Awakening to the Light: Living as Children of God
Summary
In Ephesians 5:14, Paul calls believers to awaken from spiritual slumber and rise from the dead, promising that Christ will illuminate their lives. This call to awaken is not just a personal exhortation but a reminder of the transformative power of the gospel. The gospel is a beacon of light in a world shrouded in darkness, ignorance, and spiritual death. It convicts, converts, and brings individuals into a new life characterized by the light of Christ. This light exposes the darkness, revealing the true nature of sin and the need for repentance and transformation.
Paul emphasizes that the Christian life is a balance of doctrine and practice. The doctrines laid out in the first three chapters of Ephesians are not merely theoretical; they are meant to be lived out practically. Christians are called to live as children of light, distinct from those who remain in darkness. This involves not only avoiding the unfruitful works of darkness but actively reproving them, always in a spirit of love and truth.
The gospel's power lies in its ability to awaken individuals to their true condition and the reality of God. It calls people to repentance, urging them to leave behind their old ways and embrace the new life offered in Christ. This transformation is not achieved through human effort alone but through the power of the Holy Spirit, who quickens the spiritually dead and brings them into the light of life.
As Christians, we are not only recipients of this light but also bearers of it. We are called to let our light shine before others, serving as instruments through which God can reach those still in darkness. Our lives, words, and actions should reflect the light of Christ, drawing others to Him and glorifying God.
Key Takeaways:
- The gospel is a light that exposes the darkness of sin and ignorance, calling individuals to awaken from spiritual slumber and embrace the life offered in Christ. This awakening is not just a personal transformation but a call to live as children of light, distinct from the world. [18:25]
- Christian life is a balance of doctrine and practice. The truths of the gospel are not merely theoretical; they are meant to be lived out practically, influencing our behavior and interactions with others. This involves avoiding the works of darkness and actively reproving them in love. [04:47]
- The transformative power of the gospel lies in its ability to convict and convert. It calls individuals to repentance, urging them to leave behind their old ways and embrace the new life offered in Christ. This transformation is achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit. [29:50]
- As bearers of the light, Christians are called to let their light shine before others. Our lives, words, and actions should reflect the light of Christ, serving as instruments through which God can reach those still in darkness. This is our role in the world, to be channels of God's light. [39:43]
- The gospel's power is not in human effort alone but in the work of the Holy Spirit. As we live in the light and speak to others, it is the Spirit who uses us as instruments to awaken the spiritually dead and bring them into the light of Christ. [43:35]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Ephesians 5:14
- [00:34] - The Need for Revival
- [01:07] - Context of Ephesians
- [01:58] - Practical Application of Doctrine
- [03:55] - Paul's Method of Teaching
- [05:43] - The New Birth and Christian Conduct
- [07:34] - Christians as Children of Light
- [09:14] - Reproving Works of Darkness
- [11:22] - The Gospel as Light
- [15:34] - The Gospel's Transformative Power
- [18:25] - Awakening from Spiritual Slumber
- [29:50] - Conversion and New Life
- [32:06] - Christ as the Light of the World
- [38:44] - Christians as Bearers of Light
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 5:14
- 2 Corinthians 4:6
- John 8:12
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he calls believers to "awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead" in Ephesians 5:14? How does this relate to the transformative power of the gospel? [11:22]
2. In the sermon, how is the gospel described as a light that exposes darkness? What are some examples given of how this light reveals the true nature of sin? [10:08]
3. According to the sermon, what is the relationship between doctrine and practice in the Christian life as outlined in Ephesians? [04:30]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the transformation of believers? [43:35]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the call to "awake" and "arise" in Ephesians 5:14 serve as a metaphor for spiritual awakening and transformation? What implications does this have for believers today? [11:22]
2. The sermon emphasizes the balance of doctrine and practice. How can this balance be maintained in a believer's daily life, and why is it important? [04:30]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christians can actively reprove the works of darkness while maintaining a spirit of love and truth? [09:14]
4. How does the sermon explain the role of Christians as bearers of light in the world? What responsibilities does this entail? [39:43]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually asleep. What steps can you take to awaken and embrace the light of Christ in your life today? [11:22]
2. The sermon discusses the importance of living out the doctrines of the gospel practically. Identify one doctrine you believe in but struggle to practice. What practical steps can you take to align your actions with this belief? [04:30]
3. Consider a situation where you encountered darkness or sin. How can you reprove it in a way that reflects love and truth, as suggested in the sermon? [09:14]
4. As a bearer of light, how can you let your light shine in your community this week? Identify one specific action you can take to reflect the light of Christ to those around you. [39:43]
5. The sermon highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in transformation. How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's work in your life? What practices can help you become more attuned to the Spirit's guidance? [43:35]
6. Think of someone in your life who is still in spiritual darkness. How can you be an instrument of God's light to them? What specific steps can you take to share the gospel with them this week? [40:16]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of not just avoiding darkness but actively reproving it. How can you cultivate a lifestyle that not only avoids sin but also stands against it in a loving and truthful manner? [09:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Awaken to the Light of Christ
The gospel serves as a powerful light that exposes the darkness of sin and ignorance, calling individuals to awaken from spiritual slumber and embrace the life offered in Christ. This awakening is not merely a personal transformation but a call to live as children of light, distinct from the world. The light of Christ reveals the true nature of sin, urging believers to repent and transform their lives. As individuals awaken to this light, they are invited to step out of darkness and into a life filled with purpose and clarity, guided by the teachings of Christ. [18:25]
"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)." (Ephesians 5:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What areas of your life are still in darkness, and how can you invite the light of Christ to illuminate them today?
