1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,000 Well good morning 2 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:08,840 If you have her Bibles, I'd encourage you to grab one in front of you or the one you have and turn to Ephesians chapter 5 with me 3 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:11,160 We'll get there in just a second 4 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:13,480 When I was a kid growing up 5 00:00:13,880 --> 00:00:16,080 We always had a holiday in January 6 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:21,120 Where we got the day off in order to remember Martin Luther King, Jr. I 7 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:24,800 Think I think we still do that now, right? 8 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:30,340 So for the few days before that Monday that we had off we would be 9 00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:38,200 Studying about his life and his contributions to the civil rights movement. We'd watched the speech that he gave in front of the Lincoln Memorial 10 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:46,640 We'd read his biography and and then of course we would be talking about why our country needed men like him 11 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:52,440 One of his favorite quotes was darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can do that 12 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:59,240 Hey cannot drive out hate only love can do that now he was contrasting two very different things right? 13 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:05,200 Darkness in its simplest definition is the absence of light no light whatsoever 14 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:09,920 So when any sort of light is introduced into the situation 15 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:17,360 There's no longer any more darkness in other words darkness doesn't have the presence of anything 16 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:20,280 That's how the Bible starts 17 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:24,040 It starts in Genesis 1 chapter 1 it says in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth 18 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:31,280 The earth was without form and void and darkness was over the face of the deep and the spirit of God was hovering over the face 19 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:37,280 Of the waters and verse 3 it says and God said let there be light and there was light and God saw that the light was good 20 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:42,120 And God separated the light from the darkness and so in just a moment 21 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:49,960 When we continue our journey through Ephesians we'll find that Paul is going to use the very same imagery of darkness and light 22 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:57,120 That that goes all the way back to the beginning of the world all the way back to the beginning the world we began with a physical 23 00:01:57,640 --> 00:01:59,640 separation of light and 24 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:05,080 Darkness and Paul is going to use that same picture to describe the spiritual separation 25 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:10,520 But between those who are followers of Jesus and those who aren't 26 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:14,640 So we're going to read our passage this morning. I want you to keep that in mind 27 00:02:14,640 --> 00:02:16,880 I'm going to invite Adam Clark wherever he is 28 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:21,640 I know I thought it was in here up to here and he's going to read our passage for us together 29 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:25,800 If you would mind as he comes up here standing in preparation 30 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:29,080 For him to read the word together 31 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:47,800 Therefore do not become partners with them for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the world 32 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:52,280 Walk as children of light for the fruit of light is found in all that is good 33 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:55,880 Right and true and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord 34 00:02:55,880 --> 00:02:59,120 Amen, hold on. Let's pray for quick father God 35 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:03,040 We thank you for your word and I thank you for kids like Adam that want to 36 00:03:03,640 --> 00:03:10,120 Be partakers in it and sharing it with us and so God I pray that as we as we study this passage that you have given us 37 00:03:10,120 --> 00:03:14,040 I pray God that we will be able to see the differentiation between light and darkness and 38 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:20,040 In our own lives in the world around us and I pray God that this will ring true for all of us this morning 39 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:26,840 So thank you for your word. We ask all these things in your name. Amen. Thank you Adam. So 40 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:28,840 In this passage that Adam just read 41 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:35,000 Paul describes three principles that will help us to use 42 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:40,200 The light that is in us to beat the darkness that is around us 43 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:48,960 Each one of these principles contains two aspects something that we must do and something that we must avoid 44 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:53,120 The first point that Paul makes is that we need to be in the world 