BE PURE! EPHESIANS 5:1-20

Adapted from a Jim Black sermonhttp://www.sermoncentral.com/

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Ephesians 5:1 NET Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children 2 and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave

himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3 But among you there must not be either sexual immorality,

impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.

4 Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting — all of which

are out of character — but rather thanksgiving. 5 For you can be confident of

this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person

is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

6 Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God's

wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them, 8 for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light — 9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth —

10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For

the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. 13 But all things being

exposed by the light are made evident. 14 For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says: "Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!“

(possibly from Isa 26:19, 51:17, 52:1, 60:1)

15 Therefore be very careful how you live — not as unwise but as wise, 16 taking advantage of every opportunity, because

the days are evil. 17 For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding

what the Lord's will is.

18 And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, 19

speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making

music in your hearts to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for each

other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Christians are to live worthily of the calling by avoiding sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed. We are to be different

from the world around us.Christians are called & challenged to holy

living.What is it that makes gold, pure gold so valuable? Why will people spend huge amounts of money for gold necklaces,

bracelets and rings?

I have to admit I am ignorant when it comes to jewelry. There are different levels (karats)

of gold– 10k, 14k, 24k. The more karats you got, the less dollars you’d have left at the end of the day! An important lesson!

It seems that the karats have to do with the PURITY of the gold. The higher the karat, the purer the gold. That’s why the higher

karats are more expensive. The Bible talks about the purity of such

things as well. In His instructions on building the tabernacle, God carefully instructed the Israelites to use pure

materials.

Exodus 25:9 NIV Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I

will show you. 10 "Have them make a chest of acacia wood-- two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a

half high. 11 Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. ....36 The buds and branches

shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold....38 Its wick

trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold.

In the Old Testament system of sacrifices, God made careful instruction to the people

that their offerings were to be free from defect; they were to be pure.

When anyone brings from the herd or flock a fellowship offering to the LORD to fulfill a special vow or as a freewill offering, it must

be without defect or blemish to be acceptable.

Lev 22:21 NIV

Why did God demand purity? Because that’s how he how he created things! He created them to be pure and free from

impurities!

Purity is a highly sought-after commodity in our time, isn’t it? We want purity in our jewelry; in our pearls; in our

diamonds and in our gold & silver.

Water utilities get into trouble when their water doesn’t meet the purity standards

set by the government.

Purity is still a highly sought-after commodity, isn’t it? Or is it? I look at the

world around us and wonder how far from God’s standard of purity have we

come? In many ways, our society ridicules purity and revels in impurity!

Just think about it...

Pornography and 1-900 numbers are a billion dollar industry, today. Standards of modesty and decency with regard to how we dress have all but evaporated in our culture. There are organizations in our

country whose agenda is to promote sexual perversion, deviancy and all types of

pornography. I don’t have to tell you what all comes on the TV, theater screens or

internet.

Well, as I said last week, we can lament and complain about this all we want, but

why should we be surprised that the world is behaving like the world? Jesus told us that he was not of this world & that his

kingdom was not of this world! This world, John tells us, is in the control of the evil

one. 1 John 5:19 NET We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the

power of the evil one.

Paul told the Corinthians to “come out from their midst”; i.e. those of the world. 2 Corinthians 6:17 NET Therefore "come out from their midst, and be separate," says the Lord, "and touch no unclean thing, (Isaiah 52:11) and I will welcome you, (A paraphrased quotation from Eze 20:41)

The world is going to be the world. Now we should do all we can to be salt & light and an influence for God in our world, but we are FIRST & FOREMOST citizens of the

Kingdom; NOT this world!

Paul’s concern in today’s text is not so much that society needs to be reformed (although it certainly might), but that first

CHRISTIANS need to be reformed! We are to be DIFFERENT, remember? We are to

live worthily of the calling!Ephesians 4:1 NET I, therefore, the

prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have

been called,

And he continues to expound upon that theme of the Christian walk. Live worthily of the calling by preserving unity among fellow

Christians! Ephesians 4:3 NET making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in

the bond of peace.Live worthily of the calling by being

different; DISTINCT, from the world around us. Ephesians 4:17 NET So I say this, and insist in the Lord, that you no longer live as

the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

In today’s text Paul continues the same train of thought and says, “LIVE WORTHILY OF THE CALLING BY AVOIDING SEXUAL IMMORALITY, IMPURITY OF ANY KIND,

OR GREED!”; In other words, “BE PURE!”

That’s part of being different from the world; of being ‘imitators of God.’

Ephesians 5:1 NET Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children 2 and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave

himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3 But among you there must not be either sexual immorality,

impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.

