Messages and Notes

Then Paul goes to the field (vv. 8–14) and reminds us that walking in the light produces spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22–23). If we walk in the light, we cannot have fellowship with the darkness (2 Cor. 6:14–18).

Note: You are no longer the same and an agent of change.

Ephesians 5:8‭-‬14 NIV8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 

John 8:12 NIV When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Note: When the light of Christ shines in the lives of believers it produces benevolence, fairness, and integrity. These three qualities counteract the dark influence of malice (4:31), injustice, and falsehood

Note: “To find out” (GK 1507) has to do with the testing of metals and so can mean to discover by examination, to verify, or to approve. Those who live as “children of light”

11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 

Note: But though they do not withdraw from the world, they refuse to adopt its standards or fall in with its ways. They are concerned to produce “the fruit of the light” (v.9).

2 Corinthians 6:14‭-‬18 NIV Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Matthew 5:14‭-‬16 NIV “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

As he encourages us to live godly lives, Paul takes us to the temple (vv. 1–7) and reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

Humans have five basic senses:

• Touch = Healing touch
• Sight = The blind to see
• hearing = Having heard the Word
• Smell = Fragrant offering 
• Taste = Taste and see the Lord is good

Ephesians 5:1‭-‬7 NIV
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children  2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  

If we walk in love, our lives will be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2) fragrant to the Lord (John 12:1–8).

Romans 12:1‭-‬2 NIV. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Mary gave her possessions and herself…

John 12:1‭-‬3 NIV Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

On the Contrary,  Sin is ugly and a stench in God’s nostrils

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.  4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.  5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 

7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

• To be a partner is to be in this thing together…
• Jesus hates the Sin but loves the Sinner

Opening Thought
Galatians 6:9 NIV ‭‭Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Ephesians‬ ‭4:25-32‬ ‭NIV
25 “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 
26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 

(Dt 24:13) There is such a thing as righteous indignation, for anger is ascribed to God and to Jesus. Thus it is also legitimate for Christians to express anger. But it can easily degenerate into bitterness—hence, the appended prohibition. Under the Mosaic law all sureties were to be returned and all wages paid before sunset 

28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 

“To share” (GK 3556) means to distribute personally rather than through some agent or official

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Remember Chapter 4 Opened With:

Ephesians 4:2‭-‬3 NIV
2 ‬‬Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 

What not to do:

• Live like the Gentiles v 17
• Darkened Understanding v 18
• Harden Hearts v 18
• Loss of Sensitivity v 19
• Deceive Others v 25
• Don’t Live Angry  v 26
• Don’t Steal v 28
• Don’t Trash Talk (Unwholesome Talk) v 29
• Don’t Grieve the Holy Spirit v 30

What To Do:

• Live a Life Worthy of the Calling v 1
• Be Humble v 2
• Bear With Each Other v 2
• Be The Peacemaker v 3
• Speak The Truth in Love v 15
• Put Off the Old Put on the New Self v 22 – 23
• The New Attitude of the Mind v 24
• Speak the Truth v 25
• Take Out the Trash v 31
• Be Kind v 32
• Be Compassionate v 32
• Forgive as you have been Forgiven in Christ v 32

Ephesians 4:7‭-‬16 NIV7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”  9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions ?  10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

1 Corinthians 12:4‭-‬6 NIV There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 

James 1:6‭-‬8 NIV But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Jesus did not come to make bad people good, but to make dead people alive.

Verses 20-26 Blessings and Warnings 

Verses 27-36 Love our Enemies 

Verses 37-42 Do Not Judge Others

Verses 43-45 A Tree and It’s Fruit

The Wise and Foolish Builders
Luke 6:46‭-‬49 NIV 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?  47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.  48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Like a Tree Psalms 1:1‭-‬3 NIV Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,  but whose delight is in the law of the Lord , and who meditates on his law day and night.  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

Bear Fruit Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Luke 6:43‭-‬45 NIV “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.  A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Find Wisdom During the Storms of Life

James 1:5‭-‬8 NIV If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Ephesians 4:1‭-‬6 NIV
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 

1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬7 NIV 4 Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 

James 3:18 NIVPeacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Matthew 5:9 NIV Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 3:6 NIV This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 4:12‭-‬16 NIV
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  

• God sees the suffering 
• God sees the injustice 

Micah 6:8 NIVHe has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

• Remember the Source of Battles

Ephesians 6:12 NIVFor our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

• So what are we to do?

1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Psalms 27:1‭-‬14 NIV The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?  2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.  3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.  

• God is our Protector (4–6). Because he was not a priest, David could not actually go into the tabernacle, but he could still rest in the Lord and trust Him as his refuge. The New Testament equivalent for this is “Abide in Me” (John 15:1–11). In Him is perfect safety.
• “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

4 One thing I ask from the Lord , this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.  5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.  6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord . 

• God smiles on you (7–10). You must go beyond merely seeking God’s help. Seek His face (Num. 6:22–27). The smile of God is all you need to overcome the scowls of men.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord ; be merciful to me and answer me.  8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord , I will seek. 9  Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.  10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

• God shows you the way (11–13). Satan wants to trap you, but the Lord will show you the safe way. Believe His promise and walk by faith. His goodness will be with you.

11 Teach me your way, Lord ; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.  13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  

• God strengthens you (1, 14). We need strength for the battle and strength for the journey, and God abundantly provides. Be sure to take time to wait on the Lord (Isa. 40:31). If you run ahead of Him or lag behind, you will be a perfect target for the enemy.

14 Wait for the Lord ; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord .

The words of encouragement are reminiscent of Moses’ words to Joshua (Dt 31:7), of God’s commission of Joshua (Jos 1:6, 7, 9, 18), and of Joshua’s words to the people (10:25). Redemptive history did not conclude with the Conquest. It continues as long as God’s people “wait for the LORD” and do his will.
Deuteronomy 31:7  Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.

Joshua 1:6‭-‬8 NIV Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.  “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful