Sermon Series: Ephesians–The Believer's Bank

Being His Light

Ephesians 5:3-14

PSBC 10/1/00 PM

In a nutshell: Our purpose statement includes the phrase, "We will be His Light". Knowing how we are doing in this is answered two ways in this passage. One in the negative–NOT participating in deeds of darkness. And the other in the positive–Participating in deeds of light. Obeying these two answers will help us evaluate how well we are accomplishing the purpose of our church.

I. Introduction

A. Questions on Pregnancy

This past week I received a series of questions and answers designed for pastors to use to help couples deal with their questions about pregnancy, parenthood and childbirth. They were so helpful, that I thought I'd share some of them with you this evening, so you can apply them or pass them along to someone who might be at this stage of life....

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most common pregnancy craving?
A: For men to be the ones who get pregnant.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: The more pregnant I get, the more often strangers smile at me. Why?
A: 'Cause you're fatter than they are.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: What's the difference between a nine-month pregnant woman and a model?
A: Nothing (if the pregnant woman's husband knows what's good for him).

Q: How long is the average woman in labor?
A: Whatever she says divided by two.

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll be feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Does pregnancy cause hemorrhoids?
A: Pregnancy causes anything you want to blame it for.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

I just thought you'd like to know.

B. Question on Being Light

Well, this evening, the passage of scripture that we'll be looking at, also gives an answer to a very important question. In fact, it's a question that every Christian, and especially those of us who call Palm Springs Baptist Church, home, should be asking ourselves.

You see, our church purpose statement says, "We will love, accept, guide and partner to share God's Truth and Be His Light."

And the question that is raised by that purpose statement is answered in Ephesians 5, that we'll be looking at tonight. The question is this, How do we know when we are "being His Light"? And the answer starts in verse 3 of Ephesians chapter 5. Please turn there with me.

Now, as you're turning to that passage, let me tell you something about the answer. The answer has two parts–a negative part and a positive part. The negative part tells us what we should NOT be doing in order to be God's Light. And the positive part tells us what we should be doing in order to be God's Light. There are 4 negatives and 4 positives that the Apostle Paul lists. Let's look at the negative part of the answer, first.

II. Negative Part of the Answer

Ephesians 5:3-4
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place... (stop right there)

Paul lists four things that followers of Jesus Christ, who are seeking to BE HIS LIGHT in a dark world, need to refrain from. Doing these 4 things will cause our light to get dim or to go out all together.

A. Sexual Immorality

The first thing to avoid if you're going to be God's Light is sexual immorality. This obviously refers to sexual sin. The Greek word that's used here is the word porneia. From it we get our word pornography. But in the context of what Paul is writing here, it refers to much more than pictures or movies. The meaning of this Greek word refers to any sexual activity outside of marriage.
-Does it mean internet pornography? Yes
-Does it mean lusting in your mind after a person who is not your spouse? Yes
-Does it mean fantasies that involve someone you're not married to? Yes
-Does it mean numbing your sense of what is sexually and morally right and wrong by filling your mind with the images and values of godless TV characters? Yes
-Does it mean "working up an appetite" for sexual desire outside of your marriage? Yes
-Does it mean suggestive talk or flirtatious conduct? Yes
-Does it mean wearing provocative clothing? Yes

You see, sexual immorality involves the mental and physical and psychological and emotional things that excite the libido outside of the marriage union–and Paul says that if you're going to be God's Light in a dark world, there can't even be a hint of that kind of thing going on in your life.

Are you wondering why God hasn't used you significantly in Kingdom work recently? Examine how you're doing in the sexual immorality department. That might give you a clue as to why.

B. Impurity

A second thing to avoid in order to Be God's Light is impurity. Impurity is a broad term. In the Greek it refers to anything that is either sensually impure or doctrinally impure. Now since Paul just addressed this issue of sensuality, I'm going to surmise that he's moving on to something else, and is focusing his attention on doctrine–specifically what we say about what we believe.

Illustration: This week we saw a stunning upset in the Olympics. In the heavyweight Greco-Roman wrestling match for the gold medal, Rulon Gardner, a dairy farmer from Wyoming, upset the three time Olympic heavyweight champ from Russia. In the interview afterwards, Rulon tried to express something of what he believed by saying he was blessed by God to be able to be in that spot; that he was thankful to God for the effort he was able to give, and several other "God" statements where I think he was trying to express his faith.

Now, I know he was tired and I know the spotlight of the media was on him and it was something he wasn't comfortable with, but he made a statement that just made me cringe. He said, "I guess my stars must have been aligned right tonight."

Now, what do the alignment of the stars have to do with anything about what he just said about God?

You may think I'm getting picky, but hear me out on this one. When we speak about our faith in Jesus Christ alone, we can't mix this faith with any other belief system. We must not speak about this faith impurely–that simply means that we can't mix the truth of our faith with the speculations, opinions and attitudes that our present culture has about faith. When we do, we present a system of beliefs that is not pure, is watered down, and cannot redeem a person from Hell.

When it comes to faith that rescues a sinner from Hell, the Word of God speaks in absolute purity. Therefore, we must purpose in our hearts to be students of God's Word, so we don't speak something that will lead another individual into evil or down a path that leads to Hell.

So, are you wondering why God hasn't used you significantly in Kingdom work recently? Examine how you're what you're saying about what you believe. That might give you a clue as to why.

C. Greed

The third negative is greed. Greed is the desire to have it all. But it's a desire that is never satisfied. John D. Rockefeller once was asked, "How much money is enough?" He replied, "Just a little bit more."

