The Dark Side

TEXTEph. 5:3-14

INTRODUCTION:

A.      LAST WEEK WE DISCOVERED THAT THE CHRISTIAN IS A NEW CREATURE,      

          A NEW MAN, THAT LIKE GOD IS GUIDED BY LOVE.

B.      WE DISCOVERED THAT HE IS NOT JST A NEW CREATURE, WITH A NEW  

          CHARACTER, BUT THE OLD MANNER OF LIFE AND CONDUCT IS     

          DISGARDED FOR THE NEW.

C.      THIS WEEK’S TEXT DEALS WITH THE SAME IDEA, BUT THE APPROACH IS

          DIFFERENT.

I.      PAUL BEGINS BY ENUMERATING CERTAIN PRACTICES THAT

        ARE WRONG (vs. 3-6).

A.      CARNAL ATTITUDE AND ACTIONS ARE CONDEMNED (vs. 3).

          1.       Not even to be harbored (1 Cor. 5:1-8)

          2.       They don’t fit the character of the Christian (Col. 3:1-2).

B.      THE COMMAND REACHES EVEN TO OUR ATTITUDE AND SPEECH (vs. 4).

          1.       To speak lightly of such is to minimize their unworthiness.

          2.       The Christian’s speech contrasts with this (Eph. 4:25;  Col. 4:6).

          3.       If the Christian does otherwise, he is useless to the cause (Matt. 5:13).

          4.       What we say is an indication to our character (Matt. 15:10-11, 17-18).

          5.       How did Peter convince the Jews he was not with Jesus? (Matt. 26:74).

C.      WHY ARE THESE ADMONITIONS SO IMPORTANT? (vs. 5).

D.      THESE EVIL PRACTICES ARE SOMETIMES MADE TO SOUND GOOD (vs. 6).

          1.       We are often convinced to follow that which we can see the benefits of, ignoring the

                    bad.  We want immediate gratification (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

          2.       God warns about the punishment of such.

II.     PAUL THEN DISCUSSES THE CHARACTER THAT LEADS TO THE

        ELIMINATION OF THESE PRACTISES AND CONTRASTS IT WITH

        THE OLD MAN OF DARKNESS (vs. 7-14).

A.      LIGHT IS USED TO REPRESENT RIGHTEOUSNESS (vs. 9).

                   DARKNESS – SIN (vs. 12).

B.      THE CHRISTIAN IS NO LONGER TO PARTAKE OF DARKNESS OR SIN (vs. 7-11).

          1.       We have been called out of darkness (1 Pet. 2:9).

          2.       We are no longer in bondage to it (Rom. 6:1-2;  12-13;  17-18).

          3.       Sin is of no real value (vs. 11;  Rom. 6:23).  “unfruitful works of darkness.”

C.      PASSIVENESS MEANS PARTAKING – THE CHRISTIAN MUST BE ACTIVE

          IN REPROVING SIN (vs. 11).

          1.       In saying nothing against it, we voice our approval (2 John 9;  Psa. 1:1-2).

          2.       We are to reprove it by preaching the word (2 Tim. 4:2).

D.      DARKNESS IS BEST REPROVED BY THE LIGHT (vs. 13).

          1.       Our character is to contrast with that of the world (Rom. 12:2).

          2.       This contrast  should be seen as clearly as a light in the dark.

                   a.       We are to be seen as lights in the world (Phil. 2:14-15).

                   b.       The true Christian must not hide his light (Matt. 5:13-16).

                   c.       The good conduct of the Christian emphasizes the dross of sin.

                   d.       Light to be seen, not only in our character, but in our message (Phil. 2:15-16).

E.      OUR LIGHT IS NOT OUR OWN, BUT REFLECTED LIGHT (vs. 14).

          1.       The Christian is light in the Lord (vs. 8) – But it is Christ that shines on the sinner, 

                   enlightening him (vs. 15).

          2.       Jesus is our light source (John 8:12).

          3.       We are called to walk in the light (1 Pet. 2:9).

                   a.       So that we might have fellowship and cleansing (1 John 1:6-7).

                   b.       So that we might show forth his excellencies (1 Pet. 2:9).

          4.       To return to the worldly conduct is to eclipse that light (1 John 2:15).

CONCLUSION:

A.      THOSE IN THE WORLD, WHETHER ALIEN SINNERS OR SLEEPING SAINTS, ARE

          ADMONISHED TO OPEN THEIR EYES TO THE LIGHT (vs. 14).

B.      IF WE KNOW GOD’S WILL AND DO NOT OBEY, WE ARE STILL IN THE DARK

          (James 4:17).

C.      WHAT WOULD CHRIST HAVE US DO?