Spiritual DNA: Just Do It

Written by Ed Allen
 Sunday, 16 August 2009 09:00

Sermons - Our Spiritual DNA

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Obedience Matters

Today’s Passage: Ephesians 5:3-14

3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.

8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:

“Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

God’s Appeal to Holy Living and Obedience

  • God calls us to obedience. God makes a negative appeal – He tells us what we should not be doing – and then He makes a positive appeal based on who we are in Jesus Christ.

Improper conduct: sexual immorality, impurity, and greed

  • There should not even be a hint of this in our lives. (v.3)

The basis for our right behavior

  • Because people who live that kind of lifestyle will not go to heaven (v.5)
  • That kind of lifestyle leads to God’s wrath (v.6)
  • Because we are now children of light – our identity is now in Christ and we should live as God’s children (v.8)
    • Deeds of darkness are now inconsistent with who we are

Expose the darkness

  • Not only should we avoid “deeds of darkness,” but we should expose them (v.11)
    • We need to confess to one another.
    • We often help one another out of our weaknesses instead of out of our strengths.
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