Day 2: Doctrine in Action
Christian life is a balance of doctrine and practice. The truths of the gospel are not merely theoretical; they are meant to be lived out practically, influencing our behavior and interactions with others. This involves avoiding the works of darkness and actively reproving them in love. By embodying the teachings of Christ, believers can demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel in their daily lives. This practical application of doctrine is essential for living a life that reflects the values and principles of the Christian faith. [04:47]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively apply a specific doctrine of your faith in your interactions with others today?
Day 3: The Power of the Holy Spirit in Transformation
The transformative power of the gospel lies in its ability to convict and convert. It calls individuals to repentance, urging them to leave behind their old ways and embrace the new life offered in Christ. This transformation is achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit, who quickens the spiritually dead and brings them into the light of life. The Holy Spirit works within believers to renew their hearts and minds, enabling them to live in accordance with God's will and purpose. [29:50]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform a specific area of your life today?
Day 4: Shining as Bearers of Light
As bearers of the light, Christians are called to let their light shine before others. Our lives, words, and actions should reflect the light of Christ, serving as instruments through which God can reach those still in darkness. This is our role in the world, to be channels of God's light. By living in a way that honors God, believers can draw others to Him and glorify His name. This calling requires intentionality and a commitment to living out the values of the gospel in every aspect of life. [39:43]
"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." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally let your light shine in a specific situation or relationship today?
Day 5: The Spirit's Role in Awakening Others
The gospel's power is not in human effort alone but in the work of the Holy Spirit. As we live in the light and speak to others, it is the Spirit who uses us as instruments to awaken the spiritually dead and bring them into the light of Christ. This divine partnership requires believers to be open and responsive to the Spirit's leading, trusting that God will work through them to reach those in need of His love and grace. [43:35]
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the light of Christ, and how can you partner with the Holy Spirit to reach out to them today?
Quotes
The Apostle in the first three chapters had been laying down his mighty doctrines. He had been reminding these people all the great truth as it is in Christ Jesus, the unsearchable riches of Christ. And having done so, he now begins to apply all of it, to point out that this is not merely something theoretical or academic, that it's all meant to have a very practical intent and that the Christian life is characterized always by the balance of the two besides the doctrine of the practice. [00:02:18]
He reminds them we should never be doing anything in the Christian life merely for the sake of doing it. We should never leave any part of our Christian life simply because somebody's told us to do so unless there are many Christians who seem to me to be doing that. They've been converted and then they have occurred of conduct imposed upon them. They don't understand it, they don't know why they're living it, but it's the thing to do now as a Christian. [00:05:04]
Christians are children of the light. They are not only that, they are light in the Lord, and he's pointed out that that means that the main characteristics of our lives, the fruit of our life should be goodness and righteousness and truth. And having put that down as a principle, he says, well now then in the light of this you therefore cannot be partakers with people who are still in darkness. [00:08:06]
We should make perfectly plain and clear what our attitude is toward all this. Of course, we do so in the right and in a loving spirit. If we do it as Pharisees, we might as well not do it at all. We'll do more harm than good. There is a way of speaking the truth in love and reproving that which is wrong and evil. [00:09:23]
The great characteristic of light always is that it recruits, makes manifest, brings clearly forward, was exposes, and that is the great characteristic of the Christian gospel. And so he sums up his old statement about this matter of the Christian being light by saying wherefore he saith awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give the light. [00:11:04]
The gospel do well it is this flash of light, the people that set in darkness have seen a great light or take the Apostle Paul himself isn't this his favorite way of presenting the gospel and its effect. Listen to him in 2 Corinthians 4:6 for instance God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness have shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [00:17:44]
The business of the Christian church is not to be talking about politics and international affairs. It is to be issuing this mighty call awake now that sleepest and rise from the dead and Christ shall shine upon thee. What's needed is not a change of government, not one party rather than another. It doesn't matter which you have, the darkness remains and the business of the gospel is to Illume in this darkness. [00:19:56]
The trouble with the world, the trouble with all were not Christians is that they're in this condition of unconsciousness and sleep and death of the same in that respect. Both are unconscious, both are unaware of certain matters that are happening around in the bathroom, certain possibilities, certain dangers they're unaware sleeping and conscious think of a man in a house on fire. [00:21:18]
The gospel does the second thing after in convicting us it converts us and then it brings us into this new life awake now the sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall shine upon you or if you like Christ shall give you light. What does this mean well I think this is a kind of repetition of the statement of our Lord Himself in John 8 verse 12 he says I am the light of the world. [00:31:49]
God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, yes shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead in Christ shall shine upon thee and that's what he'll do he'll give you a glimpse of the glory of God as your father as your savior he'll give you an understanding of God's purpose you included the very plan of redemption and salvation. [00:35:30]
The Lord who said I am the light of the world also said ye are the light of the world ye are the light of the world you don't hide your light under the brush releases but put it on the candlestick a city that is set upon a hill cannot be hidden so this work of enlightenment takes place in the world through you and me let you alight he says show so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in him. [00:38:48]
As you and I are living this life in the light by the power of the Spirit and as we speak to men and women it is not merely us it is not merely our words it is the mighty Spirit of God, daling to use us as instruments and channels so that for us, home comes to a dead soul awake thou that sleepest and arise for the dead in Christ shall sign upon thee and the hear of the answers and they come out of the darkness into the light of God streaming from the face of Jesus Christ. [00:43:35]
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