Lesson 13

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Ephesians

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Lesson 2

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RETURN TO THE SYLLABUS

EPHESIANS 5:1-17
Lesson #13
WALKING IN PURITY, LOVE, LIGHT, AND WISDOM

• Memory verse: Eph 5:2

• Remember that Paul is trying to get Christians to match their earthly walk with their heavenly position. That is the purpose why we remain on this earth after we are born again. We are engaged to Christ, our bridegroom. Our earthly life is a preparation for our marriage to Him when he comes again. Then we will be his bride, pure and without spot.
• Read 2Cor 11:1-3
  • When a woman is engaged to a man, she does not date all the other men in the neighborhood. She keeps herself pure preparing for her wedding.
  • Therefore, Paul says the Christian should do the same, walking in purity.

• The Christian walk of purity
  • Paul tells us in verse 1 to be “imitators” of God.
  • Children learn by imitating their parents. The same is true on the spiritual level. Christians are to walk in purity like our heavenly Father.

• Read Eph 5:1-2 Imitate God By Walking in Love (1-2)
  • God is love (1Joh 4:8)
  • Love covers a multitude of sins (1Pet 4:8)
    • =A= The believer is a child of God and a partaker of God’s divine nature. He is not selfish like the unbeliever.
    • =B= The believer is a “beloved” child of God just as Jesus is his beloved son (Joh 17:23). He loves others to show his love to God.
    • =C= The believer was purchased with Christ’s blood. He loves others because Christ’s blood also purchased them.
    • =D=. The believer who imitates Christ is pleasing to God.
      • “A sweet smelling savor” just as Christ was pleasing to God.
        • The phrase “sweet smelling savor” is a reference to all the Old Ttestament animal sacrifices that God said were a sweet smelling savor to Him. All these Old Testament sacrifices illustrate and point to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

• Read Eph 5:3-14 Imitate God by Walking as Children of Light (3-14)
  • God is light (1Joh 1:5)
  • Believers are saints (3-4)
    • The word “saints” means = we are sanctified or set apart.
    • The believer is set apart from the kingdom of Satan, sin, and darkness.
    • The believer is placed in the kingdom of God; a kingdom of holiness, and light.
  • Therefore, the believer will not feel comfortable living in sin.
    • =1= The sins of an uncontrolled appetite:
      • =A= Fornication and uncleanness.
        • These are sexual sins outside of marriage.
        • Covetousness is listed with sexual sins. Covetousness means = uncontrolled appetite.
        • The person involved in any of these 3 sins of fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness seeks to satisfy his uncontrolled appetite by taking what does not belong to him.

• =B= Sins of the tongue which are sins of the heart that come out through the mouth: These are:
  • Filthiness
  • Obscene language, cursing,
  • Dirty jokes, etc.
  • Foolish talking
  • Conversation that degrades people, brags about sin, and mocks God.
  • Jesting = this word means an ability to turn easily. Therefore, this is the quick-witted person who can easily turn a conversation coarse and polluted.

• =2= People who habitually “practice” any of these sins are engaging in idolatry and will not inherit the kingdom of God. (5-6)
  • The word “practice” refers to habitual sin that disregards the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

• The word “whoremonger” (immoral) comes from the Greek word pornos from which we get the word pornography.
• Idolatry = This word means = to make a god of anything, or any person.

• =3= Believers are no longer in darkness (7-8)
  • Spiritual darkness does not produce fruit.
  • Spiritual darkness causes disobedience.

• =4= Believers should choose close friends who are believers (7,11)
  • Read 2Cor 6:14
  • You can not walk in darkness and light at the same time.

• =5= Believers should wake up from living in the darkness of the graveyard to living in the light of Christ. (14)

• Read Eph 5:15-17 Imitate God by Walking in Wisdom (15-17)
  • God is truth (1Joh 5:6)
    • =1= Walking accurately is a mark of wisdom (15)
      • Walk “circumspectly” (15)
      • The word circumspectly means = looking around with precision and accuracy. Walk carefully with accuracy.
      • Only a fool drifts with the wind, in and out of his relationship with the Lord, and in and out of fellowship with other believers.
      • Walking accurately enables you to get through the storms and trials of life.

• =2= Walk accurately because life is short (16)
  • Make best use of every opportunity God gives you; “seize the opportunity”
  • The word “opportunity” comes from a Latin word meaning “toward the port”.
  • It is a picture of a sailing ship taking advantage of every gust of wind to steer toward the port.

• =3= Walk accurately because the days are evil (16)
  • Paul meant that Roman persecution was getting more prevalent.
  • The ability to witness for Christ would soon be restricted.
• =4= Walk accurately because God has given us his mind (17)
  • It is not difficult to know the will of God. We find it in His love letter, the Bible.
  • God expects us to use our mind to discover His will.

• =5= Walk accurately because God has a plan for your life (17)
  • As you walk with Christ, you must following His guidance.
  • In this way He leads you into the plan for your life.

• Summary:
  • What are the characteristics of walking in love?
    • =1= No participation in sexual sins. (sex outside of marriage)
    • =2= No uncleanness.
    • =3= No covetousness.
    • =4= No filthiness.
    • =5= No foolish talking.
    • =6= No jesting.
    • =7= Giving thanks to God.

• What are the characteristics of walking in the light?
  • =1= Having the fruit of the Spirit.
  • =2= Having a life acceptable to God.
  • =3= Having no fellowship with darkness.
  • =4= Being watchful against the world system.
  • =5= Walking upright in wisdom.
  • =6= Redeeming the time.
  • =7= Understanding what God’s will is.

HOMEWORK
EPHESIANS 5:18-33
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of Eph 5:1-17
  • Consider your Christian walk. How pure is it?

• In what ways can you better imitate God’s love?

• In what ways can you better imitate walking in God’s light?

• Preparation for Eph 5:18-33
  • Read Eph 5:18-33
    • Write your definition of submission in a marriage situation.

• Solve the problem:

• A beautiful Christian woman is told by her husband to lie to his boss about their husband and wife relationship. Should she submit to his demands?
• Why or why not?

Memory verse: Eph 5:22