Ephesians
“Walk as Children of Light”
Ephesians 5:1-21

Walk as children of light (5:1-2)
Imitating God
Sacrificing voluntarily for God
Motivated by pleasing God

What?
Eliminate sexual immorality (5:3-4a, 5a)

3 utterly crucial moral actions to eliminate 
1. Immorality = fornication; “porneia;” sexual activity outside of marriage 

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they be-come one flesh.” –Genesis 2:24

Includes:
Premarital sex; adultery - Matt. 19:9
Prostitution - 1 Cor. 6:12-20; Hos. 1:2; Nah. 3:4
Same sex relationships - Rom. 1:29
Incestuous relationships - 1 Cor. 5:1
Sexual desire that flows from our heart - Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:21
(1 Thess. 4:3; 1 Cor. 7:2; John 8:41; 1 Cor. 5:1; Gal. 5:19)
	
2. Impurity = deeper issue; twisted heart of lust

All = every kind of lust
Sexual 
Luxurious
Reckless living
(Rom. 1:24, 6:19; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Col. 3:5)

Exchange of the natural for the unnatural
“God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity…” –Rom. 1:24-27

3. Covetousness = greed
Turns to idolatry = strong desire for anything over God 

“The greedy are those with a strong desire to acquire for themselves more and more money and possessions because they love, trust, and obey wealth rather than God.” –Brian Rosner

Watch out for … (v. 4a)
“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place,”

Even a HINT of it

Don’t go near this sin, not even with your words.

Triggers: Flippancy, Carelessness, Stupidity 

How? (v. 4b)
“but instead let there be thanksgiving.”

Replace sexual immorality with gratitude. 

If … immorality and impurity are driven by covetousness or a strong desire
And … greed is a deep discontented craving that dominates mind and actions
Then … it will lead to ignoring God’s will and best for you; the clear opposite would be gratitude

If … we are overflowing with gratitude to God
Then … you will not be dominated by discontentment 
And … will guard against sexual immorality, impurity and covetousness

Gratitude is knowing that God has your best interest in mind, and isn’t trying to limit you.    

Why?
1. God knows the destruction that can happen.
“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.” (v. 3)

2. There will be a terrible loss of the blessing of God’s reign in our lives.
Isolated 
Deprived 
“For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (v. 5)

3. We would ultimately experience the wrath of God. 
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God…” (v. 6a)

4. The Gospel is rooted in obedience.
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” (v. 5:6b)

You will never regret obedience.

So …
Don’t become partners - v. 7
Take no part - v. 11
Wake up - v. 12-14

You “were” darkness. Now you “are” light in the Lord!