Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-21

I. Christians walk different by walking in the light.

 A.  Notice in vs. 8 the difference between how you lived before you were a Christian and how you live now as a Christian: “At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Darkness is a symbol for ignorance, error, evil and immorality. Light, on the other hand stands for truth, knowledge and holiness. Paul’s words that you are light are very similar to what Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

 B. In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul reminds us that God is our Father, and we are His adopted children (Eph. 1:3-5). And here in Ephesians 5:10 Paul tells us that we can actually please the Lord. We can be children who bring our Father pleasure. Let that desire to bring God pleasure be your motivation in all that you do as you walk in the light. What are we to do with works of darkness? We are to take no part in them (vs. 11). Instead, we are to expose the works of darkness.

C. The wonderful thing about light is that it not only exposes darkness; it also transforms it. Verses 13 and 14 say that when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. When non-Christians see the light that is in believers, they see not only their own darkness. They also see the light of Jesus in the Christians. And when they see the light, some non-Christians say, “I want that. I want to be light.”

II. Christians walk different by walking while OUI.

A. The second reference to walking differently in this part of Ephesians 5 is found in vs. 15. Paul tells us to “Look carefully then how you walk.” Christians do not pretend that there are no real dangers in the world. They don’t go hiking in the dark. The good news is that God gives us the power to carefully stay in the light, and that power comes from the third person in the Trinity: the Holy Spirit (vs. 18). To be filled with the Spirit is a God-controlled life.

B. How do we know if we are filled with the Spirit? What are the signs that we are controlled by the Spirit? 1) It is a life full of song (vs. 19). We are to be addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart. When we sing in worship in our church services, we sing to two different audiences: God and one another. 2) We are grateful people in everything (vs. 20). Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” 3) We submit to those in authority over us in the church out of reverence for Christ (vs. 21). This does not mean that we blindly follow church leaders. But it does mean that our heart is set on following the leaders God gives the church.

Application:
Walk differently by operating under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Sources:
The letter to the Ephesians
Commentaries on Ephesians by Peter O’Brien, Bryan Chapell, and Richard Coekin