The Distinct Christian Life
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Tim Chang
Sermon Series: Joined Together, Growing Together
Ephesians 5:3-14 (ESV)
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 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. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Sermon Outline
1. What undermines the Christian life (v. 3-7)
A life of self-indulgence and consumption
2. What demonstrates the Christian life (v. 8-14a)
Walking as children of light
3. What powers the Christian life (v. 14b)
Christ shining on you
Prayer of Confession
Our heavenly Father, you created the world for harmony, flourishing, goodness, and beauty. In our sin, we have fallen to walk in darkness. Instead of centering Jesus, we put ourselves at the center of our lives. We consume, we indulge, and we seek our own pleasure, and at times at the expense of others. Forgive us for not seeing others as being made in your image. By the power of your Spirit, renew in us a commitment to walk in the light. Jesus, may the light and power of your resurrection shine on us today. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What connected with you from the sermon or the passage?
How do you struggle with the self being the center of your life?
In what ways does our current culture value the self being the center? In what ways does it value putting others’ needs before your own?
The call to follow Jesus is one of self-denial. Why is this so hard? When have you seen beautiful examples of this?
Paul encourages the church to walk as children of light. What examples come to mind where you’ve seen this done well?
Our passage concludes with a verse from a spiritual hymn: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” What about this hymn resonates with you? What promise does your soul need to hear and believe?
What do you sense God calling you to do from this passage?