Ephesians 05:01-13 Unfruitful Works of Darkness – audio

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Text: Ephesians 5:1-13

Introduction

A. Before one obeyed the Gospel of the Christ

1. He was separated from God – Isaiah 59:1-2

2. lost in sin – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

3. In a state of spiritual darkness – Ephesians 2:1-2; 5:8

B. Jesus came to this sin-darkened world “to seek and to save” the lost – Luke 19:10

C. Those who follow Jesus do not live in darkness – Acts 26:16-18.

Body

I. HOW DOES ONE TURN TO THE LIGHT WHO IS SEPARATED FROM GOD, LOST IN SIN, AND IN A STATE OF SPIRITUAL DARKNESS?

A. Every alien sinner is called by the Gospel of Jesus Christ – 2 Thessalonians 2:14

B. When one hears, believes, and obeys that Gospel, something takes place.

1. Colossians 1:13

2. 1 Peter 2:9

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:5

4. Romans 13:12

5. 1 John 1:6-7

C. All these things being true, it is no wonder that Paul would exhort the Ephesians – Ephesians 5:11

II. APPLICATION OF EPHESIANS 5:11

A. In the context Ephesians 5:11 applies to the immoral practices in which the phrase is found; But it is not limited to its immediate context of Ephesians 5.

B. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

C. 1 Timothy 5:22

D. Matthew 7:17-20

E. THINK! Is Jesus merely talking about trees and the fruits they produce, or is he using this figure to illustrate the fact that false teachers and others producing the “unfruitful works of darkness” are actually evil?

1. By their fruits we shall know that they are corrupt.

2. In order for a good tree and evil tree to have fellowship, they would have to be producing fruit together.

3. Herein lies the problem. Can a good tree, a tree of light, produce “unfruitful works of darkness”? NO!

4. If a good tree cannot produce “unfruitful works of darkness,” how is it possible for it to be in fellowship with the kind of tree that does? IT CANNOT!

5. What kind of a tree produces “unfruitful works of darkness”? An evil tree, a tree of darkness – in other words, one who walks in darkness

F. Fellowship with God is contingent upon “walking in the light.” The fellowship we have with others walking in the light – 1 John 1:6-7

G. It is impossible for one “walking in the light” to have fellowship with one “walking in darkness.” When one does so, he himself ceases to “walk in the light” because he becomes a partaker (Fellowshipper) of the evil deeds being done by the one who is “walking in darkness.” – 2 John 9-11.

Conclusion

A. Light is often used by the NT writers as a synonym for truth and righteousness, while darkness represents sin and error – 1 John 1:6-7

B. Ephesians 5:8-13

C. Matthew 5:14

D. 1 Thessalonians 5:5