4 Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting — all of which

are out of character — but rather thanksgiving. 5 For you can be confident of

this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person

is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

6 Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God's

wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them,First, Paul says, Avoid sexual immorality,

impurity of any kind. Notice, he doesn’t just say “Avoid Sexual

Sin”; or “Don’t cheat on your wife”; or “Throw away your subscription to Playboy.”

NO... God sets the bar much, much higher than that! Avoid sexual immorality, impurity of any kind. There should be NO Question about where you stand as a Christian in

regard to sexual sin. Not any kind of sexual immorality ... (porneia in the Greek) from which we get ‘pornography’; It’s a word

used to describe all kinds of sexual sins.

The Bible uses it to refer to incest, general promiscuity, prostitution. It is also used

figuratively to describe Israel’s apostasy and worship of idols. The people of God are ‘married’ to God in a sense and to worship anything else is a form of unfaithfulness.

No impurity of any kind ... again a reference to sexual sin linked with porneia. No

greed...; literally- “the desire to have more.”

How does this fit? When you think about it, greed is at the root of most sin, isn’t it?

Sexual sin is a desire to satisfy the lusts of the flesh over and above the will of God.

Greed isn’t just about the desire for money, but the desire for anything that takes the

place of God in our lives.

These are not fitting for the saints, God’s people! We’re better than that! We know

better! That’s not why we were created, to satisfy ourselves! We were created to bring

glory to God! In our Language, as well, there should be PURITY! No vulgar speech,

i.e. talk which is shameful or disgraceful.(Strongs, Thayer: obscenity, filthiness)

No foolish talk, i.e. ridiculous talk from a fool; someone without understanding;

somebody who doesn’t know what he’s talking about. No coarse jesting. Paul’s not condemning humor, here, but rather a kind

of humor; a coarse or base humor that’s rooted in indecency; innuendo, double entendres, etc. Such speech is just not

fitting for Christians.

Why? Because we are DIFFERENT! What IS fitting, are words of Thanksgiving to God!

Why? Because that builds others up and glorifies God! Paul reminds us that no

person who is immoral, impure, or greedy has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ

and God. They will rightfully experience God's wrath because of their disobedience! Therefore, we are NOT to be partners with them, sharers together with them, in their

disobedience! We’re to be different!

That brings up another question:

8 for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light — 9 for the fruit of

the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth — 10 trying to

learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

How do we Live in a Sinful World and Not Get a Little Stain on Us?

11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose

them. 12 For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. 13 But all

things being exposed by the light are made evident. 14 For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it

says: "Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!”

(possibly from Isa 26:19, 51:17, 52:1, 60:1)

Verse 8 has been Paul’s main point all along: Before you knew Christ you were in darkness, but NOW you are Christians, you

are light, so LIVE LIKE IT! Its not that we are light in and of ourselves, but “in the

Lord.” Jesus had said, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus is the light and when we are in Him; when we’ve been resurrected with him in baptism, we share in that light; and

as a result we shine, too!

And so fruit of that “Life in the Light” is goodness, righteousness, truth. Those things which should characterize us as Christians – all themes he’s mentioned

before in Ephesians.

So, how do we live in the world? We’re to not participate in the unfruitful deeds of

darkness.

Rather, light exposes the deeds; brings them out! The shameful things which are supposedly done in secret are exposed by the light for what they are: SIN! We live as LIGHTHOUSES– exposing the sinfulness of the world around us by living lives that are different; that are

PURE! Jesus said, 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be

hidden.

15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it

gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before

people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in

heaven. Matthew 5 NET

Shining our light glorifies our God! Paul commanded the Corinthians to “Flee

from sexual immorality!” 1 Corinthians 6:18 NET Flee sexual immorality! "Every sin a person commits is outside of the body" — but the immoral person sins

against his own body. Not just avoid, not just get away from, but FLEE; RUN AWAY as hard as you

can! Folks, its that serious!

Think about what IMPURITY & Sexual Sin has done to people... Adultery destroys

relationships! It rips families apart! It kills the soul! And it doesn’t even have to be an actual physical act! Remember, Jesus said, 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' (Exo 20:14; Deu 5:18) 28

But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed

adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5 NET

Sexual sin can be committed in the heart as well as anywhere! What about that? Some say, “What harm is pornography viewed in the privacy of one’s own home? It doesn’t

hurt anybody.” That’s stupidity talking! “The body is a beautiful thing we should

appreciate,” someone might say. There has been too much research done to the

contrary to suggest that pornography is harmless.

