Living as Children of Light: Embracing Truth and Purity

Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into Ephesians 5, focusing on the themes of light and liberation. Paul instructs us to imitate God in everything we do, living a life filled with love and avoiding behaviors that are contrary to our identity as children of light. We explored the importance of rejecting selfish desires, particularly in the context of sexual immorality, impurity, and greed. These behaviors not only separate us from God but also fragment our souls and relationships.

I shared a personal story from my pre-Christian days to illustrate how things that seem acceptable in the dark are exposed for what they truly are when the light is turned on. This metaphor serves as a call to examine our lives and bring hidden sins into the light for healing and transformation. We discussed the sacredness of sex within marriage, emphasizing that it is a ministry unto God and should be selfless, satisfying, and private. Engaging in sexual immorality or adultery not only damages our souls but also our ability to form meaningful, committed relationships.

We also touched on the topic of greed, explaining how it robs us of the blessings God intends for us. Greed can manifest in various ways, including our reluctance to tithe and support the work of the church. By holding back from God, we miss out on the fullness of His provision and blessings. Paul’s message is clear: we must live as children of light, embracing truth and rejecting all forms of deception.

Finally, we were encouraged to scrutinize our hearts, minds, and souls diligently. The heart is deceitful and can lead us astray, so it is crucial to keep it surrendered to Jesus. By doing so, we align ourselves with God’s will and open ourselves to His best for our lives. The sermon concluded with a call to repentance and a prayer for those who wish to surrender their lives to Jesus, inviting them to step out of the shadows and into the light.

### Key Takeaways

1. Rejecting Selfish Desires: As children of light, we must steadfastly reject the pull of selfish desires, particularly in the realm of sexual immorality. Engaging in such behaviors fragments our souls and distances us from God. True intimacy and fulfillment come from honoring God’s design for sex within marriage. [09:18]

2. Embracing Truth: We are called to wholeheartedly embrace truth and cast off all forms of deception. Greed, like sexual immorality, robs us of God’s blessings. By being generous and faithful in our tithing, we align ourselves with God’s provision and break the spirit of greed. [22:49]

3. Scrutinizing Our Hearts: Our hearts are deceitful and can lead us astray. Therefore, we must diligently and fearlessly scrutinize our hearts, minds, and souls, keeping them surrendered to Jesus. This ensures that we remain aligned with God’s will and open to His best for our lives. [29:47]

4. The Sacredness of Sex: Sex is a sacred act meant for marriage, serving as a ministry unto God. It should be selfless, satisfying, and private. Engaging in sexual immorality or adultery not only damages our souls but also our ability to form meaningful, committed relationships. [15:01]

5. Living as Children of Light: Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 5 call us to live as children of light, exposing the deeds of darkness and embracing a life that reflects Christ. This involves rejecting behaviors that are contrary to our identity in Christ and living in a way that pleases God. [02:02]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Introduction to Ephesians 5
[02:02] - Living as People of Light
[02:48] - Light and Liberation
[03:26] - Personal Story: Life Before Christ
[04:34] - The Club Experience
[06:08] - The Reality of Light
[09:18] - Rejecting Selfish Desires
[14:21] - Sex is for Marriage Only
[15:01] - The Sacredness of Sex
[18:05] - Sex is Satisfying
[20:13] - Avoiding Obscene Stories and Foolish Talk
[22:49] - Embracing Truth and Rejecting Greed
[29:47] - Scrutinizing Our Hearts
[31:47] - Call to Repentance
[33:07] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 5:1-14 (NIV)
> "Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 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. 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. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 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. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: 'Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific behaviors does Paul instruct us to avoid in Ephesians 5:3-4? How do these behaviors contrast with living as children of light? [02:02]
2. According to the sermon, what metaphor did the pastor use to illustrate the difference between living in darkness and living in light? [07:20]
3. What does the pastor say about the sacredness of sex within marriage? How does this align with Paul's teachings in Ephesians 5? [15:01]
4. How does the pastor describe the impact of greed on our relationship with God and our ability to receive His blessings? [23:25]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of rejecting sexual immorality, impurity, and greed among believers? How do these behaviors fragment our souls and relationships? [09:18]
2. How does the pastor's personal story about the club experience serve as a metaphor for exposing hidden sins in our lives? What does this reveal about the nature of sin and light? [07:20]
3. In what ways does the pastor suggest that greed can manifest in our lives, particularly in relation to tithing and supporting the church? How does this reflect our trust in God's provision? [23:25]
4. What does it mean to scrutinize our hearts, minds, and souls diligently? How can this practice help us align with God's will and avoid being led astray by deceitful desires? [29:47]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any hidden sins or behaviors that you need to bring into the light for healing and transformation? How can you take the first step towards this? [07:20]
2. How can you honor God's design for sex within marriage in your own life? If you are married, what steps can you take to ensure that your sexual relationship is selfless, satisfying, and private? [15:01]
3. In what ways have you experienced the pull of greed in your life? How can you practice generosity and faithful tithing to break the spirit of greed and align with God's provision? [23:25]
4. Think about a recent decision or action: Did it reflect the light of Christ or the darkness of selfish desires? How can you ensure that your future decisions align with your identity as a child of light? [02:02]
5. How can you diligently scrutinize your heart, mind, and soul to keep them surrendered to Jesus? What practical steps can you take to ensure that you remain aligned with God's will? [29:47]
6. Identify one area of your life where you have been reluctant to fully trust God. What specific action can you take this week to surrender that area to Him and step out of the shadows into the light? [31:47]
7. How can you support others in your small group or community to live as children of light? What role can you play in encouraging and holding each other accountable in this journey? [02:02]

