Ephesians 5:1–17 (ESV)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 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. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:1
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
The point:
We are redeemed to reflect Jesus
Romans 8:28-29
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Three ways to reflect Jesus
1. Walk in love
Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
1 John 4:8
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
“We might think that God wanted simply obedience to a set of rules: whereas He really wants people of a particular sort.” (CS Lewis)
2. Walk in light
Ephesians 5:8-10
…Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:3
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
Ephesians 5:7-8
Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
3. Walk in wisdom
Ephesians 5:15
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
For this week’s sermon application guide, click this URL: https://storage2.snappages.site/QG8D8X/assets/files/Eph-5_1_17_26Apr2024.docx
Resources cited:
Commentaries:
Ephesians by Bryan Chapell. Reformed Expository Commentary. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2009.
The Letter to the Ephesians by Peter Thomas O’Brien. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999.
Books:
Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey. Baker Books, 2018.
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. Touchstone: New York, 1996.
Shaped by the Cross by Ken Gire. InterVarsity Press, 2012.
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Zondervan, 2012.
Websites:
The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings J.R.R. Tolkien (Houghton-Mifflin, 1999); http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gollum