ephesians 5.8-10 Once your life was full of sin’s darkness, but now you have the very light of our Lord shining through you because of your union with him. Your mission is to live as children flooded with his revelation-light! 9 And the supernatural fruits of his light will be seen in you—goodness, righteousness, and truth. 10 Then you will learn to choose what is beautiful to our Lord.
As believers, we are called to walk in (get to walk in) His revelation-light.
Matthew 5.16 So don't hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that your commendable works will shine as light upon them and then they will give their praise to your father in heaven.
You are called to walk in His love. -His love today says there is a way to escape the clutches of sin and the devil. -His love says you can make it in uncertain time. -His love will overcome the hate of hate. -His love will overcome the neglect of parents. -His love will overcome political barriers. -His love will overcome denominations. -His love will overcome unbelief.
Ephesians 5.11 And don’t even associate with the servants of darkness because they have no fruit in them; instead, reveal truth to them.
Servants of darkness have no light. No fruit.
However Paul commands believers to, reveal truth to them.
With the right spirit share, John 3.17 God did not send his Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its savior and rescue it.
In, John 8.31-47, Jesus explores what it means to be free, saved, and happy.
So that brings us to, John 8.31-32 Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, when you continue to embrace all that I teach, you prove that you are my true followers. 32 for if you and brain the truth, it will release true freedom into your lives.
The truth Jesus gives us releases us from the bondage of our past, the bondage of our sins, and the bondage of religion.
Jesus was speaking these words to those who were not fully free from man's traditions. Truth must be embraced and worked out through the divine process of spiritual maturity. The Greek word for truth is, reality.
To embrace the reality of Christ brings more freedom into your life.
Remember, verse 11, Don’t associate with the vile, the evil.
Ephesians 5.12 The very things they do in secret are too vile and filthy to even mention.
Here goes that revelation light again.
Ephesians 5.13-14 Whatever the revelation-light exposes, it will also correct, and everything that reveals truth is light to the soul. 14 This is why the Scripture says, “Arise, you sleeper! Rise up from your coffin and the Anointed One will shine his light into you!”
You must have knowledge of this, Your light, revelation light will draw correction. As this revelation light continues God’s truth is light to the soul!
Again verse 14, Arise, you sleeper! Rise from your coffin, and the anointed One will shine light on you!
Ephesians 5.15-16 So be very careful how you live, not being like those with no understanding, but live honorably with true wisdom, for we are living in evil times. Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for His purposes.
Be careful how you live your life! Paul plea is, Spend everyday for His purpose!
Ephesians 5.17 And don’t live foolishly for then you will have discernment to fully understand God’s will.
Foolish living stops you from understanding God’s will. P.H
And then the apostles Paul takes it farther. Ephesians 5.18-19 And don’t get drunk with wine, which is rebellion; instead be filled continually with the Holy Spirit. 19 And your hearts will overflow with a joyful song to the Lord. Keep speaking to each other with words of Scripture, singing the Psalms with praises and spontaneous songs given by the Spirit!
Rebellion comes in many packages, Drugs, Alcohol, illicit sex, cutting, cheating, lying, Cussing, Flying off the handle easily. How about talking back to your parents or authority.
Ephesians 5.20 Always give thanks to Father God for every person he brings into your life in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Benediction. I want you to think for a moment. I want you to give thanks for special people He has placed in your life.
