Living as Saints: The Call to Holiness

In our final session on Ephesians 5:3-7, we delve into the profound implications of living a life that reflects our identity as saints. The passage warns against sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness, emphasizing that these should not even be named among us. Such behaviors are not fitting for those who are called to be holy. The text further warns that those who engage in these actions will not inherit the kingdom of Christ and God, and that the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. This is a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment.

The challenge lies in reconciling these warnings with the doctrine of justification by faith alone. While we are indeed justified by faith and not by works, this does not negate the necessity of holiness in the life of a believer. The warnings serve as a means by which God preserves His people, urging us to live in a manner worthy of our calling. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is both a seal and a guarantee of our inheritance, working in us to produce sanctification. This sanctification is not optional; it is the evidence of genuine faith and the pathway to glorification.

The deceptive words that suggest we can disregard these warnings are empty and dangerous. They undermine the transformative power of the gospel, which calls us to put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit. True faith is never alone; it is always accompanied by works that testify to its authenticity. God, in His sovereignty, ensures that those He justifies, He also sanctifies and ultimately glorifies. Therefore, we must heed these warnings, not as a means of earning salvation, but as a reflection of the salvation we have already received.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The call to holiness is integral to our identity as believers. Sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness are incompatible with the life of a saint, and we must strive to live in a way that reflects our calling. [00:15]
• 2. Justification by faith does not negate the necessity of sanctification. While we are saved by faith alone, true faith is evidenced by a life of holiness and obedience to God's commands. [04:32]
• 3. The warnings of God's wrath serve as a means of preservation for believers. They remind us of the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment, urging us to live in a manner worthy of our calling. [10:59]
• 4. The Holy Spirit is both a seal and a guarantee of our inheritance. He works in us to produce sanctification, ensuring that those who are justified will also be glorified. [11:40]
• 5. Empty words that suggest we can disregard the warnings of Scripture are dangerous. True faith is never alone; it is always accompanied by works that testify to its authenticity. [06:14]
  ** [06:14]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - Setting the Stage
• [00:31] - The Call to Holiness
• [00:48] - Warning Against Deception
• [01:08] - Sons of Disobedience
• [01:37] - Nature of Wrath
• [02:51] - Consequences of Sin
• [03:33] - Empty Words and Deception
• [04:18] - Justification by Faith
• [05:28] - The Role of Works
• [06:29] - Holiness and Heaven
• [07:23] - Faith and Works
• [08:09] - Sanctification by the Spirit
• [09:31] - The Path to Glorification
• [10:59] - The Importance of Warnings
• [11:40] - The Spirit's Role in Sanctification

1. Ephesians 5:3-7
2. Romans 8:12-14
3. James 2:17

1. What specific behaviors does Ephesians 5:3-7 warn against, and why are they considered inappropriate for believers? [00:31]
2. According to the sermon, what is the relationship between being "sons of disobedience" and "children of wrath"? [02:34]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, particularly in relation to sanctification? [11:40]

1. How does the sermon reconcile the warnings of God's wrath with the doctrine of justification by faith alone? [04:32]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that empty words can deceive believers about the reality of God's wrath? [03:33]
3. How does the sermon explain the necessity of sanctification as evidence of genuine faith? [08:09]

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be allowing behaviors that Ephesians 5:3-7 warns against? How can you address these areas to better reflect your identity as a saint? [00:31]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of heeding warnings about sin. How can you cultivate a mindset that takes these warnings seriously in your daily life? [10:59]
3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more attentive to the Spirit's work in producing sanctification within you? [11:40]
4. The sermon warns against being deceived by empty words. What steps can you take to ensure that your understanding of God's word is grounded in truth and not swayed by misleading teachings? [03:33]
5. How can you actively demonstrate the evidence of genuine faith through your actions and decisions this week? [06:14]
6. Reflect on a time when you might have ignored a warning from Scripture. What was the outcome, and how can you learn from that experience to better align with God's will in the future? [10:59]
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you can work on putting to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit. What practical steps will you take to address this? [06:55]