Besides simply demeaning people by viewing them as objects, pornography destroys by staying in the brain; by re-

ordering even how one thinks; by leading the mind into acting out in deviant ways. It

can consume and become an addiction. It’s NOT an appreciation of beauty, but an

embracing and feeding of lust. If there is a clear lesson from Jesus’ statement in his Sermon on the Mount it is that what one

does with their mind does matter!

Maybe that’s why Paul continues by contrasting foolish & wise living.

15 Therefore be very careful how you live — not as unwise but as wise, 16 taking advantage of every opportunity, because

the days are evil. 17 For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding

what the Lord's will is.

Be Wise How You Live!

18 And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, 19

speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making

music in your hearts to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for each

other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Don’t be so foolish as to live this way! Live wisely! How do we do that? Make the most of every opportunity; redeem your time wisely, because there is real evil in this world and if Christians don’t use their time for God, then evil will use it! We try to discern, to understand what the Lord’s will is by looking at his Word and putting IT into our minds, we let it

pattern our thinking.

Instead of being filled with anything else, we are filled with the Spirit! We allow our lives to be lived under the influence of the Spirit;

not…wine.Instead of obscene & foolish talk; speaking to one another in Godly talk, building one

another up with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. And we give thanks to God the Father, with singing, with music in your hearts to the Lord because he has given us

everything in Christ Jesus!

That’s a pretty good recipe for walking wisely in the Kingdom and NOT of the

world!

Well, I realize that Paul’s admonition to his audience at Ephesus, and to us, is an

especially challenging call. It’s challenging because it calls us to be SO different from

our culture.

It’s hard to remain pure in a world that constantly bombards our minds with

sexually explicit images, thoughts and song lyrics. We live in a day when just going to the mall can be an exercise in disciplining

one’s mind NOT to fall prey to certain advertisements and posters in the store

windows. We live in a day when just opening your e-mail can be a test of

character.

One no longer has to sink into the shadows in the shady side of town to find an outlet

for pornography. Its right there available on anyone’s computer or on anyone’s

television set. We live in a day when its common, even more & more acceptable to talk openly and publicly of the crudest of

matters. And Christians can be tempted to fall into the pattern of this world.

Now might be a good time to pause and remind ourselves that sexual desire is not a

bad thing. God created us with sexual desire. But he created it to be enjoyed in

the God-ordained relationship of marriage! In fact, the very next section of Ephesians

that we’ll look at next talks about the relationship between husband and wife. So,

don’t misunderstand, sex isn’t bad. Our world’s misuse of it IS! Our world has

perverted the pure!

The good news is (as Paul has reminded us) that this, too, can be overcome &

forgiven! We have a REASON to overcome this temptation & sin! 1:3 Blessed is the

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual

blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.

We have the POWER to overcome this temptation & sin! 1:19 and what is the incomparable greatness of his power

toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength. 20 This

power he exercised in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at

his right hand in the heavenly realms

We have been made NEW & ALIVE in Christ! Ephesians 2:3 NET among whom all of us also formerly lived out our lives in the cravings of our flesh, indulging the desires

of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest… 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of

his great love with which he loved us, 5 even though we were dead in

transgressions, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you are saved!

We have been given FULL ACCESS to God through Jesus Christ. We can go to God and ask him for forgiveness because of what Jesus has done for us. Ephesians

2:18 NET so that through him {Jesus} we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

And we have one another to lean upon as fellow brothers & sisters in Christ; to help us

deal with the temptations that come our way.

Ephesians 4:4 NET There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the

one hope of your calling,

Ephesians 4:13 NET until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge

of the Son of God — a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ's full

stature.I say to you this morning, if you’ve failed in

this area of sexual purity– your family is here for you. God calls you to turn away

from your sin, to come back to him and ask his forgiveness. He’s longing to give it to

you!

He wants to restore your relationship with your spouse. He wants to repair your

marriage. He wants to heal your soul. But he won’t do it unless you want him to!

Maybe this is something you’ve struggled with for some time and you’d love for God to lift you up out of it, but you’ve tried to do

it all by yourself.

I say to you QUIT trying to do it all by yourself and ask God to transform you! On your knees, ask him to help you overcome! The invitation song that we’re about to sing

will be an opportunity for you to express your need for forgiveness and your desire

to overcome temptation, to flee from immorality of every kind and come back to

the Lord!

If you don’t know the Lord, you’ll be surprised at how he changes your life. He takes us from the way we used to live (in

darkness; in futility of thinking) and transforms us each day more and more into

the image of His Son.

None of us are perfect, but we’re trying to model ourselves after the one who is. If

you’ve never committed your life to him by being baptized for the forgiveness of your

sins, then this morning is a wonderful opportunity. Won’t you come while we sing

this invitation song?