45 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:59,400 But not of the world. He tells us in verse 7 therefore do not become partners with them 46 00:03:59,960 --> 00:04:02,960 As always we when we see the word therefore 47 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:10,400 We need to understand what it's there for in this case Paul is very clearly looking back to the immediately 48 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:11,900 preceding verses 49 00:04:11,900 --> 00:04:17,880 Where he describes the consequences of living a lifestyle that is characterized by 50 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:22,800 Immorality by impurity by by covetousness and Paul warrants his readers 51 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:31,080 Just like the God is warning us through this text that they are not to be partners with those who engage in such a lifestyle 52 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:38,440 Now the word translated partners is the same in this verse is only used one other place in the entire New Testament 53 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:42,520 Now not surprisingly it's also used by Paul in this same book 54 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:48,600 In chapter 3 verse 6 Paul writes this mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs 55 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:53,240 Members of the same body and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel 56 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:59,040 So partakers in verse chapter 3 and partners in chapter 5 are the same 57 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:02,120 Word the word literally means joint participants 58 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:09,440 So Paul's main point here seems to be that followers of Jesus Christ those that call themselves 59 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:13,440 Christians those who have surrendered their life to him are not to 60 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:22,400 Participate in the same and morality the same impurity the same covetousness that characterized the darkness of our culture 61 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:26,960 Now I don't think any one of us that proclaim faith in Jesus Christ 62 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:30,960 Would disagree with that premise but just how far are we to carry that? 63 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:36,400 That there are many believers that carry this principle to such an extreme 64 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,880 That they isolate themselves completely from unbelievers 65 00:05:42,320 --> 00:05:48,880 They they only work with other Christians all of their friends and acquaintances are Christians 66 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:52,560 And often they they try to isolate their kids 67 00:05:52,560 --> 00:05:57,120 From the world by either homeschooling them or sending them to Christian schools 68 00:05:57,680 --> 00:05:59,680 Now side note real quick 69 00:05:59,920 --> 00:06:03,840 I homeschooled I seen a homeschooled our children 70 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:08,880 For a long time. I'm not knocking homeschooling. There's lots of reasons to homeschool 71 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:14,480 There's lots of reasons to send your kids to a Christian school. I'm not proposing that we do that 72 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:20,480 But I'm saying there should be a red flag when the only reason we do that is to send our children to a Christian school 73 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:25,600 When the only reason we do that is to isolate them from the culture around them 74 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:32,080 But that seems to fly in the face of the principle of being in the world but not of the world 75 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:36,960 Just as Jesus eloquently expressed in his prayer in John 17 76 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:43,600 In his first letter to the church at Corinth Paul also makes it clear that he is not advocating for 77 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:51,600 Isolism here in Ephesians in 1 Corinthians 5 Paul basically says that if you want to associate only with fellow believers 78 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:55,280 If you don't want to associate with non-christians 79 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:58,480 Then you would have to leave the world 80 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:04,000 As we'll see even more clearly here in just a few minutes when we become followers of Jesus Christ 81 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:07,680 God God leaves us here on this earth 82 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:13,040 For the very purpose of being the light in the midst of darkness 83 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:19,920 And that's impossible if we have no contact if we have no interaction with unbelievers 84 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:27,440 So so Paul is not encouraging his readers to withdraw and isolate themselves from the people in the culture around them 85 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:35,520 Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3 that we need to always be ready to give a response to anyone who asks for the reason that you have hope 86 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:44,400 Peter is obviously writing here about how how believers are to interact with non-believers 87 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:47,360 We are to treat them with respect 88 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:52,160 We are to love them