Series: Fully Alive - A Study of Ephesians
Sermon Recap
Ephesians 5:1–21 calls us to imitate God by
walking in love, living as children of light, and pursuing wisdom through the
Spirit. God’s love is not permissive — it transforms us, calling us out of
darkness and into a new way of living. As we are filled with the Spirit, our
lives begin to reflect worship, gratitude, and humility, showing the world what
it looks like to follow Jesus.
Ephesians 5:1-21
Walk in Love
[1] Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved
children. [2] And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us,
a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. [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.” [15] Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, [16]
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do
not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is. [18] And do not get
drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, [19]
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody to the Lord with your heart, [20] giving thanks always and for
everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [21]
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (ESV)
The
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Ephesians
5:1-21.
Closing Thoughts
Ephesians 5 reminds us that our lives are
meant to stand out, not through self-righteousness, but through love, holiness,
and wisdom. As a group, this means we encourage one another to live
differently, to resist cultural pressures, and to pursue what pleases the Lord.
We shine light by how we speak, how we love, and how we live, helping others
see the difference Christ makes. When we walk in the Spirit together, our lives
become a testimony that points people to Jesus.
END
Teacher Notes:
As we closed out chapter 4 of Ephesians last
week…
There’s one thing I have learned over the
years - the more I surrender and trust God, the more I see Him show up and
begin changing things I could never change on my own.
Sometimes we spend so much energy trying
harder, when God is really asking us to trust Him deeper.
Last week Paul told us that God makes us new
from the inside out.
This week, he begins to show us what that new
life looks like when we walk it out every day in a dark and broken world.
The evidence of genuine faith is not simply
what we say — it is the way we live.
In the movie, Benjamin Franklin is especially
interesting because he admires Whitefield deeply even though his own
faith journey is complicated.
Franklin seems to appreciate Christianity’s
wisdom and societal value, but he wrestled personally with full surrender and
transformation.
Is it possible to admire Jesus intellectually
without truly allowing Him to
transform your life?
In Ephesians 5, Paul calls for more than
admiration of truth.
He is calling for us as believers to wake up
spiritually and live lives transformed by Christ.
[1] Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. [2] And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. [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;
Paul says to be imitators of God, as beloved
children – what does he mean?
He means that believers should reflect the
character of their Heavenly Father in the way they live.
The phrase “as beloved children” is important
because Paul is not talking about earning God’s love. He is saying because you
already belong to God as His loved children, your life should begin to resemble
Him.
Children naturally imitate the people they
love and spend time around. They copy expressions, attitudes, habits, and
behaviors.
Paul uses that same picture spiritually.
The more we walk closely with God, the more
our lives should begin reflecting His love, His holiness, His forgiveness, His
compassion, and His truth.
This does not mean believers become perfect or divine. It means our character increasingly reflects Christ instead of the world around us.
What does sacrificial love look like in
everyday life for older adults?
Sacrificial love for older adults is often
found less in dramatic moments and more in steady faithfulness.
It can look like:
- caring patiently for a spouse whose health is declining,
- making time to
encourage younger people,
- praying
faithfully for children and grandchildren,
- giving wisdom
gently instead of critically,
- forgiving old
wounds rather than holding bitterness,
- staying
involved when it would be easier to withdraw,
- or serving
quietly without needing recognition.
For many older adults, sacrificial love also
means choosing presence over convenience. Sometimes loneliness, grief,
disappointment, or physical limitations tempt people to turn inward. Yet love
continues reaching outward even in difficult seasons.
One of the most powerful forms of sacrificial
love is simply remaining faithful over time.
In a culture that often celebrates excitement
and visibility, there is something Christlike about a person who keeps loving
steadily:
- still
worshiping,
- still
encouraging,
- still giving,
- still
believing,
- still showing
up.
Ephesians 5 points us to Jesus, who “gave
Himself for us.” Most believers are not asked to die for someone physically,
but we are continually asked to lay down smaller pieces of ourselves:
- our comfort,
- our pride,
- our time,
- our preferences,
- and sometimes our right to be offended.
