BE FOLLOWERS OF GOD
EPHESIANS 5:1-21
Introduction:
Paul gives good counsel to the Ephesian Church here in this fifth chapter of Ephesians. He challenges them to walk as “dear children,” deeply loved by the Father. He reminds them of their example in Jesus Christ and the manner in which He loved His followers.
I. YOUR WALK BEFORE MEN
A. Walk as “dear children,” v. 1,
1. As worthy of His love, 1 Samuel 18:30, “Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.” [Precious].
2. Walk in love, v. 2.
a. Established firmly, Ephesians 3:17, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”
b. Forbearing one another in love, Ephesians 4:2, “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3. Love fervently with a pure heart, [showing great warmth of feeling],1 Peter 1:22, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”
B. Walk as children of light, v. 8,
1. See then that ye walk circumspectly, [to look about; cautious; prudent], vs. 15-17.
a. Prudently, Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
b. Faithfully, Psalm 101:6, “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.”
2. Let these things not be once named among you, vs. 3-5.
a. Fornication and all uncleanness, v. 5, “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
b. Covetousness [unjust gain], Psalm 10:3, “For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.”
c. Let it not be once named among you, Ephesians 5:12, “For it is a shame even to speak of those
B. Let no man deceive you with vain words, vs. 6-7.
1. Let not your prophets deceive you, Jeremiah 29:8, “For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.”
2. Many shall come in the Lord’s name, Matthew 24:5, “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
3. This bring wrath upon the children of disobedience, Romans 1:18,“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
4. Be not partakers with them, Revelation 18:4, “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
II. YOUR FELLOWSHIP
A. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, v. 11a; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.”
1. Withdraw from a brother that walks disorderly, Matthew 18:16-17, “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
2. “That he may be ashamed,” Ezekiel 36:31-32, “Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.”
B. Reprove the works of darkness, vs. 11b-14,
1. It is a shame to speak of sin, v. 12; Revelation 20:12, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
2. “Awake thou that sleepest,” v. 14; Romans 13:11, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”
a. Seek those things which are above, Colossians 3:1, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
b. Set you affections on things above, Colossians 3:2, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
C. Be filled with the Spirit, vs. 18b-21.
1. Be controlled by the Spirit as Barnabas, Acts 11:24, “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.”
2. Manifest the fruits of the Spirit in your life, Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
3. Live in the Spirit, Galatians 5:24-25, “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”