Ephesians: New Language

10/18/20 • 48 min

Ephesians 5:4

God is calling us to a different standard even in our casual conversations with one another. So much conversation in locker rooms, at lunch tables, in the break room at work, at social gatherings, and so on, is considered by God to be filthy, foolish or crude. Not only should we never initiate this kind of talk, we should not partner with it. This requires wisdom and will inevitably put a strain on relationships. In contrast to this unsavory language, the Christian should be filled with the new language of thankfulness. This teaching defines the sort of language we should avoid as followers of Jesus and how a new language of gratitude is formed.

Ephesians 5:4

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Ephesians: Sexual Purity

Ephesians 5:3

We live in a generation with unprecedented sexual temptation. Inappropriate content is not only easy to find but it aggressively finds us. It comes at us from every direction. As a result, many of God’s people have fallen into deep dark struggles. Some carry a burden of bondage and guilt daily. The Christian sexual ethic stands in stark contrast to what is generally acceptable in society. The standard of purity that God intends for His people goes way beyond just outward abstinence. As new creatures in Christ a whole new way of thinking emerges. The mind is renewed and people we may be physically attracted to are no longer viewed lustfully as objects but, rather, with honor as people made in God’s image. Sex is good. It is designed by God to deepen intimacy between a man and woman in the covenant of marriage. It is holy and not to be trifled with or cheapened. This message is a clear call to sexual purity with practical instructions on how to live pure in a sex-crazed society.

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Ephesians: Sin and Wrath

Ephesians 5:5-9

From every direction, the world attempts to bring us into agreement with its way of viewing things. We are told that things the Bible defines as sin are not sin. What people of God have called sin for thousands of years is now denied or downplayed, and in some cases, celebrated. In these verses, God is urging us through the apostle to not be deceived by empty words. The Scriptures not only condemn much of what is considered normal and natural to practice in society—sex before marriage, homosexuality, bisexuality, lusting in the heart, filthy talk, and so on—but God says that “because of these things the wrath of God comes”. We live in a day when good is called evil and evil is called good. Few people seem to realize that there are consequences for sin beyond the grave. This message is essentially about the importance of seeing the seriousness and sinfulness of sin so we do not casually or ignorantly partner with it.