Older believers often underestimate how
meaningful their love can be. A phone call, a handwritten note, a listening
ear, or a quiet prayer can become life-giving to someone struggling.
One of the clearest signs that we are walking
closely with Christ is that our love becomes less self-centered and more
sacrificial.
[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.”
What are some forms of spiritual darkness
people struggle with today?
Spiritual darkness often begins when people drift
away from God’s truth and start living disconnected from His light. Sometimes
it appears openly, but many times it grows quietly beneath the surface.
Some common forms of spiritual darkness
people struggle with today include:
- hopelessness
and despair,
- bitterness and
unforgiveness,
- pride and
self-sufficiency,
- secret sin
hidden behind appearances,
- addiction and
unhealthy dependencies,
- greed and
materialism,
- constant
anxiety without turning to God,
- sexual
temptation and moral compromise,
- isolation from
Christian community,
- and confusion
about truth itself.
One growing form of darkness today is spiritual
numbness. Many people are not openly hostile toward God — they are simply distracted,
exhausted, and spiritually disengaged. Entertainment, busyness, and constant
noise can slowly crowd out prayer, worship, and time with God until a person
becomes spiritually dull without even realizing it.
Another major struggle is the confusion
between truth and personal preference. Culture increasingly teaches: What
feels right for you is right for you. But spiritual darkness often thrives
when feelings become a greater authority than God’s Word.
Ephesians 5 reminds believers that darkness
is not merely “out there” in the world; it can creep into our attitudes,
priorities, and habits if we stop walking closely with Christ.
For older adults, this can create rich
discussion because many have watched cultural shifts happen over decades.
They’ve seen how certain attitudes once recognized as harmful are now
normalized or celebrated.
At the same time, this discussion should
remain compassionate, because every believer still fights areas where light is
needed. The goal is not superiority, but honesty and transformation.
How can older Christians shine as examples to
younger believers?
Older Christians shine most brightly when
they demonstrate a faith that has endured real life.
Younger believers do not need older adults to
pretend they have never struggled. They need examples of people who kept
walking with God through hardship, disappointment, loss, unanswered prayers,
and changing seasons.
One of the greatest gifts older Christians
can offer is consistency.
A steady life says:
- God has been
faithful through the years.
- Following
Christ is worth it.
- Faith can
survive suffering.
Older believers shine when they:
- worship
sincerely instead of becoming cynical,
- speak with
wisdom instead of constant criticism,
- show patience
and gentleness,
- remain
teachable,
- encourage
younger generations rather than dismissing them,
- and model
forgiveness, humility, and perseverance.
Sometimes younger Christians learn more from
observing attitudes than from hearing lessons. They notice:
- how older
believers treat their spouses,
- how they
respond to illness,
- whether they
complain constantly,
- how they
handle grief,
- and whether
joy and gratitude remain in their lives.
There is something deeply powerful about a
person who has walked with Christ for decades and still speaks of Him with
warmth and trust.
What does it mean to “wake up” spiritually?
To “wake up” spiritually means becoming alert
again to God’s presence, truth, and purpose instead of drifting through life
spiritually numb or distracted.
In Ephesians 5:14, Paul says: “Wake up,
sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
He is speaking to people who may be
physically alive and even religiously active, yet spiritually dull. A person
can attend church regularly and still slowly fall asleep spiritually through
routine, compromise, distraction, or complacency.
Spiritual sleep often happens gradually. It
can look like:
- prayer
becoming mechanical,
- worship losing
wonder,
- sin becoming
easier to excuse,
- conviction
becoming weaker,
- or a person
becoming more passionate about worldly things than about God.
When someone is spiritually asleep, they may
stop paying attention to the condition of their heart. They go through motions
without real closeness to Christ.
To wake up spiritually means:
- recognizing
areas where we have drifted,
- allowing God’s
light to expose what needs changing,
- renewing our
hunger for God,
- and becoming
responsive again to the Holy Spirit.
For some people, God uses hardship to wake
them up. For others, it may come through Scripture, conviction, worship, or
seeing the emptiness of worldly pursuits.
