Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

As we continue to study the book of Ephesians we come to one of the most challenging passages in Scriptures: "Therefore be imitators of God" See Ephesians 4:32

Knight in the shining armour story

How do we imitate God?

A. Living as Children of God.

Ephesians 5:1-7 - With all your heart

Imitate God

Ephesians 5:1-2

Can we really imitate someone we don't know?

Proper behaviour

Ephesians 5:3-4

The motivation for our behaviour comes from our desire to imitate God

Don't be deceived

Ephesians 5:5-7

B. Living as Children of Light.

Ephesians 5:8-14 - With all your conscience

Children of Light - verses 8–10

Ephesians 5:8-10

Seeking to do what is good and right

Point to him who is light

Expose the Darkness

Ephesians 5:11-14

To expose means to rebuke, or reproved.

See 1 Timothy 5:20

C. Living Wisely.

Ephesians 5:15-21 - With all your understanding

Look for opportunities - verses 15, 16

Ephesians 5:15-16

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:10

5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Colossians 4:5, 6

And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

Luke 8:14

Understand the Will of God - verse 17

Ephesians 5:17

1 Timothy 2:4 - It is His desire that all people be saved

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Be Filled with the Spirit - verse 18

Ephesians 5:18

What are you drunk with?

Busyness, activities, meetings, goals, deadlines, phone calls, emails, facebook...

1 Corinthians 6:10 – Drunks will not inherit the kingdom of God

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Galatians 5:17

The greatest act of love is to bring someone to Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:31

How do you know that you are filled with the Spirit?

You proclaim the Word of God, Jesus, boldly.

Singing Praise

Is the natural result of living and shining for Jesus

Colossians 3:16

Conclusion

Ephesians 5 gives us a powerful image of what it means to be a Christian.

Because of Christ we are alive with abundant life, we also need to be shining like he did when he was on this earth.

Romans 13:12

Brainstorming

Quality of time instead of quantity of time 5:16

Henri Nouwen once said that when we are fully attentive to the present moment, participants in the now, we are able to attend to the great beam of timber in our own eye, before attending to the splinter in our neighbour's eye.

v4 rather giving of thanks—a happy play on sounds in Greek, "eucharistia" contrasted with "eutrapelia"; refined "jesting" and subtle humor sometimes offend the tender feelings of grace; "giving of thanks" gives that real cheerfulness of spirit to believers which the worldly try to get from "jesting" (Eph 5:19, 20; Jas 5:13).

v8 light—not merely "enlightened"; but light enlightening others (Eph 5:13).in—in

union with the Lord, who is THE LIGHT.