In the popular movie, Wall Street, of a few years ago, the main character, Gordon Gecko, who was a corporate raider said, "Greed is good." Friends that's the sentiment of our society–especially in the Coachella valley where money drives the economy. Greed is king. The idea is to make money and obtain things–as much as you can, and in any way that you can. But Paul tells us we have to live a life that is free from greed. The reason why is because of a profound and simple concept that's taught throughout the New Testament and crystallized in the...

1 John 4:7
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

When you analyze it, greed is the direct opposite of love. Greed takes–love gives. Greed values things–love values people.

So, if you're wondering why God hasn't used you significantly in Kingdom work recently? Examine if you're valuing things more than people. That might give you a clue as to why.

D. Unwholesome Speech

The fourth area of things to avoid has to do with what comes out of our mouths. I call it unwholesome speech. Obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking are the words Paul uses.

Illustration: On September 11, 1995, a squirrel climbed on the Metro-North Railroad power lines near New York City. This set off an electrical surge, which weakened an overhead bracket, which let a wire dangle toward the tracks, which tangled in a train, which tore down all the power lines in the tunnel. And resulted in 47,000 commuters being stuck in Manhattan for 8 hours that evening. Little things can have a big impact. James talks about this...

James 3:5-6
5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Both Paul and James agree. Even something as small as the tongue can cause a lot of darkness to be cast by the life of a believer who isn't careful with it. Watch what you say. Think before you say it. Would Jesus say what you're going to say if He were walking in your skin at that moment?

So, if you're wondering why God hasn't used you significantly in Kingdom work recently? Examine the words and tone of the words that are coming out of your mouth. That might give you a clue as to why.

E. Paul's Wrap-up

And God isn't just blowing smoke on this issue. Just listen to these strong words from Paul about refusing to remove these four things when we know they are in our lives...

Ephesians 5:5-7
5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person– such a man is an idolater– has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

Illustration: There was a comic in the Saturday Review a lot of years ago–back when computers filled entire rooms, and we were just starting to learn what they could do. Two scientists were facing each other and talking with each other. The expression on one of the scientist's face was very grave and worried. He was reading from a print out that had come from the computer. He shared with the other scientist, "It's very, very angry and it's demanding a sacrifice."

Sin, like that old computer, demands a sacrifice. And the sacrifice it demands is us. That's why we are commanded to stay away from sin because it....

Ephesians 4:27
27 ...give(s) the devil a foothold.

Illustration: An article I read in Leadership magazine some years ago told the story of a Haitian pastor who told his people a parable about a man who tried to sell his house for $2000. The perspective buyer could not afford the house at that price. So, after haggling with the owner, the owner decided to let the house go for $1000 with one stipulation. The owner would retain ownership of a single nail that protruded from just over the entrance door. The buyer took possession of the house, but after several years the original owner decided to buy it back. However, the new owner refused to sell. The old owner found the carcass of a dead dog, and hung it from the single nail that was still his above the entry door. Finally, the stench rendered the house uninhabitable, and the residents were forced to sell it back. The Haitian pastor concluded, "If we leave the devil with even one small peg in our life, he will return to hang his rotten garbage on it, making it unfit for Christ's habitation."

So, friends, if unwholesome speech, greed, impure doctrine or sexual immorality are in your life, take care of them. This issue of being God's Light is serious business to God. If you have a problem in any of these areas, God tells us that if you confess them to Him as sin, ask His forgiveness for doing them, and accept His forgiveness, you can start brand new. You can begin replacing these negatives with some positives. Look at the next verses, starting with verse 8...

III. Positive Part of the Answer

Ephesians 5:8-10
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

Paul lists four things here, that must be evident in the lives of every single man, woman and child who intends to Be God's Light –or, in other words, a Christian being what a Christian should be...

1. Instead of evil, we must make an effort to substitute good.
2. Instead of sin, we must make an effort to substitute righteousness.
3. Instead of deception, we must make an effort to substitute truth.
4. And instead of living to please ourselves, we must make an effort to live to please the Lord.

IV. Conclusion

Now, look at how Paul says things will end up if we shine our lights like we're supposed to shine them, with lives of good, righteousness, truth and living to please the Lord...

Ephesians 5:11-20
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Illustration: There's a book that probably none of you have on your bookshelves that was written just a few years ago. It's called, An Anthropologist on Mars, The author, Dr. Oliver Sacks tells about Virgil, a man who had been blind from early childhood. When he was 50, Virgil underwent surgery and was given the gift of sight. But as he and Dr. Sacks found out, having the physical capacity for sight is not the same as seeing.

Virgil's first experiences with sight were confusing. He was able to make out colors and movements, but arranging them into a coherent picture was more difficult. Over time he learned to identify various objects, but his habits--his behaviors--were still those of a blind man.

Dr. Sacks wrote, "One must die as a blind person to be born again as a seeing person.

Friends, that's what Paul is telling us in this passage tonight about being God's Light. We have to die to the darkness of our culture, that is controlled by sexual immorality, erroneous and inaccurate beliefs, greed and unwholesome and un-edifying speech.. and start living in the light.

The song writer, Keith Green once wrote these lyrics in one of his songs, "the world is lost in the darkness, while the church is asleep in the light."

-We need to wake up and allow the light of Jesus Christ to shine on us...
-Let the light of Jesus Christ shine through us.
-We need to stop belonging to the church and we need to start being the church –and let our light shine and radiate the glorious and attractive character of Jesus Christ.
Amen.