Devotional

Day 1: Rejecting Selfish Desires
As children of light, we must steadfastly reject the pull of selfish desires, particularly in the realm of sexual immorality. Engaging in such behaviors fragments our souls and distances us from God. True intimacy and fulfillment come from honoring God’s design for sex within marriage. Paul emphasizes that these behaviors not only separate us from God but also fragment our souls and relationships. By bringing hidden sins into the light, we allow for healing and transformation. This is a call to examine our lives and align our actions with our identity as children of light. [09:18]

Ephesians 5:3-4 (ESV): "But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving."

Reflection: Think about an area in your life where you struggle with selfish desires. How can you bring this into the light and seek God's help for healing and transformation today?

Day 2: Embracing Truth
We are called to wholeheartedly embrace truth and cast off all forms of deception. Greed, like sexual immorality, robs us of God’s blessings. By being generous and faithful in our tithing, we align ourselves with God’s provision and break the spirit of greed. Greed can manifest in various ways, including our reluctance to tithe and support the work of the church. By holding back from God, we miss out on the fullness of His provision and blessings. Paul’s message is clear: we must live as children of light, embracing truth and rejecting all forms of deception. [22:49]

1 Timothy 6:9-10 (ESV): "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."

Reflection: Reflect on your attitude towards money and possessions. Are there areas where greed has taken root? How can you practice generosity and align yourself with God's provision today?

Day 3: Scrutinizing Our Hearts
Our hearts are deceitful and can lead us astray. Therefore, we must diligently and fearlessly scrutinize our hearts, minds, and souls, keeping them surrendered to Jesus. This ensures that we remain aligned with God’s will and open to His best for our lives. The heart is deceitful and can lead us astray, so it is crucial to keep it surrendered to Jesus. By doing so, we align ourselves with God’s will and open ourselves to His best for our lives. [29:47]

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"

Reflection: Take a moment to examine your heart. Are there areas where you have been led astray? How can you surrender these areas to Jesus and seek His guidance today?

Day 4: The Sacredness of Sex
Sex is a sacred act meant for marriage, serving as a ministry unto God. It should be selfless, satisfying, and private. Engaging in sexual immorality or adultery not only damages our souls but also our ability to form meaningful, committed relationships. The sacredness of sex within marriage is emphasized, highlighting that it is a ministry unto God and should be selfless, satisfying, and private. Engaging in sexual immorality or adultery not only damages our souls but also our ability to form meaningful, committed relationships. [15:01]

Hebrews 13:4 (ESV): "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."

Reflection: Reflect on your view of sex and marriage. Are there areas where you need to align your understanding with God's design? How can you honor the sacredness of sex within marriage today?