and be prepared to share the gospel message with them 89 00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:56,400 Peter is implying here that that others will ask us 90 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:00,080 About our faith 91 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:06,640 Because they'll be around us enough to be influenced by our light shining in the midst of their darkness 92 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:12,080 But we also need to be careful not to carry those things to the other extreme 93 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:14,960 And become just like the darkness 94 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:19,600 Paul confirms that principle very clearly when he says in 2 Corinthians 95 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:24,080 Six where he tells us not to be yoked together with unbelievers 96 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:32,080 So we are to interact with non-believers. We're to do life with non-believers, but not to be conformed 97 00:08:32,560 --> 00:08:34,560 to unbelievers 98 00:08:34,560 --> 00:08:39,200 There should be a stark difference between the way you live your life as a follower of Jesus 99 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:44,000 And the friends that you have that aren't 100 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:48,560 There should be a very significant difference 101 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:51,440 For a lot of my life growing up that wasn't the case 102 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:57,360 I'd be at church on a Sunday morning talking about the Lord and what I thought he was doing in my life 103 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:02,160 And then I would go to school on Mondays without giving him any thought 104 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:05,520 And acting just like the rest of my idiot friends 105 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:13,120 So of course I I never felt comfortable inviting them to church 106 00:09:13,600 --> 00:09:15,600 Because they wouldn't have seen the benefit of it 107 00:09:16,560 --> 00:09:19,120 Why would I go to church? You don't have to be a believer 108 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:24,000 Why would I go to church? You it's made no impact in your life 109 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:30,960 It would be like you coming up to me and asking for tips on how to do your hair 110 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:38,320 You probably wouldn't take me seriously if I walked up to you afterwards and say you know what? 111 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:42,240 I really feel like you should style your hair this way use this product. You wouldn't take me seriously 112 00:09:43,680 --> 00:09:46,960 Now if you wanted to know how to get the smooth silky softness 113 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:52,400 Of a bald head at the same time avoiding how to 114 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:58,320 You know not making your wife mad when there's hair all over the place then I can I'm your guy 115 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:01,200 I've been there. I've learned through experience. I know how to do those things 116 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:04,800 But but we are to interact 117 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:09,040 With non-believers, but we can't conform to their behavior and join them 118 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:11,760 The the key is to find balance 119 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:16,240 We need to respect them and not isolate from the world 120 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:19,440 But refuse to resemble the world 121 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:22,880 A little bit of light can eliminate the darkness 122 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:26,480 Make sure your light is on at all times 123 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:32,000 So that when someone asks you where your hope comes from where that light comes from 124 00:10:32,560 --> 00:10:34,560 You have an answer 125 00:10:34,560 --> 00:10:41,440 The next point Paul makes is to remember history so that you don't repeat it 126 00:10:42,560 --> 00:10:47,520 He says in verse 8 for one time you were darkness, but now you are the light of the Lord 127 00:10:48,560 --> 00:10:54,560 Now this is not the first time where Paul has reminded his readers of what they were before they were christ followers 128 00:10:54,560 --> 00:11:02,560 For instance back in chapter 2 he reminded them of how they were once dead in their transgressions and sins before the work of God in their lives 129 00:11:02,560 --> 00:11:07,440 And here Paul reminds them that they were once in darkness 130 00:11:09,440 --> 00:11:12,480 That's how you once lived you were once in darkness 131 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:19,440 But as Jesus says in John chapter 8 whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life 132 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,480 When scene and I were engaged to be married 133 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:25,040 She would okay. We were separated 134 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:35,040 Geographically and so she would come visit me occasionally and she would be around people that I grew up with that knew me when I was from when I was a kid 135 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:37,040 They would tell her pretty often 136 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:41,040 I can't believe you're with him 137 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:45,040 You seem so nice 138 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:47,040 Why would you want to be with Daniel? 