December 11, 2022
Advent Week 3 | Joy!
Ephesians 5:1-14
“Quick! Look at the Lights!”
Service Overview: Those in Christ, while once in darkness, have been redeemed to light up the darkness. But in order to do that effectively, Paul gives us some tips on what to avoid in order for our light to effectively penetrate the darkness.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11 (NIV)
Background/Nerdy Stuff:
- Immorality (Eph. 5:3) is expressed by the Greek word porneia, from which we get our modern word pornographic. It refers, in a general sense, to any sexual indulgence outside marriage. (Mark A. Holmes, Ephesians, Location 2634)
- [Verse 14] is not a direct quote from Scripture but may have been taken from a hymn well known to the Ephesians. The hymn could have been part of a baptismal hymn that was sung by the congregation for a new convert when he or she emerged from the baptismal waters. For the new believer, coming out of spiritual death is like awaking from sleep, and coming into spiritual life is like greeting the sunshine—who is Christ. The hymn seems to have been based on Isaiah 26:19; 51:17; 52:1; and 60:1. (Bruce Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary: Ephesians, 107)
- (v14) Some commentators have suggested that here Paul cites an expository paraphrase of Scripture, like a targum on a text such as Isaiah 60:1 or perhaps Daniel 12:2. Others think that Paul cites an early Christian prophecy or song, composed by either Paul or another prophet (cf. 1 Cor 14:37). Either suggestion is possible, or a combination of the two (a prophecy or song based on biblical texts); in any case the quotation was no doubt familiar to both Paul and the letter’s first hearers. (Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, 289)
- These verses were addressed to Christians who had come to Christ while living in the notoriously sinful port city of Ephesus. In that wicked metropolis the dominant religion was the worship of the multi-breasted goddess Diana, and ritual prostitution was a way of life. Moreover, there was cultural acceptance of sexual perversion as a valid, and even exalted, way of life. Ephesus is a paradigm of any of the great cities of today’s world—San Francisco, Berlin, Hong Kong, Moscow, Chicago . . . (R. Kent Hughes, Ephesians, 181)
- The phrase “silly talk” is one compound word in Greek: mōrologia [3473]. From its root we derive the English word “moron,” which means “fool.” It’s not a stretch to translate this colloquially as “talking like a moron.” (Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights: Galatians & Ephesians, 318)
What is Paul’s challenge to the church here in light of the love he’s calling them to walk in?
- To abhor and avoid that which pollutes love.
(vv. 3, 5, 11 | Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 13:4-8; Gal. 5:16, 19-21; 1 John 4:7-8, 19)
Perhaps the real problem which faces our society, with regard to our immoral behavior, is not so much a lack of love, but rather a confusion about with whom this love is to be expressed. If our love is first directed toward God, all of our other excuses fall away. … any perverted expression of love toward others is a perversion of our love for God. (Mark A. Holmes, Ephesians, Location 2664)
If contemporary Christians ask themselves how much of their love reflects the love of God in its various dimensions, they should also ask themselves how much of their hatred reflects the hatred of God. Just as we can prostitute love, so we can prostitute hatred. (D.A. Carson, Love in the Hard Places, 182)
- To find their ultimate treasure in Jesus.
(v. 3, 5, 8, | Prov. 28:25; Mat. 6:24; Col. 3:5; 1 Tim. 6:9-10; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 2:16)
Your life is an overflow of your heart. Your sexual sin problem is fundamentally a worship problem. To be clear, the Bible is not antisex. Rather, it is pro-intimacy within the covenant of marriage. But if you do not get the worship problem solved, you will never enjoy the beautiful gift of sex the way God intended. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians, 126)
The problem with greed is not so much seen in our possessions, but rather what is possessing our hearts. (Randy Smith sermon, “Greed’s Graveyard”, June 16, 2019)
- To have mouths more inclined to help than hurt.
(vv. 4, 11 | Ps. 141:3; Prov. 21:23; Mat. 12:36; Eph. 4:29; Col. 3:17; James 3:9-10)
If we share with others in their sins, we must expect to share in their plagues. (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1261)
Paul’s word for “foolish talk” is morologia—moronic talk. Proverbs 15:2 says, “The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.” Empty, wasteful, idiotic talk is sub-Christian. The implication here is that such empty talking goes hand-in-hand with “crude joking.” (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Ephesians, 186)
- To have minds readied to discern and expose the darkness.
(vv. 8, 11, 13 | John 1:5; 3:19-20; Rom. 13:12; 2 Cor.6:14; Col. 2:8; 1 John 4:1)
As Christians take seriously the Lord’s command to allow their lights to shine within the darkness, they will impact the darkness which surrounds them. In this way, Paul’s exhortation to expose the “dark deeds” (see Ephesians 5:11) relates to those deeds done within the fellowship as well as without. (Mark A. Holmes, Ephesians, Kindle Location 2778)
Conclusion… How can we be challenged to live as children of the light in our day?
