24/08/2024
🌹 *SERMON IN BRIEF*
(TEACHING SERVICE)
THEME: *MATURING DISCIPLES MUST AVOID FILTHY LIFESTYLES AND WALK AS CHIDLREN OF LIGHT*
*BIBLE READING:* EPHESIANS 5: 3 – 10
TEXT: *For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light* (Eph. 5:8).
*INTRODUCTION*
A *disciple* in simple terms is a learner or a pupil. Every disciple has a teacher or a master that he or she follows. It is the task of the disciple to learn, study and pass on the sayings and teachings of the master.
*Discipleship* is a process and it’s a lifelong process of becoming a good and true disciples of Christ Jesus. Day by day we are maturing as Disciples. This, however, does not happen automatic as years go by but we need to assess ourselves whether we are maturing or not.
This Bible passage points out what we should avoid and how we should walk if we really mean business of becoming the kind of Disciples that Christ Jesus wants us to be.
*MAIN ISSUES*
(A) *GETTING THE BASIS RIGHT*
(EPHESIANS 5: 1 – 2)
It is assumed that we are Christians because we have given our lives to Christ Jesus. For we have accepted Him as our Lord and Personal Saviour (John 1:12). Paul earlier on mentioned that, “You were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world” (Eph. 2:1 – 2; 5:8a).
We had our own background lifestyle when we were in the world. As we have come to Jesus, something must change in our way of life.
How possible? Paul continues to give the way out: We must be imitators of God and we should be convinced, we are dearly loved children of God and we live a life of love. We have not forgotten the sacrificial price that Christ paid for us (Eph. 5: 1 – 2).
If this is so, then the following verses will not be a problem -
(B) *AVOID FILTHY LIFESTYLES*
(EPHESIANS 5: 3 - 7)
“But among you there must not be even a hint of…” (Eph. 5:3a).
This is because we are imitating God (Eph. 5:1).
The old lifestyle as listed