139 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:51,040 How did he trick you into being with him? 140 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:55,040 Right like she would hear it all the time where it kind of began to make her upset 141 00:11:55,040 --> 00:12:03,040 What they didn't understand is the person that I was growing up was not the same person that was about to be married 142 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:07,040 The Lord had done a work in my life while I was away at college 143 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:13,040 He changed my heart. He changed my worldview. He changed the things that I valued 144 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:23,040 I think about those times growing up a lot. I want to remember who I was and I want to remember what I thought was important before I really came to know the Lord 145 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:29,040 Now some of that's just maturity right? Some of that's just growing up 146 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:33,040 But a lot of what was in my heart had now changed 147 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:39,040 Did you ever watch The Biggest Loser on TV? You ever watched that grow up years ago? 148 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:43,040 We used to watch that show pretty often in my house when it came out 149 00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:47,040 But we'd be watching these people work out really really hard right? 150 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:53,040 They'd be on a really strict diet while I was sitting on my couch dunking Oreos into my milk 151 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:55,040 Like you see the irony in that? 152 00:12:57,040 --> 00:13:03,040 It was a pretty inspiring show. You would see these people lose 100, 200 pounds over a course of months 153 00:13:03,040 --> 00:13:09,040 Meanwhile I probably gained 10 pounds while watching the show sitting on the couch in Oreos right? 154 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:17,040 The story for a lot of those people though is that once they got home they put the weight back on 155 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:23,040 They would get back into the routine of not exercising as much 156 00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:28,040 They didn't have a personal trainer yelling at them and motivating them 157 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:34,040 And slowly the weight would get put back on. They forgot about the work they had done 158 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:39,040 They forgot about how miserable their life was before they went back on the show 159 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:42,040 They were repeating history 160 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:48,040 When we choose to follow Jesus Christ, He is continually present in our lives 161 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:52,040 And because we have Him, we become light 162 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:59,040 I'm not merely enlightened, I am light because the light of the world lives in me 163 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:03,040 Now although Paul is certainly not someone who dwelled in the past 164 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:13,040 His letter indicates that there is great value on us recalling what we were before Jesus Christ came and changed our life 165 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:19,040 If nothing else it makes us appreciate the fact that God did something in us that we could never do for ourselves 166 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:23,040 By transforming us from darkness to light 167 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:29,040 At the same time Paul warns us against reverting back to that darkness 168 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:38,040 Since we are now light, since we now have the light in us we are to live our lives in a manner that is consistent with the light 169 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:44,040 And when we do that our lives will bear fruit that is consistent with the light 170 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:50,040 If we are truly children of light, if we are truly children of the Lord 171 00:14:50,040 --> 00:14:56,040 It's going to be characterized by goodness, righteousness, and truth 172 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:59,040 Jesus addresses this idea in Matthew 7 173 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:01,040 He says you will recognize them by their fruits 174 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:05,040 Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles 175 00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:10,040 So every healthy tree bears good fruit but the diseased tree bears bad fruit 176 00:15:10,040 --> 00:15:15,040 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit 177 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:20,040 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire 178 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:23,040 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits 179 00:15:23,040 --> 00:15:33,040 Jesus is really clear that our character will be revealed by the fruit that we produce 180 00:15:33,040 --> 00:15:36,040 Our character will be revealed by the fruit that we produce 181 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:45,040 If we are darkness, we will produce fruit that is consistent with the absence of God in our lives 182 00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:50,040 If we are light, our lives will reflect and produce goodness 183 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:56,040 