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“BEHAVING LIKE CHILDREN---OF LIGHT.”
Ephesians 5:1-8
Outline by; Rev. Daniel K. Corbett
Introduction: Normally, when we state that adults are behaving like children it is to
point out fault. However, that is not always true. Our Savior told us that except we
become as little children we would not enter the kingdom of Heaven. That statement
signified that we are to trust God’s provision for our salvation in a simple, honest,
trusting fashion.
Here the Apostle, under the inspiration of the Spirit of God commands (“be”KJV=ginesthe—become—present middle imperative) that we act like children. But it is
not a command that concerns salvation. This is a command concerning our Christian life
and how we ought to behave since we are children of God.
Also, the command does not encourage naïve child-like behavior in doctrine or
understanding (Ephesians 4:14; I Corinthians 14:20). The command encourages the
wide-eyed wonderment of the child with new truths and the desire of the child to imitate
and please those whom they admire.
None of the things which the apostle is about to command are possible except we first
receive Christ personally, as our Savior and are made new creatures in Christ.
I. CHILDREN OF LIGHT IMITATE THE FATHER OF LIGHTS. (James 1:17)
vs.1
A. We Should Imitate Our Heavenly Father.
“imitators”=mimatai—of mimeomai—“…to imitate, follow as an example, strive
to resemble.”
Illus. As children we were mimics. That is how we learned. Sons imitating
fathers, daughters imitating mothers. Sometimes children are better mimics than
we would like them to be.
At times children, and adults will imitate and strive to resemble evil beings.
B. We Should Not Imitate The World, Or The God Of This World.
“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth
good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” III John 11
Note: Good children imitate their father and do not imitate evil.
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II. CHILDREN OF LIGHT WALK AS THEIR MASTER WALKED. vs. 2
A. Our Master Loved Us Enough To Give Himself Up As A Sacrifice For Us.
B. Our Master Loved Us Enough To Present Himself As A Sweet Savor Of
Sacrifice. These things we could never do.
Note: Children often walk with the same gait and mannerism as one of their parents or a
hero. Illustration: In our old family movies my sister, with a holster and gun set around
her waist walks across the room in perfect imitation of James Arness as Marshall Matt
Dillion of “Gunsmoke.” We are to walk with the same self-sacrificing mannerism as our
Savior. We should care more for the children of God, than for ourselves.
III. CHILDREN OF LIGHT STRIVE FOR THE STANDARD OF OTHER
MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY. vv. 3,4
[vs. 4—“not convenient” KJV—ouk aneken—aneken=”to come up to, it is fit, proper,
becoming, to reach up to, have come to a point.]
A. Coming Up To The Standard Of Saints.
By the standards of the world, you are already too holy—but this is not the
standard of the church.
1. do not be named as a fornicator.
2. do not be named as one who is unclean.
3. do not be named as covetous.
B. Maintaining The Standard Of Saints.
When we shame this standard we shame all believers who have gone before us.
1. do not speak filthiness.
2. do not speak evil foolishness. (morologia).
3. do not speak evil witticisms. (eutrapelia—nimbleness of wit, quickness
in making repartee, but in a low sense.)
4. do speak thanks to God.
Note: The mannerisms and walk of a child are not the only things that betray who the
parent is. Most often the speech; the words used and how they are used are also
indicators of parentage.
Since it is so easy for us to speak, let the world know who your parent is and speak
thanks to God.
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IV. CHILDREN OF LIGHT BEHAVE AS HEIRS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
vs.5
(Why are royal families put in serious turmoil when the heir to the throne or principality
behaves in a scandalous way? Because the common man expects more of him due to the
great responsibility and privilege of power he will one day inherit.)
A. Children Of Light Do Not Live In A Habitual Pattern Of Immorality.
(pornos)
B. Children Of Light Do Not Live In A Habitual Pattern Of Impurity.
(akathartos—unclean, lewd, foul, impure)
C. Children Of Light Do Not Live In A Habitual Pattern Of Covetousness.
Note: “All of the terms are written without articles, a grammatical feature which
emphasizes the general quality rather than particular instances. Thus his thought is not
that no person who has ever committed such an act is barred from participation in
Christ’s kingdom…Rather, he means the person whose life is characterized by this.”
Homer A. Kent Jr., Ephesians Glory Of The Church.
V. CHILDREN OF LIGHT RECOGNIZE THEIR FAMILY’S TEACHING.
vv.6,7
[Consider those special, peculiar, private teachings and truths that your parents tried to
impress upon you for the betterment of your life. When someone teaches or advocates a
life-style that is contrary to your family teachings—then, you know something is wrong.]
A. Children Of Light Know Empty Words When They Hear Them. 6a
“vain”—kenois—empty, vain, fruitless, hollow, fallacious, having no thing.
“no man” Medeis—“not one” strengthening the negative.
B. Children Of Light Know The Wrath Of God When They See It. 6b
C. Children Of Light Know Evil Practices When They Observe Them. 7
“Be not ye therefore partakes with them.” “…joint (sun) shares with (metochoi)
them (auton).” A.T. Robertson
Note: The idea is not only to recognize empty words but, to see God’s punishment upon
evil and cease being partakers in activities that displease God.
Illustration: In stead of wearing a family crest or signet ring we are recognized as
belonging to the family of God by how we behave.
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VI. CHILDREN OF LIGHT REMEMBER WHO THEY ARE, AND WHO THEY
WERE. vs. 8
A. You Were Darkness. “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and
hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” Colossians 1:13
B. You Are Now Light.
C. Walk As Children Of Light.
Note: If you were to be adopted into a wonderful loving family after having lived in a
terrible orphanage or dysfunctional family; I would imagine that you would remember
who you were—and who you are now. I also think that you would want to bring as much
honor to your adopted family and father as possible. This is exactly our situation as a
believer.
CONCLUSION:
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Imitate Your Father.
Walk Like Your Master.
Strive For The High Standard Of Saints.
Behave Like The Member Of A Royal Family.
Do Not Be A Fellow Partaker In Evil.
Remember Who You Are And, Who You Once Were.