November 14th

Eph. 5:5-
Idolatry is to worship something other than God. Putting anything above God is idolatry. Those who walk in light are to be committed to God. He is top priority...To walk in Light includes commitment.
Why should we walk in the light:
1. What we are (Our identity) We are SAINTS...one set aside for a special kind of life. God called us out of darkness to walk in the light...an exhibition of Him.
2. What it does for us:Light always produces growth. Darkness inhibits growth. This is true in the physical world, also true in the spiritual world. Light will help us to grow into the kind of person God wants us to be.
3. What it does for others...influence for good. When we walk in Light, our Light will become a positive force to produce life in others.

Walking as a child of Light means transparency before the eyes of God. Revealing God's Light into a dark world. Helping others find their way to Christ. Light reveals God; light produces fruit; but also it exposes what is wrong. Refuse fellowship with dearkness. Matt/ 5"14 Live a balanced life - positively, walk in the Light; negatively, denounce and expose the wickedness of those in darkness. Expose sin, but bear fruit! V. 12 Caution ... In the "tell it like it is" world, exposing the filthy things of darkness ... NO details lest we unconsciously advertise and promote sin. Romans 16:19 It is not necessary for the believer to perform an autopsy on a rotting corpse to expose its rottenness...all you need do is turn on the light. (v.13)

v.14 the born again has no business in the darkness. A SAINT means a partaker of the inheritance of the Light. Col. 1:12 delivered "from the powerof darkness Col. 1:13, Eph 5:8 God does not give us overcoming life; He gives us life AS WE OVERCOME. "Stretch forth thy hand" was his instruction to the man with the withered hand...His hand was healed as he took the initiative.

WALK IN WISDOM 5:15-17 Idea of precision and accuracy. Don't walk carelessly and without proper guidance and forethought. We cannot leave the Christ life to chance. Make wise decisions and seek to do the will of God.
Often it is not evil pursuits that rob your time. Rather, the temptation is to sacrifice what is BEST for what is good. The enemy will lure you with distractions, leaving you no time to carry out God's will. He will tempt you to so fill your schedule with good things that you have no time for God's best. Don't substitute religious activity for God's will, pursuing your own goals for His kingdom instead of waiting for His assignment. Time is a precious commodity. Be sure to invest it wisely.

Using your time purposefully:
*mark of wisdom, *life is short (James) *the days are evil; God has given us a mind (v.17) He transforms the mind Rom. 12:1-2 - result of the Word, prayer, meditation and worship. James 1:5 God not only wants us to know but to understand His will *God has a plan for our lives...He reveals His plan!

Guidelines to Guidance was explained in class, on your handout...very helpful to reach wise decisions.

WALK IN THE SPIRIT 5:18-20
This is a command...He does the filling ...ongoing experience.
To be constantly controlled by the Spirit in our mind, emotions, and will. Baptism of the Spirit means that I belong to His Body. Filling of the Spirit means that my body belongs to Christ. Filling is needed in all aspects of life, not just when witnessing, missionary work or preaching but in the home!!! 3 evidence of the fullness of the Spirit: JOY v. 18-19 compare being drunk with wine and filled with the Spirit
DRUNK: under the control of another force..drpressant feels a great sense of release...all his troubles are gone. not ashamed to express himself. can "lick anybody in the house", cannot hide what is going on in his life. relly out of control, makes a fool of himself, calls attention to himself, often sings, but reveals the corruption of his heart.
FILLED: God controls his life, experiences a deep joy, not afraid to express to the glory of God, experiences a beautiful self-control that is really God in control, glorifies God, will to be a "fool for Christ's sake" I Cor. 4:10, witness for Christ, has a song in the the heart.

Christians who are filled with the Holy Spirit enjoy being together and experience a sense of joyful oneness in the Lord. They do not need the false stimulants of the world.

Homework: Study Eph. 5:21 - the end of the chapter...What is the meaning of submission? what do these 13 verses say to you and to me?