It will produce righteousness, it will produce truth, but we have to live in the light 184 00:15:56,040 --> 00:16:00,040 I like to sleep in a dark room 185 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:01,040 I don't like any lights 186 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:06,040 I used to cover up my alarm clock, that stupid red light 187 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:10,040 Many of you don't know what that is because now we have phones 188 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:12,040 But I used to cover up the light 189 00:16:12,040 --> 00:16:16,040 That's one of the main reasons when we were finishing our basement 190 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:19,040 I wanted our bedroom in the basement because it was darkness 191 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:26,040 We've invested money in every house we've ever lived in for room darkening shades 192 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:29,040 I like sleeping in the darkness 193 00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:34,040 But have you ever struggled with depression? 194 00:16:34,040 --> 00:16:39,040 There have been times in my life where I've had that battle 195 00:16:39,040 --> 00:16:42,040 And here's how it goes for me, maybe you can relate 196 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:45,040 When I begin to feel like life is overwhelming 197 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:49,040 I tend to want to go home and isolate in my bedroom 198 00:16:49,040 --> 00:16:55,040 I can turn on the TV and be numb for hours at a time 199 00:16:55,040 --> 00:16:59,040 I ignore my phone, I ignore any offer for help 200 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:03,040 And I just stay where I am and mope 201 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:09,040 Just me alone with my thoughts telling everyone else that I'm just fine 202 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:16,040 When in reality the best way for me to snap out of it is to be around people 203 00:17:16,040 --> 00:17:19,040 To talk about the issues that I'm struggling with 204 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:22,040 To get outside and be in the light of the sun 205 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:25,040 And get out of the darkness 206 00:17:25,040 --> 00:17:27,040 I think that's the best way to fight off sin 207 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:33,040 Bring it into the light where the darkness loses its power 208 00:17:33,040 --> 00:17:36,040 Don't just say you were struggling 209 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:39,040 Say what you were struggling with 210 00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:41,040 Don't say you've messed up 211 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:44,040 Say what you did, give it some exposure 212 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:51,040 There's a big difference between I got a speeding ticket and I cheated on my wife 213 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:54,040 Both of those are mess ups 214 00:17:54,040 --> 00:18:01,040 There's a big difference between I over ate at dinner and I viewed pornography for an hour 215 00:18:01,040 --> 00:18:04,040 Those are both struggles 216 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:06,040 Bring it into the light 217 00:18:06,040 --> 00:18:08,040 Now here's just a moment 218 00:18:08,040 --> 00:18:14,040 I'm going to give you the opportunity to respond and bring some things into the light 219 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:19,040 I'm not going to ask you to stand up and say it out loud 220 00:18:19,040 --> 00:18:23,040 But I'm going to ask you to write it down 221 00:18:23,040 --> 00:18:25,040 Put your name on it 222 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:28,040 I'm asking you to own it 223 00:18:28,040 --> 00:18:30,040 And bring it to the light 224 00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:33,040 It's going to remain confidential 225 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:40,040 But I think it's important that we begin to take steps to make things right 226 00:18:40,040 --> 00:18:47,040 By exposing them to the light 227 00:18:47,040 --> 00:18:50,040 Don't just say I've been tempted 228 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:53,040 Say what you've been tempted by 229 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:57,040 Don't just say you had a moral failure 230 00:18:57,040 --> 00:18:59,040 Say what your moral failure was 231 00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:03,040 Don't let it have any more power 232 00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:05,040 Bring it to the light 233 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:09,040 Finally, Paul's third point is to let your light shine 234 00:19:09,040 --> 00:19:12,040 Let your light shine 235 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:15,040 When you let your light shine 236 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:17,040 That's the word 237 00:19:17,040 --> 00:19:20,040 The literal translation should be putting to the test 238 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:25,040 And then approving what is well pleasing to the Lord 239 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:28,040 Paul uses that very same phrase in Romans 12 verse 2 240 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:30,040 Do not be conformed to this world 241 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:33,040 But be transformed by the renewal of your mind 242 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:36,040 That by testing you may discern what is the will of God 243 00:19:36,040 --> 00:19:39,040 What is good and acceptable and perfect 244 00:19:39,040 --> 00:19:43,040 The idea in