MY favorite chapter! Ephesians 5:1-21

Ephesians 5 : 1-21
Author~ Paul The Apostle
Written between 60 and 61 A.D.
Written to~ The Christians in Ephesus
Ephesians 5:1-2
•Why did Paul say be an imitator of Christ?

• He wants us to strive to be like Christ, because he is our perfect Creator! Right before Paul said this he was describing how Christ is compassionate and kind to others and forgiving. Those are awesome characteristics that God also wants us to imitate. God has so many GOOD characteristics that we need to learn from such as, patience, gentleness, tenderness, being rightly just, and merciful, etc. Just think God has all of the fruits of the Spirit and completes them perfectly. God has so many other characteristics that complete his perfection that we can learn from.

Ephesians 5:3-5
•Here Paul is warning us of the things that are Not of God. He tells us what God commands us not to do.
• There shouldn’t be any;
• Sexual immorality- fornication (sex outside of marriage)
• Impurity- immoral acts (how are you going to know what immoral without reading God’s word and know what HE thinks is immoral)
• Greed- covetousness-while we think of this as meaning lust for money it refers to sensual desire… greed to satisfy ones sexual appetite.
• Obscenity-dirty stories, suggestive jokes, indecency
• Foolish talk- Empty conversation, that is worthy of a moron.
• Coarse Joking- Jokes that are unsavory, with hidden meanings. To talk about something, to joke about it, to make it a frequent subject of conversation is to introduce it into your mind, and to bring you closer to actually doing it.

-It is always dangerous to joke about sin. Instead of using our tongue for such unworthy talk, the Christian should be expressing thanks to God for all the blessings and mercies of life. This is pleasing to the Lord, a good example to others, and beneficial to one’s own soul.
*There is no room for doubt as to God’s attitude toward immoral persons; They have No inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 5:6-7
•What does Paul mean when he says don’t let anyone deceive you with empty words?
• Webster says: Empty- having nothing within, insincere, frivolous (trivial, not serious or sensible)
• Many people today are becoming more lenient and tolerant of sin. They are coming up with so many justifications that Paul warned of being deceived so we would be on our guard.
• He tells us not to be partners with such people who try to always bring you away from Christ.
Ephesians 5:8-10
Paul said we should walk as children in the light now. We should now produce fruit that consists of goodness righteousness and truth.
• We should not only produce this kind of fruit in our lives but also find out what is acceptable to the Lord.

Paul put every thought, word and action to the test.

How does this appear in Pauls presence?
• What does the Lord think about this?
• As a Christian, Every area of life comes under the searchlight---conversation, standard of living, clothes, books, pleasures, entertainments, friendships, vacations, cars, and sports. Etc.
• We should ask God if these things are acceptable and search these areas out in Scripture.
Ephesians 5:11-14
• Paul tells us to shine light on the darkness. How can we shine light on darkness in people we know?
• Are you a good person? (way of witnessing to strangers) check it out on my site.
• Share the Gospel
• Live a life according to God in front of them.
• Always be prepared to Give an answer to the darkness!!!! So they themselves can understand.
Ephesians 5:15-21
• Make the most of every opportunity. How?
• Pray for opportunities, always be reading scripture, always be ready to answer questions about your faith, Be a workman approved!!
• Understand what the Lords will is by reading scripture
• Speak to other Christians about Godly things. –He’s our Lord; why not talk about him all the time!
• Always be there for other Christians in time of need; we are all apart of the same family now, with the same Father, who wants the Same things from us! Lets all follow him together.

Paul said to make the most of every opportunity, for the days are evil. Take a moment right now and pause. Seriously take into consideration how fast time goes by. Days go by so fast and we are constantly growing older. Now think of how many people constantly are dieing each day. Did you know 150,000 people are dying everyday. Now consider their destinations, Heaven or Hell. Most of those people are dying and going to hell, because they aren't following Jesus Christ. Please Fight the Good Fight of Faith, and talk with others about Jesus Christ. Make the most of EVERY OPPORTUNITY!(as Paul said) If you love friends and family You must begin with them first. Then Go out, glorify God with every word you speak. Always be a good witness and SPEAK SPEAK SPEAK out the truth to the lost and depraved world. Get rid of the worldly, immoral, filthy, sins in your life that are holding you back from sharing God with others and repent daily and focus on God. Continually renew your spirit die to yourself everyday, and become new.

Jesus said, "If you love me you will obey what I command."

John 14:15

I didn't use the whole text of Chapter 5 in Ephesians. I left out verses 22-33. I am going to put those verses in my next post about marriage.