Older adults often relate strongly to this
idea because life can sometimes settle into routine. There is a temptation to
coast spiritually rather than continue growing. But spiritual maturity is not
measured merely by age or years in church. A person can know Christ for decades
and still need moments of awakening and renewal.
The encouraging part of Paul’s words is that
awakening is possible. God does not call people to wake up without offering His
light and presence to restore them.
A spiritually awakened life no longer hides
in darkness — it reflects the light of Christ.
[15] Look carefully then how you walk, not as
unwise but as wise, [16] making the best use of the time, because the days are
evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord
is. [18] And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled
with the Spirit, [19] addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, [20] giving
thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, [21] submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
What does it mean practically to “make the
most of your time”?
Practically, “making the most of time” means
living intentionally instead of drifting through life carelessly.
In Ephesians 5:16, Paul says believers are to
“redeem the time” because the days are evil. The picture is of recognizing that
time is valuable, limited, and spiritually significant.
It does not mean we must stay busy every
moment. It means we begin asking:
- What truly
matters?
- What will have
eternal value?
- Am I investing
my life or merely spending it?
Making the most of time can look very
ordinary:
- prioritizing
relationships over distractions,
- spending time
with God consistently,
- encouraging
people while we still have opportunity,
- serving others
instead of living only for comfort,
- resolving
conflicts instead of prolonging bitterness,
- and using our
gifts, wisdom, and influence for God’s purposes.
For older adults, this verse often becomes
especially meaningful because life feels faster with age. Many people reach a
point where they realize how much time was spent worrying, chasing temporary
things, or postponing what mattered most.
But Paul’s words are not meant to produce
regret; they are meant to produce purpose.
Even in later seasons of life, there are
still opportunities:
- prayers that
strengthen others,
- wisdom that
guides younger believers,
- kindness that
encourages weary hearts,
- conversations
that point people toward Christ.
A person redeeming the time understands that
seemingly small moments matter spiritually.
Sometimes making the most of time also means
letting go of things that waste emotional and spiritual energy:
- endless
resentment,
- constant
negativity,
- meaningless
distractions,
- or pursuits
that leave no eternal fruit.
Jesus lived with remarkable intentionality.
He was never frantic, but He was purposeful. He made time for prayer, people,
teaching, rest, and obedience to the Father.
How can a believer tell whether they are
being led by the Spirit or by their flesh?
One of the clearest ways a believer can tell
whether they are being led by the Spirit or by the flesh is by looking at the
direction and fruit of their life.
The flesh naturally pulls us toward: selfishness,
pride, impatience, anger, lust, bitterness, envy, and self-centered desires.
The Holy Spirit, however, leads us toward: love,
humility, conviction, obedience, peace, self-control, compassion, and a deeper
desire to honor Christ.
Galatians 5 describes this contrast clearly
through the “works of the flesh” and the “fruit of the Spirit.” Over time, what
consistently grows in our lives reveals what is influencing us most.
Another important sign is this:
The flesh resists correction, while the
Spirit responds to conviction.
When the Holy Spirit is leading someone,
there is usually a growing sensitivity to sin. A believer may still struggle,
but they cannot remain comfortable in disobedience. The Spirit gently convicts,
redirects, and draws the heart back toward God.
The flesh, on the other hand, tends to
justify sin:
- It’s not that serious.
- Everyone else does it.
- I deserve this.
- This is just who I am.
The Spirit also produces surrender rather than control.
The flesh constantly asks: What do I want?
The Spirit asks: What honors God?
For older adults, this often becomes easier
to recognize over time because life experience reveals the consequences of
flesh-driven decisions. Many believers can look back and clearly see seasons
when pride, fear, anger, or selfish ambition were leading them instead of God.
At the same time, spiritual maturity also
teaches humility. Mature believers know the flesh never completely disappears
this side of heaven. Walking in the Spirit is a daily dependence on God, not a
one-time achievement.
A Spirit-filled life gradually begins to
reflect
the character of Jesus in
everyday moments.
Remember this week that the longer we walk
with Christ, the more our lives should begin reflecting Him to the world around
us.
See you next week.
