Ephesians 5:1-17

Last week, Greg taught on I Peter chapter 1, Peter teaches the saints about trials as pilgrims in this present land, that purify us as gold! Our hope (in Christ) must rest fully on the grace He has blessed us with...so now we venture back into Ephesians Chapter 5 where Paul continues on what actions we should take to be more Christ-like.

Ephesians 4:30-32 - Because we should not grieve (or bring frustration to) the Holy Spirit by continuing in sin after we are saved, fleeing all evil that is our human nature and being kind to each other as Christ forgave us.
Ephesians 5:1-2 We should follow God as children that love and respect Him. Just as Christ gave himself for us a sweet smelling sacrifice to God for our sins.
v3-4 Leave all fornication, uncleanness or desires for the belongings of others be an accusation against you. No filthiness, or foolish talking or joking be done, but giving thanks.
v5 None of these things has an inheritance in the kingdom of God.
v6-7 Do not be deceived, the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience. Do not be part with them.
v8 You were once in darkness, but no you are children of the light! Walk in the light.
v9-12 Choose the fruit of the Spirit, proving what is acceptable in the Lord! Flee from darkness and expose it! It is even shameful to speak of the things they do.
v13 The light exposes all things, the light makes everything visible.
v14 Arise, you who sleep and walk in the light.
v15 walk carefully, not as fools but as wise.
v16 making the most of every opportunity, for the days are evil.
v17 Do not be unwise, but try to understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know,[a] that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit[b]is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
“ Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
Walk in Wisdom
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

• Walk as God’s children.
• Do not be deceived by the foolish ones.
• Walk in the light, for He exposes all darkness.
• Make the most of your time, for it is short and evil pursues you.
• Seek to understand the will of the Lord.