Living in Holiness: Warnings and Assurance in Christ

In Ephesians 5:3-7, Paul provides a compelling argument against participating in sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness. These behaviors are not fitting for those who are in Christ, and they should not even be named among believers. Paul emphasizes that those who engage in such actions will not inherit the kingdom of Christ and God. This is a serious warning, as the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience because of these things. Therefore, believers are urged not to be partners with those who indulge in these sins.

The passage highlights the importance of living in accordance with our true identity in Christ. Instead of engaging in shameful and foolish talk, believers are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving. This shift in focus from sinful behaviors to gratitude is crucial for aligning with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us that our inheritance in the kingdom is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit, who seals us for the day of redemption. However, this assurance does not negate the need for vigilance against sin. The warnings serve as a means by which the Holy Spirit keeps us secure, urging us to reject sin and embrace holiness.

Paul's use of warnings and threats is not inconsistent with the security of believers. Rather, it is a divine method to ensure that those who are truly sealed by the Spirit remain on the path of righteousness. The Holy Spirit's sanctifying work is ongoing, and it involves making us holy and keeping us safe from sin. Genuine believers will heed these warnings, recognizing them as a blessing that helps them avoid making peace with sin. Those who persist in sin demonstrate that they were never truly sealed. Therefore, the warnings are a vital part of God's plan to keep His children safe for His kingdom.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Identity in Christ: Our true identity in Christ calls us to live in a manner that reflects His holiness. Sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness are incompatible with this identity and should not even be named among us. Embracing our identity in Christ involves rejecting these behaviors and cultivating a spirit of thanksgiving. [00:50]
• 2. Inheritance and Warning: The inheritance of the kingdom is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit, yet Paul uses warnings to keep us vigilant against sin. These warnings are not contradictory to our security but are a means by which the Holy Spirit sanctifies and preserves us. [07:29]
• 3. Sanctifying Work of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit's work is ongoing, making us holy and keeping us safe from sin. This sanctifying work is not a one-time event but a continuous process that involves heeding warnings and rejecting sin. [09:35]
• 4. Genuine Sealing: Those who are genuinely sealed by the Holy Spirit will respond to warnings with gratitude, recognizing them as a means of protection. Persisting in sin indicates a lack of genuine sealing, as true believers will not make peace with sin. [10:54]
• 5. Divine Method of Preservation: God's warnings are a divine method to keep His children safe for His kingdom. They serve to remind us of the seriousness of sin and the reality of God's wrath, urging us to live in holiness and reject immorality. [11:37]
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:17] - Introduction to Ephesians 5:3-7
• [00:31] - The Christian Life and Identity
• [00:50] - Avoiding Immorality and Impurity
• [01:18] - The Consequences of Sin
• [01:47] - Deception and Empty Words
• [02:17] - Embracing Paul's Argument
• [03:00] - Thanksgiving Over Foolish Talk
• [03:25] - Repetition for Emphasis
• [04:05] - Inheritance in the Kingdom
• [05:02] - The Wrath of God
• [05:32] - Putting Off the Old Self
• [06:21] - The Question of Inheritance
• [07:29] - Sealing by the Holy Spirit
• [08:48] - Security and Warnings
• [09:35] - Sanctifying Work of the Spirit

1. What specific behaviors does Paul warn against in Ephesians 5:3-7, and why are they considered inappropriate for believers? [00:50]
2. How does Paul describe the consequences for those who engage in sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness? [01:31]
3. What role does thanksgiving play in the life of a believer according to the sermon? [03:12]
4. How does Paul use the concept of inheritance in his argument, and what does it signify for believers? [06:36]

1. How does the concept of being "sealed by the Holy Spirit" in Ephesians 1:13-14 relate to the warnings Paul gives in Ephesians 5:3-7? [07:29]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that warnings and threats are a part of God's method to preserve believers? [08:05]
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work and the believer's response to sin? [09:35]
4. What does the sermon imply about the nature of genuine faith and the evidence of being truly sealed by the Holy Spirit? [10:54]

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be making peace with sin rather than rejecting it? How can you actively work to change this? [10:24]
2. How can you cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving in your daily life, especially in situations where you might be tempted to engage in negative behaviors? [03:12]
3. Think about the people you associate with. Are there any relationships that might be leading you away from your identity in Christ? How can you address this? [01:59]
4. How can you remind yourself of your true identity in Christ when faced with temptations of sexual immorality, impurity, or covetousness? [00:50]
5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that you are not deceived by "empty words" that might lead you away from the truth of the Gospel? [01:47]
6. How can you use the warnings in Ephesians 5:3-7 as a means to strengthen your faith and commitment to living a holy life? [08:05]
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you can invite the Holy Spirit to do His sanctifying work. What changes do you hope to see as a result? [09:35]