both passages is that when we live our lives in a way 245 00:19:43,040 --> 00:19:46,040 That is consistent with God's plan 246 00:19:46,040 --> 00:19:51,040 That we put to the test and prove His ways do in fact produce 247 00:19:51,040 --> 00:19:54,040 The results that He promises 248 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:58,040 The idea here is that we live our lives in a manner 249 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:02,040 That is consistent with the light of Jesus that is in our lives 250 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:07,040 It will cause other people to look at our lives 251 00:20:07,040 --> 00:20:11,040 To watch us and give glory to God 252 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:16,040 Our purpose in living as children of light 253 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:19,040 Is not to bring attention to ourselves 254 00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:23,040 But rather to give praise to the one who transformed us 255 00:20:23,040 --> 00:20:25,040 From darkness to light 256 00:20:25,040 --> 00:20:28,040 That's why we are still on this earth 257 00:20:28,040 --> 00:20:32,040 In other words, when we produce the fruit of light 258 00:20:32,040 --> 00:20:37,040 We actually reveal God living in our life 259 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:40,040 We actually reveal what He has done in our life 260 00:20:40,040 --> 00:20:44,040 Beginning in the middle part of chapter 4 of Ephesians 261 00:20:44,040 --> 00:20:47,040 Paul spent a lot of time writing to Christ's followers 262 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:50,040 Writing to you and to me and challenging them 263 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:52,040 To take off their old way of life 264 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:58,040 And put on their new life that is consistent with who they are in Jesus 265 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:01,040 This is what he's been going over 266 00:21:01,040 --> 00:21:04,040 But I'm struck by the fact 267 00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:07,040 That not even one time 268 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:12,040 Does Paul instruct his readers to try and impose 269 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:16,040 The same way of life on those who are non-believers 270 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:21,040 He never encourages them to go into the world 271 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:24,040 And condemn those that are still living in darkness 272 00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:27,040 And who live their lives in a way that produces fruit 273 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:30,040 That corresponds to darkness 274 00:21:30,040 --> 00:21:34,040 In fact, although I can't completely rule out the possibility 275 00:21:34,040 --> 00:21:39,040 That it's there somewhere, I couldn't find one instance in the New Testament 276 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:44,040 Where unbelievers are either commanded or expected 277 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:49,040 To live their lives in a way that is consistent with being a child of light 278 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:55,040 And though there are plenty of warnings and consequences of an immoral lifestyle 279 00:21:55,040 --> 00:22:02,040 I cannot place where unbelievers are condemned and criticized in their lifestyle 280 00:22:02,040 --> 00:22:07,040 About the only place where I see people being condemned for their lifestyle 281 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:12,040 Is the way Jesus confronts the religious leaders of his day 282 00:22:12,040 --> 00:22:15,040 And even there it seems that Jesus was so hard on them 283 00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:21,040 Primarily because of how they were leading others astray 284 00:22:21,040 --> 00:22:27,040 That is consistent with how the New Testament writers confront very directly 285 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:30,040 And forcefully sin within the body 286 00:22:30,040 --> 00:22:34,040 But when Jesus dealt with people in the darkness 287 00:22:34,040 --> 00:22:37,040 Like the woman caught in adultery 288 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:39,040 Like the woman at the well 289 00:22:39,040 --> 00:22:42,040 He didn't condone their sin 290 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:46,040 But he didn't condemn them personally either 291 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:50,040 Since darkness is the absence of light 292 00:22:50,040 --> 00:22:55,040 The way that we overcome the darkness is not by cursing the darkness 293 00:22:55,040 --> 00:23:01,040 We can't get rid of darkness by condemning it because there is nothing there in the first place 294 00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:03,040 It's void 295 00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:04,040 There is nothing there 296 00:23:04,040 --> 00:23:11,040 The only way to overcome darkness is by allowing the light of Jesus that is in us 297 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:14,040 To shine in the midst of that darkness 298 00:23:14,040 --> 00:23:17,040 That's you and me 299 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:23,040 How are you shining your light in the darkness? 