Day 5: Living as Children of Light
Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 5 call us to live as children of light, exposing the deeds of darkness and embracing a life that reflects Christ. This involves rejecting behaviors that are contrary to our identity in Christ and living in a way that pleases God. We are encouraged to scrutinize our hearts, minds, and souls diligently. By doing so, we align ourselves with God’s will and open ourselves to His best for our lives. The sermon concluded with a call to repentance and a prayer for those who wish to surrender their lives to Jesus, inviting them to step out of the shadows and into the light. [02:02]

1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 (ESV): "For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."

Reflection: Consider how you can live as a child of light today. What behaviors or attitudes do you need to reject to reflect Christ more fully in your life? How can you step out of the shadows and into the light?

Quotes

1. "For once you were full of darkness. But now you have light. Light from the Lord. So live as people of light. For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the workless deeds of evil and darkness. Instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed. When the light. Shines on them. For the light makes everything visible." [02:02] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What looked good in the dark did not look good in the light. What was acceptable in the dark was no longer acceptable in the light. I started to look around and I started to see things that I could not see. I started to see in the dark when the lights turned on. I started to see cups in places I couldn't see cups. I started to see people pass out in places I couldn't see people passed out with the lights off. I started to see things that you normally did not see with the lights off differently when the lights came on." [08:05] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "As children of light, let us steadfastly reject the pool of selfish desires. Let us steadfastly resist the pool of selfish desires. According to Proverbs chapter 6 verse 32, those involved in fornication or adultery, destroys their souls. Those that are involved in sex outside of marriage, destroys their souls. The world thinks fornication is nothing more than two bodies coming together in a moment of pure ecstasy, but the Bible says it's actually two souls being joined as one. Thus a person who engages in fornication or lives in adultery will become only a shell of a person." [10:32] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Sex is for marriage only. Are you listening to me? it's not for those who are single. It's not for those that are engaged. If they love you the way they say they love you, they'll put a ring on it, and you guys can live the rest of your life engaging in as much sex as you desire. If that is not the case, stop having sex. If that is not the case, don't think for a second that you can live together and not engage in sex. If that is not the case, then save and preserve yourself until that person is ready to commit the rest of their life to you." [15:01] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Sex is selfless. This is let your fountain be blessed in Proverbs, which means that you are engaging in marital sex, with your spouse, to be a blessing to your spouse. This is not forced. This is not something that is forced on my spouse. This is not something that I make my spouse do. This is something that we have a mutual agreement on. This does not make me more than her or less than her. This makes us partners in ministering to each other. Amen." [16:38] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Sex starts way before you get in bed. Sex starts when you wake up in the morning and you compliment your spouse. And you just tell your spouse, hey, you mean the world to me. Scripture teaches us, as a man or woman thinketh in their heart, so is thee or she. Some of y'all been having sex with a lot of people. Your physical bodies ain't never been with them but your mind has. Because as a man or a woman thinketh in their heart, so are they." [19:28] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "As children of light, let us wholeheartedly embrace truth, all forms of deception. I want us to take notice of the second thing which seems strange to put behind sexual immorality and impurity. places here a word that word is called greed. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed. This word greed in the Greek means to steal from God. One might ask how can we steal from God? How can we rob God? How can we do these things when God is the creator of all things? It simply means that we rob God of an opportunity to bless us the way he desires to bless us." [22:49] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Whenever you don't have the discipline of tithing, you get greedy. Why? Because we're born greedy. Before you ever have to teach a baby how to say no, they tell you no. Remember when Max was a baby? I asked him to do something. Shake his head. I'm like, boy, where you learn that from? He ain't never seen me shake my head. No. You are born that way, so you have to keep that submitted to the feet of Jesus. You have to break that spirit of greed. You have to tell yourself, no, this is what we are going to do. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." [27:22] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "As children of light, let us diligently and fearlessly scrutinize our hearts, our minds, and our souls. You say, well, Pastor, why would I scrutinize my heart? Because you can't trust it. Proverbs, Scripture teaches us that the heart is deceitful amongst all things. It will lead you down the wrong path, and it will rob you of your God-given destiny. So we must scrutinize it so that we can keep it submitted and surrendered, in the hands of Jesus Christ." [29:47] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Some of you need to turn the lights on your life. You've been in the shadows too long. You've been bound to a life that is beneath you. Today you desire to live a life that is a reflection of the life that Jesus desires for you to live. So if you're listening to me, whether you're in this room, online, and you have flesh problems, or you got money problems, today's an opportunity for you to surrender those things back to God." [31:47] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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