A. Become what you now are.
(vv. 8, 10 | Mat. 3:8; 5:13-14; John 1:12; Gal. 3:26; Col. 3:2; 1 Thes. 5:4-6; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 John 3:1)
The Christian is a king, and it is beneath his dignity to indulge in the practices of the lost world that is outside the kingdom of God. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Rich: Ephesians, 116)
Scripture condemns particular types of sexual sin (homosexuality, fornication, adultery, bestiality) and also lustful thoughts (Matt 5:27-30). People will try to work around this teaching of Scripture, but remember what Paul says: there should not be even a hint of sexual immorality in a believer’s life. Paul’s words are clear. You were darkness. Now you are light. Become what you are! (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians, 125)
Do Christians fall into these sins? Of course! But true Christians will not persist in them, for persistence in sensuality is a graceless state. (Hughes, Ephesians, 159).
We see Christlikeness as something we are royally screwing up, when we should it as something we already possess but need to grow into. (Kevin DeYoung, Blog Post: “Are Christians meant to Feel Guilt All the Time?”, May 11, 2010)
B. Get comfortable with contrast.
(vv. 8-10 | Prov. 4:19; John 15:18; Rom. 8:5-6; 12:2; 2 Cor. 6:14; 1 John 1:5; 2:15-18)
Christians are to be in the world, but not of the world, positively living out their faith in their various vocations in the “secular” realm and influencing it for the good, while remembering that their ultimate citizenship is in heaven. (Gene Edward Veith, Tabletalk, v. 28, n. 8, p. 18, Ligonier Ministries)
As we reveal the wrong of this world, it must be done with an emphasis on the right so that it will shine with a greater beauty and attraction than what the world can offer. Otherwise, we defeat our own purpose. (Mark A. Holmes, Ephesians, Kindle Location 2895)
C. Live to reflect and illuminate.
(vv. 11-14 | Mat. 5:13-16; Luke 8:16; 11:33-35; John 1:8-9; 3:20-21; 12:46; 2 Cor. 6:14)
The light we’re called to reflect isn’t a high-powered laser beam designed to target and incinerate wickedness wherever it’s found. Rather, our light is meant to reveal what’s there by way of contrast. By simply engaging in deeds of light, you and I expose the deeds of darkness. (Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights: Galatians & Ephesians, 323)
Christians are called to penetrate the darkness by reflecting the light we’ve been given; revealing what we are for as much as what we are against. (dt)
Gospel Application…
Jesus, light of the world, came to rescue people from darkness and call them to new life in light.
(Isaiah 9:2; Luke 1:79; John 8:12; 11:10; Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:13)
To be a Christian is to be loved by God, pursued by God, and found by God. To be a Christian is to realize that in your sin, you were separated from God’s presence, and you deserved nothing but God’s wrath. Yet despite your darkness and in your deadness, His light shone on you and His voice spoke to you, inviting you to follow Him. His majesty captivated your soul and His mercy covered your sin, and by His death He brought you life. (David Platt, Follow Me, 49)
Those who reject Christ do so because they are content with darkness. And because they choose darkness rather than light, they will forever have darkness rather than light. Eternity simply crystallizes the choice into permanence. (John MacArthur, Ephesians, 208)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- To walk in light we are called to exalt God, exhibit fruit, and expose darkness. What about these points resonates with you?
- What does it mean to expose the works of darkness (v. 11)? How might we do this today? How does the Holy Spirit provide wisdom and boldness for this task?
- How does your presence in this world make a tangible difference? In your home, school, or workplace?
- If your life were exposed to the light of God’s truth and holiness, what would it reveal?
Quotes to note…
Anyone who is living a lustful life of sensuality and is unwilling to turn from it is lost and has no inheritance in the kingdom of God and Christ. Such a person is an “idolater” because he has put his sensual desire in the central place only God should occupy. (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Ephesians, 189)
A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling “darkness” on the walls of his cell. (C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, 41)
If our teaching of grace causes us to make light of sin, or to slight the requirements of the Savior, then we have not really understood either the monstrosity of our sin or the greatness of the heart that forgives it. (Bryan Chapell, Holiness by Grace, 35)
The good that God works for in our lives is conformity to the likeness of His Son. It is not necessarily comfort or happiness but conformity to Christ in ever-increasing measure in this life and in its fullness in eternity. (Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness, 120)
Christ will never be found the Savior of those who know nothing of following His example. Saving faith and real converting grace will always produce some conformity to the image of Jesus. (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 67)
Society set free from God is its own worst enemy. (Robert Mounce, Revelation, 274)
Purity by indifference is phariseeism. Purity which involves ministry to the lost is holiness. (Mark A. Holmes, Ephesians, Kindle Location 2845)
Immorality, impurity, and greed (described in 5:3) are compared to idolatry because those who consistently engage in these types of activities are idolaters. Because they have allowed their desires to run their lives, those desires are their gods. (Bruce Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary: Ephesians, 101)
Love is the dynamic of the Christian life but light gives it direction. (Willard H. Taylor, Beacon Bible Expositions, Volume 8, 188)
5:3-6. Premarital and other immoral sex, insolent speech and sexual humor were as common in ancient pagan society as they are today. Paul did not water down God’s standards to accommodate the culture; instead he warned that those who engaged in this lifestyle would not be among God’s people in the world to come. (Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, 289)
Men usually discourse as their hearts are . . . for the tap runneth according to the liquor wherewith the vessel is filled.” (Thomas Manton, The Complete Works of Thomas Manton, vol. 19, 202)
Nature is mortal. We shall outlive her. When all the suns and nebulae have passed away, each one of you will still be alive. Nature is only the image, the symbol. . . . We are summoned to pass in through nature beyond her to the splendor which she fitfully reflects. (C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, 374)