300 00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:27,040 See as Christians we like to boycott things 301 00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:29,040 We like to take a stand for things 302 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:32,040 And we like to tell people that aren't believers 303 00:23:32,040 --> 00:23:35,040 You're going straight to hell 304 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:40,040 When in reality we should be shining the light to them 305 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:44,040 So that they can see the goodness that is the Lord 306 00:23:44,040 --> 00:23:49,040 So here's what I'd like to do 307 00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:56,040 Take, I don't know how you all do sermon notes if you even do them 308 00:23:56,040 --> 00:24:02,040 But tear off a piece 309 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:05,040 Write your sin down 310 00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:08,040 Sign your name to it 311 00:24:08,040 --> 00:24:11,040 It's going to be confidential 312 00:24:11,040 --> 00:24:13,040 And here's what I want to do 313 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:18,040 I want to invite the worship team to come back 314 00:24:18,040 --> 00:24:25,040 As we sing and as we respond 315 00:24:25,040 --> 00:24:29,040 And as you bring these things to light 316 00:24:29,040 --> 00:24:34,040 And as you own it 317 00:24:34,040 --> 00:24:40,040 I'm going to invite you to come put it in this basket 318 00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:44,040 I'm going to have it right here on the altar 319 00:24:44,040 --> 00:24:46,040 And as you put it in the basket 320 00:24:46,040 --> 00:24:51,040 I want you to just rip it in half and throw it in there 321 00:24:51,040 --> 00:24:57,040 As a symbol of what the Lord has done for you in overcoming sin 322 00:24:57,040 --> 00:25:01,040 I'm also going to ask our elders to be up front here 323 00:25:01,040 --> 00:25:03,040 At the front 324 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:05,040 So that we can pray for you 325 00:25:05,040 --> 00:25:08,040 So that we can minister to you 326 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:12,040 Now our church historically is not real good at responding 327 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:15,040 We don't like to publicly respond 328 00:25:15,040 --> 00:25:20,040 That's okay 329 00:25:20,040 --> 00:25:24,040 But here's how I'm going to challenge you 330 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:27,040 We're not going to get better at responding to the Lord 331 00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:34,040 And what he's stirring in our hearts if we don't start practicing it 332 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:37,040 And so maybe just one person comes up and confesses these things to the Lord 333 00:25:37,040 --> 00:25:41,040 And lays them at the altar and rips them up and declares victory over that 334 00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:45,040 Maybe just one 335 00:25:45,040 --> 00:25:49,040 But in my mind that's still a victory 336 00:25:49,040 --> 00:25:51,040 But maybe there's five of you, maybe there's ten of you 337 00:25:51,040 --> 00:25:54,040 Maybe there's three hundred of us that come forward this morning 338 00:25:54,040 --> 00:25:56,040 And confess these things before the Lord 339 00:25:56,040 --> 00:25:58,040 And we're here for an hour and a half extra 340 00:25:58,040 --> 00:26:01,040 I think that's a victory too 341 00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:03,040 And so here's my challenge to you 342 00:26:03,040 --> 00:26:05,040 As the elders come, I don't know who is on here 343 00:26:05,040 --> 00:26:08,040 I think there's two here, I'll be here 344 00:26:08,040 --> 00:26:11,040 We want to make ourselves available to you 345 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:17,040 And we're going to pray over you that you find victory over sin today 346 00:26:17,040 --> 00:26:22,040 That you bring things to the light as it's exposed 347 00:26:22,040 --> 00:26:24,040 And so I'm going to have this basket right here 348 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:26,040 And I'm going to pray for us 349 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:35,040 And as you feel that we start to bring some things into the light 350 00:26:35,040 --> 00:26:38,040 Because I think it will change your life 351 00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:42,040 I think it will put you on the right path 352 00:26:42,040 --> 00:26:49,040 I think that it will empower you to fight off the temptation and sin that's in your life 353 00:26:49,040 --> 00:26:50,040 So I'm going to pray for us 354 00:26:50,040 --> 00:26:53,040 And I'm just going to ask God to move in your heart 355 00:26:53,040 --> 00:26:58,040 I'm going to ask some of you that have never responded to the Lord in a physical way 356 00:26:58,040 --> 00:27:01,040 By standing up out of your chair and walking forward 357 00:27:01,040 --> 00:27:06,040 And I'm going to ask that the Lord put a heavy burden on you as you lead today 358 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:08,040 Find victory today, let's pray 359 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:14,040 Father God, I pray right now that your spirit will be thick in this place 360 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:18,040 God, I pray you take away any pride that's in this place 361 00:27:18,040 --> 00:27:23,040 Humble us 362 00:27:23,040 --> 00:27:27,040 God, I pray that you bless us as we try to bring things into the light 363 00:27:27,040 --> 00:27:32,040 As we have to drag it 364 00:27:32,040 --> 00:27:40,040 So God, I pray for a lot of dragging today 365 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:48,040 Your way is better with you, there's victory 366 00:27:48,040 --> 00:27:57,040 So God, I pray that you will allow us to minister on your behalf today 367 00:27:57,040 --> 00:27:59,040 God, we love you 368 00:27:59,040 --> 00:28:01,040 And we thank you for Jesus 369 00:28:01,040 --> 00:28:07,040 We thank you that because of him we have the power to overcome sin 370 00:28:07,040 --> 00:28:11,040 And I pray that that would be a reality in this place this morning 371 00:28:11,040 --> 00:28:13,040 I need you in your name, we pray 372 00:28:13,040 --> 00:28:18,040 Amen